From: Monica R. Edinger <edinger>
Date: Mon, 14 Sep 1998 06:16:34 +0000

I'll be very interested in the general response to ARLENE SARDINE. I would imagine it might be somewhat similar to the reaction to Sendak's WE'RE ALL IN THE DUMPS WITH JACK AND JILL: outrage that it is not a topic for children. My first response to ARLENE SARDINE was "whhaatt???" I loved the look, but couldn't quite figure out if it was tongue-in-cheek or a vegan rant. My problem was that I was looking at it partly as a teacher and thus had the child audience in mind as I responded to it. Once I forgot about the kids I was able to see that it was extraordinarily witty, not a polemic for veggies and came up with my own response (love it, incredibly subversive and cool!) Then I went on to consider what would be children's responses to the book. I teach 4th grade and I think, with my help, they could quite enjoy the book. However, to do so they need to recognize how it is making fun of all the SWIMMYs and RAINBOW FISH of the world. If they know, they'll get it, otherwise they will be puzzled and uncomfortable, is my guess. ARLENE SARDINE made me recall the pleasure my students get out of Lane Smith's THE HAPPY HOCKEY FAMILY which makes great fun of the I CAN READ sort of books they've had when younger.

Monica Edinger The Dalton School 108 East 89th Street New York NY edinger at dalton.org
Received on Mon 14 Sep 1998 01:16:34 AM CDT