PIPPI LONGSTOCKING

Lindgren, Astrid. 1978. PIPPI LONGSTOCKING. Ill. by Louis S. Glanzman. New York: Viking Penguin, Inc. ISBN 9780670557455

Plot Summary

Independent and energetic Pippi Longstocking is always on an adventure. Pippi, believing her father will come back for her someday, moves into their house named Villa Villekula with a pet monkey, Mr. Nilsson and a horse, Old Man who lives on the front porch. Pippi befriends the two neighbor children Tommy and Annika and turns their rule following, well mannered world topsy-turvy. Tommy and Annika watch with wide-eyed amazement as Pippi refuses and confuses a policeman who comes to take her to a children's home since it is not right for a child to be living alone. Pippi has a way of exasperating adults which is very evident when Pippi decides she needs to go to school. She thinks she is missing out on something fun. Pippi's first day of school becomes her last day because school has rules, and rules are not for Pippi.

Burglars find the tables are suddenly switched as Pippi teaches them the schottische and gives them money for dancing with her. When the children go to the circus Pippi displays her super human strength as well as her ability to turn everything into a game. Later in the story a burning building provides entertainment for the energetic Pippi as she rescues two children while the adults stand around wondering what will happen.

A coffee party at Tommy and Annika's house proves to be another disaster for the adults but outrageous fun for the spunky Pippi. She arrives trying her best to use her polite grown up manners but Pippi is too independent to be or do anything normal. Poor Pippi doesn't want to embarrass her friends at the coffee party so she arrives in attire that is hideous to everyone except Pippi, who thinks she is quite stylish. She spills sugar on the floor and eats as much as she wants whenever she wants. She throws her face into the middle of the cream pie trying to get the candy from the center and later tries to contribute to the ladies' conversation by telling outlandish tales about her maid.

The end of the incredible story finds Tommy and Annika celebrating Pippi's birthday with the "don't touch the floor" game and investigating the attic for would-be ghosts. What they do find is an old chest full of clothes, a sword and three pistols. The children leave Pippi to go home with their father. As she stands in the doorway with a pistol in one hand and a sword in the other she declares she will become a pirate someday. After reading this hilarious story the reader can't help but agree with a statement from one of the sailors from the beginning of the story: "Pippi is a remarkable child!"

Critical Analysis

Cultural makers are evident in the text with names such as Thunder Karlsson, Annika, Gustav, and Bengt. Lindgren introduces the reader to a Swedish cookie treat "pepparkakor." Even the house has a special name, "Villa Villekula" which includes a parlor in the place of a living room. Pippi has a garden filled with fragrant flowers. Lindgren exposes the reader to other vocabulary words such as hassock, griddle, and pajama blanket (which is a type of pajama worn by children).

The black inked illustrations provide some insight into the setting in regards to clothing, buildings and rooms. The illustrations portray an old fashioned stove with a griddle for making pancakes. Illustrations of the police uniforms are European looking, reminiscent of the English "bobby." The text functions well without the illustrations because Lindgren involves the reader so deeply with the characters and their adventures.

Children love this story because Astrid Lindgren allows the reader to escape into a world where a child makes their own decisions and rules do not apply to them. Even though this story was first published in 1945 it still embodies the feelings of childhood and shows a character who perseveres in all types of situations with outlandish antics and a big heart. The descriptive text provides a vivid picture of Pippi Longstocking as she goes beyond the norm to impress her new friends Tommy and Annika. The world has changes since this book was first printed.

Reviews

Horn Book: "A rollicking story."

Book Links: " American readers have enjoyed Pippi Longstocking, a story written about an outspoken, independent girl with wild red hair, for almost 60 years."

Awards

Astrid Lindgren received the Hans Christian Anderson Award in 1958.

Connections

Pippi Longstocking can be used for various activities within the classroom. Model a 'correct" coffee party, complete with invitations. Begin by allowing the students too design a coffee or tea party based upon their research findings regarding food, etiquette, and attire.

During PE students can learn how to dance the schottische. In the classroom they can research the origin of the dance and discover if it has evolved or is similar to dances in the US.