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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
This book was pretty formulaic. It's comprised of ten or so chapters, with each one following the same format. It starts with a child who has an "illness" - not wanting to pick up toys, not wanting to take a bath, fighting, etc. A distressed mother then calls her friends (who all have silly names, like Mrs. Ragbag), and when they cannot offer helpful advice, the mother calls Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle. Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle offers a cure, which invariably involves encouraging the bag behavior, with the idea that the child will get sick of doing whatever it is that he or she shouldn't be doing in the first place.
You would think that this sort of thing would get old quickly, but MacDonald has a Cleary-esque eye for describing children. These astute observations about children and their families don't get old, and they're often quite funny. The illustrations add flavor, as well. I read these books as a child, and I can see why they're still popular today. Recommended reading for fans of Beverly Cleary.
You would think that this sort of thing would get old quickly, but MacDonald has a Cleary-esque eye for describing children. These astute observations about children and their families don't get old, and they're often quite funny. The illustrations add flavor, as well. I read these books as a child, and I can see why they're still popular today. Recommended reading for fans of Beverly Cleary.
Revisiting my childhood favorites with my 8-year old. He loved this book and says his favorite chapter was the never-want-to-go-to-bedders cure.
Yay for Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle! This one features "The Slow-Eater Tiny-Bite-Taker," which is one of my all-time favorites.
I miss the times when I would read this book in the school library.
I loved the old-fashioned charm and humor in this book. We read it for our book group made of 4th grade girls; hoping they enjoyed it!
fast-paced
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Each chapter ran through the same format (kid is misbehaving, parent calls neighbors, everyone is stumped, Mrs Piggle Wiggle comes up with some "cure.") I thought it was kind of weird, but my 3 year old liked it.
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No