The Indian in the Cupboard

Lynne Reid Banks. Yearling 2010, Paperback, 240 pages, $3.56

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

When Omri, a young English boy, puts a toy Indian in a medicine cabinet and turns a special key, the Indian magically comes to life.  But the Indian is not merely a toy come to life, but a real person with a history who has been transported into Omri’s time, in miniature form.  Complications arise when Omri’s thoughtless friend puts his toy cowboy in the cupboard to see if they will fight.  The two boys then endanger the small people by taking them to school.

Unlike other fantasies which create an entire magical world, the cupboard is the only magical element in this story.  Because of its grounding in the everyday, this fantasy has a particular charm, as readers might imagine stumbling across just this kind of magic in their own world.  Omri and his friend are ordinary children, and Omri must struggle with having taken on so much responsibility for other human beings.  In the end he realizes it isn’t his place to have such power over their lives, and he uses the cupboard to send them back to their own time.

As a Native American person, I am reflexively suspicious of fiction about Indians, especially in this genre, because it is easy for non-Indians to caricature people whose culture they can’t really identify with.  But while Banks’ development of the Indian’s character might be a little thin, it’s no thinner than that of other characters.  Banks provides enough history of the Five Civilized Tribes, and their role in the French and Indian Wars to demonstrate Little Bull’s humanity, and it is on this basis that Omri comes to respect him.  This is an entertaining, appealing story, in which an immature young man learns to take responsibility and show respect for others.

There are two abysmal sequels available, but I recommend only the original story.

The Reluctant Dragon

Michael Hague (Illustrator). Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) 1988, Paperback, 48 pages, $3.98

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

The Reluctant Dragon is a mild-mannered specimen of his breed who, unlike the “active and earnest” fellows who used to charge around battling knights, has survived long enough to develop his passion for poetry.  He is befriended by an intelligent young shepherd boy, who is placed in an awkward position when the villagers discover the dragon’s presence.  Although the dragon has harmed no one, the villagers are so aroused that they call on Saint George to battle this “pestilential scourge.”  When Saint George arrives the dragon flatly refuses to fight, and the boy is left to find a solution to the impasse.

This is a brilliantly written satirical fantasy, lambasting the traditional knight-and-dragon stories and providing a wonderful protagonist that boys of all ages (and many girls) will want to identify with.  The fantastical pleasure of friendship with a dragon is enhanced by encounters with the famous knight, a theatrical battle, and plenty of intelligent wit to amuse both children and adults.  The language is advanced, suitable for reading aloud or for confident self-readers.  Some of the humor will be above young readers’ heads, but there is enough action to make it interesting for younger ages.

The original classic version is charmingly illustrated in pen-and-ink by Ernest Shepard (who also illustrated the Winnie-the-Pooh books), but for younger readers a more colorful version may be more appealing.  There is a visually pleasing paraphrase by Inga Moore, which unfortunately preserves almost none of Grahame’s marvelous prose.  The unabridged edition by Michael Hague has lavish illustrations on almost every page, and it is my favorite version.

A free audio recording of the story is available on Librivox.org.

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.

Dogger Storybook and CD

Kevin Whately (Reader). Red Fox 2009, Paperback, 32 pages, $6.67

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Dave’s favorite toy is a stuffed toy named Dogger.  He carries him everywhere and depends on him to help him go to sleep.  One morning, while out with his mother, meeting his older sister Bella at school, Dogger disappears.  When bedtime comes, Dogger is nowhere to be found, and although Bella loans him one of her teddies, he is very sad during the night.  In the morning at the school fair, Dave is too sad to have fun, and he wanders off from the rest of his family.  At one of the used-toy stands he is shocked to see Dogger for sale.  He runs to find his parents, but finds only Bella, who returns to the stand with him just in time to see another child walk away with Dogger.  Bella saves the day, trading her new teddy bear for the worn old Dogger.

This well-written story begins with concrete details and builds to a dramatic crisis and resolution that any child who’s had a “lovey” can identify with.  Hughes’ artwork is wonderfully rendered, with a particular eye to details that emphasize the warmth and closeness of this family.  Most importantly, Bella’s open-hearted self-sacrifice epitomizes the kindness that siblings ought to express toward one another.  Elder and younger siblings will appreciate this story for different reasons.

The Plymouth Thanksgiving, A Doubleday Reinforced Library Eddition

Leonard Weisgard (Illustrator). Doubleday & Company, Inc. 1967, Hardcover, $1.40

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

The Plymouth Thanksgiving is a readable, straightforward retelling of the events leading up to the American Thanksgiving, targeted for readers ages 4-8.   Based on William Bradford’s diary, it tells the story of the Plymouth settlers in their difficult journey, first to Holland and then to the New World, and of their struggle to survive their first year in Massachusetts.

It is written and illustrated by Leonard Weisgard, who won the Caldecott Medal in 1947 for his illustrations of The Little Island and, like most children’s books of this era, its well-drawn pictures are printed in few colors.  This lends the story a certain charming simplicity, and the illustrations serve to supplement rather than carry the story.

Its only flaw is that in the description of the feast the Indian participants are three times referred to as “braves, squ*ws and children.”  This is probably be a reflection of the terms used in historical documents, but the terms “brave” and “squ*w” in recent decades have taken on strong racist overtones, and the word “squ*w” now carries a sexual connotation.  If you own the book, it would be very simple to correct the phrase to “men, women and children” with some white-out.

This charming story is unfortunately out of print, but is still available on the used-book market.  It’s a fine addition to the holiday reading basket.

Clancy’s Coat

Eve Bunting. Viking Juvenile 1985, Hardcover, 48 pages, $12.95

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Tippitt the tailor and his friend Clancy have been angry at each other since Tippitt’s cow, Bridgette, ruined Clancy’s vegetable garden.  But one day Clancy knocks on Tippitt’s door, asking him to turn his old coat.  Tippitt frostily agrees, ignoring Clancy’s hint that tea would be appreciated.  In the course of the week he forgets to turn the coat, and when Clancy arrives to collect it, he offers a lame excuse and a cup of tea.  Clancy visits three more times, and each time Tippitt has neglected the coat.  But with each visit the two men grow warmer toward one another until they are chatting again like old times, and Tippitt begins to understand Clancy’s feelings about his garden.  The two friends reconcile, and Clancy reveals that this was his intention all along: “A garden comes back with care and attention.  I thought maybe a friendship could too.”

This beautiful story is exceptionally well written, with a subtle wit that will appeal to both adults and children.  The Irish winter contrasts with Tippitt’s home and hot tea with warm bread, and the thawing of their friendship forms a nice parallel with the coming of spring.  The two characters, gruff and lonely, are rendered with tender sympathy.  Bunting is herself an Irish emigrant, and one gets the feeling these two men could have been based on people that she loves — indeed, Tippitt mentions a niece in America.

Many picture books emphasize friendship, but this one demonstrates the pain of  its absence, emphasizing the value of sympathy, forgiveness and reconciliation.  It gives a child-level view into rural Irish culture, with pleasing illustrations and well-written prose.  This title is unfortunately out of print, but is still available in libraries and in the used-book market.

Johnny Appleseed

Kathy Jakobsen Hallquist (Illustrator). Little, Brown Books for Young Readers 1993, Paperback, 32 pages, $2.87

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

There are many legends about John Chapman, the quiet man who planted apple orchards across early America.  This book captures the romantic mystery of these legends, while emphasizing that they are based on a real person’s story.  The book opens as young Hannah spies him coming down the road toward her family’s homestead.  He stays for dinner, and leaves some apple seedlings for the family when he goes away.  Throughout the years he plants apple trees across the land.  When many decades later he returns to Hannah’s home, she thanks him for the years of apples that have nourished her family, and tells her grandchildren how she met him as a child.

This book, well-written in rhyming verse and illustrated by the gifted folk artist Kathy Jakobsen, is an excellent addition to any child’s library, but will be especially attractive for Christian readers because of its emphasis on John Chapman’s faith.  It is a tribute that conveys well how Chapman’s influence is still felt in American culture, and it ought to whet the appetite for exploring the history behind the legend.

Charlotte’s Web (Trophy Newbery)

E. B. White. HarperCollins 1974, Paperback, 192 pages, $1.98

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Wilbur is a white, runty pig who lives in Homer Zuckerman’s barn.  He is childish, innocent, and amiably piggy, and has two good friends: Fern, the girl who rescued him at birth, and Charlotte, a spider who eats the flies drawn to his pen.  One day the old sheep informs Wilbur of his future as bacon and ham, and Charlotte promises to rescue him from this dreadful fate.  How she intends to keep her promise remains to be seen, and her plan unfolds in chapter after delightful chapter.  The story closes soon after her natural death, and Wilbur, mourning her loss, welcomes her children into his life.

This memorable story provides an example of genuine, loving friendship, which blooms among the hard realities of farm life: Charlotte does trap and eat insects, and the people do kill their animals.  But even given their carnivorous inclinations, the people are goodwilled and faithfully care for their livestock.  Both the human and animal characters are well developed with a careful eye to human nature.  The geese are hilariously goosey, and the old sheep provides several instances of savvy wisdom.  Templeton the rat is memorable in his odious self-centeredness, providing a contrast to Charlotte’s generous love.  The general tone of the book is warm, which makes Charlotte’s death stand out in profound sadness.  But it is these contrasts that have made this story such an enduring classic — the reality of death and pain make joy and love all the sweeter where they exist.

This is a chapter book with occasional illustrations, and should appeal to ages 5-10.  Because its story quality appeals to a wide age group, I recommend it as a first chapter book, although parents should be aware that Charlotte’s death may come as a shock to sensitive listeners.

Jacob Have I Loved

Katherine Paterson. HarperCollins 1990, Paperback, 256 pages, $3.35

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

Sara Louise Bradshaw is an awkward, pretentious young woman consumed with envy against her twin sister, whom she feels has robbed her of love and attention since their birth, when Louise was forgotten in the rush to save Caroline’s life.  In Louise’s words,

I was the elder by a few minutes. I always treasured the thought of those minutes. They represented the only time in my life when I was the center of everyone’s attention. From the moment Caroline was born, she snatched it all for herself. (Harper Trophy, 1990, p. 18)

Her feelings are understandable, since her emotionally distant parents do favor the beautiful Caroline, making significant sacrifices to develop her musical gift while Louise (or “Wheeze,” as dubbed by her sister) is neglected.  The book traces Louise’s journey out of her oppressive adolescence into a new life of her own choosing, as she leaves home and marries far from her family.

This story is one of the first in a 1980’s genre of fiction that focused on the out-of-place feelings young people struggle with.  As in many stories of this type, the author succeeds very well at portraying Louise’s crushing resentment, but fails to provide a satisfying resolution.  Throughout her struggles she is obsessively self-absorbed and bitterly envious, providing ample opportunity for readers’ empathy but not for emulation.  More troubling than her hatred of Caroline is her insistence that God is to blame for her pain.  This sentiment is underscored by her mentally ill grandmother, who venomously whispers an out-of-context scripture quotation to her: “As it is written, ‘Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.’” (Romans 9:13)

Although the author subtly lets the reader know that many of Louise’s problems are of her own making, the idea that God has forsaken her is never really contradicted.  Rather, it is through taking responsibility for her decisions, leaving home and building a new life on her own terms that Louise achieves resolution.  The story concludes when, in her new vocation as a midwife, she  momentarily forgets to care for a healthy twin while saving the life of the younger.  She instructs the young mother to give proper attention to the healthy child, and walks home peacefully, hearing her sister’s voice singing in her mind.  This scene may be interpreted to mean that she has come to terms with the injustice of her childhood, even though she does not actually reconcile with her sister or parents.

This book won a Newbery Medal, and has been enjoyed by many readers because of its masterful writing and the genuine pathos of its protagonist.  But Louise’s faults unfortunately permeate this compelling story.  I’m willing to be challenged, but I believe that while Paterson has done a great job of describing adolescent struggles, her protagonist is never allowed to fully transcend them.  This, combined with the truly poisonous nature of Sara Louise’s family, makes this a story that may do more harm than good.