Ramona and Her Mother: Difference between revisions
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*'''Willa Jean''': Howie's spoiled little sister. |
*'''Willa Jean''': Howie's spoiled little sister. |
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*'''Mrs.Rudge''': Ramona's second grade teacher. |
*'''Mrs.Rudge''': Ramona's second grade teacher. |
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*'''Ella Funt''': A stuffed elephant whom Ramona loves dearly. |
*'''Ella Funt''': A stuffed elephant whom Ramona loves dearly. Her name is a parody of elephant. |
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*'''Woger''' - Willa |
*'''Woger''' - Willa Jean's stuffed bear. She named him Roger after the milkman, but can't pronounce his name properly. |
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*'''Mr. and Mrs.Kemp'''- Howie and Willa Jean's parents. |
*'''Mr. and Mrs.Kemp'''- Howie and Willa Jean's parents. |
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*'''Grandmother Kemp'''- Howie and Willa Jean's grandmother. |
*'''Grandmother Kemp'''- Howie and Willa Jean's grandmother. |
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Revision as of 01:13, 16 October 2013
 1st edition | |
| Author | Beverly Cleary |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Alan Tiegreen |
| Language | English |
| Series | Ramona |
| Genre | Children's novel |
| Publisher | William Morrow[1] |
Publication date | 1979 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (paperback) hardback |
| Pages | 190 pp |
| Preceded by | Ramona and Her Father |
| Followed by | Ramona Quimby, Age 8 |
Ramona and Her Mother by Beverly Cleary is the fifth book of the popular Ramona series. Mr. Quimby has found another job, one he doesn't like very much. Ramona finds herself caught between being too young to stay home alone and too old to enjoy playing with pesky Willa Jean. She's trying to grow up, but sometimes it seems like her family is making it harder. Ramona and Her Mother won the 1981 National Book Award. [2][a]
Plot summary
"People should not think being seven and a half years old was easy, because it wasn't."[3] At last Ramona's father has a job again, so the Quimbys host a party to celebrate. Burdened with the task of keeping bratty little Willa Jean out of everybody's way, Ramona gives Willa Jean a box of tissues and shows her how to pull them out one by one. Ramona does not want Willa Jean to touch any of her toys, believing Willa Jean will just ruin them. When Willa Jean strews tissues through the house, the guests decide that it is time to go home and it was a good party. When someone remarks that Ramona was just like Willa Jean at that age, Ramona feels hurt and upset. She does not believe that she was ever such an exasperating spoiled pest. When Mrs. Quimby states that she could not get along without Beezus, Ramona feels isolated and unappreciated by her family.
Now that both their parents are working full time, everyone has to do their share around the house. One day the Crockpot does not get plugged in, and it leads to an argument between Mr. and Mrs. Quimby that lead Ramona and Beezus to realize they never thought that their parents might get a divorce. That night they comfort each other, and Beezus tells Ramona that she will always be there to look after her. The next morning, Beezus and Ramona are surprised to discover their parents sitting at breakfast together and sharing the newspaper. The girls learn that marital "spats" are part of life, and do not always end in divorce. Mr. and Mrs. Quimby explain that arguing is normal and that Beezus and Ramona fight. Ramona feels that the comparison is not the same thing and orders her parents to never fight again.
Tempers flare again when Beezus refuses to let her mother cut her hair. Mrs. Quimby normally cuts Ramona and Beezus' hair, but Beezus rebels and saves her allowance to get her hair cut at the student hairdressing academy. This makes Ramona happy, as she is still feeling jealous of Beezus' relationship with their mother. When the appointment goes wrong and Ramona ends up with a cute haircut, while Beezus' looks awful, Ramona decides it is nicer when everyone in the family is happy.
Matters become complicated once more when Mrs Quimby purchases a new pair of pajamas for Ramona. Ramona is happy because for once, she receives clothing which is not inherited from Beezus. She loves her new pajamas so much that she wears them to school underneath her clothes. Her teacher, Mrs. Rudge, finds out and promises her that she will not reveal Ramona's secret to anybody. Later Ramona overhears a phone conversation that causes her to feel betrayed. She becomes angry, argues with her parents, and decides to run away. No one tries to stop her. In fact, her mother helps pack a suitcase, which shocks Ramona. Than she realizes Mother made it too heavy for her to carry on purpose. "I couldn't get along without my Ramona", her Mother says.[4]
Characters
- Beatrice "Beezus" Quimby: Ramona's older sister who is in the seventh grade.
- Mrs. Quimby: Ramona's Mother Dorothy.
- Mr. Quimby: Ramona's Father Robert.
- Picky Picky: The Quimby's old yellow cat who is eleven years old.
- Howard "Howie" Kemp: Ramona's friend since Beezus and Ramona.
- Willa Jean: Howie's spoiled little sister.
- Mrs.Rudge: Ramona's second grade teacher.
- Ella Funt: A stuffed elephant whom Ramona loves dearly. Her name is a parody of elephant.
- Woger - Willa Jean's stuffed bear. She named him Roger after the milkman, but can't pronounce his name properly.
- Mr. and Mrs.Kemp- Howie and Willa Jean's parents.
- Grandmother Kemp- Howie and Willa Jean's grandmother.
- Chevrolet-Ramona's old doll who is named by a car.
Critical reaction
Reviewers appreciate Cleary's keen understanding of childhood. Kirkus writes "Cleary's pipeline to childhood as faithful as ever... Ramona's friends will be gratified to see her coming along, and even her lapses remain endearing."[5] Alexandra Gomez of the NY Public Library, speaking of the Spanish translation of the book, says Ramona, "in her own inimitable and highly entertaining way, tries to understand the world around her and overcome the difficult situations in her life... In any language, children will relate to this winning heroine."[6] Finally, another reviewer praises the author's humor and sensitivity. "In this amusing and heartwarming Ramona… Beverly Cleary continues her story of Ramona, the little girl who is always full of surprises. Growing up… can be difficult. Beverly Cleary addresses this issue with humor and sensitivity, helping children to understand that they are not alone when they feel left out."[7]
Editions
Audio Formats: Ramona the Her Mother is available in cassette, CD and eAudiobook from Random House/Listening Library; VHS from Atlantis Films/Ramona Productions, 1987.[8]
Print/English: Braille available from Dell, large print books through Professional Services Center for the Visuallly Handicapped, Wis. Dept. of Public Instruction, and e-Books through HarperCollins;[8]
Print/Worldwide: As of 2010, 109 editions of Ramona and Her Mother had been published in 9 languages.[9]
See also
Notes
- ^ From 1980 to 1983 in National Book Award history there were dual awards for hardcover and paperback books in many categories. Almost all of the paperback award-winners were reprints.
References
- ^ Winning Authors: Profiles of the Newbery Medal Winners, 1922-2001 By Kathleen Long Bostrom, page 216
- ^ "National Book Awards – 1981". National Book Foundation. Retrieved 2012-02-22.
- ^ Cleary, Beverly Ramona and her Mother, HarperCollins, 1979, pg. 42;
- ^ Cleary, Beverly, Ramona and her Mother, HarperCollins, 1979, pg. 182;
- ^ <https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/beverly-cleary/ramona-and-her-mother/>
- ^ "Ramona and Her Mother". "School Library Journal". Retrieved 2012-04-27.
- ^ "Ramona and Her Mother". "Looking Glass Review". Retrieved 2012-04-27.
- ^ a b "Formats and Editions". Ramona the Her Mother. Retrieved April 29, 2012.
- ^ "Editions". Beverly Cleary. Retrieved April 29, 2012.