THE WORLD OF BEMELMANS

There is definitely a Bemelmans' cult, and some of his earlier work- now out of print- has helped build that enthusiastic corps of admirers. One of my early favorites was My War With the United States, in which a youth from the Tirol found himself in the U.S.Army. Here it is- the first panel of his adventures in this composite portrait. Small Beer is here, too, and The Donkey Inside (possibly the least well known) as it takes him to South America. The more recent I Love You, I Love You, I Love You has some of his most hilarious adventures and misadventures — but, if I remember some of the Barbara episodes in the original volume, this is made up of selections, not the complete book. In addition there are a number of other pieces, including some "Barbara" episodes (one entitled Camp Nomopo, which numerous parents will find appealingly familiar) which I don't remember reading in any previous Bemelmans volume....All in all, varied fare, in the best Bemelmans' tradition. It should make new converts.