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A review by debyik
Ramona The Pest by Beverly Cleary
4.0
This was one of my favorite series growing up, I absolutely adored Ramona Quimby! As an adult, this one isn’t quite as exciting but it’s not meant for adults. There are two things that stood out to me on this childhood favorite reread.
1. I struggle with books that show throwing temper tantrums in a good light as in that is the way to get attention and get your own way. It definitely doesn’t set kids up for success.
2. There was a section towards the end of the book where Ramona is being scolded for sticking her tongue out at an adult that had asked her “cat got your tongue?” Ramona was trying to explain that she was showing the lady that, no, the cat did not have her tongue, it was right there in her mouth. Ramona could see that her mother wasn’t really listening. I feel that is something we can all learn from. Sometimes we “listen” without actually hearing what someone is saying, especially when it is a child. In Ramona’s mind, she was politely answering the lady's question and it made perfect sense to her that the two adults took it as rude behavior. It made me think of all the times someone has tried to explain why they did something, but I just brushed it off because I didn’t really care or had other things on my mind and I didn’t think it was important.
There are so many great lessons to be learned in children’s books.
As an adult - 3.5 stars
As a kid - 4.5 stars
1. I struggle with books that show throwing temper tantrums in a good light as in that is the way to get attention and get your own way. It definitely doesn’t set kids up for success.
2. There was a section towards the end of the book where Ramona is being scolded for sticking her tongue out at an adult that had asked her “cat got your tongue?” Ramona was trying to explain that she was showing the lady that, no, the cat did not have her tongue, it was right there in her mouth. Ramona could see that her mother wasn’t really listening. I feel that is something we can all learn from. Sometimes we “listen” without actually hearing what someone is saying, especially when it is a child. In Ramona’s mind, she was politely answering the lady's question and it made perfect sense to her that the two adults took it as rude behavior. It made me think of all the times someone has tried to explain why they did something, but I just brushed it off because I didn’t really care or had other things on my mind and I didn’t think it was important.
There are so many great lessons to be learned in children’s books.
As an adult - 3.5 stars
As a kid - 4.5 stars