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Utter Beasts: The Bad Child's Book of Beasts and More Beasts
"The Bad Child’s Book of Beasts and More Beasts (for Worse Children) have been delighting readers of all ages for generations. Belloc's clever but silly verses and Blackwood's delightful line drawings cannot fail to raise a smile. Both volumes have been now brought together in 'Utter Beasts', with all the original illustrations included."
104 pages, Paperback
First published November 28, 2010
About the author
Hilaire Belloc
604 books419 followersJoseph Hilaire Pierre René Belloc, French-born British writer, is considered a master of light English prose and also widely known for his droll verse, especially
The Bad Child's Book of Beasts
in 1896.
The sharp wit of Belloc, an historian, poet, and orator, extended across a large literary output and strong political and religious convictions. Throughout his career, he prolifically wrote across a range of genres and produced histories, essays, travelogues, poetry, and satirical works.
Cautionary Tales for Children collects humorous yet dark morals, and the historical works of Hilaire Belloc often reflected his staunch Catholicism and critique of Protestant interpretations. He led advocates of an economic theory that promoted and championed distribution of small-scale property ownership as a middle ground between capitalism and socialism, alongside Gilbert Keith Chesterton, his close friend.
In politics, Hilaire Belloc served as a member of Parliament for the Liberal party, but the establishment disillusioned him. His polemical style and strong opinions made him a controversial figure, who particularly viewed modernism, secularism, and financial capitalism as threats to traditional Christian society in his critiques.
The sharp wit of Belloc, an historian, poet, and orator, extended across a large literary output and strong political and religious convictions. Throughout his career, he prolifically wrote across a range of genres and produced histories, essays, travelogues, poetry, and satirical works.
Cautionary Tales for Children collects humorous yet dark morals, and the historical works of Hilaire Belloc often reflected his staunch Catholicism and critique of Protestant interpretations. He led advocates of an economic theory that promoted and championed distribution of small-scale property ownership as a middle ground between capitalism and socialism, alongside Gilbert Keith Chesterton, his close friend.
In politics, Hilaire Belloc served as a member of Parliament for the Liberal party, but the establishment disillusioned him. His polemical style and strong opinions made him a controversial figure, who particularly viewed modernism, secularism, and financial capitalism as threats to traditional Christian society in his critiques.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 8, 2019
Terrible poems, bad drawings, and complete nonsense.
Probably the inspiration for both Gorey and Maurice Sendak. Definitely go for the versions with the original drawings. A delight. The version I read also includes Cautionary Tales for Children.
Highly recommended.
Probably the inspiration for both Gorey and Maurice Sendak. Definitely go for the versions with the original drawings. A delight. The version I read also includes Cautionary Tales for Children.
Highly recommended.
December 17, 2022
Using some made-up words and others that really do not go together very well, the author has created a book that will amuse and entertain children. Especially if it is read to them by an adult with any talent in theatrics. There are also many puns.
For example, there is the brief segment:
“I shoot the Hippopotamus with bullets of platinum. Because if I use leaden ones his hide is sure to flatten ‘em.”
There is also a short segment called “The Camelopard.” It is about a giraffe.
The book is divided into short sections of verse about living creatures, mostly animals. Detailed illustrations that often exaggerate the features of the referenced animals accompany each section of verse. The text is generally not simple, speaking it aloud will challenge the young reader both in understanding and speaking it.
For example, there is the brief segment:
“I shoot the Hippopotamus with bullets of platinum. Because if I use leaden ones his hide is sure to flatten ‘em.”
There is also a short segment called “The Camelopard.” It is about a giraffe.
The book is divided into short sections of verse about living creatures, mostly animals. Detailed illustrations that often exaggerate the features of the referenced animals accompany each section of verse. The text is generally not simple, speaking it aloud will challenge the young reader both in understanding and speaking it.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews