Rereading: THE THREE POLICEMEN by William Pène du Bois

William Pène du Bois was something of a child prodigy as a children’s book writer and illustrator, his first book, “Elizabeth the Cow Ghost” was written at age 18 and published when he was 19 in 1936. Four more quickly followed, including this one. It’s an oversized chapter book, 7.5 by 10 inches, 92 pages, with illustrations on nearly every page, many in gray tones, a few in color. The figure work is a bit stiff, but the architectural and decorative elements are brilliant. Perhaps it helped that both his parents were artists.

The story takes place on small, secretive Farbe Island, somewhere west of France in the Atlantic Ocean. The inhabitants are blessed with rich farmland and very productive ocean fishing nearby, and live idyllic lives. The three policemen, Peter, Paul, and Joseph, have almost no real police work to do, and their lives are made easier by the help of a young assistant, Bottsford, who does the cleaning and maintenance on their home and equipment. One night that changes when the island’s fishing nets all disappear, somehow stolen. The same thing happens the next night, and the policemen are put on the case. They believe a sea serpent has stolen the nets, and they construct elaborate swimming fish machines/costumes to find out for sure. Alarm bells are attached to the third and final set of nets, what will happen when the policemen hear the signal that something is taking them? And how will Bottsford help the policemen in their moment of crisis?

Great fun, charming and clever, recommended.

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