Pippi Longstocking (original 1945; edition 2011)

Pippi's story of her adventures of getting a horse, celebrating her birthday and making new friends.

Pippi's fun adventures where she does anything she pleases.

Quite a romp. This had it's good points, some things that really struck me about Pippi, but it wasn't my favorite kind of children's story by any means. I like it and it was a solid 3 stars but I don't know that I'll take a look at the others. ( )

Pippi has many adventures in this story, many times without even leaving her own front yard. Student will enjoy this fun story of a girl who everyone loves and enjoys everything. ( )

Pippi Longstocking, translated by Tiina Nunnally, illustrated by Lauren Child.

Pippilotta Viktualia Rullgardina Krusmynta Efraimsdotter Långstrump -
Pippilotta Comestibles Windowshade Curlymint Ephraimsdaughter Longstocking, in this particular English translation - first appeared on the scene in 1945, and I think it would not be an exaggeration to say that she took the world of children's literature by storm. Translated into multiple languages, the subject of a number of film adaptations, Pippi's story is both well-known and well-loved. I myself read an earlier English translation, done by Florence Lamborn, when I was a girl, but when Pippi Longstocking was chosen as our February selection, over in the International Children's Book Club to which I belong, where we are "visiting" Sweden, I decided to take a chance on this new translation by Tiina Nunnally, with artwork by Lauren Child. I'm glad I did!

I know that some, being deeply attached to "their" version of Pippi - the one they grew up reading - are less than thrilled with this new translation, but it's been so long since I myself last read the book, that I almost felt as if I were starting fresh. Certainly, I had no feeling of disappointment while reading, this time around, and no consciousness that things were not as they should be. The tale itself, and its heroine, were as entertaining as ever, and the collage artwork by Lauren Child was delightfully expressive. I was particularly appreciative of some of the two-page illustrations, with their color backdrops, as well as the distinctive typographic layout to be found on certain pages (words curling like a tail, or climbing and descending the page at diagonals).

Like Lauren Child, I've always thought of Pippi - a parent-free, gold-coin-rich, super-strong young girl - as a "free spirit," a child with a vision of her own, and little interest in the strange subterfuges of adulthood. In so many ways, she is the fulfillment of a child's dream of independence, and a reflection of a child's vision of what that independence might mean, if it came in childhood rather than adulthood. But it occurs to me, after my recent reread, that although Pippi is invariably honest - "that was a lie," she is always admitting, after some particularly outrageous statement - she is something of a trickster, particularly when confronted with the person, child or adult, who is lacking in the proper respect. Tricksters are by their nature undomesticated, eternally eluding us, despite our longing to know and understand them. With this in mind, Pippi's sincere friendship with Tommy and Annika suddenly seems to be wish fulfillment of another kind: a satisfying of the common desire to know what can't be known, to bring the inalterably wild into the smaller circle of our domestic world, to tame it through the force of love. A fantasy indeed!

For that added perspective alone, my reread was worthwhile, and while I would not describe this as one of my all-time favorite children's novels, the pleasure I took in story and artwork were significant. ( )