Ramona in Hollywood

For a dorky latch-key girl like me, reading Beverly Clearly books was one of the many ways to pass time after-school, among other activities, such as gazing at anything on HBO, waiting for Cyndi Lauper videos to come on, rolling my eyes during piano lessons, and eating Zapp's dill-flavored potato chips.  So, I was pleased to hear that the Ramona Quimby series of books from my childhood would be made into a movie starring, Ginnfer Goodwin, Bridget Moynihan (Natasha!) and John Corbett (Aidan!). 

Back in the day, Cleary's books were entertaining enough, featuring the daily, guiltless hijinks of Ramona, usually with her friend, Howie, or sister,  Beezus.  Compared to the average Judy Blume novel rife with titilating themes of sexual awakening and puberty, the subject matter depicted in the Ramona Quimby books are less hormonally charged and more G-rated. (ZZZ!)

For at least one book, Ramona and Her Father,  the tenor is pretty relevant for these economically down-trodden times.  The book is specifically about Ramona's dad, who gets canned, and how the family has to cope by penny-pinching and attitude adjustments.   I particularly am fond of one chapter involving nothing in the kitchen pantry to eat, but some pancake mix and eggs in the fridge. So, the dad whips up breakfast for dinner.  How I longed for such a whimsical alternative to the typical spread of leftovers at our table. To this day, I delight in morning meals at supper time...