Pippi Longstocking, Astrid Lindgren, The Viking Press, 1950, 116 pp
When I was in sixth grade, I achieved the distinction of being placed in the "independent" reading group. This meant I no longer had to sit in a circle and read aloud or listen to my classmates read aloud. Best of all, it meant I could choose my own books. Pippi Longstocking was my first pick and I was astonished that I got to read such a cool book in school.
Pippi was an inspiration to me because she got to live in a house without parents, cook her own meals and clean up when she felt like it. She had had wonderful adventures at sea with her father, was super-strong and had figured out how to talk back to grownups without getting in trouble. Junie B Jones must be a descendant of Pippi, but even Junie always has to learn a lesson. Pippi make sure she teaches the lesson!
A few months ago I read my way through the Stieg Larsson trilogy about the dragon tattooed girl. Larsson has said that his heroine's personality is loosely based on Pippi. No wonder I liked her so much.
Reading Pippi Longstocking again fifty years later was just as much fun. I had not realized how much of an influence Pippi has had in my life.
(Pippi Longstocking is available in paperback on the shelves for readers 8-12 at Once Upon A Time Bookstore.)
As a child I missed out on Pippi Longstocking. (Might have been due to growing up outside the USA, but more likely because I was more of an outdoors type of kid.)
ReplyDeleteI read the book for the first time when my oldest daughter brought it home from the elementary school library.
Even as an adult, I could see right away that Pippi was my kind of girl.
From A to Z
Maybe we should start a Pippi Longstocking fan club!
ReplyDeleteHi Judy: I havent' read the boks, but as a child the movies came on channel 5 on Saturdays and I would watch all day in amazement and awe. I loved her. I will have to put one of the books on my list. Is it a series?
ReplyDeleteLisa, There is a series. The one I reviewed here is the first one and the only one I've read. I love it so much I hesitate to read the others in case they are not as good. I know. I'm weird sometimes.
ReplyDeleteHi Judy, It's been a long time since I've commented. Sorry I've been so quiet.
ReplyDeleteI read all Pippi Longstocking books so many times when I was a kid. She's one of the reasons I grew my hair out, so I could wear braids that stuck straight out. (Mine never did, though.)
I'd not been interested in Stieg Larsson's books, but after reading your review of Pippi, I guess I need to go get them!