I love her already

I always wondered what happened to my beloved bookmobile.  I worshipped the asphalt it rolled in on! And some of my fondest memories include the bookmobile librarian, who introduced me to wonderful stories and fantastic ideas. When I climbed into that bookmobile, I was transported to worlds far beyond my own.

Well…happy days are here again, thanks to Mrs. P!  Starting today, she’s going to be wheeling around the internet, delivering the old classics to a new generation.  From today’s Los Angeles Times:

Sitting in an oversized chair, reading children’s classics aloud in an Irish brogue near the ambient light of a gas-log fireplace, Mrs. P is the title character of a new children’s storytelling website (at www.mrsp.com) that makes its debut today. The launch coincides with the beginning of National Young Readers Week.

[…]

[T]he Mrs. P character has a pretty wild back story — that is, when she isn’t in her lavender chair reading from the cloth-bound "Mrs. P’s Book" in her lap.

Not only does she drive a Ferrari, she’s met the Queen of England. And as evidenced by her red-rimmed Truman Capote glasses, floral muumuu and sculpted John Fluevog heels, she has an unusual sense of style.

"She’s a combination of dusty old roses and lemon juice with a little bit of tequila behind her ears," says Kinney. "She’s eccentric. She’s stable, but she’s leading a really fantastic life. And people who read lead fantastic lives."

If you want to read more about Mrs. P., go here. Better still, go hear her read.  

Mrs. P photo credit

37 Comments

  2. I was wondering if I was the only person who remembered bookmobiles!

    I share your enthusiasm for them. I remember vividly that big white bus parked in the Winn Dixie parking lot every Saturday morning. I would ride my bike, as speedily as I could, get there extra early, and stay all day.

    Ahhhh the bookmobile 🙂

    • Yay for bookmobiles! I know some communities still have them, but they’re even more rare than the ice cream man these days. I’m with you, though…I have happy memories of spending the whole day in the bookmobile. (Doesn’t it make you smile, just to think about it?)

  8. happy birthday!!

    Sending virtual balloons.

    And a piece of Alcott trivia. Both Louisa and her father had the same birthday in November. So within the family guess who’s got celebrated a bit more? (maybe the one whose gravestone is much bigger? Although I realize that was common for the man in the family…) And Louisa died two days after her father, who was thirty years older. Something to ponder.. or not!

    Looking forward to Alcott talk soon — but — enjoy your day!

    • Re: happy birthday!!

      That’s very interesting, indeed. I took a peek at the book you recommended, and I can see that the father-daughter relationship was quite complex — and very interesting! I’ll look forward to talking with you about Alcott very soon.

  11. Happy Birthday to you, Melodye! Wish I could be there to give you a hug in person but I’m sending lots of loving, laughing thoughts your way. Have a grand day and an even better year!!

    • I wish the same thing, Tracy. Someday soon, that’ll happen. But you know what? Those loving, laughing thoughts arrived this morning, and I carried them with me all day long. They helped make this a happy birthday, indeed. Thank you so much for that.

  14. Oh quick, before my internet goes out (verizon is here digging up the lines for new service…will send you new email address soon!)

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MELODYE!

    Hope your day is filled with all things wonderful…it certainly is filled with love and good wishes from your friends!

    xoxo

  15. Happy, happy birthday, Melodye! I hope your day was filled with awesomness from start to finish!

    I appreciate your huge, giving heart and continual support to myself and all your adoring readers.

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