Recently my husband and daughter watched the Disney movie "Eloise at the Plaza" while I was at work. I realized that I hadn't read Eloise in forever, so I got it from the library to refresh my memory. I was surprised by how long and rambling it is. I remembered Eloise as spoiled and obnoxious, but I forgot how the text of the book is like stream-of-consciousness poetry. It doesn't feel like it's really for young children. My 7yo only wanted to look at the pictures and pick out certain notable phrases like "my mostly companion."

Does this deserve to be a classic? It's certainly remarkable for the audacity of the main character. She's not really likable, but I have sympathy for her. She doesn't go to school or have friends or see her mother. She is not a rascal with a heart of gold. She is pure id.

In a way, this book reminds me of Lord of the Flies. ( )

Eloise, Ramona, Olivia, Alexander, Calvin, children are not perfect and Eloise is perfectly imperfect. 5/5 skibbles down the hallway.

*in addition to joyous intractability, this also has some blasphemy. ( )

Eloise is my favorite childhood heroine. This book came out in 1955, for 54 weeks of which I was 6, and my attachment to Eloise has lasted since my first encounter with her that year.
The narration of Eloise's adventures is great fun, and the illustrations are so charming and sly, from the slight angles of the nostrils of Eloise's understated nose to the guarded glance of the "lady" peeping out the door over the debonair fellow's shoulder. ( )

um... what a brat? Kidding (a little).

We bought as a gift but read first. Looks like reviews are either 1 star or 5 stars. ( )

Still cute! I bet there are people complaining in the comments about how spoiled and rude and out of control Eloise is. The fun was always in seeing a very naughty little girl doing things you'd never do! Though I am amused that the cover notes that the book is "for precocious grown-ups." ( )