What’s old is new again, and this “reboot” of the classic Pippi Longstocking stories is sure to catch the interest of young readers. Pippi Fixes Everything is one of a series of books that originally existed as comics from the 1950s and were recently translated to English for the first time. Other titles include Pippi Moves In and Pippi Won’t Grow Up.
Pippi Longstocking is a spunky girl who has a lot of adventure in her life, and her stories are full of kid-appropriate drama and suspense. Boys and girls alike will enjoy Pippi’s crazy ideas, heroics, and quips. Pippi tricks burglars! She rescues children from a burning building! She has a tug of war contest with her father… using her teeth! Who can resist this quirky protagonist and her many tales? All the charm of the original stories and illustrations remains intact.
Graphic novels and comic books are wonderful for struggling or reluctant readers. They offer illustrations for every brief snippet of text, allowing the child to make connections and improve comprehension. These particular illustrations are very bold and colorful and directly related to the speaking character’s dialogue. Each story within the book is only a few pages long, making it comfortable and not overwhelming. Pippi Fixes Everything is also great for precocious early readers who are able to easily decode words but are still not ready for dense chapter books, or the more mature themes that are frequently found in chapter books.
Whether you are looking for a way to introduce a beloved classic character or are seeking a fun, appealing read for children in preschool through early elementary school, Pippi Fixes Everything is a solid choice. The timeless themes and vintage charm are the same as they ever were — they are merely presented in a different and appealing way to make them readable and exciting to a new generation.
Kate Glinsmann (she/her) was an owner-partner of BabyNames.com, a lifelong educator with a masters degree in Education. For over 30 years, she worked with preschoolers with special needs, kindergartners, and English language learners.
In her spare time, Kate was a stained glass artist, who built her own studio and gave classes to her local community. Kate was a tireless advocate of those in need, particularly children, mothers and refugees. Kate passed away in December of 2019.