Book Talk: Favorite Children’s Books, Part One
Open up a writer and you’ll find a cavalcade of children’s books that will make you say, “that explains a lot.” Over the next few weeks I’m going to share a few of my favorites.
The Lonely Doll by Dare Wright
Remember the scene where Edith finds the secret stash of feminine mysteries? That was my first insight into what it means to be a woman. Other people were too creeped out by the Mr. Bear spanking scene, which didn’t creep me out until I read The Secret Life of the Lonely Doll last year. (Note: if you are thinking about becoming a helicopter parent, read TSLotLD as a serious cautionary tale.)
A Bargain for Frances by Lillian and Russell Hoban.
Hands down, the best book for lil cheapskates. Frances the badger — the same one who rejected veal cutlets and spaghetti and meatballs in favor of bread and jam — trades her nice tea set for one offered by an unscrupulous friend. Also called You Get What You Pay For, Frances and Caveat Emptor, Little Badger.
Minnie the Mump and Other Stories by Paul Tripp and Trina Hyman
This book, issued by a children’s vitamin company, was illustrated in various shades of sickly orange — possibly to evoke the foods an ill child might vomit: Applejacks, American cheese, Tang. It’s a collection of stories about horribly anthropomorphized childhood diseases. Why I obsessed over Minnie the Mump is a mystery. What’s not a mystery: the resulting 30+ years of acute hypochondria. At least no one ever had to remind me to wash my hands.
The Creative Workforce Fellowship is a program of the Community Partnership for the Arts and Culture, made possible by the generous support of Cuyahoga County citizens through Cuyahoga Arts and Culture.
I think of that Frances book as an excellent primer on manipulation and the dangers of friends.
1Indeed. DON’T TRUST ANYONE, FRANCES.
2Oh Frances, you taught me that even wise old tree badgers living in great hollow country homes under the roots could have gullible children.
3I can’t believe that Frances was still willing to be friends with Thelma after that screw job. I woulda cut that bitch off.
4OMG! I just pulled out my copy of Minne the Mump to read to my son. It was so my favorite book as a child – I obsessed over it as well proven by my five year old writings all over the original copy. Why I loved the book so, who knows! But it definitely made me a hypochondriac as well:)
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