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The Willoughbys
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The Willoughbys Hardcover - 2008

by Lowry, Lois

  • Used

Abandoned by their ill-humored parents to the care of an odious nanny, Tim, the twins, Barnaby A and Barnaby B, and their sister, Jane, attempt to fulfill their roles as good, old-fashioned children in this hilarious parody that pays playful homage to classic works of children's literature.

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Details

  • Title The Willoughbys
  • Author Lowry, Lois
  • Binding Hardcover
  • Edition First Edition
  • Condition Used - Good
  • Pages 176
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston
  • Date March 31, 2008
  • Illustrated Yes
  • Features Bibliography, Dust Cover, Glossary, Illustrated, Table of Contents
  • Bookseller's Inventory # BOS-D-12e-1749
  • ISBN 9780618979745 / 0618979743
  • Weight 0.62 lbs (0.28 kg)
  • Dimensions 7.95 x 5.71 x 0.73 in (20.19 x 14.50 x 1.85 cm)
  • Ages 06 to 09 years
  • Grade levels 1 - 4
  • Reading level 790
  • Library of Congress subjects Brothers and sisters, Humorous stories
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 2007021550
  • Dewey Decimal Code FIC

Summary

Abandoned by their ill-humored parents to the care of an odious nanny, Tim, the twins, Barnaby A and Barnaby B, and their sister, Jane, attempt to fulfill their roles as good oldfashioned children. Following the models set in lauded tales from A Christmas Carol to Mary Poppins, the four Willoughbys hope to attain their proscribed happy ending too, or at least a satisfyingly maudlin one. However, it is an unquestionably ruthless act that sets in motion the transformations that lead to their salvation and to happy endings for not only the four children, but their nanny, an abandoned baby, a candy magnate, and his long-lost son too. Replete with a tongue-in-cheek glossary and bibliography, this hilarious and decidedly old-fashioned parody pays playful homage to classic works of children’s literature.

From the publisher

"Walter Lorraine books." Includes bibliographical references (p. 169-174).

Categories

Excerpt

Nanny and the Willoughbys were out for a walk.
This was something that old-fashioned families did from time to time, to expose themselves to invigorating fresh air. Nanny had donned her blue cape, which was the official uniform for nannies.
“Walk briskly, children,” said Nanny, “and swing your arms.” They did so.
“Skip, if you like,” Nanny said. “Skipping is very healthful.” “What is skipping?” Jane asked.
“Yes, what is skipping?” asked the twins.
“It’s like this, dolts,”Tim told them, and he skipped ahead of them to demonstrate.
“No more saying of the word dolt,” Nanny announced.“I dislike it.” “What about dodo?” Jane asked.
“Well, let’s allow dodo for now,” Nanny said after thinking it over. “If someone does something really stupid, it is permissible to call that person a dodo.
“And,” she added, looking at Tim, who had returned, “if you think that was skipping, you are a dodo.This is skipping.” She demonstrated, skipping to the corner of the block with her cape flying behind her. She turned and beckoned to the children, and each of them skipped toward her one by one. Nanny gave some further instructions—a little more left foot,Tim; no timidity, go flat out, A; good job, much better than before, B; and a pat on the back for Jane, who stumbled and skinned her knee but was heroically not crying.
Now, having walked for several blocks and skipped for the last one, the children found that they were on a familiar street.They had not been back to this street since the day they had trudged here hauling a wagon containing a basket with a baby in it. Tim nudged Barnaby A and nodded meaningfully toward the mansion that loomed ahead. Both of the twins gave nervous glances but then looked away and concentrated on remarks about the quality of the asphalt in the street and a particularly odd-shaped cloud in the sky. Jane fell silent and had a sad look. She had liked the baby, actually, though when its hair was cropped she had found it homely. From time to time she had missed it and wondered about it.
Nanny skipped ahead, not noticing that a hush had fallen upon the children.
“The windows are repaired,” Barnaby B pointed out in a whisper.
“And the cat has been fed,” his twin noticed. “It was thin before, but now it’s pudgy.” “Someone has mowed the lawn,”Tim observed.
“Shhhh,” said Jane suddenly. “I hear a giggle.” They stood still, the four of them, and after a moment Nanny returned. She had skipped the entire length of the block, assuming the children were behind her. Now she came back to see why they had stopped. “The important thing in terms of fresh-air intake,” Nanny said to them, “is continuity!
If you stop, you lose your continuity.Why ever are you standing about like dodos? You are breathing stagnant air.”

Media reviews

"The tone of this darkly dry pastiche is consistently witty, and it's chock-full of accessible parodic references to...classic children's texts...Lowry crafts a tidy plot."--The Bulletin, starred review

Citations

  • Booklist, 02/15/2008, Page 81
  • Booklist Ed Choice Youth, 01/01/2009, Page 15
  • Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks, 04/01/2008, Page 342
  • Christian Century, 12/16/2008, Page 27
  • Horn Book Magazine, 03/01/2008, Page 217
  • Hornbook Guide to Children, 07/01/2008, Page 0
  • Kirkus Best Children's Books, 11/15/2008, Page 17
  • Kirkus Review - Children, 02/15/2008, Page 198
  • Publishers Weekly, 02/04/2008, Page 57
  • School Library Journal, 04/01/2008, Page 144
  • Voice of Youth Advocates, 08/01/2008, Page 0