posted on 13 May 2017

The Island of Nose by Annie M.G.Schmidt illustrated by Jan Marinus Verburg

I just love an eccentric children’s book. For my taste way too many new children’s books are so samey, influenced, or possibly more accurately, dominated by illustrative styles that plagiarise the most successful artists and rely on storylines that have been recycled many times. That’s why stumbling over a book like The Island of Nose is such a treat. Published originally in the UK in 1977 this collaboration between a leading Dutch children’s author and a daring Dutch book illustrator defies classification.

The story, translated by Lance Salway is just plain crackers. Tom, the principal character in the book, has just started his summer holidays from school. But rather than be delighted by this he’s hopelessly miserable because he has huge ears. He has nothing to look forward to until he gets a letter from his Uncle Horace asking him to visit urgently because he needs his help. His uncle lives on the Island of Nose and he’s sent Tom a map showing how to get there.

Tom sets off to make his journey hitching lifts along the way – but sadly he’s not great at hitching rides. He’s just about to give up when he’s picked up by a giant pink monster car inside which Tom finds a pink dragon, gets served to lemonade by a butler and entertained by what appears to be Bob Dylan and the Band!

Tom finds himself variously in a surreal forest, a huge marble palace, a hall of mirrors and in a ballroom with a crowd that look suspiciously like the crowd that graces the cover of St. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band. In a more sinister episode two axe-men executioners appear who behead the dragon to reveal a human girl and then reveal themselves to be nothing more fearful than gardeners.

Tom continues his journey to the Island of Nose and on the way encounters a group of fellow travellers who turn out to be the four seasons and they agree to accompany him on his journey. Tom and the seasons get a ride on boat in the form of a giant green frog and are greeted by the inhabitants of the Island of Nose with great joy and Uncle Horace reveals that this was what he always wanted Tom to do. Tom is made an honorary citizen of the island and is given a huge false nose to wear.

OK? You work it out. I have no idea. Marijuana use is legal in Holland.

The fabulous folio-sized illustrations are crucial to the overall impact of the book and although they are reminiscent at times of the work of Alan Aldridge they are, I think, very much of their time. The drawings are solid, three-dimensional and colourful – they exaggerate reality without quite being cartoonish.

Quite what a child would make of this story I have no idea but it’s clear that both  author and illustrator anticipated an adult audience as well as child readers – the text and drawings are full of sly references to the popular culture of the 1970s that would be totally lost on youngsters.

I can’t imagine that large numbers of the book were sold and so it’s harder to find than is usually the case with children’s picture books – and so more expensive too. On the internet sites you’ll have to pay well over £25 for one in decent condition – so it’s probably wise to keep your eyes open in charity shops and grab a bargain if you can.

Terry Potter

May 2017