The Adventures of Parsley the Lion

by Michael Bond, Rob Biddulph (Illustrations)

A glorious full-colour edition of a much-loved classic. A celebration of words and pictures from the creator of Paddington Bear, Michael Bond, and contemporary genius and internet drawing sensation Rob Biddulph!Living in the magical Herb Garden, Parsley the lion is never quite sure what’s going to happen to him next . . . especially with an excitable friend like Dill the dog around.Parsley made his debut in 1968 in the children’s animated TV series The Herbs, written by the creator of Paddington Bear, Michael Bond. Capturing the hearts of viewers, he went on to star in his own TV series The Adventures of Parsley in 1970, as well as in a series of books and on a wide range of merchandise.Now Michael Bond’s hilarious books featuring Parsley the lion, first published nearly fifty years ago, are brought alive for a new generation in this exquisite contemporary colour edition, gloriously illustrated by the award-winning creator of Blown Away and Draw with Rob, Rob Biddulph.

Genres: Childrens, Audiobook, Dogs

224 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1987

About the author

Michael Bond, CBE was an English children's author. He was the creator of Paddington Bear and wrote about the adventures of a guinea pig named Olga da Polga, as well as the animated BBC TV series The Herbs. Bond also wrote culinary mystery stories for adults featuring Monsieur Pamplemousse and his faithful bloodhound, Pommes Frites.

Reviews

[Claire]

This was a random find at the library and I loved the illustrations. I got through a few stories and I loved Dill the dog. I couldn't warm up to Parsley though. I have let it go.

[🌶 peppersocks 🧦 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reflections and lessons learned/the content of this book made me feel…

Comforted and amused! Happy childhood memories and great narrations

[Andy Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think someone picking this up without having seen the TV show would struggle to visualise the universe it is set in. The look of the setting and characters is not introduced separately in this collection of stories which I imagine are based on or written simultaneously with the TV creation though possibly this isn't so and the original illustrations showed the way things were. So, for the rest, not as dated as you might expect. There is telegram for child readers to look up/have explained in one of the stories. Michael Bond very funny as always. Great word play. Lovely interchanges between the highly creative but slightly egocentric Dill the Dog and his calmer friend, Parsley. Another nice comic touch is the police constable always looking for some licence that hasn't been applied for. Nice trip down memory lane for me.

[Vanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gelezen voor Biblion, alwaar de gejele recensie zal verschijnen. Zeer charmante heruitgave van de twee boeken over de Peterselie Leeuw in de Kruidentuin. Prachtige korte (voorlees)verhalen over de hond Dille, Peterselie de Leeuw en alle andere bewoners en bezoekers van de tuin. Met vaak een grapje erin verwerkt. Aanrader voor het slapen gaan als voorleesverhaaltjes voor Engelssprekende kindjes.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used to love watching The Herbs on TV, and this book brought back many happy memories. The stories were sweet and funny. Rob's illustrations brought the characters up to date whilst maintaining their charm. A lovely book.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a beautifully illustrated book, you can’t help but spend forever poring over every single page. The stories are wonderfully nostalgic but entertaining for new readers as well. Lovely!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, old school. Read it because I had no idea that The Herbs was based on books written by the creator of Paddington. Love Parsley

[David Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Parsley’s comebacks are savage

[🌶 peppersocks 🧦 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reflections and lessons learned:
“Because we are so many chives
And dressed like one another
It makes it even hard to tell
A sister from a brother”

Well of course it’s your classic crossover characterisation of animal and herb personalities mixed with 60s style psychedelia teaching kids etiquette and life lessons… Why is it that I can completely accept a lion with a herb based mane and penchant for painting with gravy, but laugh every time I read the name mr onion?!

One of the most beautifully presented e-books that I’ve ever read, with gorgeous fonts and illustrations - a real book feeling in electronic format. Surreal but a marvellous treat!