Mark Twain, author of the famous “Huckleberry Finn,” is, perhaps, one of the wittiest minds in world literature in the last two centuries, predominantly for the revolutionary and humorous way with which he approaches reality. In 1865, at a time when children’s book heroes were exemplary, decent boys and girls, Twain, having surely noticed, perhaps from his own family, how adults continuously preach to children, writes what appears to be an “instructional” text, providing advice to young ladies.  In actuality, however, Twain, with his intrinsic humor and sarcasm, reveals strategies by which children try to justify their mischief as they are growing up. Parents who read the book along with their children – and this is recommended because the text in not only for children, and because parental input will help children to better understand the subtle irony of the text – will do so with a smile on their faces as it will surely remind them of themselves some decades ago. The book’s “unconventional” illustrations are in line with the spirit in which the book was written.  Vladimir Radunsky designed the book and brilliantly illustrated the text, creating the visual impression of a classic children’s album in which a child draws, makes notes, outlines or pastes anything that interests him or crosses his mind, without paying attention to order.

“Advice to Little Girls” is among the 13 best illustrated books of 2013 (Brain Pickings’ Top 13 Children’s, Illustrated, and Picture Books of 2013

 (source: www.biblionet.gr)

Advice to Little GirlsAuthor: Mark TwainPublisher: PapyrosPublished: 2014Pages: 21

For children in 2nd-3rd grades[Posting date: 3/6/2015]