I first read Pippi Longstocking as a giggle-inducing read aloud to my daughters, and loved her earnest exuberance, silliness, and sense of fun....and all the trouble she gets herself into! Like Tommy and Annika, her more conventional neighbours, most children will just want her to be their friend so they can have a bit of the craziness in their lives too! I particularly love this edition of the classic stories; Lauren Child's bright and zany collage illustrations just sit so well with Pippi's larger-than-life personality! In addition, they make this book super accessible for young readers, as the pictures break up the text so colourfully and regularly. Pippi's joy at life is infectious and shines through the text and illustrations together in a way that is both wonderful and memorable - this book makes a great gift for a newly independent reader!