THE MYSTERIOUS HUBBUB

by Amanda Welsh ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 1990

An intriguing, highly unusual book from Australia: depicted in precisely detailed black and white, a sailing ship--with passengers in 17th-century dress--veers into the edge of the ""Frozen Sea"" (penguins and mermaids seen nearby); suddenly, there's a cacophony of frightening sounds. The captain explains that there was a terrible battle last winter, and its noises froze; spring weather is thawing the din, bit by bit. Meanwhile, sounds that are still congealed appear as brightly colored words in different calligraphic styles, dancing toylike in the air; in a merry mood, the passengers play with them, while children even try to eat them. They melt into strange noises: fifes and drams, screams and sobbing, a thunderous cannon, a sharp word that actually cuts. In the end, the remainder go off like fireworks, leaving a last word in the blue sky: ""peace."" Imaginative, well-crafted, nondidactic--a book to provoke valuable thought and discussion.

Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1990

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1990

Categories: CHILDREN'S