The Wonderful O

By James Thurber Illustrated by Marc Simont


The Wonderful O
Online price: £9.99
Hardback, 80 pages
Published: 7th May 2009

Category: Fiction 10+
Interest age, years: From 7 To 10

Littlejack has a map that indicates the existence of a treasure on a far island. Black has a ship to get there. So they team up and sail off on Black's vessel, the Aeiu-a name based on all the vowels except for O. O he hates since his mother got wedged in a porthole.



Black and Littlejack arrive at the port of the island and demand the treasure. No one knows anything about it, so they have their henchmen ransack the place-to no avail. But Black has a better idea: he will take over the island and he will purge it of O.



The vicissitudes visited on the islanders by Black and Littlejack, the harsh limits of a life sans O, and how finally with a little luck the islanders shake off their tyrannical interlopers and discover the true treasure for themselves all create a timelessly zany fairy tale about two louts who try to lock up the language-and lose.

The period coloured illustrations add to the charm to make a very inviting book. - School Librarian

Linguistic romp with an important lesson at its heart. - London Review of Books

A tale of loss, liberty and language laced with typical Thuberian wit. - London Review of Books



Publication Details:

Binding: Hardback, 80 pages
ISBN: 9781590173091
Format: 208mm x 134mm

BIC Code: YFC
BISAC Code:  JUV001000
Imprint: NYRB Children's Collection


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