Eloise

Eloise by Kay Thomson




A blog recommended I read this, as a 'books you should read no matter your age' sort of list.

The book is a picture book, about a little girl called Eloise, and was written in the 1950s. Eloise lives in the Plaza hotel, which was a hugely interesting aspect for me- I didn't realise people did live in Hotels. Do they still live in Hotels? She basically runs around all day exploring and having little adventures. She has a Nanny, and her parents are always away. I find it interesting that it's a book where she has a career mother, but I guess they're leaving it to you to decide if that's right or wrong- Eloise is left largely unsupervised and is a bit naughty, but since you see it all from her perspective, and her stream of consciousness, it's okay. It's also nice to see an older book with a 'naughty' little girl, and where she's not punished for it, it's just how she is.

I wouldn't recommend reading it to children who are too young- it's very long, but the front cover does say for ages 7 and up (though the main character is 6).

If you ever get a chance to look at it, do.