CLEMENTINE
Written by Sara Pennypacker
Illustrated by Marla Frazee
Hyperion, 2006
Category: Elementary Fiction
Scene: My kitchen, early afternoon. Daughter is using markers and construction paper to make a birthday card for her friend G. Son 1, home sick from school, is doodling alongside her.
Me, entering the room: “Want to see what I got G for her birthday?”
Daughter, glancing at the book in my hand: “Not another book!”
Daughter drops her marker in frustration and gesticulates wildly with her pudgy hands, “Mom, can’t we ever give someone a toy for their birthday? Ever? Ever? Ever?”
Me: “But this is a great book, honey. I think G will really like it.”
Daughter, rolling her five-year-old eyes: “Mom. She can get books at the library. For her birthday she wants toys.”
Me: “But what if they don’t have this book at her library? What if it is the best book on the planet, and she loves it more than any other book she has ever read? She might have missed it if you didn’t give it to her as a birthday gift!”
Daughter, getting back to her card: “Whatever.”
Me, defensively: “This is a good book.”
Son1, not looking up from his doodling: “You do go a bit overboard with the book thing, Mom.”
Me, now very defensive: “Are you kidding me? Overboard? You guys love books. You love to read!”
Daughter and Son1, in unison: “We love toys, too, Mom!”
Me, sulking: “Hmmph.”
SILENCE
Me, recovering: “Well, I still think G is going to love this book.”
SILENCE
Me, scheming: “How about we read a chapter before I wrap it?”
Daughter and Son1 exchange meaningful glances : “Sure, Mom. Whatever.”
And then I read the first chapter of Sara Pennypacker’s CLEMENTINE. I am telling you, they were SUCKED IN. I mean, totally and completely helpless. By the close of the chapter they had both stopped drawing and were watching me with that rapt look that only comes when a child has fallen headlong into a story.
Daughter, giggling at the close of the first chapter: “Read one more, Mom, before you wrap it. Please?”
Me, trying hard not to gloat: “Well …
Son1: “Come on, Mom. Just one more.”
Me, giving in completely … to the gloating: “Nah. Sorry, guys, but I gotta wrap this puppy up. Maybe G will lend it to you when she is finished.”
Daughter: “Mom!”
Son1: “MOM!!”
Ha!
But I did stop by the library on the way home from the birthday party and picked up a copy of CLEMENTINE. We are three chapters in and everyone agrees it is hilarious and fabulous and probably the best birthday present we have ever given.
Thank you, Sara Pennypacker. Thank you, thank you, thank you.