August 26, 2013

Nonsense

Hello web followers! I'm super excited about today's post, nonsense picturebooks, so I'm just going to dive right in.

The first book on today's agenda is The Slightly Irregular Fire Engine: Or the Hithering Thithering Djinn by Donald Barthelme, a National Book Award-winning picturebook about an adventure on par with Alice in Wonderland. From the back cover:

"One morning in 1887, Mathilda went out into the back yard and discovered that a mysterious Chinese house had planted itself there overnight. She had wanted a fire engine, but the mysterious Chinese house was intriguing too. From inside came strange sounds: growls, howls, whispering, trumpeting."

I found this picturebook at The World's Only Curious George Store down in Harvard Square about a year ago, and I was totally enthralled by its quirkiness and nostalgic imagery. Here are some spreads (please forgive the terrible picture quality):








It has a very strong steampunk aesthetic that is eye-catching and memorable.

Next on the ballot is Today Is My Day by Anushka Ravishankar and Piet Grobler. Tala wakes up one day and decides she's tired of people always telling her what to do. She decides that today is her day, and that no one can boss her around. And anyone who does is in for a rude awakening:







It's also notable because of its prologue-esque beginning. There are two and a half spreads before the title page with text that sort of set up the premise of the book. It's very unique, though I did feel a little jolted the first time around.

Finally, Mimi's Dada Catifesto by Shelley Jackson is a pretty awesome nonsensical adventure story. Mimi is a stray cat who has always wanted to belong to a family. Though her friends tease her, she finds the companionship she has always wanted in a Dada artist meets who she calls Mr. Dada. The story chronicles Mimi's attempts to show Mr. Dada that they are meant for each other, and Mimi does some crazy things along the way.






That's it for this week! Tell your friends.

Nonsensically yours,
Mel

1 comment:

  1. Thanks for mentioning us in your book review!
    -Curious George Store

    ReplyDelete