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The Butterfly Ball and the Grasshopper's Feast
The gadfly, dormouse, mole, hare, and other creatures prepare for the elegant, glittering Butterfly Ball and Grasshopper Feast.
72 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1802
About the author
William Plomer
95 books8 followersWilliam Charles Franklyn Plomer CBE (he pronounced the surname as ploomer) was a South African and British author, known as a novelist, poet and literary editor. He was educated mostly in the United Kingdom, but described himself as an "Anglo-African-Asian".
He became famous in the Union of South Africa with his first novel, Turbott Wolfe, which had inter-racial love and marriage as a theme. He was co-founder of the short-lived literary magazine Voorslag ("Whiplash") with two other South African rebels, Roy Campbell and Laurens van der Post; it promoted a racially equal South Africa.
He spent the period from October 1926 to March 1929 in Japan, where he was friendly with Sherard Vines. There, according to biographers, he was in a same-sex relationship with a Japanese man. He was never openly gay during his lifetime; at most he alluded to the subject.
He then moved to England, and through his friendship with his publisher Virginia Woolf, entered the London literary circles. He became a literary editor, for Faber and Faber, and was a reader and literary adviser to Jonathan Cape, where he edited a number of Ian Fleming's James Bond series. Fleming dedicated Goldfinger to Plomer. He was active as a librettist, with Gloriana, Curlew River, The Burning Fiery Furnace and The Prodigal Son for Benjamin Britten.
He became famous in the Union of South Africa with his first novel, Turbott Wolfe, which had inter-racial love and marriage as a theme. He was co-founder of the short-lived literary magazine Voorslag ("Whiplash") with two other South African rebels, Roy Campbell and Laurens van der Post; it promoted a racially equal South Africa.
He spent the period from October 1926 to March 1929 in Japan, where he was friendly with Sherard Vines. There, according to biographers, he was in a same-sex relationship with a Japanese man. He was never openly gay during his lifetime; at most he alluded to the subject.
He then moved to England, and through his friendship with his publisher Virginia Woolf, entered the London literary circles. He became a literary editor, for Faber and Faber, and was a reader and literary adviser to Jonathan Cape, where he edited a number of Ian Fleming's James Bond series. Fleming dedicated Goldfinger to Plomer. He was active as a librettist, with Gloriana, Curlew River, The Burning Fiery Furnace and The Prodigal Son for Benjamin Britten.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 12, 2018
It does not feel right commenting of The Butterfly Ball and The Grasshopper's Feast. My words can do no justice to the original poem, and they certainly cannot capture the brilliance of the illustrations. As a child the pictures both intrigued and frightened me, and I appreciate them all the more as an adult. Aldrige's art is vibrant and intricate, giving way to more details the longer you look; it is art that could only have been born of a brilliant mind. Truly a book to treasure.
March 28, 2016
Surprisingly good children's book from the 1800's. I enjoyed it's quirky fantasy and well written verse.
October 21, 2017
This is a beautiful book of verse, accompanied by full and lustrous illustrations of the Butterfly Ball. I remember this one from when I was a child - there was even a song and film clip released I believe. Great memories and a beautiful book that can be enjoyed by the whole family. A lovely addition to any collection.
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July 30, 2011A magical book of verses by William Plomer, beautifully illustrated by Alan Aldridge who was one of the premier illustrators of the 60's and 70's (he did the cover art for Elton John's 'Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy'). So much detail hiding in these pictures and a few puzzles for children to solve (including grown-up children of course).
I recently dug my copy out after many years for the benefit of my 6 year old daughter who loves it. There was also a concept album produced by Roger Glover of Deep Purple fame, with songs based loosely on the verses and illustrations. There were plans for a film but this never materialised - the album was originally going to be a soundtrack. One short animation was produced for the song 'Love Is All' sung by Froggy (vocals provided by Ronnie James Dio). The set was performed as a live rock opera at the Royal Albert Hall.
One thing that my edition of the book doesn't mention, though, which it ought, is the original inspiration of the work - a poem by the historian and slave abolitionist William Roscoe published in 1807, called 'The Butterfly's Ball and the Grasshopper's Feast'.
http://rpo.library.utoronto.ca/poem/1...
It's fascinating to read this older work and spot all the little connections with the more recent work of Plomer and Aldridge:
'And the Hornet in Jacket of Yellow and Brown;
Who with him the Wasp, his Companion, did bring,
But they promis'd, that Evening, to lay by their Sting.'
I recently dug my copy out after many years for the benefit of my 6 year old daughter who loves it. There was also a concept album produced by Roger Glover of Deep Purple fame, with songs based loosely on the verses and illustrations. There were plans for a film but this never materialised - the album was originally going to be a soundtrack. One short animation was produced for the song 'Love Is All' sung by Froggy (vocals provided by Ronnie James Dio). The set was performed as a live rock opera at the Royal Albert Hall.
One thing that my edition of the book doesn't mention, though, which it ought, is the original inspiration of the work - a poem by the historian and slave abolitionist William Roscoe published in 1807, called 'The Butterfly's Ball and the Grasshopper's Feast'.
http://rpo.library.utoronto.ca/poem/1...
It's fascinating to read this older work and spot all the little connections with the more recent work of Plomer and Aldridge:
'And the Hornet in Jacket of Yellow and Brown;
Who with him the Wasp, his Companion, did bring,
But they promis'd, that Evening, to lay by their Sting.'
January 20, 2024
Beautiful artwork, and lovely poetry to go with it. This is likely to lose the attention of younger readers, as there are far more words than pictures. Each page of text could almost be a picture book of its own! Still, the artwork is absolutely gorgeous, and I love the fine details put into each picture, as well as the informative bits at the back of the book about each animal and insect pictured. In all, a lovely book.
April 26, 2022
Cute entertaining listening 🎶🔰
Another will written British fantasy short story by R. M. Ballantyne about all the bugs have a party and the fun and excitement that happens. This is for the inner child very enjoyable. Enjoy the adventure of reading 👓 or listening 🎶 to Alexa as I do. 2022 🔰🏡🏰👒
Another will written British fantasy short story by R. M. Ballantyne about all the bugs have a party and the fun and excitement that happens. This is for the inner child very enjoyable. Enjoy the adventure of reading 👓 or listening 🎶 to Alexa as I do. 2022 🔰🏡🏰👒
June 29, 2017
I remember being utterly captivated (and more than a little unnerved) for hours and hours by the intricate illustrations as a kid, and now as an adult the sense of wonder still survives as they are uniquely rich, vivid, and ever so slightly menacing!
July 4, 2020
Oops. Didn’t know it was an old children’s poem ..... but it was so beautiful I went ahead and enjoyed it. Written in the late 1700’s ..... but still good.
November 7, 2020
Exquisite.
January 4, 2023
Just beautiful.
December 28, 2016
The Butterfly Ball and The Grasshopper's Feast is a beautiful story about the insects and small animals all getting ready to attend a ball. The story is told in poetry form and has the most wonderful colour illustrations you have ever seen. A vast number of interesting creatures are attending the ball, including Mrs Dormouse and her son, Tom, Old blind mole, Dandy Rat, who gets attacked and robbed on his way to the ball, the caterpillars, the spider and many, many more. There is a poem for each creature that describes what that particular creatures is doing and how it, or they, are preparing for an evening of fun at the ball. The book also contains interesting facts about each of the creatures featured in the book. The verbiage in this book is quite sophisticated so you may need to read this book to young readers and explain certain words and descriptions to them but it is definitely most worthwhile to do so.
December 5, 2010
i loved this book when i was younger, even though it was second hand form my mum and she had torn half the pages out. You know a book is a classic when you never see the whole story and it doesn't matter because it's so beautiful. As an older girl now i've just relised there's some interesting natural history stuff crammed into the back after the poetry, which is nice, if a bit random.
i can't tell you anything about the storyline- i've never seen the compleate copy, but i can tell you that every picture is a masterpiece down to the last detail.
i can't tell you anything about the storyline- i've never seen the compleate copy, but i can tell you that every picture is a masterpiece down to the last detail.
November 27, 2011
A wonderful retelling of a classic story. Though the artwork was a bit hard to see on my Kindle, it was still a very pleasurable read. To be able to view nature in its complete beauty is something that tends to elude us in our current society, and this story was a good escape away from our complex lives.
November 29, 2011
My favorite book growing up. The artwork was amazing, very rich. The words were a little above my head at the time but it was just challenging enough to make me want to understand the bigger words. Sharing with my daughter now.
May 28, 2015
The illustrations by Alan Aldridge are really beautiful, vibrant and detailed; but I wasn't so keen on William Plomer's verse. It was quite jerky for my taste. This was published in 1973 and hasnt dated at all.
July 14, 2009
Beautiful!
September 10, 2016
Remake of a classic story.
September 14, 2014
Wonderfully entertaining artwork.
April 6, 2015
Interesting poetry, and amazing art make up this "children's" book about all kinds of animals, and insects laying down their stingers, etc. to have a peaceful day celebrating at a feast and ball.
October 10, 2015
This book was bought for me during the 1970s by my Aunt and Uncle. I simply adored this book and spent many, many hours poring over every word and memorised by the stunning illustrations.
June 15, 2020
This book is a wonder. It is a bunch of poems about all the insects going to the ball. There is a album of the poems that were written into songs. (It took me years to find the album)
January 24, 2016
The most stunning art
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews