Do you remember brave Belinda and her "realio, trulio, little pet dragon"? This Ogden Nash classic has been a favorite of children for more than 60 years and until recently was unavailable in a picture-book version. Artist Lynn Munsinger has rejuvenated the poem with her chuckle-inducing illustrations of no-nonsense Belinda and the cowardly green and purple dragon Custard. Belinda was a brave role model for young girls back when females weren't encouraged to stand up for themselves, and Custard's hidden reserve of strength has no doubt inspired children for several generations. Hooked on Custard? The next adventure unfolds in Custard the Dragon and the Wicked Knight, which followed this popular picture book. (Ages 3 to 8)


From Publishers Weekly
Custard cowers in fearAuntil a nasty pirate shows up and inspires his dragonly instincts. In PW's words, famed Nash's "wordplayful 1936 rhyme gets a fresh start with timeless illustrations by Munsinger." Ages 4-8. Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
Ages 4-8. Munsinger does an appealing job of catching the mix of wry humor and affection that has made Ogden's whimsical poem a favorite with audiences young and old for 60 years. "Belinda lived in a little white house, / With a little black kitten and a little gray mouse, / And a little yellow dog and a little red wagon, / And a realio, turlio little pet dragon." Called Custard because of his cowardice, the dragon is teased unmercifully by Belinda ("brave as a barrelful of bears") and her other supposedly courageous animal friends until a pirate frightens everybody but self-effacing Custard, "who gobbled him, every bit." At first, there seems to be nothing extraordinarily fresh about Munsinger's watercolor interpretation: Custard looks as dragons should (a little bit paunchy and a nice shade of green), as does the pirate, with his peg leg, tri-cornered hat, and red-and-white T-shirt. Yet the pictures are full of energy and expression, strong and lively enough not to be overwhelmed by the bouncy cadence of the verse. In fact, they have a genuine warmth and humor that will quickly make this version of Nash's poem a favorite. Stephanie Zvirin


Card catalog description
In this humorous poem, Custard the cowardly dragon saves the day when a pirate threatens Belinda and her pet animals.

ANNOTATION

In this humorous poem, Custard the cowardly dragon saves the day when a pirate threatens Belinda and her pet animals.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

In this humorous poem, Custard the cowardly dragon saves the day when a pirate threatens Belinda and her pet animals.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

The late Ogden Nash's (Custard and Company) wordplayful 1936 rhyme gets a fresh start with timeless illustrations by Munsinger (Ho for a Hat!; One Hungry Monster). Title character Custard, the ``realio, trulio little pet dragon,'' lives with young Belinda, her dog Mustard, her cat Ink and her mouse Blink; while these housemates boast of their brave deeds, cowardly Custard cries for ``a nice safe cage.'' Yet when a pirate invades their home, the smaller pets desert Belinda (``Ink trickled down to the bottom of the household,/ And little mouse Blink strategically mouseholed''), and Custard courageously saves the day. Munsinger's watercolor-and-ink cartoons have a classic quality: Ink the cat appears Victorian, and there's a trace of John Tenniel's designs in pug-nosed, striped-hose-wearing Belinda. Custard is a little more up to date-like a lime-green beanbag with slender purple wings-and his moment of bravery reminds ``fearless'' readers of the purpose of guardians in a sometimes scary world. Ages 4-8. (Apr.)

Children's Literature - Kathleen Karr