Do You Remember the Bobbsey Twins Books?
Recently I read Jennifer Weinerās novel, Mrs. Everything, which alluded to iconic books and products of the 1950s, like the Bobbsey Twins, Almay soap, Prell shampoo and Ship ān Shore blouses.
Overall, her book is not a nostalgic look at the previous century, dealing as it does with race, class, and sexuality. Still, her mention of the Bobbsey Twinsā series triggered thoughts about series books I read as a girl.
- Cherry is a can-do character created during World War II, solving mysteries and capturing criminals that elude men.
- Nurse Cherryās real name is Charity, symbolizing her care for patients.
- She could be described as an alternate version of Rosie-the-Riveter also of this era, unafraid of challenge.
Ā
Nancy Drew
Cover photo of the first book in the series, courtesy Wikipedia
- Nancy Drew mystery stories were first published in 1930, in the Depression era.
- The series has observed its 90-year anniversary this year. To date, there are 175 (!) novels, including some spinoffs.
- Nancy Drew books have been attributed to Carolyn Keene, the collective name of writers that contributed to the series.
- Like Cherry Ames, the Nancy Drew character is known for her resourcefulness, sharp eye for detail, and upbeat personality.
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I did not read Curious George as a girl, but our children devoured these books, and my grandchildren have chuckled as they turned the pages, relating to the monkey’s antics.
During the Memorial Day weekend, a friend posted the blurb above on Facebook, which prompted me to think about the impact of this book and its origins.
And then, I remembered reading the curious story about the authors of these books, H. A. and Margret Rey, in a history written for a young audience, The Journey that Saved Curious George, a young readers’ edition.
Lately, Iāve thought about the connection between these three sets of books and pondered what they have in common; Cherry Ames, Nancy Drew and Curious George all originated during hard times: The Depression, the Holocaust, or World War II.
And now, Iām thinking that extreme social and political change often ignite creativity that otherwise may lie dormant.
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During the pandemic of 2020, Iāve noticed clever cartoons, composite videos of singers, and poetry emerging as people on the planet share a common plight.
We have suffered. We are learning. And now we are designing new ways to operate in an altered society. Here in the USA, historians, state and city leaders, and advertisers have commented, “We are in this together.”
In May 2020, Facebook released an emoji for readers to convey caring hugs.
Note concerning the upheaval in late May 2020:
This past week, our mayor was called to testify before Congress because of his exemplary handling of the Covid-19 Virus in Jacksonville, moving forward into cautious re-opening. Then Saturday evening a peaceful protest, an expression of Black Lives Matter, became an excuse for rioters from an outside group to spray-paint profanities on public buildings and smash windows, destroying property. I woke up Monday morning, feeling despair.
The social justice part of me wants to do DO something. But first, I have to get myself under control. As I prepared breakfast, I listened to uplifting music, and then I continued my reading of Psalm 51:Ā ā . . . renew a right spirit within me.ā
Right now, I will reckon with the biblical truth that racism is sinful: I John 4:20. And, in a chaotic world, I am an ambassador of love, now more than ever, taking action in my city!
Your Turn:
Favorite books of your childhood?
Noteworthy books youāve read, especially since March 2020?
Creativity youāve noticed (your own or others) possibly inspired by the pandemic?
Good morning, Marian. I think I read one Cherry Ames book and one Nancy Drew book, but I wasn’t a fan of either. š I still love Anne of Green Gables, and I enjoyed the Narnia books and so did our girls. My own creativity has wavered during these difficult times, but there are many calls for poetry during this time and many artists are livestreaming their work.
I enjoy your creativity, Merril, but understand it is coming from a place of grief because of recent events. My grand-daughter and I watched Anne with an E version of the Green Gables story, a classic in my view. Earlier this year, we saw the Little Women movie together. She’s bookish, so I hope she’ll read the book too. Thank you!
I enjoyed Anne with an E, even though it invents several backstories. My younger daughter and I both liked the most recent Little Women movie. (We’ve both read the book.) š
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I don’t recall the Cherry Ames books, but I always loved Nancy Drew as well as the Hardy Boy Mysteries. Strange, but I never read mysteries as an adult. Curious George was always a favorite and Clifford the Big Red Dog. Oh yes, and The Boxcar Children. I’m laughing at your mention of Prell shampoo. Was that the commercial where two friends told two other friends and so on? š Thanks for the enjoyable trip down memory lane, Marian.
I remember using Prell, but I don’t remember the commercial at all. It was probably like many commercials – inane but memorable in spite of it all.
Our PBS station keeps showing Clifford the Big Red Dog, a darn good story. Thanks, Jill!
I was thinking of the wrong shampoo, but I do remember using Prell.
https://allintheresults.com/2015/01/05/and-they-told-two-friends-and-so-on-and-so-on/
Ah, Faberge! I vaguely remember this. Thanks for the link, Jill.
Jill shared one of my childhood favorites: The Boxcar Children. What I like the most about that series though is how it compelled my oldest daughter to actually enjoy reading once she was in 4th grade. I couldn’t get her to read much outside of her school work and lamented that, but once she got hooked on one Boxcar book, she was off to the races and couldn’t stop, and went on to read voraciously. I think in her lifetime she’s probably read more books than me. And written several for which she has searched diligently for an agent. Her creativity is now keeping 3 little boys entertained and inspired–and she does a heck of a job at that.
My own creativity during this liminal time is looking forward to each chance I have to sit down and work on my career memoir–I look forward to that. It keeps me going through the mundane. That plus wading through one of Walt Wangerin’s longer books, The Book of God. He’s a marvel. (Both God and Walt Wangerin!)
Michelle has quite a track record as author, editor, and mother. Her early story shows why parents and teachers should persist with children even if they show no interest in reading. It just takes one spark to ignite a life-long love of reading.
Best wishes on your career memoir. Did I know you were working on this?
And thanks for the book title suggested. I’m reading down books on my Kindle, some of which would get mixed reviews from me. Besides, I’d rather hold a paperback. Thanks, Melodie!
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My childhood reading was much like yours and others above. Right now I am reading Sue Monk Kidd’s The Book of Longing, about an imagined wife of Jesus, sister of Judas. How’s that for a bracing plot? Just getting started. Next up: Self-Portrait in Black and White. A memoir by Thomas Chatterton Williams.
Shirley, I’ve read four of Sue Monk Kidd’s books, the last being Dance of the Dissident Daughter. I appreciate your suggestion of her new book. Good for her, always pushing the boundaries.
Thanks too for the Thomas Chatterton Williams title. I trust suggestions from readers whose tastes seem similar to mind. š
I was born in the 60s, so those advertisements and books were not in vogue while I was growing up. It is true, though, that adversity brings out the artist/creator in all of us (I am thinking Picasso and Guernica), no doubt as a reaction or antidote to the horrors experienced or witnessed. Our writers’ club has been very busy with plenty of stories coming through, many about Covid-19.
I was appalled at the killing of George Floyd: how can anyone be so heartless to let that happen? It beggars believe. What a sick society! I hope we can turn things around yet, once and for all.
I remember the sharp angles and dark colors of Picasso’s Guernica, which mirror these times. The virus, like the racial discord, has been simmering for a while. How horrible both uproars have surfaced at the same time.
Fatima, we have to believe in hope and recovery. Tough people can outlast tough times, so we hope!
I read Nancy Drew mysteries, as many as I could get my hands on. I liked her smarts and her spunk. I remember Cherry Ames books, but that’s all. I was more of a writerly kid than a nurturing kid, so maybe Cherry being a nurse turned me off? I remember reading Curious George books and liking them. I preferred Dr. Seuss to CG, truth be told.
Back in the day, I was enamored with Cherry Ames books, maybe because they were gifts. I was totally turned off with Nurse Cherry after I worked in a nursing home in my teens and had to brush old people’s false teeth.
Like you, Dr. Seuss continues to amuse. In fact, someone gave me Oh, the Places You’ll Go when I retired from teaching. Thanks for checking in here today – and always telling the truth, Ally Bean!
I also read Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, and Cherry Ames, receiving new ones for birthdays and Christmas. I became a nurse but the picture of nursing in Cherry Ames was very idealized, as I recall. Real nursing was not the Cherry Ames scenarios! I was a library user from a very young age going by myself and getting piles of books every two weeks. Perhaps this early library usage inspired me to spend 28 years on my local library board.
An early author after I had gone through the previously mentioned series was Grace Livingston Hill. Does anyone remember her books? Very sappy as I recollect. In junior high I lived in a very small town that was visited by a bookmobile every 2 weeks. Two shelves about 18ā long. My friend and I read all of them and couldnāt wait till they delivered a new batch. That was how I got my hands on GONE WITH THE WIND in eighth grade. My father was very upset that I was reading such a book and questioning my step-mother about whether it was appropriate at my tender age? Thank goodness she had the sense to assure him it was. That was my early experience of an attempt to ban a book. I remember thinking that if I had the ability to read āsuch a bookā, it had to be OK.
Yes, I know from my sister Jan’s experience that nursing is tough, but I guess the series was popular because of its publication in wartime + in that era nursing, teaching, and secretarial work were about the only professions open to women.
Thanks for mentioning the bookmobile and your exposure to Gone With the Wind, pretty tame by today’s standards. What a story you have as a budding rebel. Ha, Carol!
Marian, thank you for this insightful post! Peaceful protesting is one thing, but rioting and destroying property is another. One causes lasting change, the other does not.
I read the Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, and maybe one Curious George book. Those weren’t my favorites. I’ve noticed a resurgence in the Curious George books. So many children love them. My brothers read the Hardy Boys books. I loved Beverly Cleary books growing up. Mitch and Amy was given to me when I was probably eight years old. I related to it, because I have brothers.
Thanks for mentioning the Beverly Cleary books, among others.
About the rioting, I’ve noticed that policemen and city leaders are accompanying those who are protesting peacefully in some cities. Yesterday, during a news conference in our city, a councilman suggested to the mayor that our sheriff, city council people, and other officials join hands with them, perhaps in a parade showing solidarity.
We’ll see . . . and hope and pray too, L. Marie!
I remember reading the Bobbsey Twins and oh, yes Grace Livingston Hill books (when I was older) which were in our church library back in the 50’s. I was introduced to Curious George, Clifford the Big Red Dog, and Beverly Cleary books through my daughter’s school in the 70’s. Reading is my favorite pass time when I relax, and is done mostly on my Kindle app.
I loved the smell of Prell shampoo and your mention of Ship ān Shore blouses suddenly conjured up a memory of me standing at the ironing board with a dampened blouse.
Thanks, Elaine, for mentioning church libraries, which in my case, introduced me to the facts of life. I’m glad this post took you back to books and the fragrance of Prell shampoo. You are the first to mention Ship ‘n Shore blouses here. Even as a plain girl, I must have had one. š
Marian ā I devoursed every copy of my mom’s beloved Cherry Ames books and had my own Nancy Drew Mysteries collection. But strangely, I never read Curious George.
Laurie, I’m certain you are reading to that sweet grand-daughter of yours. Maybe when the time is right, you can enjoy monkeying around with Curious George together . . . both for the first time. š
I’ve heard of Nancy Drew and her books, but they weren’t in my readings from what I remember. Enid Blyton as a small child kept me entertained, and I suspect the Narnia books, which were part of my sons’ reading when they were small and they seemed familiar. I think I remember Prell shampoo ..I’m re-reading Wally Lamb “The Hour I First Believed’ which I read in Nov 2009, a re-telling in fiction form of the Columbine shootings. Heavy going especially as I have a short attention span at the moment, plus it’s a huge and heavy paper back. My creativity is on holiday.
Am desperately concerned about everything – here there and everywhere …
I love your biblical quotes Marian … words of wisdom from so long ago and so relevant now ..
Wally Lamb! Oh, how I remember plowing through one of his early books. Now was it She’s Come Undone or I Know This Much is True? Both were Very Long, of that I’m sure.
I nodded in agreement that “my creativity is on holiday.” It is SO hard to concentrate when the world seems upside-down. Yet, it’s still rotating on its axis!
Thank you for all you’ve contributed here, Susan, and for mentioning the quote from I John.
I read everything I could get my hands on, starting in second grade. Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, Bobsey Twins, Little Women, Agatha Christie, even my dad’s old Tarzan books. I read every moment that I could, too — I actually propped my books up behind the kitchen faucet and read while washing dishes, doing my best not to get water on the pages!
When I was in the third or fourth grade, the school librarian asked me if the books I checked out every few days were for an older sister or brother. I said no, they were for me, I don’t have any older siblings. She was astonished because I was reading books meant for high school students. I read nearly every book in the school library.
After I grew up, I joined the Book of the Month club. Now, I am a Kindle addict. I have over 500 books on my Kindle reader. So many books, so little time! When I was younger, I only wanted to read novels, mostly mysteries. But now I prefer memoirs and other works of nonfiction. I recently read, and was perplexed by, Raising the Dead: A Doctor Encounters the Miraculous by Chauncey W. Crandall IV, MD. A Yale-trained, Palm Beach cardiologist, his story is… something else!
As for my own creativity, I am still hard at work writing my memoir, Growing Up Crazy. I don’t let a day go by without writing in my memoir. The part of my story that I am writing now is … Whew, I can’t even find the words. Intense. That’s all I can say. Writing my memoir during this unparalleled time is very intense. Especially with what I see every day in the news, and with my granddaughter and her husband having just gone through testing positive for covid-19… without my faith in the Lord, I wouldn’t be able to handle it!
I miss going to church so much. But with my husband’s COPD and his history of three heart attacks, plus his diabetes, and we are both in that vulnerable “elderly” age group — because we feel that our time here on earth isn’t done, we aren’t taking any chances. So we are continuing to worship from the safety of our home. We are so blessed to have each other, and to have a mountain view and a big White Mountain Pine tree in our back yard. Our two fur babies that we rescued off the streets a few years ago are constantly at our sides, keep us from feeling too lonely. Plus my husband has his Facebook friends, and I have my WordPress blogging buddies, and we can text and call our loved ones, so we still have people.
Next week, my jury duty starts again. I am trying not to even think about how they are going to keep us safe in the courtroom. Both the jury box and the jury room are much too small for social distancing. I know that everyone in the courtroom will be required to wear a mask, except for the judge, who may remove his mask when he speaks from the bench, if he chooses to. This is the direction that was handed down from the New Mexico supreme court. So — it should be an interesting experience!
In the meantime, I am still plugging away every day at my memoir, finally getting close to the end of my first draft. And I’m telling you — writing about Growing Up Crazy, during this CrAzY time, is . . . INTENSE!
There is so much to admire here. I got hooked again with more of your personal story; for example, ” I actually propped my books up behind the kitchen faucet and read while washing dishes.”
Like you, I believe that writing and reading are conjoined twins, one fuels the other. As for writing memoir, I applaud you for your ingrained habit of writing every. single. day. And…writing the hard stuff too. Your title is arresting, and I can understand how it would be hard. Jerry Waxler, author and memoir coach explores the reason why: Memoirists are repairing parts of their psyche as they create a literary work, both very demanding. You can be sure I will read your Growing Up Crazy. Without the crazy, you may have a bland story: God will use all of your story to create your testimony and eventually your legacy.
Thanks, always, for your contribution, Linda Lee!
Now I’m at a loss for words. Which doesn’t happen often. Thank you! ā¤ā¤
Nancy Drew and Curious George bring back happy childhood memories! You’ve given me several points to ponder as 2020 unfolds our nation’s survival story, Marian. Sharing…
Bette, I am so grateful for your “shares” I see so often here. You know how affirmation sustains us writers. And I’m glad you found some points to ponder too. š
Oh the discovery of the Nancy Drew books in our small town library. I devoured them! Did not know the background story of the Curious George books. Fascinating!
I’m not surprised you are a devotee of books. That’s how I picture you. And I know you have passed that legacy on to the next generations.
About the Curious George story: Yes, I knew it was a product of the author’s “escape” from the horrors of the Holocaust, but I do not know he made two bikes from spare parts. So, he was an inventor in other ways too. š
I loved the Bobbsey Twins and still have a copy of The Bobbsey Twins in Mexico given to me by my grade three teacher. I loved reading series like all of the Anne of Green Gables books, Nancy Drew, Donna Parker and Trixie Belden. Creativity is all around me right now. It is amazing how the right side of the brain clicks into gear in uncertain times. My daughter loved the Curious George books. I will let her know about the history as she’ll find it interesting. A great post, thanks!
Darlene, perhaps your early copy of the Bobbsey twins in Mexico planted the seed for creating your amazing array of Amanda books that keeps growing.
I’m happy to hear that your creativity is “in gear” during these trying times. Many have complained that they feel distracted. For you, perhaps being restricted in some ways has freed up more time to write. Lucky you! š
Another fascinating post, Marian. I see your creativity is in gear! I wax and wane in the creativity department but that probably has more to do with current health issues.
Iām coming back though as I start to feel better. I loved the Bobbsey Twins but did not read Cherry Ames or Curious George. However I āve become very well acquainted with Curious George through my grandsons. I was also a member of the book of the month club and read about prominent historical figuresāBenjamin Franklin, Marco Polo,etc. I loved them and have retained a love and appreciation of historical fiction and non-fiction. And Ship n Shore blouses triggered a memory of saving my babysitting money to buy my first item with my own money. It was thrilling and I can still see that blouse and feel how empowered I felt when I wore it. Thanks for another trip down memory lane!
Kathy, you’re having me go trippin’ down memory lane. I definitely remember membership in Record of the Month: My first purchases were the Singing Nun (!) and Songs of the West, expanding my horizons beyond Mennonite hymns and folk songs. Was I a member of Book of the Month though? I think so, but . . . .
I can tell you are feeling better, a bright spot in a world that seems to be getting sicker and sicker on so many levels. You and I have lived through so much societal upheaval, so I guess we shall look hopefully to getting through this to better days. š
Cheers to you, Kathy!
We had Bobbsey Twins books at our house too. Loved them! I had two older brothers, so I read more Hardy Boys mysteries than Nancy Drew. I got their hand-me-down books. I also loved, loved, loved the books by Thornton W. Burgess. I tried to read them to my kids and they didn’t get them at all. Sigh. And, of course, there’s always Anne of Green Gables. A must-read for all Canadian children.
My grand-daughter and I enjoyed the scenery of Prince Edward Island as we watched the series. I wonder if you’ve visited the land of Anne Shirley, what a spunky gal!
I’m thinking that maybe reading both the Hardy Boys and Bobbsey Twins would make you a more balanced person and insightful writer, observing the yin & yang of Bert and Nan, and the younger Freddie and Flossie.
As always, thanks for our observations here, Arlene.
Everyone should visit Prince Edward Island at least once in their lifetime. It’s a gorgeous place with warm, friendly people. Of course, this year is not an option!
I read every single Nancy Drew book. And every single Cherry Ames book (and decided then and there I would be become a nurse). And then because of few choices, I read every single Hardy Boys books (not anywhere near as exciting as Nancy and Cherry, in my mind).
These books formed me in delicious ways. First, I realized I could escape into books and become the characters. I could learn from characters and form/inform my own character from the fictionalized ones. I also learned how important words, and then stories are. I learned values through these books: being kind, helping others, learning to be independent and self-assured. I’m so happy to see so many more choices of children’s lit now (for ages 0 to 12, and then young adult literature). The characters in these books are of all races/cultures (while the ones we read were all white). This diversity in reading gives hope for our future generations.
Pam, you have summarized so well my evolution as a reader. I, too, escaped into books and found, (probably unconsciously) role models. For years I fantasized being a nurse, but when I had a summer job as a nurse aide in a geriatic/dementia ward, I changed my tune.
It strikes me that when we were young girls, we tried on professions like trying on shoes. Some fit, some didn’t. I believe we both have found the perfect fit, for us anyway!
Yes, yay for diversity. No more Dick and Jane books with all-white characters, I hope. As you may have noticed, Crayola is advertising boxes of 24 crayons with the whole spectrum of skin colors – no more light-pink only “flesh” tones like when we were kids. And I agree: hope for future generations!
Heidi and Anne of Green Gables come to mind. My kids loved Curious George.
I’ve spent time reading The Sun and Lion’s Roar from cover to cover since March 2020. I’m also trying to stay educated about what’s going on politically (even though it scares me and I don’t watch, but read) and trying to figure out what I can do to counter the racism that ruins so many lives. I’m digging into Marie Louise von Franz’s books about fairytales, and what they tell us about our human condition, plus some of Clarissa PInkola-Estes’s stories which are less Caucasian.
My dreams are vivid, but writing feels flat. I’m deflated by the sadness of life and no prospect in sight for lasting solutions. I’m deflated by the level of racism and animosity expressed by political figures–and that this is now considered acceptable by some. I do lots of walking in nature, the soothing balm. I keep attending a writing class I’ve been part of for 11 years and keep myself and my blog alive in that way. I recently explored my Danish ancestors who immigrated to Ohio because their country had been invaded by Germany and the men chose to leave the country rather than fight for the Kaiser. I pulled what little I know of the history together this week for a writing project which I may or may not share. All feels unsure and on a threshold to unknown worlds. May you and your family be safe, healthy, and at peace.
Even if your progress, like mine, is sort of zigzaggy these days, it’s okay. It’s enough. You reminded me of Women Who Run with the Wolves when you mentioned Clarissa PInkola-Estes. I’ve always loved fairy tales, so I believe Marie Louise von Franzās books would suit me. I’m plowing through books I bought for cheap to read on Kindle. After the memoir Chickens, Mules, and Two Old Fools, I think I’ll change to a different genre for a while.
I skipped my writers’ club last Monday – just couldn’t do it. This week we replaced the roof on our house + I quickly had to find a new retinologist since my current one is out of network. (Each eye injection is $900.00, so finding an acceptable provider was a necessity!)
Well, Elaine, I guess we’ll keep walking, stay in touch with nature, and keep some distance from the onslaught of news. Thanks for the update and your book suggestions. š
I hadnāt heard of these books and characters before, except for Nancy Drew. I have a friend, Ellen Jacobson, who wrote a few mystery stories about a character who liked Nancy Drew and aimed to be like here, before she launched her own cozy mystery series with her own little detective called Molly McGhie.
I think people have been more creative during this pandemic, due to having more time and being cooped up. Yet, I canāt compare this period to any of the other suffering in the previous century. Just look at the stock market, for example… Itās as if nothing bad is going on! So weird. Plus, three months is nothing compared to years of depression, wars, or the holocaust. Iām sure you agree and I donāt want to take away from the difficult times everyone has had. Jus trying to be objective. š
I just left a comment on your post, and here you are on mine! Plaudits for the getting to the editing stage. If you ever feel your progress is slow, thank your lucky stars you are climbing the ladder of the 40s, not the 70s. (Take this as tongue in cheek!)
This is an odd, and disconcerting period in world (and national) history, I agree. Yes, the stock market inching up doesn’t make sense to me either.
Take a rest from your labors. You deserve a respite in Maine. %-)
This has happened before, Marian, that we are thinking about each other at the same time. A sign from the universe that we are connected! š
Thanks for leaving such a nice and detailed comment on my blog. Iāll reply another day… Funny about my ārespite in Maineā, as I havenāt had a moment of rest or reading time since arriving on Sunday. You see, Mark and I have decided to help out a family member with renovations (while they arenāt here) for the next two weeks. (For free.) My muscles are so sore, but itās nice to divert my mind and learn new trades. Just in case we ever buy a house. Haha.
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Oh, I loved Lassie, Nancy Drew and The Famous Five books growing up.
I’m not familiar with the Famous Five. Good list, Fiona!
Hi Marian – thanks for sharing these throwback books. I read a few Nancy Drew books as a girl. I remember Curious George too, but not sure if that’s because my kids read those books when they were little. I had forgotten the authors’ story and how they saved their manuscripts. Great post!
Barbara, I’m glad this post prompted memories of how the Curious George manuscripts were preserved. Simply amazing!
Whether it’s childhood books or ones we enjoy now, I’m happy we can share book lore together. š
Some years back when I lived in England I went to a childrenās and young adults book group . I donāt think any of us were under fifty and It opened an amazing world to me of childrenās literature that iād Never read , such as , Cherry Ames and Nancy Drew .
I used to read famous five, secret seven . I couldnāt believe, having read these books as an adult , how politically incorrect they were . Give me Harry Potter any day but maybe in the future they too will appear all wrong …who knows .
My lovely Mum introduced me to Heidi, in fact , I am convinced it is my Mumās fault Iām a bookaholic š¤…I shall forever be in her debt.
Cherryx
Cherry, I loved Heidi too and imagined going to Switzerland one day. Sure enough, I got to go, miracles of miracles, and visited the dairy farm that has been passed down from the “original” Longenecker family. Your mum is a wise woman, instilling in you a lifelong love for reading with that wholesome book.
The worst example of political incorrectness was “Little Black Sambo,” which I didn’t recognize as being so awful as a child. This book never saw the light of day for my children or grandchildren. At least, we’ve come that far.
It’s always good to hear from you, dear Cherry. Thank you!
Fantastic post Marian. I’d never heard of Cherry Ames – but then again I didn’t grow up with books š But I am floored to learn about the heritage of Curious George, wow, I did not know that survival story, truly amazing. As I’m a huge reader of holocaust and WWII fiction and nonfiction, because of the humanity involved, so thanks for this share. And yes, I do believe a lot new creativity has been spurred by these surreal and dystopian times we seem to be living in. Stay safe! <3
Isn’t the story of H. A. and Margret Rey marvelous? Good things can come out of bad, which we are observing today. Like the Phoenix, may love rise from hate and healing from sickness in these strange days.
Thanks for reading and commenting here. Now, over to your blog, Debby!
Thanks Marian. I also forgot to ask if you enjoyed Mrs. Everything?
Debby, the book is a novel, but it felt like non-fiction, charting two sisters’ lives from the 1950s to the 21st century. Although the writing is very good, some of the sex scenes were too graphic for my taste.
I agree it really felt nonfiction, that’s was an attraction for me. Sorry about the graphic, but I didn’t really consider that significant to the book, but I can appreciate your feelings. š
%-)
I never caught up in Nancy Drew and didn’t know about curious George until I started baby sitting. I was constantly caught up in hopes stories. Black Beauty was my favorite.
Hi, Joan! Your comment prompted me to look up Black Beauty, which does teach us to treat animals and people with respect. Here’s a great quote I found: “…there is no religion without love, and people may talk as much as they like about their religion, but if it does not teach them to be good and kind to man and beast, it is all a sham….”
āāBlack Beauty, Chapter 13, last paragraph.
I hope you are farther down the road to recovery and happy you’ve gotten this far. Thanks for reading and commenting, dear friend.
I was born decades later but I still heard about Nancy Drew. Thank you for sharing the story behind Curious George. It is always fascinating to learn where things came from.
Welcome to my blog and thanks so much for posting a comment. Yes, the grim story behind a whimsical monkey is fascinating to many. Again, thanks for visiting here!
A whimsical monkey crosses generations for sure!
Well, I’m a little late to your reading party, but better late than never. Little Golden Books inhabited my room when I was a beginning reader, but as I grew better at reading, my dad started buying me the Anne of Greene Gables series. I still have them with one missing. I’ve tried to find it in every bookstore I go into but I can’t find the same binding. My current read right now is Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson, a young black attorney in the South fighting for the rights of men and women on death row. His history as an African American causes him to relate the horrific methods used against African Americans waiting on death row, some of whom were not guilty of any crimes. I’m having a struggle because it is quite depressing as I think about my childhood in the South and experiences with the KKK. I’ll finish it but wil take it in small chunks. Thanks for an look back!
You’re never late here; the porch light is always on, Sherrey. š
Merril Smith, who often comments here, has watched to movie version of Just Mercy, and recommended it, but I’ll have to watch it early in the day. At nighttime, it will give me nightmares.
When our children were very young and Cliff was doing art/music performances in the Southeast, we drove through a town where the KKK were marching. I still remember feeling suffocated with anger and fear at the spectacle. I think it was in Georgia during the early 1970s. š
I hope you find the missing book in your Anne of Green Gables series. It would feel so good to have a complete set, I’m sure.