From Publishers Weekly
Lewis, whose bouncy The La-di-da Hare showed an unmistakable affinity with Victorian versifier Edward Lear, further acknowledges his inspiration with this inventive collection of rhymes about the poet. A whimsical prose foreword defines "Bosh" as "nonsense" in Lear-speak, and admits that these "runcible poems" are only loosely based on biographical facts. Then, with a turn of the page?and a turn of the oversize book, which is held sideways and, later, upside-down?a shadowy portrait of the infant Lear appears for the opening poem, "Born in a Crowd" (Lear was the 20th of 21 children): "I was just like a son to my sister Ann/ (Which made her a mother to me)./ Often we romped in the meadows and ran/ To the green leaf trees where the world began." Lewis delightfully approximates his source's deft wordplay, writing affectionately of Lear's oversize nose ("In the Middle of Your Face") and penning a letter to Lear correspondent Chester Fortescue, known to Lear as "40scue" ("I'm off 2 seek my 4chun with the sunrise?/ They say the weather's gr8 in Timbuk2./ I hope 2 paint 16y-weeny butterflies/ And catch a cagey cocka2 4 you"). Classic characters such as the Jumblies, the Owl and Mr. Foss the cat make regular appearances in the narrative; smart caricatures of Lear gaze out of most every spread; and a closing chronology charts Lear's years. Using somber charcoal grays and earthy browns lit by dabs of pale yellow and blue-white, Kelley (The Necklace; Rip Van Winkle) establishes an overcast 19th-century atmosphere and subtly counterpoints the lightness of the verse. Literary chronicles seldom prove as amicable as this evocatively illustrated homage, and Lear himself would certainly be pleased that Lewis's limericks scan perfectly. Ages 10-up. Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Grade 5 Up-In this tribute to the "King of High Bosh," Lewis draws on actual instances in Edward Lear's unusual life to create some entertaining and informative poems. Lear, the master of nonsense, had 20 brothers and sisters, gave drawing lessons to Queen Victoria, suffered from epilepsy, and lived in Italy for many years; all of this and more are recorded here. One of the most humorous incidents related is when Lear overheard a gentleman assert that there is no such person as Edward Lear, and furthermore, that the Earl of Derby is the actual author of The Book of Nonsense. Lear could not help but confront him with monogrammed handkerchiefs and other proofs of identity. These types of fascinating biographical details, letters to friends, and Lear's own words and nonsense rhymes provide the fodder for Lewis's imagination. Detailed endnotes cite the source of his inspiration for each poem. Children will especially enjoy hearing these selections, as words like "fizzgiggious" and "meloobious" beg to be read aloud. Kelley's illustrations have a surreal quality that will appeal to older readers. The vertical design is stunning, and the format demands attention. The poems will work especially well when paired with Lear's original work, though they are strong enough to stand on their own.Robin L. Gibson, Muskingum County Library System, Zanesville, OHCopyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews
Lewis (Doodle Dandies, p. 896, etc.) turns his admiration for Edward Lear into inspiration for a collection of biographical poems about his literary hero. An introduction and end notes help readers locate real aspects of Lear's life referred to in the poems. Such an unconventional approach to Lear attracts and intrigues; it offers readers a sense of what it means to pay homage. For those with firsthand knowledge of Lear's work, though, the poems here palethe information in them is more interesting than the way in which it is delivered. Kelley's imposing paintings are masterful in the technique, comic in the approach, capturing a bit of the nonsense in Lear's writing, but focusing more on his life. (Picture book/poetry. 7-11) -- Copyright ©1998, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Card catalog description
Illustrated poems written in the style of Edward Lear.

ANNOTATION

Illustrated poems written in the style of Edward Lear.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

An illustrated collection of fifteen exuberant poems about the famous children's poet Edward Lear. Bosh means "nonsense" and Edward Lear is the greatest bosh creator of all time. These rollicking lyrics carry on Lear's tradition of frolic and fancy with delightful make-believe words. Gary Kelley's art illuminates the spirited verse with brash color and buoyant design. This enchanting collection of poems will delight longtime admirers of Edward Lear as well as those meeting him for the very first time.

J. Patrick Lewis has written sixteen books for children. He has been inspired by Edward Lear throughout his career. Mr. Lewis lives in Westerville, Ohio.

Gary Kelley earned a degree in art from the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls. Among his many awards are twenty-three gold and silver medals from the Society of Illustrators and the 1991 Hamilton King Award for best illustration. Mr. Kelley lives in Cedar Falls.

SYNOPSIS

Boshblobberbosh by J. Patrick Lewis and illustrated by Gary Kelley is a sprightly and informative biography of Edward Lear written and illustrated very much in the spirit of the Victorian gentleman's own nonsense verse. In verse, the reader follows Lear from his birth as the 20th of 21 children to his visits to the zoo, where he perfected his parrot drawings, to the drawing lessons that he gave to Queen Victoria. Rich in material gleaned from a variety of sources, this is wonderful entertainment for children and adults.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Lewis, whose bouncy The La-di-da Hare showed an unmistakable affinity with Victorian versifier Edward Lear, further acknowledges his inspiration with this inventive collection of rhymes about the poet. A whimsical prose foreword defines "Bosh" as "nonsense" in Lear-speak, and admits that these "runcible poems" are only loosely based on biographical facts. Then, with a turn of the page--and a turn of the oversize book, which is held sideways and, later, upside-down--a shadowy portrait of the infant Lear appears for the opening poem, "Born in a Crowd" (Lear was the 20th of 21 children): "I was just like a son to my sister Ann/ (Which made her a mother to me)./ Often we romped in the meadows and ran/ To the green leaf trees where the world began." Lewis delightfully approximates his source's deft wordplay, writing affectionately of Lear's oversize nose ("In the Middle of Your Face") and penning a letter to Lear correspondent Chester Fortescue, known to Lear as "40scue" ("I'm off 2 seek my 4chun with the sunrise--/ They say the weather's gr8 in Timbuk2./ I hope 2 paint 16y-weeny butterflies/ And catch a cagey cocka2 4 you"). Classic characters such as the Jumblies, the Owl and Mr. Foss the cat make regular appearances in the narrative; smart caricatures of Lear gaze out of most every spread; and a closing chronology charts Lear's years. Using somber charcoal grays and earthy browns lit by dabs of pale yellow and blue-white, Kelley (The Necklace; Rip Van Winkle) establishes an overcast 19th-century atmosphere and subtly counterpoints the lightness of the verse. Literary chronicles seldom prove as amicable as this evocatively illustrated homage, and Lear himself would certainly be pleased that Lewis's limericks scan perfectly. Ages 10-up. (Oct.)

Children's Literature - Kathleen Karr

Edward Lear was an original, the nineteenth century's nonsense poet par excellence. In lyrical nonsense poems of his own, Lewis creates a loving biographical tribute to this globe-trotting, chronically ill twentieth child - and his cat, Old Foss. End Notes and a Chronology of Lear's life answer many of the natural questions rising from the poems, while Kelley's ultra realistic, edge of surreal artwork graces the lines. It's a lovely book, for nonsense lovers of all ages.

School Library Journal

(Gr 5 - Up) - In this tribute to the "King of High Bosh," Lewis draws on actual instances in Edward Lear's unusual life to create some entertaining and informative poems. Lear, the master of nonsense, had 20 brothers and sisters, gave drawing lessons to Queen Victoria, suffered from epilepsy, and lived in Italy for many years; all of this and more are recorded here. One of the most humorous incidents related is when Lear overheard a gentleman assert that there is no such person as Edward Lear, and furthermore, that the Earl of Derby is the actual author of The Book of Nonsense. Lear could not help but confront him with monogrammed handkerchiefs and other proofs of identity. These types of fascinating biographical details, letters to friends, and Lear's own words and nonsense rhymes provide the fodder for Lewis's imagination. Detailed endnotes cite the source of his inspiration for each poem.

Children will especially enjoy hearing these selections, as words like "fizzgiggious" and "meloobious" beg to be read aloud. Kelley's illustrations have a surreal quality that will appeal to older readers. The vertical design is stunning, and the format demands attention. The poems will work especially well when paired with Lear's original work, though they are strong enough to stand on their own. - Robin L. Gibson, Muskingum County Library System, Zanesville, OH

Kirkus Reviews

Lewis (Doodle Dandies,p. 896, etc.) turns his admiration for Edward Lear into inspiration for a collection of biographical poems about his literary hero. An introduction and end notes help readers locate real aspects of Lear's life referred to in the poems. Such an unconventional approach to Lear attracts and intrigues; it offers readers a sense of what it means to pay homage. For those with firsthand knowledge of Lear's work, though, the poems here pale—- the information in them is more interesting than the way in which it is delivered. Kelley's imposing paintings are masterful in the technique, comic in the approach, capturing a bit of the nonsense in Lear's writing, but focusing more on his life. (Picture book/poetry. 7-11)