Pros: DePaola produces a delightful, playful and whimsical version that is indeed comical.
Cons: DePaola + Nursery Rhymes = Fantastic Fun
; No cons in that equation. ;)
The Bottom Line: Choose this book for its creative use of illustrations to develop character in a short-lived, saying without saying, delightful story dressed as a verse.
ms_n's Full Review: Sarah Catherine Martin and Tomie De Paola - The Co...
Tomie DePaola, author and illustrator of the popular Strega Nona series, magically sprinkles his talent into a nursery rhyme that asks, "Just who is the master and who is the servant?" If you are not familiar with this rhyme, you may want to spy this site:
Old Mother Hubbard goes on various excursions to get her dog what he needs. But, each time she gets back, her little dog seems to have outdone her. In this comedy of errors, her dog has a sense of humor, a taste for the refined, and a knack for the unpredictable. This dog is clearly gifted. Keep-the-ol'-gal-on-her-toes-and-fill-her-full-of-adoration-and-submission-to-your-superiority kind of gifted. The quick verse enjoys a fine twist of an ending attributed to this talent.
In DePaola's version of the rhyme you will see a few more occurrences of the word "but". One may argue that there are too many buts of no apparent usefulness and which may, in fact, alter the meaning and rhythm of each line. But, not true! After all, but is a very useful, frequently employed word that is also inexplicably entertaining to silly wee ones. Hmmm.....why worry? Just have fun and run with it. It's a sight word that young readers should know by heart. (Er, I think I should like to say "by memory". By heart words should be reserved for more important terms like supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.)
Another advantage to the extra buts is that it creates a more predictable patterned frame practically perfect in every way for early independent reading. This pattern could also be easily turned into a project or used for just downright silly, quality family time by making up and adding verses using modern day examples. Humbly, for example:
She went to the programmer's to buy him some software
But when she came back, he was installing some hardware.
or
She went to Amtrack to buy him a ticket
But when she came back, he was out playing cricket.
or
She went to the gym for a personal trainer
But when she came back, he flashed his retainer.
But, anyway, you get the idea...
DePaola's illustrations always bare a degree of warmth and charm which can transform even the most despicable of villains into a lovable, promising soul. Even the spooky Pooka in his book Jamie O'Rourke and the Pooka doesn't look hopeless and beyond Salvation. The Pooka (a loner animal spirit) just looks like a donkey who has had a really bad day. Give the grump a hug.
Here in this book, Old Mother Hubbard's dog is as charismatic, playful, and as fun as Schulz' Snoopy donning his always cool, always casual persona. You see, it's not in what the dog is portraying – we all know the routine. It is how the dog is portraying his antics that successfully drives the undercurrent of this clever work by DePaola . 'Tis the dog's who-wouldn't-want-to-spoil-me-I'm so-cute attitude softened with real, unabashed, undeniable cuteness. In fact, Old Mother Hubbard's dog is so sweetly characterized that I don't even mind DePaola's creation of Hubbard's dog as a pampered poodle. I can say, without choking mind you, that poodle is genuinely cute here.
Presentation in this picture book is very key. I own the paperback version and find the printing quality very satisfying. You will be entertained by the frames on each 8.5 x 11 page. It is as if you, the reader, are seated in the front and center row of a small, quaint theatre where the players are feasting directly upon your attention and you upon their performances. These characters are alive and breathe within these pages. Cameo appearances are made by other nursery rhyme characters in little windows within the stage frame.
The final page, of course, is THE END. The two main characters bow while in the spotlight and carry gifts of adoration – a befitting ending to a playful, skillful rendering of a classic nursery rhyme. But, alas, it does have to end - even for grownups...
Just as if they were happening on a Victorian stage, here are the humorous adventures of the legendary Old Mother Hubbard and her amazing canine frien...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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