Karen Yother, INFO 683-900, Reflection Paper
Freeman, Don. Dandelion, New York, NY: Puffin Books, 1964. Hardback,
0-9095-2312-0 $10.95. Ages 4-8 years.
Dandelion is a simple lion who enjoys time with friends and his Saturday morning routine. One sunny Saturday morning Dandelion receives an invitation to Jennifer Giraffe’s party. This is not just any party- it is a Tea & Taffy party. One thing leads to another and before he knows it Dandelion has transformed himself into someone completely different. From the manicure to the wave in his mane he is no longer recognizable to his friends so when he arrives at the party Jennifer turns him away.
Downtrodden Dandelion walks away as gusts of wind spring up and then it “begins to rain in torrents.” As he waits out the storm under the safety of a weeping willow tree he loses his hat, his new curls come unfurled and his new jacket is soaked. When the sun emerges Dandelion tries one more time and this time Jennifer greets him heartily. In the end Dandelion learns that it is best to be “just plain me.”
As a child I adored Dandelion. I loved the simple, single color illustrations and that Dandelion was a “dapper dandy”. Dandelion reminded me of me and how I tried so desperately to fit in or be something that I was not. Children want to fit in and be part of something, just like Dandelion. His enthusiasm is reminiscent of a young child and although naïve is endearing and sweet as illustrated when he picks a bouquet of dandelions for the hostess. As a child the excitement of getting invited to a party, what to wear, when to arrive, and who is going to be there is captured by Dandelion as he races around town preparing for the party.
Dandelion was one of the first books I was able to read by myself and the message of being me spoke loud and clear. As a chunky kid with the generic tennis shoes and second-hand store clothes I wanted to have friends, people that would accept me for who I was on the inside and outside. Dandelion spoke to me that I did not have to be someone else to be happy or to have friends; I did not have to try so hard because my true friends would like me no matter what.
As an adult I still adore this book and the message it offers. We are surrounded by images and messages that prod us to change our hair color, drive a faster car or lose weight, leaving the impression that we are not good enough the way we are; that we need to better ourselves. If I use a certain shampoo my hair will be full and glossy and if I drink a certain type of beer my life will be one beach party after another. What happened to being who we are and living a simple and honest life? Why are we so desperate to change who we are to please others? Dandelion spent his day making himself into something he wasn’t to impress his friends and in the end his friends liked him for exactly who he was.
Over the years I have had the opportunity to share this story with kindergarten children. I introduce the story as one of my favorites when I was there age and tell them to pay special attention to the illustrations. Children today may walk past this book on the shelf as it is plain compared to the full color, dynamic illustrations of today’s books. I believe that the two colors in Dandelion have a greater impact on the reader as the illustrator chose select items to highlight, drawing your attention to what is most important on that page.
Dandelion is full of rich, descriptive vocabulary and rare words. Freeman described in detail without being trite all the activities Dandelion did throughout his day. “When Lou Kangaroo had finished Dandelion looked a bit foolish. His mane was frizzy and fuzzy and completely unrulish.” The visual cues of a frizzy haired Dandelion help children who may not know what frizzy, fuzzy or unrulish mean, including the look of frustration on Dandelion’s face.
Children always ask why Jennifer shut the door in Dandelion’s face, how could she not see it was her friend. It is a great opportunity to talk with children about getting dressed up and changing our appearance. I am amazed by their innocence when they ask why Dandelion would do all those things to go to his friend’s house. Reading the story with the eyes of a child I can see how they would be curious about Dandelion’s behavior. I can also see with adult eyes that each of us makes changes to our appearance and follows societal cues to fit in. When wearing the latest Hannah Montana outfit I wonder if it is children or their parents who are trying to fit in.
I believe that Dandelion can have a positive impact on children today. Teachers, librarians and parents have an opportunity to share this delightful story about being just plain you. Dandelion and I Like Me by Nancy Carlson are a perfect pairing for a storytime about self-esteem and liking who you are. With all the messages from the media, magazines, and society pressuring children and adults to be thinner, faster, better, this story provides adults the tools necessary to start a discussion about being true to yourself.
In Horning’s book From Cover to Cover, great books stand the test of time when they have “1. outstanding text; 2. excellent illustrations; 3. successful integration of the two.”(p.90) Dandelion has done just that since 1964. If this book were to be written and illustrated today I have a hard to imagining what the illustrations would be and the impact it would have on children. I believe Dandelion was written at the right time and in the right format to entertain and enlighten children, as well as adults.
Dandelion does not have bias or controversial issues to concern parents. As I reflect I wonder if I would think differently if Dandelion was the host and Jennifer Giraffe spent the day primping for the party. The message that would send to young girls about having to be pretty and dress fancy is contradictory to the overall message of the story.
As I reflect further it occurs to me that some may consider Dandelion to be homosexual because of the care he takes with his appearance and the undertones of feminine characteristics. This assumption is horribly stereotypical and offensive! Yet take for example the Teletubbies. In 1999, Jerry Falwell claimed that Tinky Winky was homosexual because he was purple and had a triangle on his head. Adults look at something and apply their bias and prejudice. Would Dandelion fall victim to this same fate?
I don’t remember how the loveable and kind Dandelion made it into my life, but I am so glad that he did. I would like to think that it was a gift from my father or the local librarian who first introduced me to the book that changed my life. I hope to have that kind of impact on a child, even if they don’t remember me, I hope they remember Dandelion.