The Wuggie Norple Story
Tomie dePaola ~ Daniel M. Pinkwater ~ MacMillian, 1980
One of the most mentioned by readers on this site, when I Googled it this morning in preparation for the write up, I was shocked to see that it is out-of-print and even more shocked to see how much the paperback editions are going for. I sort of assumed because the story is so hilarious and everyone loves dePaola and everyone talks about it that it surely was still readily available. The out-of-print status is a crime, seriously. Just this morning my husband read it out loud for himself for the first time, and he and the boy were howling hysterically at the funny names. Hands down it is one of my son's favorite books for that very reason. Case in point...
The next day was Saturday, and Lunchbox Louie didn't have to go to work, so he took Bigfoot the Chipmunk, and King Waffle, and Wuggie Norple, and Freckleface Chilibean, and Papercup Mixmaster and Exploding Poptart, and Laughing Gas Alligator, and a big basket of lunch and they all went to Nosewort Pond for a picnic.Without giving too much of this truly imaginative story away... Lunchbox Louie is always surprising his son King Waffle with presents he brings home from work, and one day when he gifts the boy a kitten, things start to, well, grow out of hand. The cat gets bigger and bigger and bigger, and when his family is blind to the change, Lunchbox Louie takes it upon himself to teach them a lesson in scale.
I might be ignorant as well as naive, but I have to assume that since it was published in the 80s, it is still available for checkout at the library. And do... please... log on or head there now to read it to your children before some sticky fingers gets it and it disappears forever. Man, oh, man is it good.
Also by:Big Orange Splot
Pancakes for Breakfast
How disappointing that this is out of print :-(
ReplyDeleteDespite the fact that Strega Nona and Jamie O'Rourke and the Giant Potato are two of my daughter's favorite books and Daniel Pinkwater is one of my favorite authors, I have the terrible feeling I let this title slip through my fingers at a local thrift store a couple months ago. Damn!
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite childrens books ever, totally agree that it is a crime it is out of print!!!
ReplyDeletePinkwater is my favorite. I grew up with Bears Picture and it, too, used to be really hard to find used copies for a reasonable price. Recently, however, Pinkwater's son, illustrated a new version (not as great as the 1970's version, but cool to see how illustration has changed with time). Now that the new version is out, the older one is pretty easy to find for cheap.
ReplyDeleteIt is the best children's book of all time. Still looking for my other favorite (not quite sure of the author) called Just Only John. Ideas?
I read this book to my kids who are now 30,28,24. I am ordering it for my daughter's friend's new baby. Every child deserves to hear Wuggie Norple. Wish they would put out another edition.
ReplyDeleteThis book was a gift to me when I was 6 years old. I still have it and will love it forever!!
ReplyDeleteThis book was my favorite book as a child & I still have the copy but I can't pass my old worn out paper back down to small children because I know it wouldn't survive. I have multiple nieces, nephews, & my friend's have children. They live all over the country so it's not like they can just come over so I can read them the copy I have, so I really would like to buy them all a copy so they can all grow up reading this great book as well. It's almost unfair that this book cannot continue to spread joy to the new generations because it is out of print & is unavailable to buy in book stores. I am 31 years old & still like to read it every now & then! This book has the amazing ability to stretch the imagination & that should be something that every child has access to in my opinion! Please print more Wuggie Norple books!
ReplyDelete