Book Review: ELOISE by Kay Thompson

Bibliography
Thompson, Kay. 1955. ELOISE. Ill. by Hilary Knight. New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN: 978-0-671-22350-2

Plot Summary
ELOISE shows a busy day in the life of a six year old girl who lives in the Plaza Hotel. From Eloise's point of view, she has her hands full helping those in the Plaza when in fact she is causing trouble for the adults around her.

Critical Analysis
From a child's point of view, ELOISE is a fun story about a very active little girl causing trouble in the Plaza Hotel where she lives. Eloise's dramatic, over the top imagination comes to life in the illustrations as does her shenanigans. Children laugh at Eloise as she make the Plaza's staff unbearable.
From an adult's perspective, one can almost feel sorry for Eloise. She is over the top and flamboyant, but with only a nanny as a friend, Eloise might just be trying to get attention. Her missing parents and lack of discipline also explains Eloise's bad behavior. Eloise also repeats very grown up phrases such as "for Lord's sake" and "charge it please and thank you very much." You almost get a sense of what Eloise's absent mother is like through Eloise's dramatic behavior.
I see this story in two different ways. It is really fun and silly and children will enjoy it. At the same time, I think that this storybook is an example of a children's book aimed at adults. Some of the phrases and quotes that Eloise repeats would go over children's heads.

Review Excerpts
*Many positive editorial reviews from Times, New York Times, Judy Blume, and Susan Sarandon.

Connections
Children can interact with Eloise by repeating many of her favorite quotes such as "charge it please and... (the kids can finish the rest of the sentence) THANK YOU VERY MUCH" or "Oooooooo I absolutely LOVE THE PLAZA" or "me ELOISE." After the story, the children can make their very own Eloise out of construction paper. The librarian cuts out the different parts of the paper doll (yellow strips for the hair, little black skirt and a white shirt for her body, and her mischievous face). The kids then get to help glue Eloise together.