The Quangle Wangle's Hat

A strange critter, the Quangle Wangle. Lives is a tree and is almost completely covered by a very strange hat. The Quangle Wangle is lonely but this is soon taken care of by a group of other strange critters who decide the hat is the ideal place to take up residents. There are several versons of this particular book out there using at least three different illustrators or artists. All are quite good, all contain the wonderful nonsense rhymes of th author, and I suppose it all boils down as to which version you were raised with as to which is your favorite. All are excellent reading, all have excellent illustrations. Just a warning though, if you purchase this book, be sure you purchase the one that you have in mind...it can be a bit confusing. Recommend this one highly.

This is a remake of the story which was first illustrated by Helen Oxenburg. While different, it has lost none of it's charm. The Quangle Wangle is a strange critter who lives in a tree and is lonely. But the hat is the key to the end of his loneliness. Strange critters, some real, some not so real feel the hat is the ideal location to nest in, live in, and reside. The strange procession of these wonderful animal, mixed with delightful verse make this a children's favorite. I do bet to differ with the professional library review here. I feel the verse the author uses is ideal for reading alound and have had no problem what-so-ever reading it to various classes. The illustrations in this book are great, the story is cute and this is one that will go down, eventually, as a children's classic. Highly recommend this one.

This is a wonderful story, which flows and rhymes, amusing to read. It also reminds me of my own childhood stories. It was the first story my daughter understood, and has been her one of her favorites since she was one. Now, she tells me the story, and still loves it. I would recommend it parents who wants to read nice stories to their children. Coincidently, "The Pobble Who Has No Toes" was also another favorite, and I just recently noticed they were written by the same author. Now, I am going to get more books by Edward Lear.

This is a darling poem that my mother learned when she was a girl. For any child who loves animals, this is a must-read!

Every child has a story that they demand to be read night after night, for about 2 years, until the parents become so bored with it that they dread beadtime. This story was mine. Or, I should ammend, the story I loved is still mostly here, but the pictures are far different and lacking in a lot of ways. Some of the most endearing characters seem to have vanished as well. Still the story is charming and silly enough for any child. The Quangle Wangle is a lonely soul in the top of a crumpet-bearing tree. One by one such animals as the "Blue Baboon that plays the flute" come and bring the Quangle and his hat new life. The author's combination of nonsense with a sense of innocent wonder are touching, and project the perfect warmth to send a kid off into dreamland. It's still a tale to love, but I'd give anything for an original copy.