Charlie the Tramp Book Review

Charlie the Tramp

Charlie the Beaver wants to be a tramp when he grows up. “Tramps don’t have to learn how to chop down trees and how to roll logs and how to build dams. Tramps just tramp around and have a good time. Tramps carry sticks with little bundles tied to them. They sleep in a field when the weather is nice, and when it rains they sleep in a barn.” Charlie sets off with his bundle. But when he hears water trickling, he can’t get to sleep. Will he be able to resist the urge to make it stop? As Grandfather Beaver says, “You never know when a tramp will turn out to be a beaver.”

An American classic is back in a special 50th anniversary hardcover edition.

Winner of the Boys Club of America Junior Book Award, 1968.

Amazon | Plough 

My Review

I remember reading Russell Hoban books as a little girl! I loved Bread and Jam for Frances and Bedtime for Frances fondly. When I started to read Charlie the Beaver, I suddenly recalled reading that one too. It is amazing how memory works! I remember that Charlie took fig newtons and Good N Plenty with him when he became a tramp. I remember thinking how fun it seemed to be a tramp!

Books that are filled with nostalgia are ones that I loved sharing with my own kids when they were little. I wanted them to love the books that I loved. If you remember reading Russell Hoban and Lillian Hoban books, you’re going to want to share this with your children and grandchildren.

Charlie doesn’t want to have to work, and he tells his parents and grandpa that he’s heading out to be a tramp instead. He quickly finds out that though being a tramp is fun, it’s not for him. He likes doing the things a beaver does! Your little ones will love reading all about Charlie!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Russell Hoban (1925-2011) first became famous for his children’s picture books about a badger named Frances and other animal characters that have a lot in common with children we know – bedtime for Frances, A Baby Sister for Frances, Bread and Jam for Frances, and Emmit Otter’s Jug-band Christmas.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Lillian Hoban (1925-1998), one of America’s favorite children’s book illustrators, is best known for a young chimpanzee named Arthur and his little sister, Violet. She also illustrated six of Russell Hoban’s books about Frances the badger, which have taken their place among the great classics of children’s literature. Lillian Hoban was born in Philadelphia and attended the Philadelphia Museum School of Art. She studied dance for ten years and became a professional dancer. She began to write and illustrate her own stories only after having children, basing her tales on their experiences.

Plough editor Sam Hine says, “As a parent of young children I’ve rarely found new books of this quality. So, like many other parents, I find myself returning to the books of my own childhood. Among these Charlie the Tramp was a hands-down favorite. We’re thrilled to acquire the rights to this timeless classic and make it available to a third generation.”