The Adventures of Uncle Lubin

By W. Heath Robinson

Book Overview

First published in England in 1902, and full of whimsical charm, The Adventures of Uncle Lubin, presents one of literature's most guileless and sincere characters. With his comically floppy hat and striped baggy stockings, gentle, serious Uncle Lubin is left in charge of his beloved nephew Peter. One fateful day, a great Bagbird swoops down while Uncle Lubin is innocently napping, whisks away the screaming child in his beak, and flies to the moon.
Deeply horrified by the unexpected turn of affairs, Uncle Lubin nonetheless recognizes his duty as Peter's guardian and sets out on a series of adventures to deliver the child from the wretched bag-bird, searching high and low (literally) for the kidnapped child. His ingenuity proves boundless: he builds an air-ship to follow the bird to the moon (using his hat as a parachute to descend); he invents a submersible sea-boat to search for Peter among the mer-men and mer-children of the deep; he kills a sea-serpent by putting salt on its tail (which we all know is the only way to kill a sea-serpent). He even melts an iceberg with a candle to reach the wicked bag-bird perched mockingly on top.
These fantastic adventures are enhanced by Robinson's detailed pen-and-ink drawings depicting, among other things, Uncle Lubin's remarkable inventions and contraptions. Robinson had a profound affection for the ridiculous, and was a genius at sensitively and inventively depicting the absurd.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1567921736
• ISBN13: 9781567921731
• Release Date: October 2014
• Publisher: David R. Godine Publisher
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 0.52 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.5" x 8.0"
• Age Range: 6 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 1 to 7

Customer Reviews

This Book is a Hoot!!!

It's Uncle Lubin's responsibility to take care of Baby Peter, but before he can blink, the infant is snatched from his clutches by the evil bag-bird [think stork on steroids] who flies off to the moon with his captive. Well, obviously poor Uncle Lubin has to retrieve the babe or face the wrath of the child's mother so he sets out on a quest to rescue poor Peter. The running gag here is that every time Lubin encounters a new creature or person there is a story to be told and Peter's doting uncle doesn't seem to be in a very big hurry to come to the rescue. This is William Heath Robinson's masterpiece [his brother, Charles, was much more mainstream] and shouldn't be missed.

Delightful Memories of my English Childhood

This is a book loved by all who have had the pleasure of reading it. Uncle Lubin's persuit of the bag-bird through the pictures of W. Heath Robinson has a truely magical feel. I highly recommend this book for any child who may be at an age to enjoy the vivid imagery. I share a 1902 copy with my sister - it originally came from my school-teacher, great-aunt's house. I remember well going there as a child along with all my cousins. I am now 38 years old. It was then, and still is a firm family favourite. Fans of the BBC's Radio 4 programme 'Desert Island Disc's' would do no better than to take Uncle Lubin with them if given a choice of what book to be marooned with on desert island. However grim the circumstances this book would see you through!As one writer of another review has put it the book is suitable for absolutely all ages. (3 to 100) +I am so very happy that the book is still available.

Great, Fun Story for Kids aged 3 to 100

Follow Uncle Lubin through his various adventures, as he tries to retrieve his beloved Nephew Peter from the clutches of the wicked bag-bird. It has lovely old illustrations to help make the story. The kids will ask if you will read just one more chapter, pleeese.My English Granny had a copy of the original 1902 book. She & my mother read it to us when we were kids. My brother now has the original (though I'd steal it if I got half a chance). When I found out it was in print, I sent copies to everyone in the family.