Beverly Cleary Author Study: Beezus and Ramona

Illustrations by Louis Darling.

The first book starring these two ladies! I remember SO MUCH of this book! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve randomly thought about Ramona taking a bite from every apple. Or pictured the candy dragon Beezus drew. I’d bet money I’ve thought of those at least once a month since I read this book in childhood. I’m sure I re-read the book many times, too.

Despite what I remembered on my own, on my re-read, I think I most loved Ramona writing her name all over her library book to make it hers. This is where Beverly Cleary’s background as a children’s librarian really came through - that and the sections where she talks about reading aloud. Henry is a minor character in this book, just as Beezus and Ramona have appeared in his books, so it was nice to “see” a familiar face.

It’s funny reading this as an adult and recognizing how you act with kids who are Ramona’s age and who are Beezus’s age. I also remember how I felt reading it as a kid, getting frustrated by Ramona’s antics while realizing I was the younger sibling...

Beverly Cleary Author Study: Henry and Ribsy

Illustrations by Louis Darling, though my copy
has a revised cover by JoAnn Scribner. 

I didn’t remember as much about this book, though it was definitely a re-read for me. There is something calm and cozy about Henry’s life that is like an escape for me. I love how small things become adventures for Henry, like riding up in the car while the mechanic works on it.

In this book, Henry had a long-term goal of keeping Ribsy out of trouble so Henry could go on a fishing trip with his dad. I appreciate the reality of how Henry works to achieve this goal and then how the fishing trip actually plays out in the end.