My mom had ALL of these books. I never read them, but I loved the covers, especially because of this cheeky otter. The same otter (I believe) appears on a later cover where he is lying in the middle of an enormous puffy bed. I really should read the books. For me, the series of covers told a story all by itself, and they are incredibly detailed. I say “Good Show” for the right reasons.
By Niel (my parents couldn’t spell Neil) Hancock, who I understand to be a friend of Roald (my parents couldn’t spell Ronald) Dahl.
I think this is a cute cover. I’m particularly fond of the otter and the literate (but sleeping) background bear. I found some of the other covers here:
Regardless as to whether it’s dawn or dusk, there’s an awful lot of ambient light in the picture.Even an opening in the canopy should have plenty more shadow than is depicted.
@Phil: But maybe they wanted him to be called “Nye-Ell“!
Although, it does also draw attention the surname and that it might also be misspelled and missing a D.
Why is the otter staring fixedly in the direction of the gnome fella’s crotch? I’d be worried, if I were him, and not just because of my sartorial choices. Bet he’s on his way to Glastonbury.
March 18th, 2011 at 9:45 am
They can’t even spell Neil.
March 18th, 2011 at 10:46 am
Tom Bombadil uses his quality time wisely.
March 18th, 2011 at 11:15 am
I love lord of the rings but I don’t know if I will love this.
March 18th, 2011 at 11:32 am
That otter is clearly asking, “Is that a pair of socks in your spandex?”
March 18th, 2011 at 12:14 pm
Something’s distinctly… odd about this cover. Can’t say exactly what, but it might have something to with phallic imagery.
March 18th, 2011 at 2:34 pm
My mom had ALL of these books. I never read them, but I loved the covers, especially because of this cheeky otter. The same otter (I believe) appears on a later cover where he is lying in the middle of an enormous puffy bed. I really should read the books. For me, the series of covers told a story all by itself, and they are incredibly detailed. I say “Good Show” for the right reasons.
March 18th, 2011 at 2:43 pm
Somebody, or something, in the shrubbery to the right is pissing in the pond. No wonder Otter-boy is so keen to get out.
March 18th, 2011 at 3:02 pm
Is that what the world looks like when you eat the shrooms in the foreground, they are shrooms?
Typed with out a cats assistance this time.
March 18th, 2011 at 4:25 pm
By Niel (my parents couldn’t spell Neil) Hancock, who I understand to be a friend of Roald (my parents couldn’t spell Ronald) Dahl.
I think this is a cute cover. I’m particularly fond of the otter and the literate (but sleeping) background bear. I found some of the other covers here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/36329240@N06/4187479704/in/photostream/
The otter does indeed make a return appearance.
March 18th, 2011 at 9:32 pm
The Panda lost 25 pounds with Jenny Craig
March 18th, 2011 at 9:33 pm
I mean otter! Peview Button!
March 19th, 2011 at 4:40 pm
I was going to pun that the cover was otter nonsense.
But I otter not….
March 20th, 2011 at 7:39 pm
Cover art recycled from the lesser-known fantasy book Redfax Wangnose.
March 21st, 2011 at 7:34 pm
this series, and esp this cover, was ubiquitous in bookstores of the 70s, probably because no one ever bought them…
May 23rd, 2015 at 4:35 pm
A greyfax can be fixed by replacing the toner cartridge and cleaning the print head.
May 23rd, 2015 at 6:07 pm
Glorious soul patch there, milado.
Regardless as to whether it’s dawn or dusk, there’s an awful lot of ambient light in the picture.Even an opening in the canopy should have plenty more shadow than is depicted.
May 24th, 2015 at 9:55 am
@Phil: But maybe they wanted him to be called “Nye-Ell“!
Although, it does also draw attention the surname and that it might also be misspelled and missing a D.
June 24th, 2015 at 6:33 pm
Why is the otter staring fixedly in the direction of the gnome fella’s crotch? I’d be worried, if I were him, and not just because of my sartorial choices. Bet he’s on his way to Glastonbury.
March 17th, 2017 at 5:11 am
It’s brightly lit and there are no shadows at all, which implies high noon.
So either this is another planet with an extra sun, or it’s something on fire/magical/magical fire BEHIND YOU!
I’m going with the “ate shrooms” idea.