The Jumblies by Edward Lear

The Jumblies Reviews

• 
  Adrian

  They went to sea in a Sieve, they did,
  In a Sieve they went to sea:
  In spite of all their friends could say,
  On a winter’s morn, on a stormy day,
  In a Sieve they went to sea!
  And when the Sieve turned round and round,
  And every one cried, ‘You’ll all be drowned!’
  They called aloud, ‘Our Sieve ain’t big,
  But we don’t care a button! we don’t care a fig!
  In a Sieve we’ll go to sea!’
  Far and few, far and few,
  Are the lands where the Jumblies live;
  Their heads are green, and their hands are blue,
  And they went to sea in a Sieve.
  
  One of today's charity shop finds!
  
  You have got to love an
  Edward Lear poem and this is no exception. It is silly and funny and has been beautifully illustrated here to bring it to life. It may technically be a children's picture book but it is fun for all ages. 3.5 stars.
  
  
• 
  Robert Davis

  Goreys' illustrations are wonderful as always, but I'm afraid I was not overwhelmed by the verse of Mr. Lear.
• 
  John Yelverton

  The poem starts off very well, and it is also incredibly poignant in points, and the rhyming scheme is fun as well; however, the ending falls rather flat in my opinion.
• 
  Bill Powers

  I heard the nonsensical poem being read in an episode of Inspector Lewis - a British police procedural and was enthralled by it:
  
  ‘They went to sea in a Sieve, they did,
  In a Sieve they went to sea:
  In spite of all their friends could say,
  On a winter's morn, on a stormy day,
  In a Sieve they went to sea! . . .’
  
  It's a whimsical, very cute little tale of an adventure of The Jumblies going to sea in their sieve...
• 
  Tiffany

  The art is lovely, but I do not see the point of this story. The verse was not very witty, or deserving for such cute illustration. It didn't keep my child's interest, but we'll revisit it when she's older and see.
• 
  Shiloah

  Nonsensical nonsense that makes no sense, but it rhymes and therefore it pleases. Loved by all.
• 
  Lisa

  The story says the Jumblies have green heads and blue hands. Sad that this was not a color illustration.
• 
  Lou Hilton

  A favourite childhood story of mine. Happy to be sharing it with my baby.
• 
  Chase Presson

  Childhood favorite- still so fun
• 
  Karen

  Delightfully illustrated by Edward Gorey (which is why it was bought).
• 
  Annabel Peet

  A lovely poem with vibrant illustrations and incredible characters. Exciting and fun, the repetitive "and they went to sea in a sieve" will stick!
• 
  Camilla

  For school.
• 
  Timothy Morrison

  Quite silly
• 
  Rose English

  'The Jumblies’ by Edward Lear
  Illustrated by Sam McPhillips
  
  This is a beautifully illustrated picture book, featuring the classic nonsense poem by Edward Lear; a truly rhythmical read.
  
  ‘They went to sea in a Sieve, they did,
  In a Sieve they went to sea:
  In spite of all their friends could say,
  On a winter's morn, on a stormy day,
  In a Sieve they went to sea! . . .’
  
  What a wonderful way to introduce children to the world of classic literature and the nonsense poem of Edward Lear. This is a poem to share with children of all ages. It has beautiful bright images to capture their attention especially showing the little Jumblies.
  
  ‘. . .Far and few, far and few,
  Are the lands where the Jumblies live;
  Their heads are green, and their hands are blue,
  And they went to sea in a Sieve.’
  
  This book along with several others is retailed at £5.99 but I found this for 99p in the Aldi Supermarket (UK); fantastic bargain.
  
  I have today been informed that my sister’s grandson (whom I bought the book for) loves it.
  
  Happy Reading
  
• 
  Rick Jones

  Rereading Edward Gorey 2023. Knowing that Edward Lear was a touchstone for Edward Gorey, this must have been a deep honor for him. I like seeing other references Gorey throws in; japanese prints, surrealist skies, and even a dedication to Lear's cat, Foss. Gorey's drawings are faithful to the poem, but create a unique vision of their own, an unforgettable statement of reverence for Lear's work.
  
  Paired with Lear's other Jumbly book, The Dong with the Luminous Nose, this makes a lovely story of joy, bravado and loss. And a solid foundation of nonsense.
• 
  Torriblezone

  This is a perfect marriage of illustration to text. Gorey's drawings are exactly what is called for when, "...they bought an owl and a useful cart..." and so on. Cranberry tarts, silvery bees, the woman who bears the rice; all are rendered exactly as one would hope to imagine them if we were great.
  
  Available from Pomegranate Communications Inc.
• 
  Kath Olukoya

  This book makes no sense at all! How can you keep your feet dry with pink paper while sailing about in a sieve? But reading it puts the baby to sleep everytime so it can't be all bad! And it means the first book I have read this year is a classic :)
• 
  Don

  This, along with Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Through the Looking Glass, and the Hunting of the Snark comprised the first furnishings of my mind.
• 
  Michael Earp

  Edward Gorey's work is just so delightful! The detail of his line drawings and cross-hatching is stunning. And the poem by Lear is great fun!
• 
  Amyem

  
  http://www.gutenberg.org/files/34906/...
  
  
• 
  Alexandra

  Lovely, for the most part! And a lot better than his book of nonesense.
• 
  Janine Fenton

  a child 3ood favorite revisited.
• 
  Jeremy

  Odd story, but Lear is classic. Illustrations are okay.