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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was one of my favorite books as a child and has remained so in my adult years. It is the longest of Sendak's works, perhaps because it covers so many themes: the meaninglessness of materialism, dissatisfaction with one's lifestyle, the value of unusual experiences, the cunning necessary to survive, the true "having it all."
5/8/12 - I reread it today, after learning Sendak had died. Jennie is based on Sendak's own dog, Jennie, and the book was written as her memorial. Even as a child, I read this as a version of Doggie Heaven, and it offered me great comfort when my best dog friend died, and it offers me comfort now with the passing of a great author.
5/8/12 - I reread it today, after learning Sendak had died. Jennie is based on Sendak's own dog, Jennie, and the book was written as her memorial. Even as a child, I read this as a version of Doggie Heaven, and it offered me great comfort when my best dog friend died, and it offers me comfort now with the passing of a great author.
adventurous
dark
funny
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Grief transposed into art- funny, painful, silly, and strange. My new favorite Sendak.
I found this on display when I was exploring the children's section of our gorgeous library (East Baton Rouge has THE BEST public library system) and sat down for the quick read. I forgot how lovely Maurice Sendak's art is, with all its fine detail even in black and white. This is one of the most surrealist kid's books I've read and I really enjoyed it, partly because the dog ran off to find meaning in her life and partly because I was also reading Fifteen Dogs at the time, which ramped up the meaning of the plot for me (good read, but not at all a children's book). Just delightful.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
medium-paced
Part picture book and part novella, this Mother Goose-like fable follows a little dog who leaves her cozy domesticated life to find something that she doesn’t have and it will lead her on a surprising journey to find what she was looking for.
A charming and very unique type of Maurice Sendak book that’s about discovery, self-confidence and finding who you are. A- (91%/Excellent)
A charming and very unique type of Maurice Sendak book that’s about discovery, self-confidence and finding who you are. A- (91%/Excellent)
I read this book over and over at my friend’s house back when we were in 3rd grade. Recently, I watched the lovely Spike Jonze documentary about Sendak in which the author admitted this much-loved (by me) book was also his favorite. It inspired me to revisit this strange, delightful little book—and, finally, to purchase a copy of my own.
Maurice Sendak is my absolute favorite Children's Literature author. Higglety Pigglety Pop! is humorous and meaningful. Both the writing and the art are exceptional. Many children's stories are poorly written and poorly sketched, but Maurice Sendak always prepares excellent children's books.
A dog who has everything except contentment runs away to find it. I love Sendak's art here, detailed crosshatched ink still marked by his odd proportions and uncanny faces. The tone is effectively absurd--it's not realistically grounded, it's not a dream, it's just a dog packing a suitcase and leaving home to work as a nanny: unapologetic nonsense. I expect narratives about discontent to punish their protagonists--and while there is a sense of the universality, and thus senselessness, of discontent, the abrasively happy ending is a welcome subversion. This is what might have made the book succeed for me as a kid; coming to it as an adult reader, it's effective but not especially complex. This isn't on par with Where the Wild Things Are, but it's one of Sendak's stronger books--or perhaps I'm just adjusting to his style!