From: Margaret Denman-West <maggie>
Date: Wed, 9 Jul 1997 12:01:47 +0100

This is an interesting ( and very valuable) observation. I give an example of my own. I am a 70 year old WASP - who had never read the Bobbsy Twins books. My daughter-in-law gave me one she had saved from her childhood. Hideous!!!

Masy a quote few lines. "When the work .... they called Dinah (cook. It's a wonder to me yo" chillun can make sech t'ings.") to admire it...sstanding with her fat hands resting on her hips. "I do delar", it looks most tremend'us real."

And when Freddie mentions fire engines she says "Fire enjun, am it, Freddie? Recon yo" is gwin to be a firemena when yo" is a man, hey?." Also, Freddie says "Girls can't be soldiers, they have to get married or be dressmakers or stenographers or somethin' like that." I'm sure glad I didn't read them!!! I might have become a dressmaker--instead of a college professor!!

Just couldn't help but shar the horror I felt when I read this - on the first few pages of the book. Now I know how Ruth Gordon feels!!

Margaret (Maggie) Denman-West maggie at en.com Cleveland, OH
Received on Wed 09 Jul 1997 06:01:47 AM CDT