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September 15, 2007
The Original Harolds, In Order from the One I Like Most to the One I Like Least
Harold’s Trip to the Sky (1957)
I know that the cool thing would be to like the original best, but this one edges it out because it has all the cool stuff from the first one plus that whole jab at the government for testing bombs in the desert.
Harold and the Purple Crayon (1955)
I see a line that goes directly from Goodnight Moon (1947) to this book to Where the Wild Things Are (1963), but maybe that’s just me.
Harold’s Fairy Tale (1956)
There’s this part where Harold “accidentally” draws a hole in the castle wall. The reader knows that Harold completely meant to draw the hole, but at the same time, it’s hard not to feel badly for Harold, who has the good sense to be a bit embarrassed.
Harold’s ABC (1963)
“King Uranus in his ermine robe stood silent and majestic, considering one question.” For real, that’s funny.
A Picture for Harold’s Room (1960)
The best part of this one is that Harold decides to cross some of his drawings out when they get a little out of control.
Harold at the North Pole (1957)
Sorry, Crockett, but this is a standard Christmas story with way too little of the wry wit I love.
Not Reviewed: Harold’s Circus (1959)
I don’t read books about the circus.
Posted by adrienne at September 15, 2007 09:50 PM
Comments
You don't read books about the circus? It's the clowns, isn't it?
Posted by: david e at September 16, 2007 12:07 PM
I don’t read books about the circus.
Way to make a stand, Adrienne! I think "dealbreakers in children's books" is worthy of its own post. This wasn't always so, but right now dragons are dealbreakers for me. This deal-breaker does not include books I've enjoyed in the past, just everything from here on out.
What were the 9 kinds of pie Harold liked best? Discuss.
Posted by: Alkelda at September 16, 2007 02:13 PM
The nine kinds of pie thing always reminds me of Jason. That's just the sort of thing he'd do.
Yes, it's true that I do not like the clowns, but I dislike the circus as a whole. Even when I was a kid, all I could think of how it was loud and smelly and I felt uncomfortable about having all these animals and people performing things that looked dangerous for my "entertainment." All it made me was nervous. I haven't even read Olivia Saves the Circus, which is saying something, as I really hate Olivia.
My clown/circus thing is one of the reasons I hate The Little Engine that Could.
Posted by: adrienne at September 16, 2007 03:55 PM
You don't hate Olivia! You love Olivia. I know. I checked your archives, and you love Olivia. I think The Little Engine That Could threw you for a moment.
Posted by: Alkelda at September 17, 2007 01:11 AM
Oh no! You're right! I love Olivia! This is what I get for commenting while I was doing other things. I suck at multitasking.
I tried to use the STRIKE tag to fix it, but it doesn't show up in the comments. Some tags work on the main page and not in the comments. I have no idea why.
Posted by: adrienne at September 17, 2007 07:27 AM
what would I do with pie? which one is that??
Posted by: jp at September 17, 2007 12:01 PM
I left an answer on your desk.
Posted by: adrienne at September 17, 2007 04:08 PM
I was hoping the answer would actually be in the form of pie, but, no, it's just the book.
Posted by: jp at September 18, 2007 12:01 AM
I didn't realize there were so many Harolds. Thanks! I've obviously got some new readin' to do.
Posted by: Susan at September 18, 2007 09:10 PM