Nonsense Drolleries

Edward LearProject Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

3.8

Word count: 4.9K words
Chapters: 1

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.Nonsense Drolleries by Edward LearAuthor: Lear, Edward, 1812-1888,Language: English, Class: PZ: Language and Literatures: Juvenile belles lettres, Release Date: Dec 15, 2006

Editor's review

Edward Lear was a renowned British author of nonsense verse and illustrations, and this book belongs to the nonsense rhyme works within the categories of children's literature and language literature. Its value lies in opening the boundaries of language and imagination through seemingly meaningless rhythm games: absurd characters, exaggerated plots and brisk rhythms let children feel the fun of rhyme and sentence patterns in laughter, and also let adult readers experience the unique relaxation of nonsense literature. As a public-domain ebook, it is suitable as English rhythm enlightenment and parent-child reading material, and also suitable for literature lovers to study the nonsense tradition. When reading, there is no need to pursue "meaning"; the focus is on the rhythm and visual sense of reading aloud; you can first read it aloud, then use the illustrations to imagine the scenes. For English learners, it is also a light text for experiencing rhyme and spoken rhythm.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Parents and early childhood educators looking for English rhythm enlightenment materials
Adult readers who like nonsense literature and language games
English learners who need light English reading-aloud material
Literature and history enthusiasts studying the tradition of British nonsense children's literature

Not a good fit for

Readers expecting a complete story plot and character growth
Readers who need serious themes or informative content
People who are not interested in English verse and are unwilling to read aloud

Reading tips

First read aloud to feel the rhyme and rhythm, then look back at the meaning of the text.
When reading together with children, use the illustrations and let the child retell or continue the nonsense plot.
English learners can copy rhyming words and practice pronunciation and stress.
There is no need to read every piece; choose short pieces according to mood and keep a relaxed attitude.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

What age of children is this book suitable for?

The materials do not specify a particular age. Judging from the nonsense verse and children's literature category, it is suitable for young children who can already understand simple English or who are read to by parents, and also for readers of any age who like language games. When reading together, an adult can read first and then let the child follow along.

How should nonsense poetry that is "meaningless" be read?

The value of nonsense verse lies in sound and imagination, not in moral meaning. It is recommended to first read aloud and feel the fun brought by rhythm and rhyme, then look at the vivid characters and plot. After reading, you can adapt or continue the text with your child, turning "meaninglessness" into a creative game.

Can I read this book if my English is not good?

It can be used as light reading-aloud material. The sentences are short and the rhythm is strong; with a dictionary and reading tools you can understand the general meaning. If the purpose is learning, focus on pronunciation rhythm and rhyming words; there is no need to read word by word or to understand everything.

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About the author

Edward Lear Author · British · 1812–1888

Edward Lear (1812–1888) was a British artist, illustrator and poet, born in Holloway, London, the youngest of 21 children, and raised by his eldest sister. He made his early living by drawing bird plates, including work for the Earl of Derby's menagerie, and his parrot illustrations were notably precise; he later turned to landscape painting and travelled in Italy, Greece, Egypt and India. He never married and died in San Remo, Italy, in 1888. Lear is best known for his nonsense verse, including A Book of Nonsense, Nonsense Songs, More Nonsense and Laughable Lyrics. Blending absurd imagination, playful rhythm and his own illustrations, his work combines verbal games with strange imagery and has deeply influenced later children's literature and humorous poetry.