Updating a Red-Headed Children's Classic

For Z's birthday, one of the books we bought for him was the updated Pippi Longstocking with illustrations by Lauren Child, published in 2007. Of course when he first opened it, he said "Charlie and Lola!" but then he realized that it was a different book by the same illustrator. Normally, I try to find original versions of books because that's the way they were intended to be. In this case, though, I wanted to make sure that Z fell for the precocious red-pigtailed girl the way I did when I was young. I thought it would help bring him into the story if he was excited by the illustrations.

The first thing Z seemed to love about this book were the names -- Pippi, Tommy, Annika, Mr. Nilsson (the monkey, if you've forgotten). He also liked the horse on the porch and was somewhat dismayed that he didn't have a name. The next thing he liked was the variation in font that you will be familiar with if you read any other Lauren Child books. She uses font in a way that brings the text to life. Finally, Z is fascinated by the silly things that happen in Pippi's home --treasure and pancakes and climbing trees--all things that appeal to any young child, boy or girl.

Taking a trip together to Villa Villekulla,
K and Z


Buy Pippi Longstocking on Amazon or find it at your local library.