Little Parsley

by Inger Hagerup, Paul Ren Gaugin (Illustrations), Becky L. Crook (Translation)

"Gaugin's original illustrations are attractively rendered in black-line cartoon style with splotches of light green, royal blue, aquamarine, pumpkin, and mustard. The book's appealing cover will engage children, and the poems might prompt them to create their own silly rhymes.-School Library Journal, starred review.



The combination of handwritten, informal verse and Paul Rene Gauguin's avant garde illustrations has proven to be an irresistible and endlessly delightful combination for children and adults alike. Alive with sound, shape, and color, Hagerup's children's poems are still known by heart by every Norwegian child and collections of her poetry can be found on every child''s bookshelf.

Genres: Poetry, Picture Books

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1961

About the author

Inger Hagerup (1905-1985) debuterte i 1939 med "Jeg gikk meg vill i skogene". Den ble siden fulgt av en rekke fine samlinger, som "Videre" (1945) og "Strofe med vinden" (1958). Hennes dikt for barn er klassikere i vår barnelitteratur. Inger Hagerup har skrevet hørespill og gjendiktet Shakespeare og Goethe. Hennes erindringer "Det kommer en pike gående", "Hva skal du her nede", "Ut og søke tjeneste" ble utgitt i 1960-årene.

Inger Hagerup er framfor alt kjærlighetens poet. Men hun er også dødens dikter, for mange av hennes beste dikt kretser om dette motivet. Et tredje karakteristisk trekk er hennes opprørske engasjement, som har fått brennende intense uttrykk. Barnediktene hører med til den litteratur som alle barn i vårt land har fått et nært forhold til.

Reviews

[Lauren]

LITTLE PARSLEY by Inger Hagerup, illustrated by Paul René Gauguin, and translated from the Norwegian by Betty Lynn Crook, 1961 / 2019.

So happy to find this illustrated and translated children's poetry collection at my library.

One of Norway's most beloved modern poets, Hagerup wrote both children's books, plays, and adult literature. LITTLE PARSLEY is a book of children's rhymes, illustrated by Paul René Gauguin... The grandson of *that* Gauguin.

Many nature and garden-themed poems, and they made me smile. Reminding me of the similar books I loved and read repeatedly as a child, like Where The Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein.

"They call me Radicchio
but I'm really a troll, so you know.
Thick-tummied, purplish-green,
A lowbred, earthy fiend.
There's nothing like growing stout
and pushing my belly out,
while squatting in the radicchi row,
a bitter Trolldicchio."

[Ms. B]

Shel Silverstein meets William Cole's Beastly Boys and Ghastly Girls in this Norwegian import.

[Madison]

I came across Inger Hagerup as I was in search of poets with Swedish and Norwegian roots the other day. I wish her other poetry (specifically during WW2 resistance) was translated, but also joyful that these children’s nonsense poems are. Accompanied by absolutely stunning illustrations from French painter Paul Gaugin’s grandson, Paul Renè.

[Vicky]

One of the oddest books I've ever read. Wish could read the not translated version!

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.

[Jeremy]

Norwegian Shel Silverstein. Playful poems, whimsical illustrations, it holds up pretty well, despite being translated and 60+ years old.