The Mellops Strike Oil

Rating:
Summary: Robber barons writing children's books?
Review: I found this book to be appallingly outdated. The Mellopsdrill for oil in the forest while the mom cheerfully "practicesout door cooking" and then all must flee when a passing motorist carelessly sets a forest fire. This book, written in 1958 when Standard Oil was king and women were third class citizens, is 1950s pulp and remains in the past--not on any child's bookshelf. Although it could serve as a good example of how far society has come in understanding and environmental awareness.

Rating:
Summary: "Adorable!"
Review: This book was one of my sisters' and my favorites when we were kids about 30 years ago.

I particularly remember that in the illustrations, each pig in the family had a "gimmick" that carried throughout the book. (One little pig is always shown from the rear; one always has a flower in his mouth.) I also remember how clever each member of the family was, and how they stuck together through thick and thin.

The I can't wait until this one comes back in print so I can read it to my children.