From: Monica R. Edinger <edinger>
Date: Thu, 19 Oct 2000 14:44:15 +0100

My thanks to Monica for forwarding this on; the UW listservs don't recognize me, or rather my computer, as having subscribed to CCBC
(I've decided not to be offended by that, even though I am a UW alumna and, as KT well knows, a very loyal Badger.)

I tried sending this a few days ago; Susan Daugherty's post seems to be in agreement with mine.

I've been enjoying the posts on Alice. So many experts on one of my favorite books! It's great to be connected.

I've had very definite thoughts on Alice since I read it at age 13. I was given the book (the "classic" edition, with the pink cover and the Tenniel illustrations) for my 8th birthday. While I'd loved the other books I'd received as gifts at previous birthdays (like Winnie-the-Pooh, the year before), I barely cracked Alice. She sat on my bookshelf for 5 years.

I was vaguely familiar with the story, and my mother had recited some of the poems for me. None of this prepared me for the adventures I would share when I was ready for the book.

I've had various parents wanting their young children to read Alice. I haven't asked, but I've always wondered if these parents ever read the book. I've always suggested that they try it as a read-aloud instead, or let the child wait until s/he is a few years older. One father of an 8 year old (who was happily reading Amelia Bedelia and Henry and Mudge) turned to her and said, "the librarian says you're right--this book would be better for you when you're older!" I think that was a very wise child (and a wise parent too.)

I truly feel that, while many of Alice's adventures work beautifully when shared between parent and child, there is a special delight to reading it on one's own--but it takes a certain level of sophistication to appreciate it to its fullest. I did not have that at age 8. Five years of voracious reading, and a more fully developed sense of word play (and knowledge of Victorian England), prepared me for it.

This may sound strange, but the first clue that I was going to love the book was Bill. The scene with poor little Bill flying through the chimney--and the straightforward response ("there goes Bill!")-still makes me laugh out loud. When I saw the Oxenbury edition, I turned right to that chapter. The illustrations met with my approval.

I agree with the person (I'm sorry I didn't jot down names) who found the Oxenbury edition easy to read aloud. I think it has beautiful bookmaking; the text is so clear and easy to read. I'm a bit of a Tenniel purist, though I appreciate other illustrations
(I believe my History of Children's Literature prof had a set of the prints that Monica just mentioned, was that Dali?). I loved the ones by Oxenbury, and I appreciate them more every time I look at them. I keep thinking how much delight a child would have with them.

Is Oxenbury planning to illustrate Looking Glass too? I never feel satisified unless I continue reading through it, after rereading Wonderland.

Well, sorry this is so long. Thanks again, Monica!

Carla Kozak Chinatown Branch, SFPL chichild at sfpl.lib.ca.us
Received on Thu 19 Oct 2000 08:44:15 AM CDT