The Pippi Longstocking books are just as much fun to read now to an appreciative eight-year-old as they were to read myself nearly 45 years ago. A little hilarious exaggeration, satire, and spoofing, some of which probably went over my head back in grade school. Some of her conversational gymnastics make you wonder if she's related to Amelia Bedelia, but Pippi's humor has a little nip to it, especially with regard to public school regimentation and mindless conformity.