The Butterfly's Ball and the Grasshopper's Feast

by William Roscoe

This is a pre-1923 historical reproduction that was curated for quality. Quality assurance was conducted on each of these books in an attempt to remove books with imperfections introduced by the digitization process. Though we have made best efforts - the books may have occasional errors that do not impede the reading experience. We believe this work is culturally important and have elected to bring the book back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide.

Genres: Poetry, Fiction, Animals, Picture Books, Childrens, Fantasy, Classics

40 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1802

About the author

William Roscoe was an English historian, leading abolitionist, art collector, M.P. (briefly), lawyer, banker, botanist and miscellaneous writer, perhaps best known today as an early abolitionist and for his poem for children The Butterfly's Ball, and the Grasshopper's Feast.

(wikipedia)

Reviews

[Thibault Busschots · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a picture book and short story inspired by the original poem with the same name. It’s basically a longer and upgraded version of the original, with some fantastic drawings to make this fascinating world come alive.


The animals are able to stand out more because they’re fleshed out more, both in the text and in the drawings. I also appreciate that apart from adding more prose, we’re also gifted with a bit more in terms of an actual story. Because the ball itself is where the story works towards. Though it’s the illustrations that stand out the most here.


As mentioned in my review of the original poem, this book served as the inspiration for the album with the same name by Roger Glover. The music was made with the intention of using it in a proposed animated movie adaptation. You can see what they intended to make in the music video of its most popular song: Love is All. I also smiled when I read about Froggy singing “love’s all you need” in this story.

[Madeline · Rating 5 out of 5]

It does not feel right commenting of The Butterfly Ball and The Grasshopper's Feast. My words can do no justice to the original poem, and they certainly cannot capture the brilliance of the illustrations. As a child the pictures both intrigued and frightened me, and I appreciate them all the more as an adult. Aldrige's art is vibrant and intricate, giving way to more details the longer you look; it is art that could only have been born of a brilliant mind. Truly a book to treasure.

[Janelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Surprisingly good children's book from the 1800's. I enjoyed it's quirky fantasy and well written verse.

[Sarah Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book of verse, accompanied by full and lustrous illustrations of the Butterfly Ball. I remember this one from when I was a child - there was even a song and film clip released I believe. Great memories and a beautiful book that can be enjoyed by the whole family. A lovely addition to any collection.

[Chris Lynch]

A magical book of verses by William Plomer, beautifully illustrated by Alan Aldridge who was one of the premier illustrators of the 60's and 70's (he did the cover art for Elton John's 'Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy'). So much detail hiding in these pictures and a few puzzles for children to solve (including grown-up children of course).

I recently dug my copy out after many years for the benefit of my 6 year old daughter who loves it. There was also a concept album produced by Roger Glover of Deep Purple fame, with songs based loosely on the verses and illustrations. There were plans for a film but this never materialised - the album was originally going to be a soundtrack. One short animation was produced for the song 'Love Is All' sung by Froggy (vocals provided by Ronnie James Dio). The set was performed as a live rock opera at the Royal Albert Hall.

One thing that my edition of the book doesn't mention, though, which it ought, is the original inspiration of the work - a poem by the historian and slave abolitionist William Roscoe published in 1807, called 'The Butterfly's Ball and the Grasshopper's Feast'.

http://rpo.library.utoronto.ca/poem/1...

It's fascinating to read this older work and spot all the little connections with the more recent work of Plomer and Aldridge:

'And the Hornet in Jacket of Yellow and Brown;
Who with him the Wasp, his Companion, did bring,
But they promis'd, that Evening, to lay by their Sting.'

[J · Rating 1 out of 5]

The Butterfly Ball is a poetry book that takes a wildly exaggerated look into a celebratory day in which all of Britain's wildlife is invited to a rather Lewis Carroll-like event. And since I am not a fan of the latter, I would clearly not be a fan of this book.

Readers are introduced to various characters and their personalities as they learn who is going and who is not as well as the reason(s) behind this decision. The only main tie-in is that even if there is really no need for it, the term "ball" is thrown in for good measure just as a reminder the poem is meant to be cohesive and flowing together.

The illustrations are the gem of the book, capturing each animal in realistic portrayal including the giant insects. The colors are bright, the details numerous and various elements are added for extra pizzazz such as the face in one or the various inclusion of different nursery rhyme characters. The reader can most definitely get lost just in looking at these illustrations.

In this particular book there are also included in the back of the book additional nature notes of the included British fauna and also an explanation of how the book came to be. Heavy reading after such a light poem...

Although the book is meant to be fun and fantastical there were too many questions that didn't make sense. The fox, the stoat and the bat were meant to be villains yet still showed at the ball, livestock and pets were included as beasts in comparison to the characters but then seemed to also make am appearance as ball characters themselves. After losing the dynamics of the characters and the mediocre poetry I was just done with it.

It may make for a fun and fantastical read right behind Alice for those into zany but in my house it is permanently shelved.

[Kali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful artwork, and lovely poetry to go with it. This is likely to lose the attention of younger readers, as there are far more words than pictures. Each page of text could almost be a picture book of its own! Still, the artwork is absolutely gorgeous, and I love the fine details put into each picture, as well as the informative bits at the back of the book about each animal and insect pictured. In all, a lovely book.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute entertaining listening 🎶🔰

Another will written British fantasy short story by R. M. Ballantyne about all the bugs have a party and the fun and excitement that happens. This is for the inner child very enjoyable. Enjoy the adventure of reading 👓 or listening 🎶 to Alexa as I do. 2022 🔰🏡🏰👒

[Wes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember being utterly captivated (and more than a little unnerved) for hours and hours by the intricate illustrations as a kid, and now as an adult the sense of wonder still survives as they are uniquely rich, vivid, and ever so slightly menacing!

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated nature tale, full of UK wildlife, with fascinating ecology detail explained at the end. Dated in places - for example one part uses terminology very much of its time, and very much no longer acceptable, so be aware before giving to a child.

[Bridget · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oops. Didn’t know it was an old children’s poem ..... but it was so beautiful I went ahead and enjoyed it. Written in the late 1700’s ..... but still good.

[Andi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exquisite.

[Tamara Cobb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just beautiful.

[Melanie Gaum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely delightful!

[J Grimsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A super book to look at and read. Long ago it offered a prize found at Ammthill if I remember right

[Cody · Rating 1 out of 5]

the pictures and stories were bad. the stories really didn't make an sense

[Robbie Cheadle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Butterfly Ball and The Grasshopper's Feast is a beautiful story about the insects and small animals all getting ready to attend a ball. The story is told in poetry form and has the most wonderful colour illustrations you have ever seen. A vast number of interesting creatures are attending the ball, including Mrs Dormouse and her son, Tom, Old blind mole, Dandy Rat, who gets attacked and robbed on his way to the ball, the caterpillars, the spider and many, many more. There is a poem for each creature that describes what that particular creatures is doing and how it, or they, are preparing for an evening of fun at the ball. The book also contains interesting facts about each of the creatures featured in the book. The verbiage in this book is quite sophisticated so you may need to read this book to young readers and explain certain words and descriptions to them but it is definitely most worthwhile to do so.

[Becka · Rating 4 out of 5]

i loved this book when i was younger, even though it was second hand form my mum and she had torn half the pages out. You know a book is a classic when you never see the whole story and it doesn't matter because it's so beautiful. As an older girl now i've just relised there's some interesting natural history stuff crammed into the back after the poetry, which is nice, if a bit random.
i can't tell you anything about the storyline- i've never seen the compleate copy, but i can tell you that every picture is a masterpiece down to the last detail.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful retelling of a classic story. Though the artwork was a bit hard to see on my Kindle, it was still a very pleasurable read. To be able to view nature in its complete beauty is something that tends to elude us in our current society, and this story was a good escape away from our complex lives.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book growing up. The artwork was amazing, very rich. The words were a little above my head at the time but it was just challenging enough to make me want to understand the bigger words. Sharing with my daughter now.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

The illustrations by Alan Aldridge are really beautiful, vibrant and detailed; but I wasn't so keen on William Plomer's verse. It was quite jerky for my taste. This was published in 1973 and hasnt dated at all.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful!

[Mckinley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Remake of a classic story.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully entertaining artwork.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting poetry, and amazing art make up this "children's" book about all kinds of animals, and insects laying down their stingers, etc. to have a peaceful day celebrating at a feast and ball.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was bought for me during the 1970s by my Aunt and Uncle. I simply adored this book and spent many, many hours poring over every word and memorised by the stunning illustrations.

[Dan Blackley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a wonder. It is a bunch of poems about all the insects going to the ball. There is a album of the poems that were written into songs. (It took me years to find the album)

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most stunning art