1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Thompson, Kay. 2005. Eloise: The Absolutely Essential 50th Anniversary Edition. Ill. by Hilary Knight. Scrapbook by Marie Brenner. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing. ISBN 978-0-689-82703-7
2. PLOT SUMMARY
In this classic picture book, originally published in 1955, Eloise, a six year city girl, lives on the top floor of the Plaza Hotel. She narrates her daily activities, which consist of doing many things that drive grownups crazy, like scuffing the woodwork and writing on the wall, with the energy of a dynamo. She explains the details of her life, from her Nanny, her dog Weenie, and her turtle Skipperdee to all her activities and all of the people she interacts with on a daily basis. Her mother is noticeably absent, yet well connected, as evidenced by Eloise’s repeated name-dropping. There is not a story per se, but rather a chronology of the havoc she wreaks, most definitively from a six year old perspective. This edition contains the original book repackaged with a scrapbook of the lives of author Kay Thompson and illustrator Hilary Knight, as well the background and impact of Eloise as a popular literary character.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Thompson’s writing is straight-forward and simple, sounding much like what a six year old of the 1950’s might sound like. Children should be able to relate to Eloise’s perspective as she sees the world as her oyster and life as something that should be lived to the fullest every day. She only knows she is being a nuisance when grownups, such as the hotel manager, directly tell her so, otherwise she engages in the natural curiosity which all children possess in exploring their world. Her enthusiasm is contagious, yet some grownup readers might be concerned that her ideas which result in mischief are catching too (which may be why it was never read to me as a child). All in all, Eloise has good-natured fun, sharing her adventures and imaginings, such as when she imagines helping the firemen, the telephone operators, waiters and even the Board from General Motors. The book is well paced, although a bit on the long side by today’s standards.
Hilary Knight’s ink illustrations are humorous, adequately expressing Eloise’s exuberance. Splashes of pink enlivened the pictures and the color serves to explain which parts of the drawings are of Eloise’s imagination. Knight’s drawings are especially useful in areas of longer text, such as the fold-out elevator scene, where a child can gleefully trace Eloise’s path with their finger or even create one of their own. Eloise is drawn as a wild haired child, often in unladylike poses, which serve to reinforce that this is a book told from the perspective of a six year old who does things her own way. The expressions of the grownups often express their exasperation with Eloise, but she seems not to notice or mind.
The book is a playful romp through the imaginings and rawther grand adventures of an independent, capable little girl. Eloise is her own little person who speaks her mind.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
New York Times (1955): “Eloise defines New York in the way that Madeline defines Paris.”
New York Times (1999): “Kay Thompson's heroine offers timeless lessons on how to have fun and torture grown-ups.”
5. CONNECTIONS
*Examining differences in our daily existences, country versus city life.
*Gather other Eloise books such as Eloise in Paris or Eloise in Moscow and read about her experiences in other cultures. Discuss questions such as “How might we be (or not be) sensitive to other people’s culture in what we do or say?”
*Other books about spirited children:
Bemelmans, Ludwig. Madeline. ISBN 978-0-670-44580-6
Falconer, Ian. Olivia. ISBN 978-0-689-82953-6
O’Connor, Jane. Fancy Nancy. ISBN 978-0-060-54209-2
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