To Do: A Book of Alphabets and Birthdays

by Gertrude Stein

The first paperback edition of the great children/adult novel by Gertrude Stein.

Genres: Poetry, Childrens, Classics

100 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1957

About the author

Gertrude Stein was an American writer who spent most of her life in France, and who became a catalyst in the development of modern art and literature. Her life was marked by two primary relationships, the first with her brother Leo Stein, from 1874-1914, and the second with Alice B. Toklas, from 1907 until Stein's death in 1946. Stein shared her salon at 27 rue de Fleurus, Paris, first with Leo and then with Alice. Throughout her lifetime, Stein cultivated significant tertiary relationships with well-known members of the avant garde artistic and literary world of her time.

Reviews

[Joel Randeblad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lite underlig, förståeligt att den aldrig blev publicerad för barn ;)

[Kevin Stebner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would generally roll my eyes at a review calling a book "a delight" - but truthfully, that's what To Do is. It revels in it's sing-song language, playing with non-sense, essentially lampooning children's books along the way. Much like Tender Buttons, Stein does what few others can - expand the idea of what language can do. It's too much for children, too dopey for adults: It's a book with no audience whatsoever. Thus... utterly unique and singularly stupid and undeniably great.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

Whimsical, lyrical, stream-of-conscious, avant garde. It meanders thru the alphabet and there is repetition that can be less delightful than it is tedious, but there are stories in there... each letter developing many mini stories along the way. Intended as a children's book, this poetic uninterrupted story would work well for kids due to its quirkiness; for adults it is interesting to see how Stein develops the A to Z concept.

[Fromwordstoworlds · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading Gertrude Stein is a linguistic challenge. She follows the stream of consciousness and reveals her thoughts as in a conversation. She stops, she repeats and uses an impressive collection of monosyllabic words. But her universe is playful, humorous and original.

To Do: A Book of Alphabets and Birthdays was first rejected by several publishers as they considered the book inappropriate for children. It was published only in 1957, posthumously and with no visual representations so this edition is the first publication of Stein’s text with illustrations; Giselle Potter’s artwork is elegant and enriches Stein’s writing.

Children might not be the main audience of this book but they will surely enjoy a few passages and the whimsical illustrations. There are four names for each letter and a story.

N is an awful letter and it stands for Nero, Netty, Nellie and Ned who are all somber being at the middle of the alphabet and representing the 13th letter. So they decide not to ever go to sleep and smash all the clocks to mix the days and the birthdays.

See full review on blog:
https://fromwordstoworlds.wordpress.c...

[Christa Sigman · Rating 2 out of 5]

I saw an illustrated copy of this book in a gift shop. I did not want to purchase it at that time, but was intrigued. I requested it from the library instead. The one they sent me is not illustrated. I finished it because it is only 100 pages but I am not impressed. Maybe pictures make it better? Meh.

[Valerie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not for me.

[Michelle]

I tried to read this (even aloud) and failed.

[Colleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated book of a sometimes morbid tale of names and birthdays. I like novel ideas, but the repetition really was too much.