Bibliographical information:
Dickens, Charles. The Magic Fishbone: Romance from the Pen of Miss Alice Rainbird, Aged Seven. Illus. Louis Slobodkin. New York: Vanguard Press, 1953.
Brief summary:
Dickens tells the story of Princess Alicia, oldest of nineteen children, who is given a magic fishbone by the Fairy Grandmarina. Through many household adventures, Princess Alicia keeps her head and solves problems herself, rather than wishing on the magic fishbone (though those around her press her to use it). Only when she and her father have tried their best to solve their problems does she wish on the magic fishbone, leading to a delightfuly dramatic and unlikely conclusion.
Comments:
This story is delightfully silly, poking fun at stories about magic wishing objects, fairy godmothers, hard-working girls, and princesses.
Grade/Age level:
This is a fairly tricky question. Younger kids (5 and up) will enjoy the story. Older kids will understand the humor more fully, but may also feel that they're beyond this kind of picture book, unless they know who Dickens is.
Cautions:
--Lisa Gordis
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