Child-like Mind on One Visual and Verbal Prodigy :: Childrens Literature Beverly Cleary Papers

Child-like Mind on One Visual and Verbal Prodigy "Bob lived on a big farm. Everyone has to learn to work on a big farm. Bob helped his father with the work. He learned to help with the corn. He learned to look after the chickens and the sheep and the cows. He learned always to shut the gate to the pasture where Tony, the big black bull, lived" (Dolch 1). In the late 1940's and early 1950's, post-World War II, there was a shift back to domestic interests. Both libraries and bookstores were increasing in frequency and popularity, attracting education-minded families on the weekends and after school. However, children visited these institutions often to find merely stuffy stories about prim and proper children without any realistic emotions. "Where are the books about kids like us?" one librarian recalls being asked repeatedly. There simply were none. Hungry minds looking for empathy and adventure found emptiness; anyone not bored by Bob's story, found in a 1954 children's anthology, probably wished him to be mauled by Tony, the big black bull. Kids were often left with moral-laden Little Golden Books such as the 1950 edition of Susie's New Stove: "'Carol is bringing her dolls here to play,' said Susie. 'May I ask her to stay for lunch? We could cook it on my little stove.' 'Of course,' said Mother. 'Let's see. You could have canned soup with toasted crackers and cheese. Then peanut butter and honey sandwiches with milk. And how would you like to make candle salads? They are quite grownup' 'Wonderful,' said Susie. 'I will ask her right away.' And soon she was back with Carol... 'Daddy's birthday is coming,' said Mike. 'What can we give him?' 'I wish we could cook him a birthday dinner,' said Susie. 'That would be lovely,' said Mother. 'Oh, but our pots and pans are so tiny,' said Susie. 'We could never feed you and Daddy.' 'And us too,' said Mike. 'We would eat at the birthday dinner, wouldn't we?' 'Of course, dear,' said Mother. 'It would not be a party without you. But we can manage. You two are such good cooks now, I will let you cook on my big stove just this once... 'My,' said Mother. 'You children are a great help to me. This will be a wonderful birthday dinner.' It was, too. Daddy said it was the best meal he had ever eaten in his whole life" (Bedford 14).