Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle

As a child, one of my favorite books to be read from and then to read myself were Betty MacDonald's "Mrs Piggle-Wiggle" series. Of course, I was living in the early 1950's and lived in a neighborhood where we all played outside, unsupervised, after school. The dads went off to work, and the moms stayed home with the kids. It really was a simpler time - but not a time I'd like to go back to. I have an almost three year old granddaughter and wanted to see if she might like the books - in a few years.The other day I downloaded the audio version of the first of the series, "Mrs Piggle Wiggle" and listened to it. I was just as delighted to hear it 60 years later.It's always interesting to read or listen to a book that was written contemporaneously. This series, in particular, would be fobbed off as "politically incorrect" if published today, about today's world. It was a picture of a purer, more innocent time and that was how much of the country lived in the post-WW2 years. But, here's the thing: the times might have been more innocent but human nature doesn't change. Children still worry about the same things as we, their grandparents did, and still don't pick up their toys or bathe enough. They still go through stages where they talk back to the parents and teachers, and I don't think the "selfish gene" has been scrubbed from human reproduction. Betty MacDonald's parents and children - and Mrs Piggle Wiggle - are the parents and children of today. Addiction, violence and poverty have added to our problems but there was always a bit of that in the past. Hiding under our desks at school from the threat of nuclear war - like our wooden desks were really going to save us - and diseases that were rampant back then have been eradicated by cures. Betty MacDonald's wonderful stories full of interesting characters are as timely now as they were 60 years ago.By the way, did you know that Betty MacDonald wrote the adult book, "The Egg and I"? That was one of four "adult" books she wrote, in addition to the children's books she wrote.

This is a family favorite. I think it is better for reading out than as a chapter book, because reading it out loud together lets the parents in on the fun.Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle uses reverse psychology to change children's bad habits. Of course the situations are exaggerated, but they are funny and the children in the book are encouraged to be pleasant, responsive, responsible people. The parents are funny, too -- the dads are absorbed in work and lesiure pursuits, the moms hyperventilate and call one another about their little ones' character flaws. But Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, who wants everyone to be their best, has clever solutions.My kids related the best to the Selfishness Cure -- they could really imagine locking all their things away in a hoard. In the end, they "got it" that selfishness is wrong, even though it took quite a bit of ridicule and very obvious peer pressure to change the character of the child in the story.At the end of every chapter, it's almost a teachable moment for me to share why I'm so proud of my children -- for example, what they have willingly and cheerfully done, and why that makes me so proud. It sinks in very deeply after we have all been laughing together and enjoying one another.I would give it four-and-a-half stars, but that's not an option. I'd hold half a star back because it is so OBVIOUS... but who am I kidding? I am raising Children of Oblivion, who wander around with garments inside-out or backwards half the time. If it isn't OBVIOUS, they are going to miss it. I'm going to go looking for a Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle that addresses tattling and interrupting. There are four or five books in the series -- I'll be putting them on my wish list.

There is no one like Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle. Her late husband was a pirate and her back yard is still full of treasure. Her house is upside-down except for the stairs, bathroom and kitchen, which author Betty MacDonald points out would not work very well if they were upside down like the rest of the house. The children in town love to visit Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, for she always lets them bake cookies, or play with her old clothes, dig for treasure or construct forts in the back yard. Kids love Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, but the parents in town love her even more. When their children come down with those dread childhood maladies like the "Answer-Back" disease, or selfishness, or picking fights, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle always knows the cure, which usually involves confronting the children with a double dose of just what they exhibit themselves.This series of books from author Betty MacDonald, perhaps better known for THE EGG AND I and other adult comedies, remains a favorite among kids, parents and teachers (those who still have the time to read their class short-short stories, anyway). I should point out that the green cover currently pictured here actually belongs to another book in the series, and that original illustrator Hilary Knight (he of ELOISE fame) has been supplanted by a more modern illustrator (note that today's dads often have beards). The books are still charming, though, even at seventy years' remove, and these paperbacks are cheap enough to indulge in several.

This book is a great idea for kids it is very fun and adventurous my daughter loves it

I (and my whole class of boys and girls) fell in love with Mrs. Piggle Wiggle when I was in 4th grade.....now 70 years later I am sharing her with my grandchildren's 5th and 7th grade students.

I have read thousands of children's books, but only recently encountered Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle. Fairly ridiculous, but my students enjoyed the stories. Every chapter can stand alone.

Silly stories of changing bad habits. Held my granddaughters attention!

I love it. My son is a bit small for it (he is 4) but still listens to it with me.

The kids are loving this book so far

My 8 years old grand daughter loved it and is asking for some more.