When I was a young single mother, I read every night at bedtime to my two children, David and Erinna. This was always a precious and special time for me: just the three of us, away from the chaos and noise of the day, saying “goodbye” to what had been done, letting go of what might still need doing. Simply sharing a story, coming together, soothing ourselves through the magic of the words.
Edmond Lear’s, The Quangle Wangle’s Hat, is one of those soothing and happy stories. We loved the musicality of it, the resolution found within the heroes journey, the fun of the colorful and exotic characters.
I don’t have a recording studio so I am here, just reading the story aloud, as I would have done for David and Erinna, all those many years ago. It may be unpolished, but it’s real and from my heart.
I hope I manage to create just a bit of soothing escape from the noise and the chaos of the day for you.
click audio, adjust sound, scroll down with the words
the Quangle Wangle Sat
on account of his Beaver hat
so that nobody could ever see the face
are the best of food for me”
that very few people come this way
and life, on the whole
is far from gay”
(he’s the pink one, don’t worry)
came ……
on your lovely hat”
came and built on the lovely hat
to Himself on the Crumpetty Tree
to the flute of the Blue Baboon
were as happy, as happy can be
with the Quangle Wangle Quee
I am grateful for the beautiful artworks and photos used in this telling.
Acknowledgements to Helen Oxenbury, Shelly Perkins, Roxy Cheltenham, the 4th Grade students of Hawkhurst School, Huichol Elders Unnamed, E J Babcock, and John Vernon Lloyd.