This book is about two nonfictional people that lived in Lodon in the 1800s that created plays together but told in a cute way that children can understand! The story was a little random at times but it is a good way to entertain kids and teach them about people in history as well as show them a small lesson about friendship. ( )

The Fabulous Feud of Gilbert & Sullivan tells the story of two men whose differences ultimately made them create fabulous operas together. In the magic kingdom of Topsy-Turvydom, Gilbert & Sullivan are known for their performances filled with pirates, policemen, fairies, and even men with fake mustaches. One day, Mr. Sullivan gets tired of making music for Mr. Gilbert's same old comical operas. Mr. Sullivan wants a change, an opera that is more serious, but this makes Mr. Gilbert angry. The men part ways. Mr. Sullivan visits France and has a grand time eating food and attending concerts.While Mr. Gilbert stays in London and tries to come up with an opera that is completely different than the ones he has created before. While walking through the streets one day, Mr. Gilbert comes across a Japanese street fair that inspires him to write a new opera. He goes to Mr. Sullivan's house and both men are happy to see each other, and together they discuss the new opera and look forward to seeing it come alive on stage. After the opera's premier, the audience claps as they never had before, and Mr. Gilbert and Mr. Sullivan bow side by side.The illustrations in this book are just fabulous. The bright, colorful pictures immediately engages the reader. Being that the book was set in the Victorian era of Great Britain, the story shows how new cultures were introduced to the performing arts and how it influenced future works. The book's theme of accepting differences and continuing a friendship would be great to read in a classroom. ( )

This picturebook biography of Gilbert and Sullivan focuses on the events leading up to the creation of the Mikado. It shows the very different characters of the two men as well as filling in the background of historical London. Winter also adds in information on how the two men composed and created their operas and the reception of Mikado. An author's note explains a little more about the two men, their operas, and the popularity they continue to enjoy today. One website, The Gilbert and Sullivan Archive, is listed as a resource.

Egielski's illustrations give the book a verve and life with his toylike art and stylized backgrounds. A close observer can follow several characters through the pictures as they take on different roles.

An intriguing and charming book for fans of G & S

Verdict: Pretty, but I've sworn to buy no more picture book biographies for my library. They don't circulate and do nothing to improve my wretched biography collection, since the only patrons who want biographies are kids writing reports and they all have to be 100 pages at least.

ISBN: 978-0439930505; Published April 2009 by Arthur A. Levine; Borrowed from the library

This review falls somewhere between the disappointed PW review and the positive Kirkus, Library Media Connection, Horn, SLJ, and Booklist reviews. When an author is so liberal with a term like "topsy-turvy", referring to "topsy-turvydom" --- as though children will be entranced when nonsense words pop onto the pages --- it plays as patronizing. This feud doesn't seem to merit a children's book, and the author paints Gilbert and Sullivan's oeuvre in broad strokes, referring to the Pirates of Penzance as ridiculous. However, the ink-and-watercolor illustrations are nice, and the paper of the book has a fun tooth. ( )

Victorian Era, Gilbert and Sulllivan, Comic operas