The Owl and the Pussycat

by Edward Lear, Jan Brett (Illustrator)

Overview

The Owl and the Pussycat of Lear's ballad are truly made for each other, as depicted by James Marshall in these poignant, slaphappy illustrations. Only Marshall could have shown us the Owl serenading the pampered Pussycat on the deck of the S.S. Dorabella, or the Pussycat posing for travel photographs, or the happy couple's goofy wedding dance "by the light of the moon."

Here is a final gift from this greatly beloved creator of children's books.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780698113671
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	05/28/1996
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	8.00(w) x 9.38(h) x 0.14(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Edward Lear (1812-1888) was an author and illustrator who popularized limericks and is perhaps best known for his poem "The Owl and the Pussycat."

James Marshall, one of our most beloved creators of children's books, died on October 13, 1992, three days after his fiftieth birthday. As Anita Silvey says in Children's Books and Their Creators: "The Marshall canon of characters is legendary: Viola Swamp, George, Martha, the Stupids, Emily Pig, Fox, the Cut-Ups...In the latter part of the twentieth century, there have been many fine practitioners of the art of the picture book, but Marshall was one of the finest. His books are classics that will endure."

What People are Saying About This

Roger Ebert

“Anne Mortimer’s illustrations are a magical companion to Lear’s immortal whimsy.”

From the Publisher

"Galdone uses his imagination to extend Lear's ideas, creating a memorable version suitable for the youngest." Kirkus Reviews

Editorial Reviews

Anne Mortimer’s illustrations are a magical companion to Lear’s immortal whimsy.

Roger Ebert

"Galdone uses his imagination to extend Lear's ideas, creating a memorable version suitable for the youngest." Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

This re-issued folktale classic is a treasure. Paul Galdone illustrates fanciful, joyous pictures of Edward Lear’s delightful nonsense tale. A large crowd of expressive cats and owls in holiday dress wave goodbye to the intrepid explorers, Owl and Pussy-cat, while an alert sandpiper watches from a post and leaping fish join in the adieus. Owl and Pussy-cat sing their love songs with joy and then go in search of a wedding ring, nearly falling out of the boat in their eagerness. Finally, having obtained the ring from Piggy-wig they are married by the Turkey on the hill. Then comes dancing in the light of the silvery moon. This wonderful book, filled with detail and beauty, combines Lear’s humor and rhythm-and-rhyme with Galdone’s love of the natural world and its animal life. Perfect for a cuddly read before nap or bedtime. Reviewer: Elisabeth Greenberg; Ages 4 to 8.

Children's Literature - Elisabeth Greenberg