Reviews (5)

Get this and continue the Custard adventure
Another great book about Custard the Dragon! Have just as much fun with this book - My son loved this one!

Gotta love Nash
This is the 1961 sequel to "The Tale of Custard the Dragon" which was written in 1936. Both books are beautifully and imaginatively illustrated by Lynn Munsinger in their 1995 & 1996 publications. As with other works by Nash, the verse and illustrations vie for significance and importance. His couplets are cute with his tongue in cheek. The words and images carry a slightly archaic, old fashioned overtone that is pleasing.

This is not the greatest children's book ever published. However, the nuanced language is intriguing. It has a meaningful moral - that true bravery is not always recognized or rewarded but is a wonderful thing nonetheless. As a result, the "Custard" books have a rather timeless appeal.

My are Children's Book violent?
My twins love to hear Custard's two books, but I wonder why a character always needs to be killed? Is this how we introduce our children to the concept of death? I'd prefer both books resolve their conflicts with an alternative solution, bt I know it's too late for a revision!

Custard to the rescue...
A fanciful turn about a damsel in distress named Belinda, being rescued from Sir Garagooyle, the wicked, wicked knight by her faithful friendly dragon, Custard. The rhymes are fun, how often do you find edelweiss used in rhymes! The pictures are just right, my 4 year old loves Custard. We received this book as a gift and were delighted in it.

Just as good as the first one
For fans of "The Tale of Custard the Dragon" this book is a must. It has the same wit and love of language as the original. My son loves this one even more than the original as it has both knights and dragons. Its a pleasure to read and the illustrations are delightful. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

One of my favorites & a wonderful read-aloud!
This is absolutely one of the best books out there! I am a teacher and I enjoy reading this book immensely. The story is fun and whimsical to read. While one reviewer was "upset" by how the other characters were not very empathetic to Custard's fears and even teased him, I look at this aspect of the book as an opportunity to discuss it with my students and my 3 children. It's a great springboard into a discussion on kindness and perspective. Whatever you do, don't pass this one up because of that review. I was amazed this book had less than 5 stars. Parents will love reading this to their children. Also, a great discussion on the true meaning of bravery can ensue as a result of this book.

So much fun - made me want a dragon...
"Guess what happened in the little white house/ Where Belinda lived with a little gray mouse,/ And a kitten, and a puppy, and a little red wagon,/ and a realio, trulio, little pet dragon." I personally feel that lyrical poetry is a great tool to help children learn to read. It helps them to feel the rhythms of the English language, they can anticipate what will come next, and then they can memorize passages - it's just a wonderful thing.

So many kids have loved this book - I read a review about some of the characters being "mean" to Custard... I can see what the reviewer meant, but I don't agree - the characters are all sort of larger than life and absurd in their own way. I don't think that they come off as mean - but that's just my opinion...

Mean spirited
Isn't anyone else bothered by how mean the other characters are to Custard? All he wants is to be in his own little cage, safe and sound, but they all make fun of him! He is "teased unmerciful" and constantly taunted by the others.

Even when he makes his wonderful courageous stand, the others end up belittling him!

Yes, the language flows beautifully and I LOVE the description of Custard. But, typical of Nash, the mean-spiritedness of the characters overshadows everything else.

Nash is just so cool
I have always loved Ogden Nash's writing. The words that he chooses paint wonderful images. The sounds are melodic and provide kids with an opportunity to develop an ear for language. I want more of Nash's writing to come back into print. His writing is truly sumptuous.

Timeless Classic
My mother read this poem to us out of a Childcraft book -- we all memorized the story because we loved it so much. I am so excited to be able to buy the book version to keep forever and hopefully read to my own children one day! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

I can't believe this is out of print
This is a terrific book. In using it as a children's librarian, I never met a kid who didn't love it -- and many wanted to check it out right away. It's got a strong heroine & lots of humor. James Marshall's pictures are perfect for the Ogden Nash poem.

The Adventures of Isabel
My son is 4 and loves this book! We have read it every night this week, at his request. It is a wonderful book for learning new words (cavernous, scurry). It taps into my son's sense of the absurd. The theme of a child conquering big, scary things is very age appropriate. I highly recommend this book!

Pretty Good
We got this book because we thought it was WRITTEN by James Marshall. Oops. Was told it was a good "positive book for girls" etc. kind of stuff. Yeah. Its okay. The rhymes just aren't very in-sync. Sorry, but its just okay. Some of the phraseology is not easy for younger children to understand. Since this book apparently is supposed to flow, by rhyme, taking time to explain (why Isabel gave the doctor a cure by giving him his own shot in the butt, for example) each new rhyme on each new page of Isabel's weird adventures makes it unappealing. I haven't been asked to reread this book since I bought it. PS. James Marshall does a great job illustrating, though! :)

The Adventures of Isabel
This is absolutely my favorite children's book. Every little girl should read and enjoy it. I recommend it for big girls too. It's the best! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

This book taught me to love reading
One of my earliest memories of reading includes The Animal Garden. My grandparents had it at their house, and they probably read it to me hundreds of times. They loved all sorts of poetry, and I loved the idea of planting seeds that would grow into pets just like flowers. I still find it to be a great read because of the wonderful verse and the enthralling pictures. I think a nostalgic vision of Abidan Alseed will be with me always.

I wish that Nash's books would come back into print. I think that my children would love him now as much as I did in the '60s! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great book for kids and adults!
In my opinion, The Cruise of the Aardvark is one of Ogden Nash's best works. While toned down a bit, his sarcastic wit and unique verse is quite entertaining. The book is also educational, as children (and adults) learn some facts about aardvarks they may not have known. The book also has a great moral, teaching that everyone is unique, and while we're different, we are equally made. I reccomend this book for anyone, whether they have kids or not. I don't have kids, but I like to keep a copy on my coffee table for when I have guests. It always gets a good laugh. ... Read more