Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle

As a child, one of my favorite books to be read from and then to read myself were Betty MacDonald's "Mrs Piggle-Wiggle" series. Of course, I was living in the early 1950's and lived in a neighborhood where we all played outside, unsupervised, after school. The dads went off to work, and the moms stayed home with the kids. It really was a simpler time - but not a time I'd like to go back to. I have an almost three year old granddaughter and wanted to see if she might like the books - in a few years.The other day I downloaded the audio version of the first of the series, "Mrs Piggle Wiggle" and listened to it. I was just as delighted to hear it 60 years later.It's always interesting to read or listen to a book that was written contemporaneously. This series, in particular, would be fobbed off as "politically incorrect" if published today, about today's world. It was a picture of a purer, more innocent time and that was how much of the country lived in the post-WW2 years. But, here's the thing: the times might have been more innocent but human nature doesn't change. Children still worry about the same things as we, their grandparents did, and still don't pick up their toys or bathe enough. They still go through stages where they talk back to the parents and teachers, and I don't think the "selfish gene" has been scrubbed from human reproduction. Betty MacDonald's parents and children - and Mrs Piggle Wiggle - are the parents and children of today. Addiction, violence and poverty have added to our problems but there was always a bit of that in the past. Hiding under our desks at school from the threat of nuclear war - like our wooden desks were really going to save us - and diseases that were rampant back then have been eradicated by cures. Betty MacDonald's wonderful stories full of interesting characters are as timely now as they were 60 years ago.By the way, did you know that Betty MacDonald wrote the adult book, "The Egg and I"? That was one of four "adult" books she wrote, in addition to the children's books she wrote.

I think I should mention to keep in mind that it is definitely dated and mentions some old school parenting tactics. Still worth the laughs and my son really enjoyed hearing about Mrs. Piggle Wiggle and her friends.

This is a family favorite. I think it is better for reading out than as a chapter book, because reading it out loud together lets the parents in on the fun.Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle uses reverse psychology to change children's bad habits. Of course the situations are exaggerated, but they are funny and the children in the book are encouraged to be pleasant, responsive, responsible people. The parents are funny, too -- the dads are absorbed in work and lesiure pursuits, the moms hyperventilate and call one another about their little ones' character flaws. But Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, who wants everyone to be their best, has clever solutions.My kids related the best to the Selfishness Cure -- they could really imagine locking all their things away in a hoard. In the end, they "got it" that selfishness is wrong, even though it took quite a bit of ridicule and very obvious peer pressure to change the character of the child in the story.At the end of every chapter, it's almost a teachable moment for me to share why I'm so proud of my children -- for example, what they have willingly and cheerfully done, and why that makes me so proud. It sinks in very deeply after we have all been laughing together and enjoying one another.I would give it four-and-a-half stars, but that's not an option. I'd hold half a star back because it is so OBVIOUS... but who am I kidding? I am raising Children of Oblivion, who wander around with garments inside-out or backwards half the time. If it isn't OBVIOUS, they are going to miss it. I'm going to go looking for a Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle that addresses tattling and interrupting. There are four or five books in the series -- I'll be putting them on my wish list.

It was a gift to grandchild. Cover was torn. Very disappointed

Had to read with my son for school and we both loved it. Got the rest of the series

This book is great. If you ever have a problem with your child's behavior, Mrs. Piggle Wiggle is the one to call. Her outrageous solutions to common child behavior ailments seem to work well. In most cases she recommends letting the child wallow in his or her own awful behavior until rock bottom is reached. Only then is the child aware of the real-life consequences for bad behavior.A perfect book for teaching personal responsibility. Not to mention it's filled with fun names like Mrs. Moohead, Mrs. Broomrack, and Mrs. Crankminor. My only complaint is Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle herself is present for only a very small percentage of the book, and the book ends without even going back to her. I was thinking (and hoping) she'd be on every page.This goes to show you, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, who loves kids more than anybody, still lets them bring on their own suffering when it comes to correcting a major attitude problem. If a kid doesn't want to eat...shoot, let the kid starve. If the kid doesn't want to pick up toys, then let the kid get trapped in clutter. Show kids what it's like to have to clean up their own mess instead of cleaning up their mess for them all the time. (This doesn't apply to diaper changes of course.)In addition to the elaborate Piggle-Wiggle cures, the kids in the book get a spanking from their parents every now and then, especially after playing around with the laundry chute. Sorry kids, can't do that.

Silly stories of changing bad habits. Held my granddaughters attention!

Much loved book replacing one that was lost

I love it. My son is a bit small for it (he is 4) but still listens to it with me.

I have read thousands of children's books, but only recently encountered Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle. Fairly ridiculous, but my students enjoyed the stories. Every chapter can stand alone.

The kids are loving this book so far