This slim volume contains four stories, with a high proportion of space taken up by illustrations (that I like a lot.) Three were written for Cummings' daughter, Nancy and one (much later, obviously) for his grandson. This one, The Elephant and the Butterfly, was my favourite. Elephants were Cummings' favourite animals from childhood onwards. (He did his own pictures of elephants as a youngster.) It is surmised in an afterword that the titular Elephant and Butterfly symbolise Cummings himself and his grandson, respectively. I don't know if that's true, but it's plausible and the idea makes the story even more delightful to me. ( )

We've been reading some poems and stories by ee cummings. My 14 yr old son loves his stuff! His style is indeed unique, w/random punctuations and odd, irregular sentence structure, if indeed there is any structure. My 8 yr old daughter loved the odd little story called "The Old Man who said 'Why'". It reads like a fable of sorts. I'm hoping I have some time to read up on this unique writer.

Some people will love this.  It is brilliant, and the watercolors by Meilo So are a perfect fit.  But something about the voice, about the way they're perfectly *told* as opposed to written, just doesn't work for me.  To me, they seem a little too cute, almost twee. ( )

Sweet little fairy tales perfect for a small witty child :) ( )

These are lovely . . . read them out loud to Z several years ago and he's re-reading them to himself at night in bed because he's dug what E.E. Cummings poetry he's encountered lately. ( )