The Pelican Chorus: and Other Nonsense

An impressively versatile artist, Marcellino (Puss in Boots; The Steadfast Tin Soldier) here deftly adapts his style to the spirit and setting of each of three blithe Lear verses. Positioned between two refreshing, lesser-known works is the timeless "The Owl and the Pussycat," accompanied by pictures perfectly attuned to the capricious verse. In his rendering of the duo's wedding feast, Marcellino has the bride, groom, pig and turkey don festive party hats as they dine "on mince, and slices of quince." Equally effective is his depiction of an old-world town in "The New Vestments"; devotees will enjoy comparing Marcellino's utterly comic approach to DeLoss McGraw's dramatics in The New Vestments (Children's Forecasts, Apr. 17). The title tale, set on the banks of the Nile, features a dapper set of pelican parents who marry off their daughter to the king of the cranes, then fear they will never see her again. In panel art and a few full spreads, Marcellino's droll details capture the pelicans' urbane manners, as well as Lear's subtle meshing of the poignantly real and the sheerly nonsensical. A must-have for fans of Lear-and of Marcellino. All ages.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Ages 5^-8. Lear's genius is an inspiration to all, but few illustrators are talented enough to bring it to life as brilliantly as Marcellino has in this splendid picture-book edition of three classic nonsense tales: "The Pelican Chorus," "The Owl and the Pussycat," and "The New Vestments." Lively characters parade through warm, richly detailed scenes, which are painted so realistically that their absurdity seems totally plausible. Children will be delighted by the lavish coming-out party for Dell, the daughter of the King and Queen of Pelicans, and by the foolish old man who gallops through town in his birthday suit. For children unfamiliar with the master of farce, these three tales provide a wonderful introduction. As Lear once said of himself: "How pleasant to know Mr. Lear!" Lauren Peterson