The Puffin Book of Nonsense Verse

by Quentin Blake

Ever eaten Poodle Strudel? Slain a Jabberwock? Bathed in Irish Stew? Quentin Blake is one of the best loved of children’s illustrators. In this brilliant book he has selected and illustrated his favourite comic verse, making it pure entertainment for nonsense-lovers of all ages. His unique style of drawing brings a new perspective to every poem. Classic writers such as Lewis Carroll and Edward Lear are combined with more contemporary talents such as Roger McGough, Margaret Mahy and Russell Hoban. With fifteen wonderfully absurd sections, including Distracting Creatures, Sticky Ends, I Wish I Were a Jelly Fish, A Recipe for Indigestion and Chortling and Galumphing, here is a delightful collection of the topsy-turvy, the fantastical, the anarchic, the illogical and the utterly wonderful.

Genres: Poetry, Childrens, Humor, Anthologies, Fiction

287 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Sir Quentin Saxby Blake is an English cartoonist, caricaturist, illustrator and children's writer. He has illustrated over 300 books, including 18 written by Roald Dahl, which are among his most popular works. For his lasting contribution as a children's illustrator he won the biennial international Hans Christian Andersen Award in 2002, the highest recognition available to creators of children's books. From 1999 to 2001, he was the inaugural British Children's Laureate. He is a patron of the Association of Illustrators.

Reviews

[Jacques Bromberg]

Quentin Blake's anthology of nonsense verse contains many familiar classics (e.g. Carroll's "Jabberwocky") alongside many that will become instant favorites. Original drawings by the editor only sweeten the deal.

[Tim O'Riordan]

Thoroughly entertaining book with wonderfully enjoyaboe nonsense poems for children and adults.

[Ian]

I read it 'cause
it seemed a scream,
But cauliflowers
inflect my dream.
It's hard to say
if good or bad,
A kangaroo
would make me sad.

[Highlyeccentric]

notable - ogden nash, -the purist-. Laura Richards, -eletelephony-
Roger Mcgough, -gazebos-
lord Alfred Douglas, -the duck-

Part-read, in a non-linear fashion.

[Inter N.]

A real 'whale' of a tale.

[Rich]

Great book to read in bed or on the can. Lots of short funny poems, some better than others, of course, but generally good. Arrangement by topic is a bonus.

[Sem]

This is an exemplary collection.

[Sarah]

The normal suspects but also some poems I’d never seen before.

[Minke Y.]

A real “whale” of a tale.

[Janaki Murali]

Absolutely wonderful anthology. I have been reading and re-reading again and again and also read out some verses from here at a summer workshop for children.

[Tasha]

Read it as a child, still enjoy it now:)