Stories 1, 2, 3, 4

by Eugène Ionesco, Étienne Delessert (Illustrator)

Back in print for the first time since the 1970s, these illustrated stories by one of the twentieth century’s great playwrights make ideal bedtime reading for young children. The “silly” stories, as Ionesco called them, are accompanied by nearly 100 full-color illustrations, painstakingly restored by the artist for this brand new edition.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Fiction

111 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

Eugène Ionesco, born Eugen Ionescu, was a Romanian playwright and dramatist; one of the foremost playwrights of the Theatre of the Absurd. Beyond ridiculing the most banal situations, Ionesco's plays depict in a tangible way the solitude and insignificance of human existence.

Excerpted from Wikipedia.

Reviews

[Illiterate · Rating 2 out of 5]

Children’s stories. 1-2 use the arbitrary nature of sounds. 3-4 use the gap between language and physics.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, are these stories silly. If you're keen on instilling a sense of the absurd in your child, no better place to start than these stories. Dr Seuss is Platonic rationality in comparison. Warning: if you have a mate who does *not* appreciate the absurd, s/he will really hate these stories. . . Thus: Highly recommended. Great illustrations throughout--they're the acid-spiked icing on the cake.

[Ramona Cantaragiu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who would have thought that Eugene Ionesco wrote a book for children? Not me, for sure. The stories are based on the tales that Ionesco made up for his own daughter and they have his mark of absurdity, but also a childish sense of inocent play that makes them highly endearing. I never imagined that I would be so amused by the word plays and sheneningans of Ionesco who portrays himself as a father who eats too much and is always a bit too tired, but never too tired to invent a new adventure for his daughter.

[Ioana Hodor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely one of the wittiest and funniest selection of stories told by Eugene Ionesco to his daughter, Marie-France. If you want to see how playful the genre of the absurd is, check out this title.

[Nicole Chilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

My children have never laughed so hard at a book. Ionesco's absurdity is a hit with pre-schoolers apparently. The 4-star review is their decision. It was a fun read-aloud.

[ANA CITEȘTE ÎN LUMEA CARTILOR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Foarte frumoasa carte, superba!

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Las historias son muy graciosas y entretenidas, llenas de imaginación. Las ilustraciones son surrealistas y preciosas.

[Ali · Rating 2 out of 5]

داستان شماره 3 و داستان شماره 4
یونسکو در سال های 1968 تا 73، چهار قصه گونه منتشر کرد که خود آنها را "کتاب برای بچه های زیر سه سال" نامیده، و مصور هم شده اند. این داستان ها گاه، به شکل خاطرات شخصی یا بصورت شرح احوال اند، در گذشته و حال. در اینجا هم مثل تمامی آثار یونسکو، زبان نقش اساسی دارد و مانند "درس" و "صندلی ها"، با زبان تفنن می کند. در داستان های یک و دو از خاطرات با دخترش که تازه راه افتاده، استفاده کرده و زبان و ریتم داستان، با رابطه ی پدری با دخترش همخوانی دارد، و همان قدر شیرین برای بزرگسالان. برخی معتقدند یونسکو در این قصه ها بیشتر به "گفتگو"(دیالوگ که مخصوص نمایش نامه است) پرداخته.
در داستان سه پاپا به دختر کوچکش می گوید ما با هواپیما به سفر می رویم، من لباس زیر تو را تنت می کنم، پیراهن کوچولویت را می پوشانم، کاپشن صورتی رنگ مامانی ات را تنت می کنم، چقدر و همه جا و هر روز قشنگ اند، و چقدر همه چیز برای یک کودک آسان است.
در داستان شماره ی چهار، پدر ژوزت از او می خواهد که همه جای خانه را دنبال او بگردد، بجز دستشویی، جایی که واقعن پدر ژوزت هست. متن، شامل فلسفه بافی های کودکانه است که اغلب به شکل سوالات بچگانه با زبانی ساده بیان می شود و در آنها رابطه فرد و جامعه، فرد و دولت، انسان و واقعیت، و بالاخره رابطه ی انسان و مرگ مطرح می شود.
برخی قصه های شماره دار یونسکو، از جمله شماره های یک و دو توسط فرزانه ابراهیمی در سال های دهه ی پنجاه توسط امیر کبیر منتشر شده اند.

در مورد "تیاتر ابزورد" اینجا را بخوانید
http://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_...

[Sylvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally published in the early 1970s, this reissued compilation of four picture book stories from the famous playwright Ionesco, is an excellent example of his absurdist views made accessible to children.

The main character, Josette, delights in the silly stories her father tells her. For example, he introduces a girl named Jacqueline, whose father, mother, brother, friend, and toys are all named Jacqueline. Or in the second story: "So Papa teaches Josette the real meaning of words. A chair is a window. The window is a fountain pen. A pillow is bread and bread is a bedside rug. . . ." He takes her on a plane ride to the moon, or sends her on a wild goose chase in the house while he shaves.

While children will delight in the silliness, underneath the absurdity is the familiar comfort of a loving family: parents who stay up too late and find ways to entertain their daughter in the morning; a stylish mom who worries about her husband's silly stories; and a father who nurtures his daughter's creativity and delight in the world.

Adding to the charm and surrealism of the stories are over 100 wonderful illustrations of Etienne Delessert, including rhinoceroses, giant eyeballs, giant mushrooms, and teeny airplanes.

[Erin Dealey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was excited to find this Delessert 2009 translation from Ionesco's French edition, and the first half of the book is delightfully absurd: an entire family (and friends and toys) named Jacqueline (Story 1) and in Story 2, wordplay reminiscent of the Mason Williams' song, "The Prince's Panties." On the other foot, let's just say that Stories 3 & 4 reflect the Theater of the Absurd's tendency towards lack of plot... Search Etienne Delessert's illustrations and find Elmo, a Disney dwarf or two, and The Beatles' Yellow Submarine--with either George or Ringo. That being said, I plan to share Stories 1 & 2 with my theater students at Fine Arts Camp this summer--a perfect intro to Absurdist theater, because that's what kids should learn at summer camp, right?

[Hans · Rating 4 out of 5]

The odd feel of these absurd stories expands because they are of another place (France) and time (early 1970s). The father is usually sleeping off the results of going to the theater, restaurant, a Punch and Judy Show, and another restaurant...probably with several glasses of wine mixed in there. There are other odd "adult" references like how the father can't eat certain foods because they affect his health. Meanwhile, the narrative often disappears into the illustrations shifting the reader into the absurd story landscapes.

[Amorfna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Priče

Napisane da razvesele velike
i male kao i da ih podsete
da reči postoje i zato da bismo se
sa njima poigrali

Ežen Jonesko

Jedna od knjiga mog detinjstva, 4 lepe ,maštovite pričice kojima se
i danas rado vraćam.

[Sasha Boersma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely illustrations paired with beautifully absurd stories.

[Jan Moens · Rating 5 out of 5]

9/10

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had trouble getting through it and would not reread.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mie mi-a plăcut, mamei mele nu. Presupun că eu am mai puțin de trei ani și de aia.

[elstaffe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story-wise, I absolutely loved the first story, liked the second and third somewhat, and got annoyed at the last one on behalf of Josette (although also a good call on her father's part). The art in all four was excellent, although after seeing the more absurd art, the more everyday art for story four was a little bit of a letdown. All children's stories in a way moralizing children's stories wish they could be.

Pull quotes/notes
"Mama has style: she has beautiful eyes, like two flow-ers, and her mouth is shaped like a flower. She has a little pink nose, like a flower. She has hair like flowers and she has flowers in her hair." From "2"

[Daiana Moldovan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was surprised when I saw this book in BookTruck, the mobile library. I did not know that Eugene Ionesco wrote a book for children. So I had to borroe and read it. It is simply amazing and funny. I enjoyed every word. Beautiful word games. :) he was a genius.

[RAI · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinante poveștile lui Ionesco pentru copii :) Absurde dar delicioase!!!

[Книжни Криле · Rating 4 out of 5]

След като отнесе наградата „Христо Г. Данов”, поредицата „Детски шедьоври от велики писатели” на изд. „Лист” продължава стремително напред. След главозамайващата нова визия на Капка Кънева за „Железния човек” на Тед Хюз, имаме възможността да се насладим и на „Приказки 1, 2, 3, 4” от Йожен Йонеско, в превод от Георги Ангелов и илюстрирана от Дамян Дамянов. Какво ли може да сътвори един отявлен абсурдист, когато с обич пише истории за собствената си дъщеря? Прочетете ревютона "Книжни Криле": https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/201...

[Frank Hoppe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic reissue of Eugene Ionesco's children's stories. I first encountered these in their earlier incarnations for the publisher Harlin Quist, with illustrations by Gerard Failly. This edition has illustrations by Etienne Delessert, which are also lovely, but I've "imprinted" on the earlier edition.

These stories are very absurd, and children of all ages will love them.

[Sean Toohey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Children's stories written by Ionesco and illustrated by Etienne Delessert.
Bananas. Utterly bananas. The illustrations are mind-blowing. They're akin to Gilliam's Monty Python illustrations. My daughters enjoys all the stories, however story 2 sets her off cackling, an unhinged laughter. My favorite sound, ever.

[Antoaneta Kostovska · Rating 1 out of 5]

Много, много грозни илюстрации на българското издание.