Little Red Riding Hood

A PeePul Pals Playstory Book
As told by Eileen Daly

illustrated by Elfreda
copyright 1967

Don’t talk to strangers and listen to your mother.  These are the basic lessons a young child can learn from the story of Little Red Riding Hood.  I was naturally quiet and (almost) always obedient, so I don’t think I really needed drilling on those lessons.  Still, I loved having this book read to me, over and over.   

This version is not as scary as most.  The wolf doesn’t eat Grandma.  Instead, Grandma runs away to get the woodcutter.  Then the woodcutter arrives in time to save Red Riding Hood.  In the illustrations, even the most menacing of the wolf’s expressions aren’t really scary. 

As a child, Little Red Riding Hood was my Halloween costume year after year.  I remember my mother sitting at the kitchen table with her old sewing machine, working hard on a little red cape and hood.  I must have been four or five the first year I wore it and probably ten or eleven the last time.  That little red cape and hood got much use over the years.  Once, it was even worn by my mother for a costume party.  She went as Little Red while my Dad was the wolf dressed like Grandma.  While I sadly have no pictures of myself in the costume, I’m so glad I have photographic proof of Mom and Dad dressed up!

I may not have learned many life lessons from this tale, but I have learned a couple from the costume.  

First, homemade Halloween costumes are the best!  

Second, and most importantly, laugh at yourself and let others laugh at you.  That Halloween party was twenty years ago this year and we still get joy from remembering my Mom and Dad dressed as Red Riding Hood and the Wolf!

Miss Suzy

By Miriam Young

Pictures by Arnold Lobel

Copyright 1964

“Oh, I love to cook, I love to bake, I guess I’ll make an acorn cake.”

 

Miss Suzy is a little gray squirrel who loves her home in the tip, tip, top of an old oak tree.  She spends her days cooking and cleaning, and at night gazes out at the stars while the wind gently rocks her to sleep.  Shame on the angry gang of red squirrels who break into her house one day and chase her out!  She takes shelter in an attic where, inside a box, she discovers a band of toy soldiers.  Miss Suzy brings the soldiers into her new dollhouse home in the attic and cares for them.   

The soldiers are very happy, and Miss Suzy usually is too.  One night, though, Miss Suzy tearfully tells her new friends about her old beloved home in the tree.  After hearing her tragic story, the brave toy soldiers come to the rescue!  Miss Suzy had cared for them – it was time to return the favor.  Of course, Miss Suzy’s home is recovered from the mean bullies and she could once again enjoy leaving in the tip, tip, top of her tree. 

Miss Suzy’s patience and perseverance in the face of hardship have paid off.  She didn’t let being bullied by that mean gang of squirrels keep her from showing kindness to anyone else.  And in the end, that kindness helped chase the bullies away!

The Wind in the Willows

By Kenneth Grahame

Originally published in 1908.

This copy published in 1986 and illustrated by Eric Kincaid.

Last Wednesday was half-off all books day at Savers, the local thrift store.  Although I was having a fairly busy day, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity.  Look at the treasures I found! I can’t wait to read them all.

 

I just loved this beautifully illustrated volume of The Wind in the Willows.

Toad, Mole, Rat, and Badger are four very different, yet devoted friends.  Toad tends to be self-centered and proud.  Mole is always open to new adventures.  Rat is generous and compassionate.  Badger is a sometimes feared, always respected leader.  In The Wind in the Willows, Grahame’s words paint a picture of not only a physical journey and adventure, but an emotional one as well.  Each character deeply loves their own home, yet dares to venture beyond the comfort and safety of their nests.  In leaving their homes, they strengthen their personalities and deepen their friendships.

In the chapter Home Sweet Home, Mole, while out walking with his good friend Rat, stumbles across his old house that he hadn’t seen in quite some time.  An overwhelming wave of homesickness comes over him.  Rat notices his friend’s sadness, and determines to cheer his friend up by visiting the old homestead.  Mole, although thrilled to be back home, is distressed that he has so little to offer his friend for a meal.  He needn’t be concerned though, as Rat assures him that the meager offerings are a treat for two friends.  Rat knows what is most important when entertaining friends: laughter, conversation, and kindness.  

Friendship turns a humble snack into a sumptuous feast and a simple home into a castle.

TV News

Chicago Daily News, March 4-11, 1978

 

You might think with all the reading I did as a child that I never had time to watch television.  While the TV wasn’t on non-stop at my house, there were a few shows I never wanted to miss.  And that was in the days before VCRs.  The only way to see a show was to be at home watching it when it actually aired!  Forget re-watching an episode or fast-forwarding through commercials.  What a concept!

A look at this TV news magazine from 1978, featuring Angie Dickinson from Policewoman on the cover, brings back some memories.  On Saturday evening at 6:30, The Muppet Show with guest star Lou Rawls aired.  I can remember rushing home from church on Saturdays in order to watch The Muppet Show and eat a TV dinner.  On this particular Saturday, I would follow that with an episode of The Love Boat, and my day would be complete.

Monday evening would have been Little House on the Prairie, part one of two, where Mary’s eyesight begins to worsen and the specialist Pa brings her to does not have good news.  Airing at the same time on a different channel was The Six Million Dollar Man, which explains why I rarely saw that show.  In my opinion, Laura Ingalls beats Steve Austin any day, even though the television show veered far from the beloved Little House books.  

During the week, I most likely spent an hour after school relaxing with repeats of The Flinstones and Gilligan’s Island.  

As for Saturday morning, I probably enjoyed an episode of ZOOM, followed by Land of the Lost.  Remember those Sleestaks – the reptilian humanoids with a horn protruding from the tops of their heads?  They don’t make TV shows like they used to!

Sleestak from Land of the Lost

One of my very favorites aired on Sunday evening at 9:00 – The Carol Burnett Show.  This would have been one of the final episodes ever, since her last show aired March 29^th, 1978.  Watching her shows on DVD, I still can’t keep from laughing.   That’s one that will never go out of style.