The story in verse "Here's What an Absent-Minded Man" was published in 1930. In terms of the number of reprints, this is Samuil Marshak's most popular work. The expression "absent-minded with Basseynaya" immediately became a catchphrase and remains so to this day, although Basseynaya Street has long since ceased to exist in St. Petersburg (it was renamed Nekrasov Street).
The prototype of the main character was the Soviet physical chemist I. A. Kablukov, who was famous for his impracticality and absent-mindedness. But some of Marshak's contemporaries saw the author's own traits in the "absent-minded man".
The plot of the book is well known: an absent-minded man from Leningrad's Basseynaya Street puts on completely inappropriate clothes, then goes to the train station and sits in a detached carriage for two days, believing that the train is taking him to Moscow. Unlike Marshak's other heroes, who plane, saw, deliver mail, put out fires, this one is not assigned to any task.
The image of the "absent-minded" is rather satirical, but thanks to the illustrations by Aminadav Kanevsky, he looks like a sweet and charming eccentric. In addition, his "absent-minded" hero is very similar to the author - this is exactly how Marshak looked in the thirties of the last century; this is exactly the kind of briefcase, filled with manuscripts, he went to work with.
The educational value of the book is undeniable. The deliberate distortion of the hero's actions, the "reversal" amuse the little reader. After all, he already has some modest life experience, and he knows that a frying pan is not clothing, and gloves are not worn on feet. In essence, "The Absent-Minded Man from Basseynaya Street" reinforces the child's correct understanding of the norm, teaches composure, calmness, prudence, otherwise you can commit a hundred stupid acts. And it is also important to listen to others, sometimes you can consult with someone. After all, the main character was answered his questions, but he heard only himself.
Recommended reader age: 1+
Author: Samuil Marshak
Artist: Aminadav Kanevsky
Publisher: Melik-Pashayev
Pages: 12
Cover type: Softcover
Dimensions: 280 x 214 x 5 mm