Dandelion

by Don Freeman

Dandelion the lion feels he should look snazzy for a party, so he opts for the latest in fashion: a curled mane, a spiffy new sport coat, and a hat with a cane.
When Dandelion arrives the hostess doesn't recognize her friend, and closes the door in his face! After a storm reduces Dandelion to his former scruffy self, he is welcomed to the party, and everyone, including Dandelion, laughs when they realize that he was that silly looking dandy.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Animals, Friendship, Classics, Humor

48 pages, Paperback

First published September 4, 1964

About the author

Don Freeman was a painter, printmaker, cartoonist, children's book author, and illustrator. He was born in San Diego, California, attended high school in Missouri, and later moved to New York City where he studied etching with John Sloan.
Frequent subjects included Broadway theatre, politics, and the circus. He was also a jazz musician, and the brother of circus entrepreneur Randy Freeman.

Reviews

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmm, I was enjoying this story and then the end sort of changed my opinion, I think.

So Lion is Dandelion and he has been invited to a party at Giraffe's and he goes out and gets his hair done and picks out a new outfit to look his best. He looks dandy and dapper. He knocks on his supposed friends door and when giraffe, and I'm so offended that the giraffe turns out to be so horrible, giraffe doesn't recognize Dandelion and slams the door in his face. What kind of friend doesn't recognize a person based on hair and outfit? Giraffe is not a good friend. A rainstorm blows up and the wind blows away the flowers and hat and his hair is wetted and he takes off his new sweater. He looks like his old self.

Lion dries out and then knocks again and now fussy old Giraffe, unworthy giraffe, recognizes Dandelion. The end is Lion saying he will never try and be fancy again. What? This was obviously the days before make-overs. I get not putting on aires and whatnot, but this was silly.

The artwork is cute and it starts out as a great story, but I didn't like the end. I guess I believe in fancy at times. It must be why I appreciate Drag Queens and fashion icons.

Anyway, the characters are cute.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this for a gift and read it before wrapping. I don't remember if it's a book I read to my kids, but it seemed vaguely familiar. We likely checked it out of the library, as I'm a big fan of Freeman's Corduroy.

The ending of Dandelion definitely hit differently now than it would have when I was a kid, but it's still Freeman -- just not as good as Corduroy.

[Jen Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dandelion is my all-time favorite children's book. I remember reading it over and over when I was a little girl. My name is Jennifer and I loved the Jennifer Giraffe character in this book. She gets all tangled up in her pearl necklace in the end because she is so embarrassed at her tea party. Dandelion gets invited to Jennifer's tea and taffy party and she explicitly writes in fancy gold ink, to "come as you are". Well, you know what Dandelion does? Read this book to find out.
I use this fiction book at the beginning of every school year to discuss being proud of who you are, it doesn't matter what sweater you wear or what haircut you have. Your friends will love you for who you are, not how your hair looks or what sweater you wear. This book is a perfect example of being proud of who you are and not changing to impress others.
Genre: Fantasy
Grade Level: K-2

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of those books that I enjoyed as a child even though I had no idea what a dandy was at the time. What truly makes this book fun and creative is the wordplay on dandy lion and of course the actual Dandelion (both the character's name as well as the flower that he uses for his bouquet). There just aren't really that many books and authors who explore such concepts.

The writing itself is very easy and fun to read. Don Freeman keeps the characters' names where the reader is able to easily connect them phonetically like Jennifer Giraffe or rhythmically like Lou Kangaroo. Furthermore the writing is very simple while there is really nothing that will trip young readers as they enjoy this book.

Although the illustrations keep to a very simple color palette the details help the reader to be familiar with the character and his environs. And the animal characters although anthrophomized are done wonderfully to where they actually look like animals but with a flair.

All in all this is a fun and wonderful book about being true to yourself while learning to accept who you are as you are. And although there are times where dressing up is fun and changing your appearance, it is always best to listen to your host's or hostess' request when they provide you with an invitation.

[Indiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the back of the 1968 paperback edition:

Dear Dandelion, You are invited to my tea-and-taffy party on Saturday afternoon at half-past three. Come as you are. Sincerely, Jennifer Graffe

Dandelion was excited about his invitation and primped outrageously for the occasion. First a haircut, shampoo, and manicure, next a wave as in the latest lion fashion magazine - then an elegant new jacket and cap, and last a bouquet of dandelions for the hostess.

When a loveable lion undergoes an overhaul it can sometimes prove disastrous, and what happens to Dandelion before and after is told in a deliciously sly and humorous fashion.

[Lee]

If I pretend it's about salvation, I like it a lot more.

[Eva-Marie Nevarez · Rating 4 out of 5]

We listened to Dandelion on the way back to the library yesterday morning and I'm starting to wish I'd made an 'audio' list now so I can look back later on all of the books we listened to. I guess I'll just have to note it in my reviews since the last thing I need is more lists.
Dandelion is a really cute story that is just like the description states. Dandelion gets an invitation to his giraffe friends party which specifically states to "come as you are". Instead of "coming as he is" Dandelion decides to only get a haircut and while doing so things snowball out of control.
It's particularly funny when he shows up for the party and the hostess doesn't recognize him. The story could have fallen off after this because obviously, Dandelion needs to get back to his regular self to get into the party with his friends. How to manage these changes he's gone through and all in such a short amount of time? Freeman does it and does it in a believable - and humorous - way.
I was a little nervous about this one only because as much as we both loved Corduroy I didn't want a repeat with the only significant difference being the main character. I was worried for nothing of course as this is totally different and just as magnificent.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, of course I approve of the message 'be yourself' but what's wrong with wanting to look snazzy? Yes the invitation said 'come as you are' but surely when one attends a party one should at least do basic grooming, and doing a bit more than that isn't so bad imo. The hostess was wearing plenty of bling I notice....

On openlibrary.org but their search is messed up or something. Here's a direct link: https://openlibrary.org/books/OL45365...

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great story with an awesome overall moral. Illustrates through Dandelion that you should always be yourself and be comfortable with yourself. Great book to read to students to inspire confidence, however the illustrations probably will not catch students attention.

[Marj · Rating 2 out of 5]

Charming book that tries to send the message that appearance doesn't matter, but ends up implying that caring about appearance (and getting fancy!) at all is bad.
The two stars are for the art-- I love the fancy lion!

[Monica Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

It says come as you are. Follow directions :)

[Selah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stumbled across this book at the library - it's a childhood favorite that I had all but forgotten. Such a sweet story about being yourself.

[Jenny Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love that it's all gold colors! Tye message of if you change your appearance friends wont recognize you is strange, though I think it's supposed to be love yourself for who you are.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, Dandelion should not have changed who he really was to become a "stylish dandy," but it also says something about his friend that she couldn't see the "real Dandelion" beyond the superficial trappings, no? Unless she never really knew him to begin with? Maybe they are in actual fact more acquaintances than friends? Would Dandelion have recognized Jennifer Giraffe if she wasn't wearing pearls?

As reviewer Jennifer says: "Your friends will love you for who you are, not how your hair looks or what sweater you wear. This book is a perfect example of being proud of who you are and not changing to impress others."

Seems like a worthwhile lesson in the day and age when the editing/managing of Facebook profiles is something that can suck a lot of time in the day? (that could be spent in other ways)? Or maybe managing Facebook profiles is something that adds value?

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Don Freeman books when I was really young (Dandelion, Corduroy, etc)- this one especially with its mostly pink and gold color palate (colors I ended up loving together most of my life, maybe because of this) and its cute be-yourself story.

I cannot count how many times I checked this book out on the trips my dad took my sisters and me on to the library. Why it never got old to me, I couldn't tell you!

About 15 years later, my sister gave me a little paperback edition to treasure and giggle about... and I do!

[Christina Robbins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about how Dandelion changes his whole look just to impress his friend. He listen to everyone and did what they told him to do. When he showed up at his friend's party, she didn't recognized him. When the storm came and washed everything away and he was back to being himself, then he was incited in to the party. The book teaches no matter what people may say or think what you should change about yourself, don't! Never change who you are!

[elissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite childhood picture books, and I still love it! I like it much better than Freeman's CORDUROY, which is way more popular.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the books I loved as a kid.

[Emerson and Theodore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a classic! Every bit as great as Corduroy! I can’t believe it’s taken us this long to read it. Excellent story about being yourself.

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty outdated but so darling!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Be yourself!

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite children's books.

[Benji Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, so I really enjoyed this one, but not for the right reasons. It's supposed to have a good moral about being yourself, but it was so heavy-handed in the delivery that I found it super-hilarious.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed out loud! Such an enjoyable picture book. :)

[Ashley Shea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun, sweet staple about being yourself! A classic that belongs on everyone's shelf!

[Edward Sojuwa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one is about a dandy Lion named, what else, Dandelion, who has been invited by his giraffe friend Jennifer to a party with tea and taffy (not a swell mix for lions in real life but this is kids lit, so such a combo is allowable).
Dandelion thinks a transformation is expected at this safari soiree, so he heads to the barber to get his mane cut and permed like the lionized celebs of his day. (Perms, they say, are why kings of the world like Leo DiCaprio-corn are like the Lion of Wall Street, but this is another story). Anyway Dandy is dressed to the nines in the latest fashions and heads to Jennifer's apartment, hoping to impress. As you might expect, she isn't. She only sees a strange Lion at the door, not Dandy. So poor Dandy is left outside, lost in a rainstorm, and loses his nice threads in the process. So he heads back to Jen's as is, with three flowers in his paw (dandelions, naturally) and Jennifer finally admits shutting him out as part of trick psychology was a huge mistake. As for Dandy, he admits it's best to be yourself. Cute story, but something tells me the kid audience is tired of authors who are "lyin'" the same thing in all sorts of books. Too much is more than enough. Kids deserve to force the publishing industry to hear them ROAR.
Two stars





Dandy Lion is a fate kids DON'T deserve.

[Alexis Grunwald]

The text teaches us to never give up.


EX.

. he never went to the party
. he never gave up
. it rained but he never gave up
One part in the book Dandelion is showing that people should never give up on life.
Dandelion was soaking wet and his curls came unfurled. At last the rain stopped and the warm sunshine came out. He picked the dandelion and said '' think I will try again``.This shows that he can do nothing without giving up. That's why he didn’t give up. This shows people that they should never give up. You should never give up on life, always believe in you in life, you and people don't get along and you should never give up on life so never give up on your life. Before going to the party he bought flowers to be accepted and included. He got his hair done and he got dreads and went to the party and the prison answered the door and the prison said no he could not go to the party. He was sad he could go to the party so he took his shirt off and his hat and he got in the party and he drank tea and talked to the people that were at the party. When he got to his house he said “I like that party, it was so much fun for me and other people”. He shortly went to bed.

[Nancy Kotkin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Story: 2 stars
Illustrations: 4 stars

When Dandelion is invited to his friend's tea party, he gets all dressed up in new clothes and a fancy hair-do. I'm not sure why he makes all that effort when the invitation clearly states "Come as you are." Despite "having been here many times before," his own friend doesn't recognize him (quite a credibility stretch) and turns him away. Instead of trying to clear up the misunderstanding as one would expect, Dandelion paces up and down the street until he is caught in a rain storm. At this point we are forced to acknowledge that Dandelion is just not a very clever lion; but since this is a picture book, things manage to work out well for Dandelion despite himself.

So the lessons learned here seem to be:
1) Always read and follow directions.
2) Don't try new things.

The illustrations are fairly simple but serve the story well. The black, white, and golden color palette is just the right choice for Dandelion and his creator makes excellent use of the single color within his black-and-white drawings.

[Min · Rating 3 out of 5]

I first read this in Second Grade. I remember, vividly, trying to copy the cover art, freehand. I did well enough that I kept it. I didn't remember the story.
Jennifer Giraffe invites Dandelion to a tea and taffy party stating, "come as you are".
He planned a haircut, then because it was 'frizzy and fuzzy and completely unrulish" he decides to get a fashionable wave. He felt so good, he wanted to wear something "more elegant" than his sweater. He bought a jacket, cap, and cane. When he arrives, she doesn't recognize him. Later, once a downpour flattened his wave, and he lost, or laid his new clothes. He decides to return, a fresh bouquet of dandelions in hand, she now knows him.
He explains he was the dandy, then promises , to never try to be stylish again, "from now on I'll always be just plain me!"

As an adult, I can appreciate authenticity, yet, I fail to see why dressing up for an occasion is bad. That said, "come as you are" is the best thing a friend can say.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute and well written picture book, but the ultimate message is not good. Why the giraffe slams the door in the "dandy" lion's face is confusing. Even if she doesn't recognize him, why be so rude? Then the message about being yourself is good, but what is wrong with trying to present your best self? It wasn't like the lion was unhappy with who he was and trying to change for superficial reasons. He was excited about the party and wanted to look his best. Yes, the invitation said, "come as you are," I get the point, but still, the giraffe was so rude, I don't know why anyone would want to go to her party in the first place.