SteigFEST 5: Spinky Sulks

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SteigFEST

Publisher: Farra, Straus and Giroux, 1988, 1st ed.
Ages: 4-8yrs
Themes: humorous stories, family life, anger
Opening: Spinky came charging out of the house and flung himself on the grass.
Summary: Spinky is convinced that his family hates him and goes off to sulk in his hammock. His brother and sister try to make amends. His mom even brings him a beautiful tray of food. But nothing can get Spinky to stop sulking—not even a circus passing by on his street! Will Spinky ever cheer up? Spinky Sulks is another delightful tale from the incomparable William Steig that will leave readers of all ages smiling.

Spinky4a

I like this book because: I have vivid memories of feeling that same kind of all-the-world-against-me anger, of hiding, as per usual, under the middle pine tree for as long as need be. As a parent I can laugh at the familiar attempts made and lengths taken, over-stretched, to console the poor child. There were times we were not even allowed to look at my oldest at the breakfast table – but we can all laugh now!

Spinky3a

Resources/activities: great discussion starter on feelings, anger, moodiness, cheering up a friend or letting them have their space, and how we might help ourselves when a bad mood is coming on. For adults, writers especially: read this post on Neruda and his childhood realization about our ‘longing for mutuality that impels us to make art’, at Brain Pickings –HERE

SpinkySulksToday’s tidbit: Letters of Note post on Steig’s Caldecott acceptance speech and glossophobia- HERE

 

10 thoughts on “SteigFEST 5: Spinky Sulks”

  1. I wasn’t a sulker as a child. Traditional Chinese families have no qualms about beating the crap out of a misbehaving child, so I didn’t misbehave too much (except for whining for ice cream). 🙂 Luckily for me, neither of my kids ever sulked either. Phew! But this book looks funny; I love that picture of the mother trying to placate the child in the hammock.

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      • No, I don’t beat my kids (I’m not traditional Chinese even though I’m on first generation North American). I remember well the beatings my mom gave me and my sister, and I don’t think it’s the way to raise kids. 🙂

        Chickens are Zen inducers. Glad you get to chicken-sit again. Your neighbors are lucky to have you to look after them too!

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