Adventures of Mabel

I remember reading this book over and over again as a child. I remember the tablature in the book, for the song that Mabel whistled to call the animals, and I remember playing the notes on the piano, so that I could memorize the tune in my head. I whistled that tune to every animal that I encountered for years, waiting for the magical response! I still remember the tune in my head today, and I have taught it to my daughter, hoping to find a copy of the book for her to read! I very nearly named my daughter after Mabel, because my memories of her are so vivid and wonderful!

I remember reading this book when I was nine. When I became a mother, this was THE book that stood out in my memory as a must have for my daughter. She is only a few months old, and already I am getting her a copy to hopefully pass down to her children some day. It is amazing how, decades later, I still remember the delight I got from reading these stories. I believe that any child that reads them can't help but end up make believing that they have these wonderful adventures, just like Mabel. These stories will delight a child's imagination and remain in their memory for years to come!

This book was a gift to my great, great grandmother, shortly after it was written. She presented it, around 60 years later, to my very young mother. Since then, my great grandmother, grandma, mother, and uncle have read it. Eight years ago, when I was five, the century old, dog eared book was presented to me. I laughed, pondered and smiled with the book and Mabel. This child's story is a must-read for any one who is young, or young at heart.

Because of her compassion for a trapped lizard king, a young girl is rewarded with a secret magic tune to whistle and has many wonderful adventures. I read this countless times as a child in its original version, and then as an adult, tried for many years to find it for my children. This reprinted version lacks only one illustration from the original, and is still just as magical. Each chapter is a new adventure, and each holds the reader/listener enthralled. Even though this was written over 100 years ago, the magic and wonder of childhood remain ageless. My personal favorite: Brownie Jelly