The Owl and the Pussy-cat

The Owl and the Pussy-cat

Written by Edward Lear, Foreword by Julia Donaldson, Illustrated by Charlotte Voake
Published by Puffin 

 

Earlier this autumn, Puffin published a stunning picture book edition of Edward Lear’s classic poem, The Owl and the Pussy-cat, illustrated by Charlotte Voake and introduced by Julia Donaldson. The perfect companion to The Further Adventures of the Owl and the Pussy-cat. 

This classic poem was first published during 1871 (as part of ‘Nonsense Songs, Stories, Botany and Alphabets) and tells the story of the love between the title characters who marry in the land ‘where the Bong-tree grows’. The narrative poetry is beautifully illustrated by Charlotte Voake, who has done it true justice with her use of watercolour, capturing the essence of Lear’s ‘sketchy fluid style’, as noted by Julia Donaldson.

 

 

The foreword, written by Julia Donaldson, lovingly tells us about her Granny introducing her to Edward Lear’s poetry, and liking best the longer poems with their spirit of adventure. Julia likes The Owl and the Pussy-cat for its happy story of courtship and marriage and despite its humour and nonsense, for being charmingly romantic. 

 

 

Julia also brings up an interesting point that although this poem was voted the nation’s favourite children’s poem, she fears that it is more known to grown ups than to children, which I would agree with, but hope this lovely edition will change that. 

The Owl and the Pussy-cat is available to buy in all good bookshops and on the Puffin website. Watch out for my interview with Charlotte Voake coming soon!