A Blog of Bosh

My translation of the early episodes of Peter Newell’s Naps of Polly Sleepyhead will be in Italian libraries next week, and the publisher, orecchio acerbo, has a book trailer on YouTube:

This is going to be in the Little Big Books format, which I found suits Polly’s adventures very well.

Old Billy ushers in the day when in the early morn
He winds a merry roundelay upon his crumpled horn.
Peter Newell, from Harper’s Young People, vol. XV, No. 766, 3 July 1894, p. 616.

Instead of buying James a hoop with which to have some fun,
His father bought for him a hat to shield him from the sun!
Peter Newell, from Harper’s Young People, vol. XV, No. 767, 10 July 1894, p. 632. (Click for larger image.)

It was impolite, of course, but when Tabby started off with “Oh, promise me,” the piano couldn’t help laughing.
Peter Newell, from Harper’s Young People, vol. XV, No. 769, 24 July 1894, p. 664.

“Oh, what have you done with your little straw hat, with its streamers of ribbons so pretty and gay?”
“Oh, mother, dear mother,quite hungry was I, and I ate my straw hat, I am sorry to say.”
Peter Newell, from Harper’s Young People, vol. XV, No. 774, 28 August 1894, p. 744.

Why Bobby didn’t get his rocking-horse.
(Click on image for full story.)
Peter Newell from Harper’s Round Table, vol. XVI, no. 789, 11 December 1894, 112.

A QUICK CURE
MOTHER. “Don’t you feel able to sit up today?”
BOY. “No, mama, I am so weak.”
MAMMA. “Well, let me see. I guess you will be able to go to school Monday. To-day is Saturday, and –”
BOY (Jumping out of bed). “Saturday! I thought it was Friday!”
Peter Newell from Harper’s Round Table, vol. XVI, no. [...]

An April Fool
“Well, I’m a bigger fool, my friends, than I had ever thought on;
I’ve gone an’ married me a wife, and find she’s stuffed with cotton!”
Peter Newell from Harper’s Round Table, vol. XVI, no. 805, 2 April 1895, 384.

Peter Newell, “Pussy and the Fool’s-Cap,” Harper’s Round Table, vol. XVI, no. 807, 16 April 1895, 416.

Peter Newell from Harper’s Round Table, vol. XVI, no. 820, 16 July 1895, 736.