A is for Alice.
It seemed an appropriate start to my first post in my first April A to Z Challenge.
For the month of April here on the blog, I’ll be giving you 26 posts reflecting on my experiences raising my daughters – now four and seven years old.
The plan is a mix of what I’ve discovered and learned, what both they and I have loved and some reflections on the journey until now.
I figure one of the benefits of having two daughters is being able to share all things Alice.
We’ve already seen the 1951 Disney cartoon version a number of times.
I remember that one fondly from my own childhood and love that I can share it with my girls.
They are also already familiar with Johnny Depp’s 2010 Mad Hatter stylins‘ (although we failed at getting through the sequel).
As for the book? Well, given I was gifted a copy of the Complete Illustrated Works of Lewis Carroll from my father when I was about twelve that I still own, I’m hoping they one day read the stories too.
Quick history for any Alice novices: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is an 1865 novel by Lewis Carroll (pseudonym for Charles Lutwidge Dodgson) which tells the story of Alice – a young girl who falls through a rabbit hole into a fantasy world. In case all the movies, Pinterest Boards, and DIY Alice theme party ideas aren’t a hint, it’s been hugely influential as far as pop culture, literature and the fantasy genre go.
As for Alice and me, I’ve written of my Alice affinity before. She – or more accurately the Queen of Hearts – helped me overcome stage fright in Grade 6 when I won the school speech competition with a speech about how, if I could be anyone for a day, I’d be the Queen of Hearts, because there’s a women who takes no excuses from anyone! My speech basically ran through everyone I would decapitate in my new role as your Queen of Hearts.
While the broader populace clearly did not appreciate my humour – I lost the Legion-hosted regional competition to the girl who did a speech about pets wearing earrings (not that I hold a grudge or anything… but, seriously? Earrings on pets? I lobbed the heads of boring blonde Disney princesses who failed to do anything, the Governor General who was clearly overspending public funds (even an 11-year-old could see it) and my piano teacher. Does no one else think I was robbed?)
Sorry. Back to Alice.
But wait.
I sort of think that’s my point.
Alice is full of all sorts of amazing characters and quotes for a girl – or any child – to run with.
Lots of good advice. Lots of good fun. We could all use a bit more time in Wonderland.
Even Avril. Here’s her take from the 2010 soundtrack. My 7-year-old loves Avril (well, most specifically, Complicated – and its video – she’s specifically told me some of her later stuff is to “old” for her, but she was “okay” watching the Alice extras). So I think I deserve an extra A to Z point for this tie-in.
So A is for Alice. Three cheers to her helping yet another generation’s imaginations soar.
Tamara Narayan said:
I love the illustrations from that older version. I have one as well.
A is for Apollo 11 moon landing: Was it real?
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Louise said:
They are beautiful – aren’t they? But I do love most things Tim Burton as well, so appreciate the newer interpretations as well.
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Clark Farley (@wakefielddoc) said:
surely one of the best of books (aka imaginary worlds) for children (and some adults).
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Louise said:
Nice to “see” you! And yes – I’ve always loved it.
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Kat said:
Hi Louise, I dropped in after you commented on my AtoZ post and I’m really glad that I did! You made me smile and laugh for the first time this morning. I LOVE Alice!! Reading your post was like sitting down to chat with an acquaintance and realizing you share the same passions!
Very nice to meet you! -Kat
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Louise said:
And thank you for such a wonderful comment! That made my morning. Very nice to have met you as well.
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Kat said:
🙂
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Susan Taylor said:
Loved your post! Great illustrations too. Looking forward to the rest of your AtoZ posts this month.
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Louise said:
Thanks very much! As for the illustrations – there were many to choose from!
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Sreesha Divakaran said:
Ahhh, Alice. Brings back a lot of memories. I was especially fond of Cheshire Cat. Was a real wise one, wasn’t he? 🙂
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Louise said:
He was! I’m still partial to the queen though 🙂
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Brenda Davis Harsham said:
So much that can be read into Alice in Wonderland because of it’s quirkiness. It leaves room for our own quirkiness. I loved the way Depp portrayed the Mad Hatter.
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Louise said:
So do I! He certainly did him justice 🙂
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Kristi Campbell said:
I haven’t seen the “new” version yet but love Alice and always have although as a kid that Queen is terrifying!! Some of the best quotes ever are from that book.
I can’t believe your awesome speech lost to somebody who talked about earrings for pets (WHAT?? That’s a thing??!)
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Louise said:
I know, right?! As for whether it’s a thing – I’ve never heard of it since so I’m thinking my choice had staying power. Pet earrings – meh.
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JoHawkTheWriter said:
It took me until I was an adult to truly appreciate Alice. I do so enjoy the illustrations. Looking forward to your AtoZ posts
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Louise said:
Thanks very much!
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leannelc said:
Great post for starting the Challenge – and btw you TOTALLY deserved to win over someone who talked about pets with earrings (really! what were the judges thinking?)
Leanne | cresting the hill
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Louise said:
I remember being so …. befuddled … by the whole thing. In retrospect, I think it was likely the “cuter speech” than the one where an eleven year old girl talked, however much in jest, about decapitating people. Humour in the eye (or ear, I guess) of the beholder and all that.
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josypheen said:
I think if I was a judge I’d choose the funny/more original speech, rather than the cute one. That might be why no one ever lets me judge anything!!
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Louise said:
I’ll be sure to keep you in mind if I ever have the opportunity to select a panel of judges 😉
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Atherton said:
Hello, fellow A-to-Zer! I am returning your visit… and I’m so glad I did! Alice is a wonderful character, and I really enjoyed your post about her. Thanks!
Melanie Atherton Allen
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Louise said:
Thank you very much! And I look forward to a month of learning with your posts.
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Weekends in Maine said:
There are many wonderful quotes from Alice in Wonderland. I’ve actually never read the book, only seen the movie versions. I might have to change that. I’ll be viewing the Queen of Hearts in a new light too. WeekendsInMaine
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Louise said:
She will always be my favourite character. Thanks for visiting!
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Virginia Allain said:
I’m a retired librarian, so I applaud your connection with Alice in Wonderland here.
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Louise said:
Thank you! There is certainly always room for a bit of Alice in life 🙂
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emilia m. said:
Read it in my childhood, in my first language. Wondering if I should re-read it now… I am afraid I’ve missed lots of the depth of the story – or so I think now, hearing and reading about it from other adults 🙂
BookBug’s World
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Louise said:
I’d agree with that – but I also think that’s true of a lot of children’s books for those of us reading in our first language as well.
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thebeasley said:
I love Alice, so much. I still have my illustrated copy of the book from my childhood & am so happy my daughter adores it too. I think the book is so much stronger than any of the films. I’ve also just ordered a picture that says “You’re entirely bonkers, but I’ll tell you a secret, all the best people are” 👍🏻👍🏻
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Louise said:
All the best people are indeed! I toyed with doing an Alice themed party for one of my girls a few years ago and remember being blown away by how much Alice stuff there was out there for those interested. We ended up going with Dora or Paw Patrol or something instead because I realized it wasn’t about me – but it was still fun surfing about 🙂
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thebeasley said:
I’ve done exactly the same! You’re right though, it’s not about us sadly. I think she’d much rather a Trolls party ha.
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Louise said:
Ah yes – Trolls. Not to spoil T or anything, but I think that one’s coming…
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David Cairns said:
That’s such a great quote from the Cheshire Cat.
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Louise said:
Yes – I’ve always liked that one 🙂
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Isheeria's Healing Circles said:
What a wonderful post and a great start to AtoZ! I loved Alice and I do feel the original/ earlier works were better than some of the newer re-telling of the story! What a wonderful thing to be able to share with your girls – that’s really sweet!
And, Yes, YOU should have won that speech competition- sounds like u spoke lots of cool stuff u’d do as queen – & no one makes their pets wear earrings!!!
“*Ishieta @ Isheeria’s*
AtoZofHealing – A is for Affirmations“
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Louise said:
I know! Earrings on pets is just cruel without any irony, right? Thanks for the visit and the kind words.
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Isheeria's Healing Circles said:
🙂 Reading your posts is fun & is bringing back so may good memories!
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Louise said:
Thanks so much! I appreciate it.
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Rowena said:
I love Alice in Wonderland, especially with the older illustrations. My daughter had a Mad Hatters Tea Party for her 5th birthday. It was beautiful. In a few week’s time, she will be doing the Alice down the rabbit hole monologue for her drama audition. There is a performing arts class at our local high school and she’s auditioning for dance, singing and drama. She gets very nervous so I will be a wreck by the end of that, while she’ll probably be on a high at the end and talking 1000 miles an hour.
Take care.
xx Rowena
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Louise said:
Fingers crossed for your daughter and her audition! But I love that she still loves Alice so far from that Tea Party at age 5. I wonder what will stick with my girls. I really hope she gets into the program,. I’ll send good thoughts her way :).
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Rowena said:
Thank you very much, Louise. She’s applied for a few schools and different programs so it will be interesting to see where she ends up.
Hope you have a great weekend.
xx Rowena
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Louise said:
Such an exciting time for her! Good luck and have a great weekend too.
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