I have always loved this book. I guess I have always felt something a little like Patricia. Not in that my parents don't really listen to what I'm trying to say, but more that I feel like the opening line:
"Patricia's head was filled with thoughts-"
I'm sure many of us have, at some point, felt like our head was overflowing with all the wonderful (and sometimes not-so-wonderful) things that we are thinking about. And sometimes you just want to share your thoughts with someone, anyone really. I know I have a habit of sharing malformed thoughts, or ones that needed time to solidify some more and they come tumbling out like not-yet-set jelly.
But enough of that, back to the book!
Patricia has some wonderful, amazing thoughts (they really are! you can see them there on the page!) and when she goes in search of someone to share them with Mum says "Mmm, that's nice dear," Dad says, "Not now, Patricia, I'm busy," even though he didn't look busy at all, her grandfather was asleep and her grandmother just said "What a pretty little flower. Who's my girl?"
I don't know about you, but I think I'd get a little frustrated too. It's enough to make Patricia scream. So she does. Then she takes an enormous breath and (my favourite part) all her thoughts come tumbling out. Then, when she's about to concede that there's no-one to listen to her, her grandfather wakes up, and he has always loved sharing her thoughts.
I just love it! and Stephen Michael King's illustrations are fantastic! Bright, free water colours, liberal and expressive black ink detailing.
This book celebrates what children have to say which can sometimes be overlooked or condescended to.
