Bill Peet
Bill Peet had a good time writing his autobiography, a Caldecott honor book, (1994, Houghton, Ages 8 up, $9.95, paperback reissue). His enthusiasm for his subject, writing for children and his understanding of his audience, makes this autobiography glow with the same emotion that is found between the covers of his thirty-plus children's books. His autobiography is an extended picture book; each page of text is complemented by Peet's illustrations. Young and old fans will enjoy reading about Peet's childhood in Indiana, his fascinating experiences as an animator for Walt Disney, and his trials and tribulations as an emerging picture book writer. Fans will be further entertained as they read about the origins of some of Peet's more memorable characters like Hubert, the Caboose, Scamp and the Wumps.
In rhymed verse, Peet tells the story of Hubert, a vain lion who burns his mane. His jungle friends want to help him regrow his mane, but it requires a magical cure-crocodile tears. Only the elephant is brave enough to venture to the river, and through his cleverness he obtains the tears. Administered to Hubert's head, the results are fantastic-his hair grows and grows-until it threatens to suffocate all the animals. Hubert's hair is finally cut into a manageable and unusual style. Hubert's Hair-Raising Adventure is a hilariously hairy tale for all to enjoy. (1959, Houghton, Ages 5 to 8, $13.45 and $4.80).
Scamp, the farm dog, yearns for a more exciting life than the farm seems to offer. One day Scamp runs away in search of excitement. In the forest he meets Zildy, the witch, who transforms Scamp into something very exciting. He becomes part zebra, rhino, elephant, camel, reindeer and part horse-a whingdingdilly! Captured and put into show business, Scamp finally realizes that this exciting life isn't for him. The Whingdingdilly (1974, Houghton, Ages 5 to 8, $4.80 with cassette $8.95).
The Wumps lead a bucolic life on their own planet. One day they are invaded by the Pollutians, who it seems have overdeveloped and destroyed their own world. The Wumps flee in terror as brigades of bulldozers and armies of machines are unloaded from the spaceships. Eventually the Pollutians outgrow the Wump's world and quickly depart for yet another. The Wumps are horror-stricken by the mess. Yet amid all the destruction, the Wumps find a patch of green and begin to rebuild.
Reviews
Bill Peet: An Autobiography
Bill Peet
In between Bill Peet's childhood and his success as a children's book author/artist was a 27-year stint at Walt Disney Studios. His anecdotes of those days and his contributions to the Disney output are among the most enjoyable of all. 1989, Houghton, Ages 8 to 14, $17.95 and $10.95. Reviewer: Beverly Kobrin
ISBN: 0-395-50932-7
ISBN: 0-395-68982-1
Hubert's Hair-Raising Adventure
Bill Peet
In rhymed verse, Peet tells the story of Hubert, a vain lion who burns his mane. His jungle friends want to help him regrow his mane, but it requires a magical cure-crocodile tears. Only the elephant is brave enough to venture to the river, and through his cleverness he obtains the tears. Administered to Hubert's head, the results are fantastic-his hair grows and grows-until it threatens to suffocate all the animals. Hubert's hair is finally cut into a manageable and unusual style. This is a hilariously hairy tale for all to enjoy. 1979 (orig. 1959), Houghton Mifflin, Ages 5 to 8, $14.95 and $6.95. Reviewer: Judith Gravitz
ISBN: 0-395-15083-3
ISBN: 0-395-28267-5
The Whingdingdilly
Bill Peet
Scamp, the farm dog, yearns for a more exciting life than the farm seems to offer. One day Scamp runs away in search of excitement. In the forest he meets Zildy, the witch, who transforms Scamp into something very exciting. He becomes part zebra, rhino, elephant, camel, reindeer and part horse--a whingdingdilly! Captured and put into show business, Scamp finally realizes that this exciting life isn't for him. 1974, Houghton Mifflin, Ages 5 to 8, $14.95 and $5.95. Reviewer: Judith Gravitz
ISBN: 0-395-24729-2
ISBN: 0-395-31381-3
The Wump World
Bill Peet
The Wumps lead a bucolic life on their own planet. One day they are invaded by the Pollutians, who it seems have overdeveloped and destroyed their own world. The Wumps flee in terror, as brigades of bulldozers and armies of machines are unloaded from the spaceships. Eventually the Pollutians outgrow the Wump's world and quickly depart for yet another. The Wumps are horror-stricken by the mess. Yet amid all the destruction, the Wumps find a patch of green and begin to rebuild. 1970, Houghton Mifflin, Ages 8 to 11, $14.95, $5.95 and with cassette $7.95. Reviewer: Judith Gravitz
ISBN: 0-395-19841-0
ISBN: 0-395-31129-2
ISBN: 0-395-58412-4
Added 1999
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