Shabby Sunday
I have a bunch of old vintage books and seem to keep acquiring more. One of my plans when starting this blog was to do a post every now and then sharing one of my cherished vintage books. Then I thought there might be other book bloggers out there that have some vintage books, heirlooms, or maybe some old books from childhood that they might want to share.
This meme titled ‘Shabby Sunday’ is for those who would like to participate and share some of their old vintage books. Do you have some shabby books you’d like to share? If so, please feel free to participate as anyone can join. Feel free to use my meme image if you’d like to. If you decide to do this meme, please consider linking back to me in this post so that I can see the book you’re sharing.
Last time I shared:
Today’s Shabby Share:
Rhyme Stew
By Roald Dahl
Blurb:
An irresistible, hilarious collection of ribald rhymes featuring characters from fairy tales, fables and nursery rhymes including ‘Dick Whittington and his Cat’, ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’ and ‘Hansel and Gretel’. The perfect treat for Dahl fans tall and small. ‘There is no end to the Dahl invention, and this will join all the other cherished favourites. Quentin Blake is his perfect illustrator’ Books.
We found this book at a community rummage sale over a decade ago. What a gem! This particular sale has books ranging from .10 cents to .25 cents and never more than that. Because people in the community just offload their stuff, there’s no telling what you’ll find. Today you can find a copy of this book for around $5.00 (new) online.
Our copy is a Penguin Book’s paperback published in 1990. The original was published in 1989. It’s super thin and only about 79 pages total.
Roald Dahl basically took some well-known fables and tales and turned them into silly rhymes. We all know how Roald Dahl had quite the imagination, so this collection can be crazy and hilarious. Some of the rhymes are a bit too risqué and aren’t really suited for kids as they reference sex, adultery, and even cannabalism, but I think some of it would likely go unnoticed. Definitely read at your own risk! Others are completely harmless…
Quentin Blake’s iconic illustrations are absolutely perfect in every Roald Dahl book we’ve read. They magically work together with his stories, creating interesting characters. The kids have grown used to seeing his illustrations in most of their favorite Dahl books.
It’s no surprise that his sinister version of “Hansel and Gretel” is my favorite. Something unique about this one is this little addition toward the end:
“The Brother’s Grimm who wrote this story
Made it a thousand times more gory.
I’ve taken out the foulest scene
In order that you won’t turn green.
It is beyond me how it came
To merit such enormous fame.
Did parents really, in those days,
Agree to read such gruesome plays
To little children in the night?
And did they ever die of fright?
It might have been okay, who knows,
If there’d been humour in the prose.
Did I say humour? Wilhelm Grimm?
There’s not a scrap of it in him.”
Overall, this is a hilarious collection of twisty rhymes with some of Roald Dahl’s wicked humor. There’s no denying his books can make children laugh, but he certainly knew how to entertain adults as well. This one will always remain in our collection.
Find this book on Goodreads and Amazon:
- Publisher : PUFFIN BOOKS; New Ed edition (January 1, 1990)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 80 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0140343652
- ISBN-13 : 978-0140343656
Other blogs who have participated in Shabby Sunday:
Nicky@ An Introverted Bookworm
Claire@ Brizzle Lass Books
Author Didi Oviatt
Sassy Brit@ Alternative-Read
Brittany @ PerfectlyTolerable
Shari @ Sharisakurai.com
Jennifer @ Jennifertarheelreader.com
Lisa @ Way Too Fantasy
*Please stop by these blogs to check out all of their beautiful shabby shares!*
Thanks for checking out Shabby Sunday! Have you read this book? Do you have any shabby books to share? Feel free to share your thoughts below.
♥️ Mischenko
Thanks for sharing Rhyme Stew, Mischenko – it’s definitely a mix of rhymes. 🙂 Happy Shabby Sunday!
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Thank you, Barbara! ❤️
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Thanks for sharing- looks like an interesting one. I loved Roald Dahl’s books as a kid. I saw a great and hilarious interview with him a while ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQkz_X1Rg60 Also, I might jump on your book tag 🙂
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I’ll definitely check out the interview! Thank you. ❤️
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Cool! I remember this book from back in the day. I love vintage books.
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Me too, Michael. Thanks for checking it out. 😉
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What a lovely copy! Dahl is such an interesting writer, isn’t he? Shabby Sunday is a great idea ❤️
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He is different! I loved his books when I was younger and still do today. There are so many favorites that my children still enjoy as well. Thank you, Tessa. 😁
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Sounds really great. I’ll get this one when my daughter is older and learn to read.
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Thanks, Yesha. It’s probably not best for kids, but some of the rhymes are okay for them. Thank you! 😉
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Love Roald Dahl, though I admit that when I read “The Witches” many years ago, it scared the hell out of me. Great choice for Shabby Sunday.
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I think I remember chatting with you about that before. He writes some crazy stuff, that’s for sure. Years ago I read a smutty book of stories that he wrote. It was weird. 😂 Thanks, Vanessa.
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Love this author! Wonderful review Jen. Glad you shared it. I’ll definitely read it when I get home. Sounds like fun! Fairy 🧚♀️
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You’ll like this one! Can’t wait for your thoughts. 👍
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This is another Dahl book that is not in my collection, probably because it was not really a children’s book. I will have to see if I can find it to read. I always loved his humour and yes, Quentin’s illustrations are perfect for his writing. Another great share, Jen.
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I hope you can find it at your library. One of our libraries does. You may be able to find an e-copy online for free even. Many of these are actually great for kids, but a few weren’t. Hope you like, Carla. 😉
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I will look, my son loves Roald Dahl and I know he will enjoy it and can read some of them to his kids.
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