The Owl and the Pussy-Cat and Other Stories

Beloved by adults and children of all ages, Edward Lear’s nonsense songs and stories are instantly recognizable for their humorous flights of fancy. Although the subject and form of his works vary greatly, all of Lear’s poems can be characterized by his irreverent view of the world, and many critics view Lear’s nonsense books as his way of undermining the all-pervasive orderliness and industriousness of Victorian society. Regardless of his inspiration or impetus, the appeal of Lear’s poems and illustrations has proved timeless. In this new compilation from the British Library, published to commemorate the two hundredth anniversary of Lear’s birth, fifteen of the best-loved tales are presented alongside Lear’s original illustrations. In addition to the classic tale “The Owl and the Pussy-Cat,” the book includes whimsical stories about the adventures of imagined creatures, such as “The Jumblies,” “The Pobble Who Has No Toes,” and “The Quangle Wangle’s Hat.”