The Pobble Who has No Toes

by Edward Lear
illustrated by Kevin W. Maddison

Summary
The pobble in this book is initially introduced:
"The Pobble who has no toes
Had once as many as we;
When they said, 'Some day you may lose them all;' -
He replied, -'Fish fiddle de-dee!' "

As the story continues, it describes the Pobble's adventures throughout England, and his desire to swim the Bristol Channel. His Aunt Jobiska tells his that as long as he cares for his nose, he need not worry about his toes. However, although he had wrapped his nose in a piece of scarlet flannel, a Porpoise carried the flannel piece away, and when he checked, his toes were gone:

"Whether the shrimps or crawfish gray,
Or crafty Mermaids stole them away-
Nobody knew; and nobody knows
How the Pobble was robbed of his twice five toes!"

Upon his return to his aunt's home, she is seen bringing him breakfast in a garden as she says, "It's a fact the whole world knows, That Pobbles are happier without their toes!"

Discussion
This singular poem book flows like a poem but reads as a story, which will captivate children moreso than a book with little rhymes throughout. The nonsense story and funny pictures will amuse children, and this book could be read in either a classroom or a home setting. I believe it would be more fitted in a home setting or as a big book in a classroom, because the illustrations throughout the book are engaging, though not entirely bright and colorful. Unless I have missed it, this book lacks an underlying moral theme, but it does tell children to be happy with what they have.

Lear, E. (1978). The Pobble Who Has No Toes. New York: Viking Press.