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A review by ljrinaldi
The Bad Times of Irma Baumlein by Trina Schart Hyman, Carol Ryrie Brink
3.0
When this book came out, I was already to old to read it. In fact, in discovering it in my book case, while I was rearranging it, I noticed that it had my younger sister's name written in it. It probably ended up in my book case because the edition of the book I have was illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman, an illustrator no longer with us, so to speak, but had the most intricate, detailed drawings. A lot of the books she illustrated have been re-illustrated with new, more contemporary artists, which is a shame. It would be like redrawing Charlette's Web, Winnie the Pooh, or Laura Engles Wilder books.
But, back to the book, I suppose. How is the book, never mind the illustrations, you might say?
The book is the story of Irma who tells one lie, which keeps growing, that she has the largest doll in the world, and then must prove it. It is the story of the new girl, trying to impress others. It is the story of a small town America that I only vaguely thing ever existed. The author started writing in the 1930s, and won a Newberry in 1936. Like Beverly Cleary, the stories are a little dated, but I think that children can still relate to the stories, even if they are not filled with modern technology.
The only thing that I find odd, reading this as an adult, is how many children were in her best friend Judah had in her family. Four brothers, plus her, plus her toddler sister, and a new baby.
The book is a quick read. The characters are all believable, and I would rate it higher, but it isn't outstanding. I would give it an extra star if you were reading the one illustrated by Hyman, just for the fun illustrations.
But, back to the book, I suppose. How is the book, never mind the illustrations, you might say?
The book is the story of Irma who tells one lie, which keeps growing, that she has the largest doll in the world, and then must prove it. It is the story of the new girl, trying to impress others. It is the story of a small town America that I only vaguely thing ever existed. The author started writing in the 1930s, and won a Newberry in 1936. Like Beverly Cleary, the stories are a little dated, but I think that children can still relate to the stories, even if they are not filled with modern technology.
The only thing that I find odd, reading this as an adult, is how many children were in her best friend Judah had in her family. Four brothers, plus her, plus her toddler sister, and a new baby.
The book is a quick read. The characters are all believable, and I would rate it higher, but it isn't outstanding. I would give it an extra star if you were reading the one illustrated by Hyman, just for the fun illustrations.