Pippi Longstocking is nine years old. She has just moved into Villa Villekulla where she lives all by herself with a horse, a monkey, and a big suitcase full of gold coins. The grown-ups in the village try to make Pippi behave in ways that they think a little girl should, but Pippi has other ideas. She would much rather spend her days arranging wild, exciting adventures to enjoy with her neighbours, Tommy and Annika, or entertaining everyone she meets with her outrageous stories. Pippi thinks nothing of wrestling a circus strongman, dancing a polka with burglars, or tugging a bull's tail. Generations of children have fallen in love with Pippi Longstocking. Just like Tommy and Annika, readers are instantly charmed by her warmth and sense of fun. Astrid Lindgren's children's classic first appeared in 1945. Astrid once commented, 'I write to amuse the child within me, and can only hope that other children may have some fun that way, too.' When she was growing up, Lauren Child loved Astrid Lindgren's books. She remembers: 'I discovered Pippi when I was about eight years old and found her completely inspiring.'
Known and loved as the creator of some equally feisty little girls - notably Clarice Bean and Lola - Lauren has brought her own inimitable style to this beautifully-illustrated edition of Pippi Longstocking, presented in a stunning slipcase.
Annika and Thomas desperately wish that someone their age would move in next door so they can have a playmate. They get more than they bargained for when they find that Pippi Longstocking has moved in with her monkey, Mr Nilsson and her horse that lives on the porch because he gets in the way in the kitchen and doesn't feel comfortable in the living room.
Pippi Longstocking is the type of child that would drive a parent mad. And most adults. Any child that answers the question of 'why are you walking backwards?' with 'don't we live in a free country? Can't a person walk any way she likes? - is the type of child that would drive most adults mad.
On the other hand, she's probably also the type of child most other children love. With her red plaited pigtails and vibrant outlook on life she is a colourful icon and a fun and interesting character to enjoy.
I liked parts of this, other parts just baffled me. It probably doesn't help reading this as an adult. I find a lot of things these days fly straight over my head that my niece and nephew think is hysterical. Or I don't have a sense of humour. One of the two. I have no doubt most kids will love it though.
Whether or not you want to take the chance that the kid your reading to will revolt, I guess depends on whether or not they're your child or you can hand them back - or if they're old enough to read it themselves.
One thing that did strike me though - the guns. This is the second book in as many days to have children carrying pistols. The other was Christopher Robin from Winnie-the-Pooh. I mean, I know - different eras and all but jeez. Although at least Pippi is a bit older, I'm not sure Christopher Robin is even four. The idea of my four year old niece with a gun is terrifying. And I know Pippi says "Never let children carry guns" and that but was it necessary to include it at all?
Still interesting book. 3.5 stars for target audience.
