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The walrus and the carpenter,
Lewis Carroll's famous poem, "The Walrus and the Carpenter", was originally published in 1871 in his book Through the Looking Glass, and What Alice Found There. It is a wonderful bit of nonsense, recited to Alice during her encounter with Tweedledum and Tweedledee. Now, "The Walrus and the Carpenter" is brought to life in a stunning picture book by acclaimed illustrator and author Jane Breskin Zalben. Her delicate, richly colored paintings of the portly Walrus, the dour Carpenter, and all the naive little Oysters perfectly capture the playful spirit of Carroll's poem.
12 pages, Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 1872
9 people are currently reading
451 people want to read
About the author
Lewis Carroll
6,161 books8,512 followersThe Reverend Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, better known by the pen name Lewis Carroll, was an English author, mathematician, logician, Anglican clergyman and photographer.
His most famous writings are Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and its sequel Through the Looking-Glass as well as the poems "The Hunting of the Snark" and "Jabberwocky", all considered to be within the genre of literary nonsense.
Oxford scholar, Church of England Deacon, University Lecturer in Mathematics and Logic, academic author of learned theses, gifted pioneer of portrait photography, colourful writer of imaginative genius and yet a shy and pedantic man, Lewis Carroll stands pre-eminent in the pantheon of inventive literary geniuses.
He also has works published under his real name.
His most famous writings are Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and its sequel Through the Looking-Glass as well as the poems "The Hunting of the Snark" and "Jabberwocky", all considered to be within the genre of literary nonsense.
Oxford scholar, Church of England Deacon, University Lecturer in Mathematics and Logic, academic author of learned theses, gifted pioneer of portrait photography, colourful writer of imaginative genius and yet a shy and pedantic man, Lewis Carroll stands pre-eminent in the pantheon of inventive literary geniuses.
He also has works published under his real name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
October 4, 2011
For the Celebrity Death Match Review Tournament, The Annotated Alice (6) versus 1984 (22)
- Thank you for responding so quickly, Mr... Walrus, was it?
- Call me Wally. And this is Carpy.
- Pleased to meet you... Wally. Now...
- Say, where's the O'Brien geezer? The one what talked to 'umpty?
- Mr O'Brien is no longer with us. He had to be, um, liquidated.
- 'Appens, dunnit? Well, what can we do for you?
- We have a problem with Wonderland spies. They're infiltrating our organization. Getting into the chess-sets, everywhere. We've tried to tighten up security, but it seems to be technically very difficult to define a bourgeois move. So, we thought, you're Wonderland characters, you know a bit about, um, final solutions...
- We're Looking-Glass.
- Oh, I'm sorry, my mistake. I'm afraid you all look the same to me. So what I was about to propose...
- Yeah, we get it. Could be up our alley, know what I mean? But we can't talk 'ere. Not secure.
- I can assure you...
- Look, you was the one what said it. Everywhere. We'll be 'appy to talk somewhere else. Say, down the beach.
- I suppose...
- And we need buy-in from the rest of yer organization. We want the whole gang there.
- I'm afraid...
- Look, you want our 'elp or not?
- Oh, alright. You do come very highly recommended. I can arrange it.
- Let's get movin'. Tell the other geezers to tag along.
- Yes, but...
(...)
- Okay, I fink we're far enough out. Now tell me again what you wanted?
- Well, basically, genocide. To put it bluntly.
- Sounds good to me. You 'appy too, Wally?
- Yeah, no problem. Let's start wiv 'im. I don't like 'is tone.
- WHAT?!
- We're gonna eat the lot of yer. Whadyer fink we was gonna do?
- BUT YOU CAN'T! STOP! WE'RE THE RUTHLESS, TOTALITARIAN ONES! HELP! NO! FOR GOD'S SAKE! AAAAAARGH...
- You 'ear that, Carpy? 'e said "God".
- Tsk.
- Almost seems unfair, dunnit? Too easy like. I feel sorry for 'em.
- Ah, shuddup and pass the butter.
- Thank you for responding so quickly, Mr... Walrus, was it?
- Call me Wally. And this is Carpy.
- Pleased to meet you... Wally. Now...
- Say, where's the O'Brien geezer? The one what talked to 'umpty?
- Mr O'Brien is no longer with us. He had to be, um, liquidated.
- 'Appens, dunnit? Well, what can we do for you?
- We have a problem with Wonderland spies. They're infiltrating our organization. Getting into the chess-sets, everywhere. We've tried to tighten up security, but it seems to be technically very difficult to define a bourgeois move. So, we thought, you're Wonderland characters, you know a bit about, um, final solutions...
- We're Looking-Glass.
- Oh, I'm sorry, my mistake. I'm afraid you all look the same to me. So what I was about to propose...
- Yeah, we get it. Could be up our alley, know what I mean? But we can't talk 'ere. Not secure.
- I can assure you...
- Look, you was the one what said it. Everywhere. We'll be 'appy to talk somewhere else. Say, down the beach.
- I suppose...
- And we need buy-in from the rest of yer organization. We want the whole gang there.
- I'm afraid...
- Look, you want our 'elp or not?
- Oh, alright. You do come very highly recommended. I can arrange it.
- Let's get movin'. Tell the other geezers to tag along.
- Yes, but...
(...)
- Okay, I fink we're far enough out. Now tell me again what you wanted?
- Well, basically, genocide. To put it bluntly.
- Sounds good to me. You 'appy too, Wally?
- Yeah, no problem. Let's start wiv 'im. I don't like 'is tone.
- WHAT?!
- We're gonna eat the lot of yer. Whadyer fink we was gonna do?
- BUT YOU CAN'T! STOP! WE'RE THE RUTHLESS, TOTALITARIAN ONES! HELP! NO! FOR GOD'S SAKE! AAAAAARGH...
- You 'ear that, Carpy? 'e said "God".
- Tsk.
- Almost seems unfair, dunnit? Too easy like. I feel sorry for 'em.
- Ah, shuddup and pass the butter.
February 2, 2023
✩ 4.5 stars
~
i loved this poem as a kid but simultaneously it made me cry lol
~
i loved this poem as a kid but simultaneously it made me cry lol
August 26, 2022
Woah, finished in under 3 minutes I think. That does have me questioning my ability. I do like Lewis Carroll, but I don't think this was for me. Potentially, you'll feel different. I did like the structure of the poem, the stanzas were very funny. The rhyme scheme is ABCBDB, with masculine rhymes throughout. [source: wiki] But the content, meh.
You can read it for free here: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem...
As that was underwhelming for me I will read another.
The person i'm with wrote a fair amount today on... 'Divine Health' :O what is that? [i'm in good spirits]
You can read it for free here: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem...
As that was underwhelming for me I will read another.
The person i'm with wrote a fair amount today on... 'Divine Health' :O what is that? [i'm in good spirits]
March 12, 2020
Good for Young Children
The images are pretty basic yet attractive. The walrus as old man and carpenter as cat are well chosen motifs.
The images are pretty basic yet attractive. The walrus as old man and carpenter as cat are well chosen motifs.
April 10, 2013
this is one of my favorite poems of all time
September 29, 2019
Narrative poetry is my favourite type and the rhyme scheme was wonderful.
November 20, 2011
In the story, the two characters, walrus and the carpenter, recruited the help of oysters to clean up the sand but in the end eaten all of them. It’s a poem that was recited in the story of Alice (Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There) when Alice encountered Tweedledum and Tweedledee. The illustrator brought the poem alive with all the important details depicted in each of the pages.
From the first verse, Lewis Carroll uses many elements in poetry. She personifies the sun, “he did his very best to make the billows smooth and bright -” uses rhymes, “bright”, “might”, “night” without interfering with the meaning of the text. It’s effortless and the words string together. She continues to use personification with sun and the moon. She refers the sun as a he, and moon as a she, which can be seen in other work of literature where sun is personified as a he and moon as a she. (I wonder if there’s anything to do with the Greek mythology?) The poet uses the first three verses cleverly to set the tone and setting of the story.
The moon was shining sulkily,
Because she thought the sun
Had got no business to be there
After the day was done -
“It’s very rude of him.” she said,
‘To come and spoil the fun!’
The illustration shows the moon covering the sun. It personified how the moon feels when eclipse is happening.
Throughout the story, the poet uses personification to describe the oysters and points out how it was “odd” that they were running with their “feet”. It also uses alliteration “oh shoes and ships and sealing wax” in many of the dialogues between the two main characters, the walrus and the carpenter. The story is fictional and it’s hard to follow with many fantastical elements. It'll be too difficult for younger children, pre-school and kindergarten, to follow even though there's many fantastic poetic elements and word play.
From the first verse, Lewis Carroll uses many elements in poetry. She personifies the sun, “he did his very best to make the billows smooth and bright -” uses rhymes, “bright”, “might”, “night” without interfering with the meaning of the text. It’s effortless and the words string together. She continues to use personification with sun and the moon. She refers the sun as a he, and moon as a she, which can be seen in other work of literature where sun is personified as a he and moon as a she. (I wonder if there’s anything to do with the Greek mythology?) The poet uses the first three verses cleverly to set the tone and setting of the story.
The moon was shining sulkily,
Because she thought the sun
Had got no business to be there
After the day was done -
“It’s very rude of him.” she said,
‘To come and spoil the fun!’
The illustration shows the moon covering the sun. It personified how the moon feels when eclipse is happening.
Throughout the story, the poet uses personification to describe the oysters and points out how it was “odd” that they were running with their “feet”. It also uses alliteration “oh shoes and ships and sealing wax” in many of the dialogues between the two main characters, the walrus and the carpenter. The story is fictional and it’s hard to follow with many fantastical elements. It'll be too difficult for younger children, pre-school and kindergarten, to follow even though there's many fantastic poetic elements and word play.
July 13, 2012
Another children's book I love. From "Alice Through the Looking Glass" 1872
The Walrus and the Carpenter
Were walking close at hand;
They wept like anything to see
Such quantities of sand:
"If this were only cleared away,"
They said, "it would be grand!"
"O Oysters, come and walk with us!"
The Walrus did beseech.
"A pleasant walk, a pleasant talk,
Along the briny beach:
We cannot do with more than four,
To give a hand to each."
But four young Oysters hurried up,
All eager for the treat:
Their coats were brushed, their faces washed,
Their shoes were clean and neat--
And this was odd, because, you know,
They hadn't any feet.
"O Oysters," said the Carpenter,
"You've had a pleasant run!
Shall we be trotting home again?'
But answer came there none--
And this was scarcely odd, because
They'd eaten every one.
The Walrus and the Carpenter
Were walking close at hand;
They wept like anything to see
Such quantities of sand:
"If this were only cleared away,"
They said, "it would be grand!"
"O Oysters, come and walk with us!"
The Walrus did beseech.
"A pleasant walk, a pleasant talk,
Along the briny beach:
We cannot do with more than four,
To give a hand to each."
But four young Oysters hurried up,
All eager for the treat:
Their coats were brushed, their faces washed,
Their shoes were clean and neat--
And this was odd, because, you know,
They hadn't any feet.
"O Oysters," said the Carpenter,
"You've had a pleasant run!
Shall we be trotting home again?'
But answer came there none--
And this was scarcely odd, because
They'd eaten every one.
February 9, 2021
This poem is where Lemony Snicket got the name for Briny Beach in ‘A Series of Unfortunate Events.’ This poem is also featured in The Grim Grotto (the 11th book) in the Verse Fluctuation Declaration sent to the Queequeg by Quigley Quagmire. He is telling the Baudelaires to meet them at Briny Beach. Instead of saying “along the briny beach,” he says “along the movie theater” as code.
This is the whole stanza in The Grim Grotto:
“O Oysters, come and walk with us!”
The walrus did beseech.
“A pleasant walk, a pleasant talk.
Along the movie theater.”
This is the whole stanza in The Grim Grotto:
“O Oysters, come and walk with us!”
The walrus did beseech.
“A pleasant walk, a pleasant talk.
Along the movie theater.”
February 22, 2012
This book gives new illustrations to the classic poem by Lewis Carroll. The specific section from Carroll's original _Alice_ text has been taken to give a brief look at the work for young viewers to enjoy. The illustrations are quite entertaining and well done, but the oysters have extremely human faces and are dressed as humans. It may be upsetting for a younger audience because of this.
March 23, 2020
An excellent narrative poem with good rhyme and speech. Children in the classroom would enjoy this poem because they would understand an important message; to think about other people and not just themselves.
May 5, 2008
Substitute Bush and Cheney. Makes for a more contemporary read.
February 23, 2010
Fun poem. It is like apologizing to someone while you are hurting them but having every intention to do so.
Read
January 11, 2014Its funny to read
September 9, 2016
Classic children's poetry from Carroll...
April 15, 2015
So cute and funny!
September 1, 2018
5 out of 5
Read
November 10, 2025Yes, well, I seem to have mistaken myself. People said they had fun reading it, others said they cried, whatever that should mean. Me, personally, I had a bit of a laugh occasionally (”Their shoes were clean and neat—And this was odd, because, you know, They hadn't any feet.”) but I also found it quite sad and relatable.
So, I’m the perfect centre piece, then.
No, but, I’ll tell you how I saw it. I happen to be a picky eater—very picky—you see. The foods I love the most are, uh, tasty.
Sorry, I really enjoy eating chicken! I really /really/ love me some chicken, I’ll have you know!!
The problem is… I’m a… vegetarian? You know, I wish I was. I’ve always had an emotional attachment to animals, especially farm animals. I adore cows and sheep and chickens and pigs. My old friend had chickens and I loved being with them. They weren’t too fond of little me, always trying to pick them up.
I was on a strawberry field once (yes, we sung strawberry fields forever) and they had animals there. Cats and dogs, but I was the most fond of the cows. I was very afraid at first, because they were so big and their heads were peeking out of the bars and they were chewing on the hay with their massive teeth. I got around eventually and pet some cows. They’re adorable, you see.
I’ve been around sheep before, too.
One time I lived in a little cabin during easter, and they had sheep. Little-big me (still quite a big child) adored those sheep, I wanted to be around them constantly. They’re lovely sheep.
The pigs at the strawberry fields were real cute, but I dared not approach. They were behind a fence and didn’t approach us, so.
Um, my point is… I don’t want to eat animals and I tell others so, but they don’t care and I can’t care because no one else cares. I happen to have this thing in which I truly dislike fakes. I don’t like fake meat, when they shape veggies into normally meat-shaped things and tell me ”This is great! Tastes just like meat, you know?” I don’t want my vegetarian food to taste like meat—hold on, why are you even vegetarian? What is this?
I’d be a vegetarian if it meant I could eat beans and soy and rice and stuff,,, you following? I’m not keen on eating sausage that doesn’t have pig in it,
it’s (just like) eating pig—my opinion, eh. (Yes, that was a reference)
I feel like I should wrap this up and connect it to the poem(?) as soon as possible. Alrighteyyy, so my point is that I’m the one who is contributing to these animals being killed. I tell the people at the dinner table that we shouldn’t eat meat, it’s cruel, I say as I chew on my own steak.
So, I guess that I really /am/ the Walrus, then.
I suppose it could also be about leading someone on (”After such kindness, that would be a dismal thing to do!”). They made the oysters walk ’very fast’ and struggle with keeping up, having a bad time, and then after the oysters have been tortured (yes.) they say they’ll be eaten.
Wait, okay. They torture the oysters and then they kill the oysters once they’ve gotten what they wanted. Then one feels bad and the other is ’content’.
Sounds vastly familiar… doesn’t it?
Well, I enjoyed reading it a lot, I should read all of Lewis’ stuff, I feel strange.
It seems a shame,' the Walrus said,
To play them such a trick,
After we've brought them out so far,
And made them trot so quick!'
The Carpenter said nothing but
The butter's spread too thick!'
Greedy bastard!
So, I’m the perfect centre piece, then.
No, but, I’ll tell you how I saw it. I happen to be a picky eater—very picky—you see. The foods I love the most are, uh, tasty.
Sorry, I really enjoy eating chicken! I really /really/ love me some chicken, I’ll have you know!!
The problem is… I’m a… vegetarian? You know, I wish I was. I’ve always had an emotional attachment to animals, especially farm animals. I adore cows and sheep and chickens and pigs. My old friend had chickens and I loved being with them. They weren’t too fond of little me, always trying to pick them up.
I was on a strawberry field once (yes, we sung strawberry fields forever) and they had animals there. Cats and dogs, but I was the most fond of the cows. I was very afraid at first, because they were so big and their heads were peeking out of the bars and they were chewing on the hay with their massive teeth. I got around eventually and pet some cows. They’re adorable, you see.
I’ve been around sheep before, too.
One time I lived in a little cabin during easter, and they had sheep. Little-big me (still quite a big child) adored those sheep, I wanted to be around them constantly. They’re lovely sheep.
The pigs at the strawberry fields were real cute, but I dared not approach. They were behind a fence and didn’t approach us, so.
Um, my point is… I don’t want to eat animals and I tell others so, but they don’t care and I can’t care because no one else cares. I happen to have this thing in which I truly dislike fakes. I don’t like fake meat, when they shape veggies into normally meat-shaped things and tell me ”This is great! Tastes just like meat, you know?” I don’t want my vegetarian food to taste like meat—hold on, why are you even vegetarian? What is this?
I’d be a vegetarian if it meant I could eat beans and soy and rice and stuff,,, you following? I’m not keen on eating sausage that doesn’t have pig in it,
it’s (just like) eating pig—my opinion, eh. (Yes, that was a reference)
I feel like I should wrap this up and connect it to the poem(?) as soon as possible. Alrighteyyy, so my point is that I’m the one who is contributing to these animals being killed. I tell the people at the dinner table that we shouldn’t eat meat, it’s cruel, I say as I chew on my own steak.
So, I guess that I really /am/ the Walrus, then.
I suppose it could also be about leading someone on (”After such kindness, that would be a dismal thing to do!”). They made the oysters walk ’very fast’ and struggle with keeping up, having a bad time, and then after the oysters have been tortured (yes.) they say they’ll be eaten.
Wait, okay. They torture the oysters and then they kill the oysters once they’ve gotten what they wanted. Then one feels bad and the other is ’content’.
Sounds vastly familiar… doesn’t it?
Well, I enjoyed reading it a lot, I should read all of Lewis’ stuff, I feel strange.
It seems a shame,' the Walrus said,
To play them such a trick,
After we've brought them out so far,
And made them trot so quick!'
The Carpenter said nothing but
The butter's spread too thick!'
Greedy bastard!
February 24, 2025
Vegetarian propaganda.
I weep for you,' the Walrus said:
I deeply sympathize.'
With sobs and tears he sorted out
Those of the largest size,
Holding his pocket-handkerchief
Before his streaming eyes.
O Oysters,' said the Carpenter,
You've had a pleasant run!
Shall we be trotting home again?'
But answer came there none —
And this was scarcely odd, because
They'd eaten every one."
I weep for you,' the Walrus said:
I deeply sympathize.'
With sobs and tears he sorted out
Those of the largest size,
Holding his pocket-handkerchief
Before his streaming eyes.
O Oysters,' said the Carpenter,
You've had a pleasant run!
Shall we be trotting home again?'
But answer came there none —
And this was scarcely odd, because
They'd eaten every one."
March 14, 2025
A colorfully illustrated edition of this poem by Lewis Carroll. It has the Tweedles as well and Alice wishing they wouldn't tell her a poem because she wants to go. The oysters are very cute and this is a tragedy for them. I know more about walruses than carpenters but I have to free with Alice that both of these characters are unpleasant.
April 8, 2020
I enjoy reading poetry and this one was for my daughter's school assignment. It was a good poem about the Walrus trying to get the Oysters to help clean but in the end, there were no more. It rhymed and was quite catchy.
September 12, 2018
I had to study this book in Drama, and it was by the far the worst thing I've ever read.
February 9, 2019
This is an excerpt from
Through the Looking Glass
, and it isn’t nearly as good on it’s own.
August 11, 2022
Reviewed as part of an anthology here: http://www.skjam.com/2022/08/11/book-...
January 5, 2023
One of my favorite poems,, perfectly nonsensical and silly
July 6, 2017
I like how Carroll expressed the inner conflict between showing empathy and altruism on one hand and remaining selfish on the other. It's an allegory for what people do when they deliberately continue to hurt somebody despite feeling sad and guilty about it.
November 17, 2013
I love poetry and I want to try to incorporate poetry into my classroom. Poetry is a great way for writers to express emotions and write from the soul. I think it is important for students to learn how to write using imagery. Imagery gives us a visual picture using words and it makes the writing so much more interesting. You can paint such a vivid picture when you use imagery. The poem, The Walrus and the Carpenter, does a great job of using imagery to give the reader a visual representation of what is going on in the poem. The first stanza of the poem is:
"The sun was shining on the sea,
Shining with all his might:
He did his very best to make
The billows smooth and bright -
And this was odd, because it was
The middle of the night."
I think this stanza is a great representation of visual imagery. Carroll uses personification to give the sun human-like characteristics. When I read this poem an artistic picture is painted in my mind. I see more than just the ocean, I see the sun glistening on the water and the waves crashing through the illuminated water. I would use this poem to teach students how interesting writing can be when you use imagery and personification. For a mini-lesson, I would read this poem to my class and have the students listen for imagery. Then, I would have them use imagery while they write during a writer's workshop. Many poems do a great job of portraying imagery, but I also want to make sure that my students use imagery in all forms of writing.
"The sun was shining on the sea,
Shining with all his might:
He did his very best to make
The billows smooth and bright -
And this was odd, because it was
The middle of the night."
I think this stanza is a great representation of visual imagery. Carroll uses personification to give the sun human-like characteristics. When I read this poem an artistic picture is painted in my mind. I see more than just the ocean, I see the sun glistening on the water and the waves crashing through the illuminated water. I would use this poem to teach students how interesting writing can be when you use imagery and personification. For a mini-lesson, I would read this poem to my class and have the students listen for imagery. Then, I would have them use imagery while they write during a writer's workshop. Many poems do a great job of portraying imagery, but I also want to make sure that my students use imagery in all forms of writing.
September 9, 2025
I bought this book specifically because the Walrus and the Carpenter was one of my most favorite parts of Alice in Wonderland and deserves to be read on it's own.
September 12, 2016
Even though it's a children's poem, it still made me really sad at the end. Quite liked it.
November 15, 2025
4.5 stars
I thought this was a really great
poem. Very creative and unique.
I thought this was a really great
poem. Very creative and unique.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews