What is a Wise Bird Like You Doing in a Silly Tale Like This?

A healthy dose of nonsense from the Caldecott medalist

Uri Shulevitz has taken on the tricky task of weaving several nonsensical stories together into one picture book, and the result is both magical and hilarious. Set in the empire of Pickleberry, which boasts a population of 26 1/2 citizens, the tales revolve around a parrot named Lou, the emperor, his twin brother the janitor/ambassador, a traveling salesman, and a bear who loses his tail as a result of an earthquake caused when the invisible half-citizen of Pickleberry dropped a saucer. Confused? That's the point. But behind the delightful absurdity are a few dollops of wisdom. Incorporating collage in his buoyant pictures, Uri Shulevitz continues to show himself as one of the major innovators and most talented author/illustrators in the field of children's books.