The Owl and the Pussycat and Other Nonsense

Timed to coincide with the 200th anniversary of Lear’s birth, this collection gathers several of Lear’s poems, including “The Jumblies,” “The Duck and the Kangaroo,” and “Calico Pie.” Ingpen contributes lush paintings throughout—broccoli-haired Jumblies float in a sieve in the pale sea, and a nude old man runs for cover after animals devour his pork chop trousers and pancake coat in “The New Vestments.” By the time readers reach the final poem, they’ll be in agreement with its sentiment: “ ‘How pleasant to know Mr. Lear!’/ Who has written such volumes of stuff!/ Some think him ill-tempered and queer,/ But a few think him pleasant enough.” Ages 7–9. (Oct.)