Z-Baby’s been listening to The Penderwicks this week. Actually the full title is The Penderwicks: a summer tale of four sisters, two rabbits and a very interesting boy by Jeanne Birdsall.

Me: What did you like about the story?

Z-baby: It was funny when Batty, the little one (she’s only four), is there, and her dog, Hound, eats the map. Then Hound throws up. And Batty points to the throw-up and says, “There’s the map.”
It was just really, really interesting. One reason I listened to it a lot was because I didn’t always finish it.

Me: Which character can you relate to the most? Which Penderwick sister is most like you? Do any of them remind you of your sisters?

Z-baby: I’m probably most like Skye. She’s kind of mischievous, and she’s always peeking (spying) on people and losing her temper. She just does a lot of things I do. Rosalind is a tiny bit like Betsy-Bee. Sometimes she’s a little bossy, and so is Betsy-Bee. Betsy-Bee is also a tiny bit like Batty because Batty is really shy, and so is Betsy-Bee. Betsy-Bee also writes stories like Jane.

Me: What in the story reminds you of your own experiences?

Z-Baby: I’ve burned cookies before! And I’ve probably wished that I didn’t so something, but after a whlie once I get used to it, I’m glad that I did. Skye meets Jeffrey and bumps into him , and at first she wishes that she didn’t. But then later she’s glad that she did.

Me: The title calls Jeffrey a “very interesting boy?” Do you think he’s interesting? What’s interesting about him?

Z-baby: Yes, he’s interesting. His mother wants him to go to military school. And he kind of tells her that he doesn’t want to, but he can’t get that into her head. He wants to be a musician, not a military person.

Me; Anything else you want to tell me?

Z-baby: It’s a really good book, and you should read it or listen to it.

Me: Would you like to listen to the sequel, The Penderwicks on Gardam Street?

Z-Baby: Yes. Get it the next time you go to the library.

Here’s an account of our family’s original introduction to The Penderwicks almost four years ago.