Bambi

Felix Salten. Aladdin 2010, Paperback, 192 pages, $2.37

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Most of my generation, when they think of Bambi, think of the sentimental Disney movie.  But the original book was a serious work.  Its one-of-a-kind conception and spectacular writing have earned it classic status as the story of a young deer growing to adulthood in his woodland home.  Salten’s writing is compelling, and scenes from the story will stay in the mind long after reading, to be often recalled and savored.  This Bambi lives a grim and dangerous life, his world filled with blood and fear — and most of his troubles emanate from the dreaded Man.

Bambi’s response to his pitiless world is to emulate his distant father, exiling himself from the company of others — even Faline, his mate.  In abandoning these relationships, he chooses a solitary life in which he accepts loneliness (his own and Faline’s) as the price of his safety.

There is a clear sense that Bambi’s coming-of-age is defined by no longer needing to rely on others.  His relationship with his father begins when the old stag rebukes him for calling his mother: “Your mother has no time for you.  Can’t you stay by yourself?”  Later in life, his father befriends him and teaches him to move through the forest so that he is never seen.  The relationship ends when his father leaves him to die alone.  Bambi then passes on the heritage of solitude by rebuking two fawns for crying after their mother.

In contrast to this message of isolationism, the Bible teaches that a solitary existence falls short of God’s plan (Genesis 2:18).  Rather than affirming interdependence as a sign of weakness, Scripture teaches that people are meant to live in community (Ecclesiastes 4:12; 1 Corinthians 12:12; and Hebrews 10:24-25).  Rather than becoming stronger when we withdraw from others, being alone actually makes us more vulnerable to attack.

The romantic appeal of Bambi’s self-chosen exile has an especial attraction in our individualistic culture.  Adults will need to use discernment about when a child is ready for this book.  The reader ought to be mature enough to critically engage Salten’s perspective without being drawn into his isolationist impulse.  Since the message is embedded in a masterfully written story, parents should be cautious about introducing it too early, but at the right time it ought to provide excellent material for discussion.

The Wind in the Willows

Michael Hague (Illustrator). Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) 2003, Hardcover, 216 pages, $16.64

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

A lonely mole, exasperated with Spring cleaning, abandons his home and goes for a long jaunt ending at a river, where he meets a friendly river rat.  The rat invites him to an extended stay at his home, introducing him to all the local animals: the lively otter, stalwart badger, and reckless toad.  Thus follow some of the most implausible and wonderful adventures ever to enthrall a young reader.  The story delights with what C.S. Lewis calls “scandalous escapism,” yet within the animals’ adventures, dangers, and reveries, if you are looking for them, you will find timeless moral qualities: the value of friendship, the beauty of unblinking courage, and the consequences of foolishness.  It really should not be missed.

Parents will need to use discernment when considering whether to read chapter 7, in which Rat and Mole encounter and worship a “wood-god” who resembles the mythical Pan.  This chapter does provide a calming respite from Toad’s breakneck adventures, but some parents may choose to skip this chapter until their children can discern the difference between this creature and the God of their own faith.  In addition, parents may want to discuss a passing reference in chapter 10 to a gypsy (Roma) man as one accustomed to horse-stealing.  This stereotype of Roma, so prevalent in the past century and continuing into the present, has caused much persecution for this people.

Kenneth Grahame’s brilliant prose is full of unusual and enriching words, making it excellent as a read-aloud for early readers, and good as a read-alone for confident readers.  Precocious pre-readers will also be able to enjoy the story, although they will miss many of its complexities.

There are a great number of illustrated versions of the book, many of them abridged.  Michael Hague’s unabridged version depicts the story in exuberant oil paintings, with period costumes and architecture basically consistent with the book’s original publication in 1908.  There are three free audio versions of this book available at librivox.org.

The Story of Ferdinand (Puffin Storytime)

Robert Lawson (Illustrator). Puffin 2007, Paperback, $5.77

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Ferdinand is a mild-mannered Spanish bull who (unlike his peers) has no aspirations to be chosen for a big bullfight in Madrid.  Instead, “he like[s] to sit just quietly and smell the flowers.”  But one day, when five men come to his pasture to choose a bull for the bullfight, Ferdinand sits on a bee, provoking him to act so crazy that the men choose him for the next bullfight.  When he arrives in the arena, he has to decide whether he will give in to the pressure to perform.

The story is rendered in charming ink drawings and is exceptionally well written.  The author makes gentle fun of the strutting bravado displayed by of the bullfight’s participants, while Ferdinand’s gentle response displays a unique kind of courage.  Some parents will see this story as a treatise against the violence and cruelty of bullfights, while others will view it as an example of someone being true to himself.  However you interpret it, this is an undeniably hilarious story that has been loved by children since its first publication in 1936.

It is fairly accessible to older toddlers and will also be enjoyed by early readers.  Since its original printing, a color version has become available, but its blotchy quality obscures the detail in the ink drawings, so I prefer the black-and-white version.

Pronunciation for Spanish words may be heard and viewed by clicking the links: Matador, Picador, Banderillero.

The Mitten

Jan Brett. Putnam Juvenile 1989, Hardcover, 32 pages, $4.54

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

In this Ukranian folktale Nicki, a young boy, asks his grandmother Baba for snow-white mittens.  She protests that he will lose them in the snow, but because he wants them so badly she complies and knits some for him.  When he goes out to play, he does lose one, and it is found by a chilly mole who cosies up inside to get warm.  When a rabbit happens by, he crowds into the mitten, followed by a hedgehog, an owl, a badger, a fox, and a bear.  Finally a tiny mouse comes along and, perching on top of the great bear’s nose, causes him to sneeze, and all the animals tumble back out.  The mitten is thrown into the air and Nicki, on his way home, finds it.

The story is told with well-paced, pleasant repetition and a funny, dramatic climax with a visual joke at the end, as Baba inspects the mysteriously enlarged mitten.  Nicki is a likable and energetic child with a nurturing, sensible adult caretaker, and the animals are rendered in their animal characters, with only a shade of human personality.  But it is the gorgeous illustrations that really make this story: each scene is rendered beautifully, enclosed in elaborate borders that include the traditional folk art of the region, with “peek-ahead” sights of Nicki’s activities as well as the next animal that will be introduced.  This story will surprise and delight children from a wide range of ages, from toddlers (there is a simplified board book version just for them) to readers.

Frog and Toad Book Set

Scholastic Books (Technical Editor). Scholastic Books 2002, Paperback, 256 pages, $999.98

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Frog and Toad are two friends whose similar appearance belies their distinctive personalities.  Toad is impulsive and emotional, and Frog easygoing and rational.  The two of them get into a number of scrapes and adventures together, most of which hinge on their unique character traits.  Lobel’s brief, easy-reader chapters spin out complex, suspenseful plots in a way that looks effortless but is quite rare.  Embedded in the stories are subtle moral implications relating to character qualities such as loyalty, wisdom, and self-control.  The books are interesting enough to use for read-aloud, but simple enough to introduce as a beginner’s read-alone.

Of all the easy-reader books in print, this series may be the best in writing quality, complexity, character development, and humor.  Lobel’s genius has earned, among other awards, a Caldecott Honor for Frog and Toad are Friends and a Newbery Honor for Frog and Toad Together.  Frog and Toad All Year and Days with Frog and Toad were both American Library Association Notable Children’s Books.

This fine collection is available in CD audiobook and mp3 format, but they do need the pictures as accompaniment.

Big Red Barn

Felicia Bond (Illustrator). HarperFestival 1995, Board book, 32 pages, $4.30

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Big Red Barn is one of those baby books that provokes either charm or annoyance in adult readers, and delight in young listeners.  It is marked by Brown’s soothingly rhythmic, repetitive text, sprinkled with farmyard animal noises that toddlers will love to imitate.  The story opens with “a pink pig/ who was learning to squeal” greeting the sunrise.  Other farm animals go about their activities throughout the day, and (just as in Goodnight Moon) the pictures become progressively darker as night falls on the barn.

This classic board book is brightly illustrated, interactive and soothing.  It’s a good fit for both preverbal toddlers and children who are just beginning to understand how story events progress in sequence.  It’s a very nice choice for both boys and girls.

A Birthday for Frances

Lillian Hoban (Illustrator). HarperCollins 1976, Paperback, 32 pages, $3.49

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Frances’ sister Gloria is having a birthday party, and as the preparations commence Frances begins to deal with feelings of jealousy over the attention Gloria is receiving.  When she realizes everyone is giving Gloria a present but her, she begins to cry, then lights upon the idea of buying Gloria a Chompo bar and some gumballs with an advance on her allowance.  But on the way home she “accidentally” eats the gumballs, and Father takes the Chompo bar for safekeeping.  As the time for the party grows nearer, Frances dithers about whether or not to give up the gift, until Gloria announces that her birthday wish is to be on good terms with Frances.  Affection wins out, and Frances joyfully presents her gift to Gloria.

Hoban writes this story with incisive characterization of how young children think, with several delightful moments in which children (and their parents) may recognize themselves.  Especially charming is Frances’ practice of “spelling” words in the manner of grownups (q-p-m for “ice cream”), which will appeal to early readers who know that words are actually spelled systematicallly.  Frances’ struggle with selfishness is genuine enough to avoid a preachy, moralistic message, and the entire story takes place in the context of a secure family environment, with wise and loving parents.  An outstanding story.

Tale of Benjamin Bunny

Beatrix Potter. Frederick Warne 1932, Hardcover, $1.75

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

This is probably the second best-known of Beatrix Potter’s wonderful rabbit stories.  In this one, naughty Peter Rabbit and his cousin Benjamin again sneak into Mr. MacGregor’s garden and get themselves into dangerous trouble with the cat.  They are rescued by Benjamin’s father.  Beautifully illustrated, this classic story has been loved for good reason.  The cat is dangerous, the bunnies foolish and lovable, the father heroic and brave, and the warm home scene allows the reader a sigh of relief at the end.

An audio recording of this story is available for free download at librivox.org.

The Elephant’s Child

Lorinda Bryan Cauley (Illustrator). Sandpiper 1988, Paperback, 48 pages, $2.13

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Kipling’s Just So Stories are literary classics characterized by a wonderful sense of humor and brilliant use of language.  In this illustrated version of one, a young elephant (equipped with an abbreviated trunk “as big as a boot”) is filled with curiosity, although his family and relations try to drive it out of him through much spanking.  He asks endless questions in the manner of small children, receiving many spankings for his trouble, until he hits on a question that provokes a torrent of spanking: “What does the crocodile have for dinner?”  Undeterred with this response, he sets out to find out the answer.  What happens when he meets the crocodile is a surprise, but he gets a long trunk as a result.  He uses this trunk to spank all of his relations upon his return home, and they head off to the river to get their own trunks lengthened.

The young elephant is often confused about why he is being spanked, which provides quite a poor model of adult discipline, since children receiving consequences should always know exactly what standard they have violated.  Later, he returns the favor, providing a deliciously naughty fantasy that may be a little too appealing to children inclined to rebellion.  Parents will need to be discerning as to whether their child can grasp the story’s ridiculous tone.  But for a child who can grasp the humor of this pseudo-folktale, it ought to provide an enjoyable flight of imagination.

The book is beautifully illustrated by Lorinda Bryan Cauley (who also illustrated Clancy’s Coat), with alternating color and black-and-white drawings.  Kipling’s original text is retained in full.  Because the language is difficult, it may be most appropriate for more advanced listeners or readers in the 4-8 age range.

There are three audio versions of the Just So Stories available for free download at Librivox.org.  The volunteer reader in version 1 has a nice British accent and dramatic cadence, but pauses unpredictably and mispronounces some words.  The reader in version 2 has an American accent, but a wonderful, dramatic cadence with accurate pronunciation.  The reader in Version 3 also has an American accent, and a dramatic, precise enunciation.

The House at Pooh Corner (Pooh Original Edition)

Ernest H. Shepard (Illustrator). Puffin 1992, Paperback, 180 pages, $1.35

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

The House at Pooh Corner brings us more of the world of Winnie-the-Pooh.  In this book the author introduces the irrepressible Tigger, whose shenanigans create plenty of energy.  The writing quality and character development are just as wonderful in as in Winnie-the-Pooh — this book has none of the sequel’s dullness.

The House at Pooh Corner, like the first Pooh book, will appeal best to children are old enough to engage in imaginative play.   It’s a good read-aloud for the 4-8 crowd, but the 8-12 age group will also enjoy it as a read-alone.