Pish, Posh, Said Hieronymus Bosch

While I cannot call this book a true biography, I would call it an introduction (rather silly and fun one) to the artist Hieronymus Bosch and his artwork. Actually, it is far more about the artwork as it has to be because very little is known today about this medieval artist since he left no explanations, diaries, or any histories about himself and his motivations. Thus, I think it was prudent and much more fun of Nancy Willard to follow his made up maid and her daily trials and terrorizing by all the creations that he paints. I especially liked the pickle-winged fish.

The content, a long poem, is written in rhymed verse that is both fun to read and really fun to read aloud. While I think that some of the vocabulary would be beyond very show more young children, and some of the pictures for that matter since Hieronymus Bosch did paint rather scary morphed creatures like the head wearing claws. I think that school aged children would find the creatures fascinating, might even be hard to turn a page until everyone had gotten a good look at all the little creatures that pop up around the corners- a raven with a top hat, the lizard with eye glasses and rings, a goblin peaking around a door, or cucumbers with arms and legs.

Aside from the entertainment value of the book, it is important to introduce artists and their art to children because I think that many of the things that we find interesting and stimulating as a child grow into later interests. And artwork is very stimulating because it is something that people can read even without the ability to read words. The odd creations that show up in this book and the funny way they are driving the maid crazy could easily be translated into an art assignment, see if you can make your own strange creature, or a chance to write your own wacky poem or story with creatures that you make up. show less

The work of Hieronymus Bosh fascinates me. What a treat it was to find a book not only about my beloved artist but one that is a work of art all by it self. Pish Posh Hieronymus Bosh is a children’s book written by Nancy Willard and illustrated by The Dillons (Diane and Leo.)

Bosh lived and painted in the Netherlands during the thirteenth and fourteenth century. His paintings are famous for their strange little creatures. I look at them and at times, the paintings appear futuristic with the alien like creatures and flying spaceship like objects. My first impression of his work was the science fiction like quality.

This children’s book is written in rhyme, and tells a story of Hieronymus and his disgruntled housekeeper. Sick and tired show more of tripping over and caring for a myriad of unbelievable le creatures, she packs her bag and off she goes. She soon discovers the creatures have literally attached themselves to her for she is not only a housekeeper but to the creatures, “a mother.” Apparently, the life she wished for was not to be.

“They’re not what I wished for. When women are young, they want curly-haired daughters and raven-haired sons. In this vale of tears we must take what we’re sent, Feathery, Leathery, Lovely, or Bent.”

In addition to the wonderful story about Bosh and his housekeeper, the book is a thing of beauty worthy of consideration as a family treasure. The text type and display type were hand lettered and are near three dimensional in appearance. The original artwork is unique and colorful. The book is presented on 100-pound Natural Karma paper meant to endure for generations of readers.

Short Biographies of Bosh, the author and the illustrator serve as cream to this wonderful desert of a book. show less

This could be considered historical fiction, as not much is known about Bosch's life, but the illustrations are gorgeous and fun to look at, and do a quite nice job of being inspired from Bosch's own weird style as seen in his paintings.

Adults and kids alike will love this book. The illustrations are gorgeous and luscious. The author/artist uses inspiration from the real artist, Hieronymous Bosch (whose work is much darker) to create a fable of how magical life would have been with him if his characters came to life. I love this so much, I own two copies.

Hieronymus Bosch was obsessed with odd creatures and many of them lived in his house with him. This was great for him but horrible for his housekeeper. She is fed up with trying to do her job with all of these creatures around because they make it so difficult. She decides that she is done and walks out of the house. When she gets home she opens her suitcase and out comes some of the creatures from the house. They want to stay with her and she realizes that she can't abandon her work because these creatures have become like family. She returns to Hieronymus Bosch's house where he was waiting for her and he was so happy and ready to spend the rest of his life with her.

Illustrations and paintings bring Bosch's world to life in a delightfully chaotic dance of strange creatures and one very frustrated housekeeper. Use this book as an example to young artists of how one may be inspired by the Greats.

Although my grandson is only 2, I wanted to have this in my library for the time when he is ready. In the meantime, I will enjoy this delightfully illustrated story of the medieval Dutch painter Hieronymus Bosch. The story is a poem and centers on the frustrations of his housekeeper who is being driven to distraction by the beastly creations wondering through the house. A delight for the eye.