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mat_tobin's review
5.0
First making their entry into the market during the early 50s, the Little Pete stories were based largely upon the antics of Berg's own son. Perfect for reading aloud, they ended up on BBC Radio's 'Listen to Mother' but were considered by some listeners to be 'a corrupting influence' on the young because of Pete's cheeky, inquisitive nature.
Anyone who has read about Leila Berg would probably know that this would either infuriate her or make her laugh for her assumptions about middle-class children's literature had been proven. Leila worked tirelessly as a publisher, activist and writer to ensure that the representation of both working class children and those of an ethnic minority were included in her books. She was tired of the decades of rule from the likes of Janet and John and wanted books that would represent a life from which the majority of children she worked with and met were actualised.
Whilst we might not find out too much about Pete's home-life in this collection of twelve stories, it is fair to say that we have here a predecessor of Shirley Hughes' Alfie. Pete is lively, witty, inquisitive, confident and happy to question and challenge any adult. He sees the world just as a child does and he feels far more real than most children in literature that I have encountered. It is clear here that just as Hughes' illustrations come from her observations of children playing and interacting with the world so to do Berg's words.
I loved Pete to pieces. He is utterly in charge of his own destiny and no matter what, he wins over every adult with his charm and character. Children will love him.
Anyone who has read about Leila Berg would probably know that this would either infuriate her or make her laugh for her assumptions about middle-class children's literature had been proven. Leila worked tirelessly as a publisher, activist and writer to ensure that the representation of both working class children and those of an ethnic minority were included in her books. She was tired of the decades of rule from the likes of Janet and John and wanted books that would represent a life from which the majority of children she worked with and met were actualised.
Whilst we might not find out too much about Pete's home-life in this collection of twelve stories, it is fair to say that we have here a predecessor of Shirley Hughes' Alfie. Pete is lively, witty, inquisitive, confident and happy to question and challenge any adult. He sees the world just as a child does and he feels far more real than most children in literature that I have encountered. It is clear here that just as Hughes' illustrations come from her observations of children playing and interacting with the world so to do Berg's words.
I loved Pete to pieces. He is utterly in charge of his own destiny and no matter what, he wins over every adult with his charm and character. Children will love him.
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