The Art of Arnold Lobel

I've really enjoyed reading with Josh from "The Man who Took the Indoors Out," a semi-obscure narrative poem by Arnold Lobel.

Of course Lobel is known for "Frog and Toad," but he also experimented with verse. (See "Indoors Out" and "The Great Blueness.")

"Indoors Out" is a silly poem in which an eccentric man feels bad about his various possessions. They have to stay under a roof; they can't enjoy the spring air. So this man--Bellwood Bouse--invites his possessions outside for a big festival. Chairs, plates, broomsticks. But the festival gets out of control, and Bouse can't lure his materials back into the living room and kitchen. Chaos ensues.

The image of plates dancing makes me think of another gay artist--Howard Ashman, who wrote "Beauty and the Beast." And it's delightful to see what Lobel can do with simple language and correct meter:

There was an old man

Who was named Bellwood Bouse....

He loved all the things...

In his very large house.....

(Another artist I think of is Sandra Boynton, who shares Lobel's fondness for words.)

How I wish Lobel had stuck around longer to make more art!

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