The Boy Who Became a Parrot

THE BOY WHO BECAME A PARROT, A Foolish Biography of Edward Lear, Who Invented Nonsense

Well, who wouldn’t want to read a book written by Wolverton Hill, and learn about the person who invented nonsense? What does that even mean? And, if you add absolutely stunning illustrations by Laura Carlin I’m sold!

This is a big, thick book. It’s full of tons of fantastically written information about Edward Lear who lived in the 1800’s and was England’s most celebrated and revered naturalist/nature painter (John J. Auduban looked up to him!). But he was also a writer, a poet, who loved inventing other worlds and entertaining children and adults alike with his wacky and whimsical stories. Probably his most famous, and the one I knew best was, The Owl and the Pussycat.

As I mentioned, this is a long picture book, extremely informative, but captivatingly entertaining. It gives a detailed narrative of Edward and the trials and tribulations of his childhood, how he came to be a celebrated nature artist, and his celebrity— namely because of his silly stories and charisma with children as well as adults. There is very well-written and interesting back matter. None of the biography feels dense and overwhelming. The writing is amusing and there are actual sketches by Lear peppered throughout Laura Carlin’s gorgeous, dream-like illustrations.

The biggest take-way I got from the book, though, was the message to not grow up—Not too much anyway. Not so that as adults we forget the whimsy, the sillies, and the joys of childhood. (I bought this, and it will stay in my library for inspiration. I adore it.)