Fuse 8 n’ Kate: The Marzipan Pig by Russell Hoban, ill. Quentin Blake

If one were to attempt a Valentine’s Day podcast episode (or, in this case, a day-after-Valentine’s-Day-post) involving romance, what picture book would you choose? Or, to be a little more precise, what classic picture book best embodies the spirit of Valentine’s Day? We’re pretty sure it wouldn’t be this book, but that’s just because sentient candy oinkers aren’t really an American thing. We’ve done two Russell Hoban books on this podcast already (Bread and Jam for Frances and Emmet Otter’s Jugband Christmas) so why not just top it off with a third? The most notable aspect of this book? I think it finally broke Kate’s brain.

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Show Notes:

In the show, I promise to show you Posankka, the mix of a marzipan pig mixed with a rubber ducky. I’m including it here, but even seeing it here just . . . it just . . . wow.

When I think of this Pig, I think about how it wants to be eaten like the cow in the Restaurant at the End of the Universe.

Tell me your day isn’t at least slightly improved by this Quentin Blake image of an owl dancing in the street.

Not good enough? Try a dancing bee then!

I reference the very odd film adaptation they made of today’s book. As I say on the podcast, I used to show this to the small children around Valentine’s Day at the Jefferson Market Branch of NYPL. I couldn’t find the full film online, but I have at least found the beginning. This gives you a taste of its strange and wonderful start:

And this is the link from listener Erin of two sisters going through real estate listings. Thanks, Erin!

Filed under: Fuse 8 n' Kate