The Indian in the Cupboard (1980)

Reading these books again as an adult is kind of sad. Unlike some of the other children's books I've been rereading, they don't seem to have kept their magic, and I'm irritated -- of course -- by the stereotypical and rather racist portrayal of the Indian who Omri brings out of the cupboard. There is at least some engagement with the idea that such a man, brought out of the past as a plastic toy, wouldn't be a toy, and at least some indication that not all Indians would be the same (e.g. the argument over whether he will live in a teepee or a longhouse, although that is annoying on another level because Little Bull eventually decides that Omri's right and he does want a teepee). Little Bull is pretty one dimensional: he speaks in grunts and broken English, he wants a wife to cook for him and who will obey him, he's capricious and wild.

Omri and Patrick, the 'normal size' main characters, are selfish and inconsiderate. Particularly Patrick. I think as a child I might have had some sympathy with him, for the way Omri refused to let him join in and have his own real live little man. Omri is the more responsible of the two, at least. But he also doesn't practice what he preaches. It just... becomes annoying.

The children themselves are reasonably well characterised, actually: they have childish squabbles, hide stuff from their parents, don't always think about the consequences of their actions... But that makes the characterisation of the stereotyped characters even more infuriating.

I'd probably give this one star, if I hadn't loved it so much when I was younger. It does get to keep an extra star, just for that. ( )

Old Children's Book. Liked it as a kid, but haven't read it in years. ( )

tuebl has this sries

Omri gets a cupboard for his birthday that can bring plastic toys to life. The story is about friendship, respect, courage, and doing what's right.

The book Indian in the Cupboard is about a boy named Omri who gets a cupboard and a plastic Indian for his birthdat. Omri goes through a box full of old keys, finally Omri finds the right key to fit the cupboard's key hole. It turns out that the key was his greatgrandmother's. Omri puts the plastic Indian into the metal cupboard and locks the cupboard door with his greatgrandmother's key. The next day Omri finds out that the plastic Indian had turned into a real minuture indian, the indian is named Little Bear. Little Bear and Omri become best friends, eventually Patrick , Omri's best friend finds out that Omri has a magical cupboard that turns plastic toys into real people. Patrick takes advantage of Omri and turns a plastic cowboy into a real cowboy, without Omri's permission. Will Little Bear and Boone, thecowbow get along or will they become enemies and kill each other.?

I give the Indian in the Cupboard ***** because it has a lot of adventures and excitement. I really like the plot of this story, it sems like the plot just keeps capturing the readers attention. I also like how Little Bear and Boone are almost the size of his finger. I would love to be Omri right now because he gets to turn plastic toys into real things. Also who wouldn't want a best friend who is the size of your finger, it would be awesome. Lynne Reid Banks is a really good author who writes really well! She makes reading fun and interesting. her writing is so realistic and I hope to read the two other books in the series another day.