Revisiting a Classic Story From my Childhood- Dandelion by Don Freeman

      Often, during the course of our childhood, there is one (or hopefully, more than one) story that always stands out among all of the others.  A book that will always put an instant smile on your face simply by just hearing its title.  For me, Dandelion, written and illustrated by the late Don Freeman, (the winner of the Caldecott Medal, Freeman also wrote the 1968 classic, Corduroy) occupies that special place in my heart. Dandelion was one of those books that when given the opportunity to visit my local library when I was small (which was, quite literally almost every other day as I lived within a 5-minute walking distance from it), that I always looked for first among the many bookshelves. It is, at least in my humble opinion, an overlooked classic that touches on the strength and uniqueness that one will always discover when you realize that you should always remain true to yourself.

     As our tale begins, Dandelion wakes one morning, and goes outside to his mailbox to collect his mail, when he spots an envelope with his name addressed on the front with very fancy lettering.  Inside the envelope, he discovers an invitation that states:
     "Dear Dandelion,
          You are invited to my tea-and-taffy party on Saturday afternoon at half-past three.  Come as you are.
       Sincerely,
        Jennifer Giraffe " (needless to say, at the tender age of six, I was thrilled to see my name in a book, even if my name belonged to a giraffe!)

     An excited Dandelion quickly realizes that today is Saturday, and the party is only hours away!  So, in order to look presentable for the party, he quickly rushes into town and decides that his mane needs a trim, only to end up receiving the latest "in" style of lions.... complete with a perm!  And he turns in his simple white sweater for a fancy top hat and coat complete with a cane purchased from none other than "Happy Crane" himself!  A gussied-up Dandelion arrives at Jennifer Giraffe's doorstep, but is only left out in the cold when Miss. Giraffe doesn't recognize her old friend, and fails to let him in.  Shut off from the party, a sad, lonely Dandelion gets caught up in a loud afternoon thunderstorm.  His fancy perm gets wilted; his coat gets soaked, and his snappy hat gets carried off in the wind.  But Dandelion decides to pull himself together, and when he arrives at Miss. Giraffe's doorstep once again, only this time looking just like Dandelion (except a little more soaked), he is warmly welcomed by all.

     The underlying message of being proud of who you are is so very important to relay to our children. No matter what kind of sweater you wear or what kind of haircut that you have, just like Dandelion, your true friends will care about and accept you for who you are.

    

Dandelion
Written and Illustrated by Don Freeman
Publisher: Penguin Books
ISBN: 9780140502183
For ages 4 thru 7
Retails for $7.32 (Softcover)