Tuesday, December 30, 2008

The Hinky Pink

I was felled! It wasn't flu, but it sure felt like flu. For three days, I either shivered while burrowed under blankets and wearing a hat, or sweated something fierce. Bede had the same thing four days before I got it. What was it? I think it might have been the dreaded lurgy.

In the meantime, The Hinky Pink, by Megan McDonald arrived from the library! Read Fuse #8's review here, and be glad that even though Jeanne Hardendorf's The Bed Just So is out of print, you may read a new version that takes place in Florence and features a seamstress.

"What is a Hinky Pink?" you might ask.
"A hudgin!" I'd answer.
"What is a hudgin?" you'd retort.
"A hobbledy-gob," I'd reply.

I hope that clears up any confusion.

I enjoy telling "The Bed Just So," but even though this version is a bit long to tell in its entirety, at least for my preschool crowds, I like The Hinky Pink very much indeed. Brian Floca's illustrations are so evocative of Florence that I found myself searching for the Hotel Martelli, where Bede and I spent part of our honeymoon (though not in any of the fancy rooms pictured in the website's slideshow). As to Fuse's question about how Mag, nursemaid to Princess Isabella Caramella Gorgonzola, knows Anabel is a magnificent seamstress, even up to the very end--Anabel's skills are legendary! When I was in Florence, I asked Anabel to make me a dress that would fit my body shape no matter how much my weight fluctuated in my lifetime. She created a lovely dark blue-green gown that looked good on me even when I was 9 months pregnant. So, there you go.

9 comments:

Jules at 7-Imp said...

I must look for this. I love Brian Floca's art work.

Jules at 7-Imp said...

Just put it on hold. Woot. Thanks!

Anamaria (bookstogether) said...

I've had this book on my to-read list for ages; my library hasn't got it yet (it's on order). Now I think I MUST have it. And a dark blue-green gown like yours, too.

I love Florence.

Saints and Spinners said...

Anamaria and Jules: This is definitely one to own, at least for me. I'm going to purchase it with book credit after one of my January storytimes. That's one of the things I love about doing storytimes at bookstores-- I get paid partially in credit that I have to use for books and book-related merchandise. :)

tanita✿davis said...

(Oh, dear, I think I got the dreaded lurgy, too.)

I love the names in this - Isabella Carmella Gorgonzola!? Hee!

Lone Star Ma said...

I'm sorry you were sick. I hope you feel better!

Saints and Spinners said...

TadMack: Oh no! Not on your vacation! I hope you recover soon.

LSM: Thank you.

Yorkshire Pudding said...

Happy New Year Farida !

Myth said...

oooh... I'm with Anamaria - I want the book AND the gown (my favourite colour!)

I also have to tell you about these finger puppets. We bought them as a Christmas present for Mikey and they are just GORGEOUS - small, but so soft and well made. I was really surprised by the quality. Using them to entertain him today, I kept thinking of you :D