Hubert’s Hair-Raising Adventure written and illustrated by Bill Peet...

“Hubert the Lion was haughty and vain
And especially proud of his elegant mane.

But conceit of this sort isn’t proper at all
And Hubert the Lion was due for a fall.”

And so begins Hubert’s Hair-Raising Adventure, the first picture book written and illustrated by Bill Peet. It’s immediately obvious that something is going to happen to Hubert’s elegant mane. Within four more lines, we find out what happened and Hubert’s reaction...

“I’m ruined,” he shouted, “oh what’ll I do!
I’d rather be dead or go live in a zoo!
And if anyone sees me, oh what a disgrace,
So I’d better discover a good hiding place!”

Most of Bill Peet’s tales, whether written as poetry or prose, are fables. However, Hubert’s Hair-Raising Adventure isn’t considered a fable by his publisher, “There is no moral, for, alas, Hubert ends up more vain than ever...” Hey, if you’ve got it, flaunt it!!

All kidding aside, there may not be a moral per se, but there are truths for our children to discover, a series of points to ponder.

For instance, Hubert’s wish to be dead, or move far, far away, after his mane is ruined is a typically childish reaction to perceived embarrassment. (Adults often react the same way: “How will I hold my head up in the community after such and such has happened?!”) Bill Peet’s story shows children that it’s possible to recover from an embarrassing situation.

Hubert’s choice of a good hiding place falls into the “if I can’t see you, you can’t see me” category. Your children may, or may not, realize that they, too, recently chose Hide ‘n Seek spots the same way Hubert chose his! Of course, Hubert was spotted by Hornbill as easily as we see our little ones when they think they’re hidden....

It was nosy old Hornbill who everyone knew
Was the neighborhood gossip with nothing to do...

“...How did it happen? I’ve just got to know...

But I’ll keep it a secret. I won’t say a word.”
Then she fluttered away just as fast as she could
To broadcast the news to the whole neighborhood.

This is a great opportunity to reinforce the idea that anything you tell anyone can be repeated. Some people are just natural-born gossips, like Hornbill. Sometimes, as in this story, spreading gossip about someone does work out for the best, but that’s not usually the case!

Shortly after Hornbill spread the word about Hubert...

A group of his friends came to pay him a call....

“Please said the Elephant, “we won’t make fun
We’re here to consider just what can be done.”

And so his friends proceeded to do their best to help Hubert. Eventually, Hubert’s friends arrived at a solution to his problem, but only Elephant was willing to do what had to be done because there might be danger involved.

So, Elephant set out on his journey, alone...

He had come to the swamp, to the place they all feared.

And he stopped for a second, one moment of dread,
Then he thought of poor Hubert and forged on ahead.

Elephant was afraid of the swamp and what was there, but because his friend Hubert needed his help, he continued on until he accomplished his mission and could return. Not only was Elephant a loyal, best friend to Hubert, but he was brave, too.

Elephant brought back what was needed. Everyone sat around to wait, but nothing happened. The pessimists started in with their opinions...

“It’s no use,” said the Bird, “it’s a foolish mistake.”
“That’s right,” said the Rhino, “it’s all a big fake.”

Just as in real life, there are always those who say “It can’t be done,” or, “You’re foolish to try, you’ll never be able to do it.” Your children need to believe in themselves and their abilities.

Later that night, after everyone had finally fallen asleep...

And with no one to question, and no one to doubt,
Hubert’s bare head was beginning to sprout!

The cure for Hubert was an overwhelming success.
But, oh! Oh, what an unbelievable mess!
Eventually, the story is over and done,
In another Bill Peet book that’s comedy and fun.
Grab a copy today for your girl or your boy
To read, giggle, grin, and enjoy!


Closing notes

Almost all of Bill Peet’s illustrations in Hubert’s Hair-Raising Adventure are two-page spreads placed around the poetry itself. This is the first book he created on his own and not for Walt Disney Studios, even though he still worked there. From the beginning, he’s used the same comical cartoon style in his picture books. His work looks like a combination of crayons and colored pencils.

Hubert’s Hair-Raising Adventure was first published in 1959, but neither it, nor Bill Peet’s gently funny stories, will ever go out of date. Why? Because kids enjoy his stories and poems, and easily understand his drawings, and what they illustrate. For instance, the pictures showing his friends’ concern make you really believe they care. The eyes of his characters tell it all.

By the way, be sure to check out the Croc!

To learn more about Bill Peet, you can go to your favorite merchant, or to your local library’s Biography section in the Children’s Room, and get a copy of Bill Peet: An Autobiography.

(If you’d like to, please go to my member page and read my reviews of Bill Peet: An Autobiography, Cock-a-doodle Dudley, and Cowardly Clyde. Thank you.)

Or, you can insert these addresses in your browser’s address bar:

Bill Peet: An Autobiography
[ http://www.epinions.com/book-review-7661-620B727-3A2AC427-prod1 ]
Cock-a-doodle Dudley
[ http://www.epinions.com/book-review-3538-3158085F-3A577BE0-prod2 ]
Cowardly Clyde
[ http://www.epinions.com/content_7375851140 ]


Final notes

Bill Peet’s Hubert’s Hair-Raising Adventure is available as:

• a paperback of 38 pages (Dimensions [in inches]: 0.17 x 9.71 x 8.42 ), published by Houghton Mifflin Co. (Juv) in 1979, ISBN: 0395361710, reading level: 4-8 years old, list price $7.95 - 8.95 US

Paperbacks are great to order in advance, or grab at the last minute, to take along on a trip. If you’re lucky enough to live in the sunny South, they’re great at the beach, too! If you have an only child, or your children are very careful with books, paperbacks are the way to go...

• a hardback published by Econo-Clad Books in October 1999, ISBN: 0808527401, reading level: 4-8 years old, list price $16.00 US

A hardcover book, if its price is within your budget, is an excellent choice for a large family that will pass a book from child to child, or for an only child who treasures books and reads them over, and over, and over again

By the way, when your children outgrow this book, if you’re not planning to save it for the grandkids, you can recycle it at your local library. Did you know that most libraries accept used books in good condition to:

• add a new book title to their shelves
• replace their worn-out copy of that title, or
• sell to raise money,
and the IRS accepts your book gifts to libraries as charitable donations?

How about that? I know donated books make a big difference at my small library.

Recommended: Yes