Review of Beau Pogo

Walt Kelly, 1960, Beau Pogo, Fireside Books and Simon & Schuster. Our story begins with danger, fraught and otherwise, and an empty refrigerator. Dragon hunters set out, but run into trouble before they ever find the dragon. I laugh out loud every time I read this part.<br><br>

Seminole Sam comes around selling a memory book, specifically a book that helps you forget things. He doesn't find any takers. Everybody feels like they forget plenty of stuff all on their own. <br><br>

The postal service,  international espionage, groundhog school, and examination of many more topics follow. One of the most amusing is an episode in which Albert Alligator is reading a book. This is something he doesn't know how to do in many of the other books. Each cartoon panel showing the book gives it a different title.<br><br>

There's no evidence that pigs can fly, but it turns out that turtles can. Also, hypnotism proves to be a dangerous game. Howland Owl sets up a script service in which he gives you your entire script for the day so you don't have to think of what to say. Needless to say, he doesn't put his heart into it. Nevertheless, the project takes off, and is expanded to other planets. They don't speak English, but that's not a problem. Not when you take strings of beads and a variety of weapons. As Churchy and Howland prepare to begin this program, a small spaceship bangs off the ground next to them. It is loaded with bear, Russian bear, who bears a striking resemblance to the then-ruler of that country, Nikita Khrushchev. <br><br>

Soon, with Mr Bear gone, they are back to planning the conquest of outer space. Selling the natives strings of beads may not be enough. Pens that write underwater may not be enough. The question is, which will sell better: pens that write under butter, or pens that write under lamb gravy?<br><br>

A large metal sphere is thrown or bounces through Albert's window. Voices come from inside, and when Albert and Pogo get it open, they find two seals, Russian space explorers, who think they are on the moon. They are looking for the cheese mines. Eventually, the seals leave, and the book ends with a misunderstanding about who might or might not be marrying whom. Hint: nobody marries anybody.