Puff the Magic Dragon is 50 years old! Wow, that makes me feel kind of ancient and creaky. Somewhere around here, I probably still have my album (as in "vinyl") of children's music and "Puff the Magic Dragon" was one of my childhood favorites.
Oh. Ahem. Yes, in fact, I do have that album. Anyway, you know how I love children's books. Puff the Magic Dragon, published by Sterling Children's Books is basically a board book with the words from the song. Since I haven't heard it in eons, I can't tell you if all of the lyrics are there, but the illustrations in this board book are freaking gorgeous and Puff looks very friendly, which I think is important in illustrations directed at small children.
My favorite board books are usually the ones that have a nice rhythm and, of course, if you know the song you'll want to sing the story rather than just reading it aloud. That Puff began as a song makes it perfect for reading to little ones. I'd forgotten Puff the Magic Dragon is a sad story, though. Poor Puff can't live without little Jackie when Jackie grows up and goes away. I guess it's such an upbeat song that I never noticed. I still love the story, love board books, adore the rhyme and rhythm and definitely highly recommend this little book. It's a beauty.
It's also important to note that Puff the Magic Dragon has earned the Fiona Kitty Seal of Approval. Well . . . what are you waiting for? :)
©2012 Nancy Horner. All rights reserved. If you are reading this post at a site other than Bookfoolery and Babble or its RSS feed, you are reading a stolen feed. Email bookfoolery@gmail.com for written permission to reproduce text or photos.
I remember that song well. My dad used to sing it to us at bedtimes! I did always think it was sad, myself.
ReplyDeleteEither I never noticed or I've simply forgotten, over the years. I did tend to sing along without paying much attention to words. Still sometimes do that. :)
DeleteI adored that song as a child and listened to it over and over and over again when I had the chicken pox. The book looks lovely!
ReplyDeleteAh, chicken pox. I'll bet it was a comfort to you. It's such a pretty little book!
DeleteThis would make a perfect Christmas gift for my goddaughter Abby. She is going to be 3 in February, and I bet now is the perfect time for old Puff to make an appearance. Great job with the review, and the photos!
ReplyDeleteAbby would probably really enjoy Puff at 3, I agree. And, since it's a board book, no worries for Mom. Little one can go off and "read" on her own (or sing)! Thanks, Heather! :)
DeleteAll I can remember about Puff the Magic Dragon is how much it upset my father. Said it was about drugs and I wasn't allowed to sing it! He lumped it with Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds. That was outlawed in my house, too.
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, and Strawberry Fields, Purple Rain. The things we had no idea about . . . but I hadn't ever heard that about Puff. Interesting. I did know about Lucy but not till I hit my 30s and someone explained it to me.
DeleteI know I left a comment in the middle of the night. What happened to it? Anyway, I praised the model and asked if you would inquire of Fiona whether or not she thought this would be a good gift for my great-grandson who will turn two in a couple of weeks. Too late now, 'cause I already went out and bought it! I got the hardback version with a four-song CD recorded by Peter Yarrow (of Peter, Paul, and Mary) along with his daughter Bethany. I was especially swayed by the "Fiona Kitty Seal of Approval" ... plus the fact that I loved it when it came out 50 years ago and still sing along with it whenever I hear it.
ReplyDeleteNo idea, Bonnie! Maybe I should check my spam file. I never think to do that. Actually, I'm not sure I even know how, now that they've changed the platform. I'm still learning how to use the new Blogger platform (and still not in love with it, but I'm slow to adapt). .
DeleteVery cool that you got a version with a CD! I figured Peter Yarrow was the Peter of Peter, Paul and Mary but I hadn't bothered looking it up to make sure.
Fiona thanks you. She is an excellent model, yes?
Indeed, Fiona is such an excellent model that (I hope with your approval) I have used her picture on my blog with my comments about the book -- just a few minutes ago. She looks a lot like Kiki, just above her at the top of my blog. Kiki almost seems to be looking down at Fiona. I plan to mention the book again soon, along with four other books I got this week, but Fiona won't be pictured in that post. Maybe she'll garner some new admirers on my blog today.
DeleteI don't mind, Bonnie. Thanks for letting me know. :)
DeleteHmm, I see that I failed to leave a link to my post (and your photo) about Puff the Magic Dragon. Here 'tis.
Deletehttp://bonniesbooks.blogspot.com/2012/11/puff-magic-dragon-with-cd.html
I came back to tell you the post about all five books I bought, including this one, went up a couple of hours ago.
http://bonniesbooks.blogspot.com/2012/11/one-book-leads-to-three-which-leads-to.html
The movie and the song were favorites of mine when I was a kid. This book looks so cute!
ReplyDeleteYou'd love it, then, Alyce!
Delete