Blast from the Poetry Past: 1846

Another snippet from the history of poetry for young people...

Edward Lear published A Book of Nonsense in 1846, a volume of limericks followed by the compilation, Nonsense Songs, Stories, Botany and Alphabets (1870) which included the classic poem, "The Owl and the Pussycat." It begins:


"The Owl and the Pussycat went to sea
In a beautiful pea-green boat,
They took some honey, and plenty of money,
Wrapped up in a five pound note."


Contemporary Connections
Over the years, many illustrators such as James Marshall, Jan Brett, and Robert Ingpen have created their own picture book versions of Lear's marvelous poem, "The Owl and the Pussycat." Which contemporary poet carries the Lear mantle, imo? Calef Brown. In fact, he collaborated with author Daniel Pinkwater to produce this picture book poem compilation of Lear-mania:

Lear, Edward/Pinkwater, Daniel. 2011. His Shoes Were Far Too Tight: Poems by Edward Lear. Ill. by Calef Brown. Chronicle.

By Calef Brown
And his solo works carry the same brand of nonsensical narrative, regular rhyme, and wacky art that marked the work of Edward Lear. Check 'em out:

Brown, Calef. 1998. Polkabats and Octopus Slacks: 14 Stories. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. 
Brown, Calef. 2000. Dutch Sneakers and Flea Keepers: 14 More Stories. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
Brown, Calef. 2006. Flamingos on the Roof. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
Brown, Calef. 2008. Soup For Breakfast. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
Brown, Calef. 2010. Hallowilloween: Nefarious Silliness. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
Brown, Calef. 2013. We Go Together!: A Curious Selection of Affectionate Verse. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.




Posting by Sylvia M. Vardell © 2013. All rights reserved.

Image credit: art.com;nonsenselit.org;doodle4nf.org