Synopses & Reviews
Bouncy and blithe, filled with words that tickle the tongue and are fun to say, this winsome verse evokes a enchanting world where baboons and bison, dinosaurs and kangaroos cavort and make music together and everyone is invited to join in. Our guide to this playful place is the man from the land of Fandango himself! An unusual personage, he has magical powers and an unlimited capacity for fun. In the lively, lovely illustrations, two children begin with paints and paper and soon are flying, dancing, and sharing a feast with the man from Fandango and his animal friends. An ideal read-aloud, this celebration of imaginative play belongs on every child's bookshelf.
Review
"Wonderfully exuberant and completely delightful."--Kirkus, starred review
Review
"Wonderfully exuberant and completely delightful."and#8212;
Kirkus, starred review
"A lively selection for preschool storytime and a great addition to most collections."and#8212;School Library Journal
"An unrepentantly joyful bit of whimsy, one that exudes a sense of magic on every page."and#8212;Publishers Weekly
"With this latest offering, Mahy places herself right up there with the nineteenth-century masters of the form, Edward Lear and Lewis Carroll."and#8212;Horn Book
"This innocently surreal and deceptively effortless depiction of play highlights the skills of two masters of the craft and is substantive cotton candy for reading aloud, moving along to, and enjoying."and#8212;Booklist
Review
"An inspired flight of fancy." Publishers Weekly, Starred
"[A] rollicking, rhyming treat from the uniquely talented Mahy, winner of the 2006 Hans Christian Andersen Award." Kirkus Reviews, Starred
"Like Shel Silverstein's poetry, Mahy's exuberant rhyme bounces with nonsensical humor and begs for guitar accompaniment." Booklist, ALA
"A delightfully optimistic, entertaining crowd-pleaser." School Library Journal
"Illustrations as zany as the chair's bounty accompany this giddy rhyming tale." Horn Book Guide
Synopsis
From the creators of Bubble Trouble, a whimsical, rhythmical rhymed romp that invites readers to meet a splendidly imaginary visitor.
Synopsis
and#8220;The man from the land of Fandango / Is given to dancing and dreams, / He comes in at the door like a somersault star / And he juggles with junkets and jam in a jar / And custards and caramel creams.and#8221;
and#160;
Two children paint Mr. Fandango to life, and together the trio has a tremendous adventure with baboons and bisons, dinosaurs and kangaroos! Polly Dunbarand#8217;s textured, childlike illustrations reveal a playful imaginary world, and even the lines of type curve and tango. A bouncy, buoyant read-aloud for storytime.
Synopsis
Dance a jig with a silly pig. Play leapfrog with a silly dog. And that's just the beginning of all the fun! Come along and join Silly Sally and her outrageous friends as they parade into town in a most unusual way. "Exploding with whimsy, humor, and zest. . . . Be prepared to read this one a thousand times!"--
Booklist (starred review)
Synopsis
When Dad loses his car keys, little Mary suggests they might be down the back of the chair. Join in the fun as Dad begins the search, finding everything from a hairy string to a diamond ringand#151;and much, much more! Could the solution to all the familyand#8217;s problems be down the back of the chair?
A lively rhyming text and quirky art come together in this visual explosion of fun and imagination.
About the Author
Margaret Mahy lived in New Zealand and was internationally acknowledged as one of the most outstanding childrenand#8217;s writers of her day. She was the author of more than two hundred books for children of all ages, two of which receivedandnbsp;England's Carnegie Medal and others of which have garnered numerous citations from the American Library Association. She was also the recipient of an Order of New Zealand, the highest honor a citizen can receive. In 2006 she receivd the Hans Christian Andersen award for her contributions to international children's literature. Polly Dunbar is the author and illustrator of Penguin, Dogandnbsp;Blue, and Flyaway Katie (all published by Candlewick). She is also the illustrator of Margaret Mahy's Down the Back of the Chair.andnbsp;She studied illustration at Brightandnbsp;Art School and now lives and works in Brighton, England.andnbsp;