Volume Four collects 19481949; the misadventures of five-year-old Barnaby Baxter and his Fairy Godfather J.J. OMalley continue. Bumbling but endearing, Mr. OMalley rarely gets his magic to work even when he consults his Fairy Godfathers Handy Pocket Guide. The true magic of Barnaby resides in its canny mix of fantasy and satire, amplified by the understated elegance of Crockett Johnsons clean, spare art. It combines of Johnsons sly wit and OMalleys amiable windbaggery, a childs feeling of wonder and an adults wariness, highly literate jokes and a keen eye for the ridiculous. Designed by Daniel Clowes (Patience, Wilson), it includes scholarly material.
About the Author
Crockett Johnson was the pen name of cartoonist and children's book illustrator David Johnson Leisk (October 20,1906-July 11, 1975). He is best known for the Harold series of books, which began with Harold and the Purple Crayon, and for the comic strip Barnaby. He was married to the children's book author Ruth Krauss, with whom he collaborated on several books, including The Carrot Seed.