Old Mother Hubbard and Her Wonderful Dog

Caldecott Honor winner James Marshall tops himself

Old Mother Hubbard

Went to the Cupboard,

To fetch her poor dog a bone;

But when she came there

The cupboard was bare

And so the poor dog had none.

And so it goes, as Old Mother Hubbard visits the baker, the undertaker, the butcher, the fishmonger, the tavern, the fruit stand, the tailor, the hatter, the barber, the cobbler, the seamstress, and the hosier, always hoping to find a little something that will please her wonderful dog. These two familiars from the traditional nursery rhyme seem to have a far more rewarding and amusing relationship than we ever imagined, at least as portrayed in James Marshall’s lavishly inventive illustrations. Long recognized as an incomparable master of the picture-book form, this time Marshall outdoes himself in sheer inspiration and brio.

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