FICTION

The Nonsense Show

by Eric CARLE
illus. by Eric Carle. 40p. Philomel. Oct. 2015. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9780399176876.
COPY ISBN
RedReviewStarPreS-Gr 1—Nonsense indeed! A rabbit pulls a boy out of a hat, a mouse chases a cat, and a girl plays tennis with an apple instead of a ball. These are just a few of the goofy images readers will find in Carle's latest picture book. In rhyming text and surrealist illustrations, the book is full of Carle's distinct art featuring bright and colorfully textured images. Some figures will be instantly recognizable to readers, such as the yellow duck (10 Little Rubber Ducks) and the mama kangaroo (Does a Kangaroo Have a Mother, Too??), but with a fantastic twist; the rubber duck has human feet and the kangaroo is carrying a human child in her pouch. Children will love seeing everyday images turned on their heads and will delight in exploring these illustrations again and again.
VERDICT A sure hit as a read-aloud and a definite purchase for picture book collections.
Reviewed by Amy Nolan, St. Joseph Public Library, St. Joseph, MI
This book draws its readers and listeners in with the rhythm and spirit of ballyhoo for a circus sideshow: “Welcome, friends! / Don’t be slow. / Step right up to / The Nonsense Show!” Meanwhile, the accompanying illustration, in Carle’s trademark rich-hued tissue-paper-
"Welcome, friends! / Don't be slow. / Step right up to / The Nonsense Show!" The accompanying illustration, in Carle's trademark style, shows a large rabbit pulling a small child out of a hat. Like the art, the rhyming text eschews logic and reason, adding another layer of unabashed nonsense to the offbeat tone. The book, with its cleanly designed white pages, prompts wonder.
 , Aug 01, 2015

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