Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle was first published in 1947 by Betty McDonald. Although quite dated in language, the whimsical nature of Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle and her cures for every child's behavior problem prove to be timeless. Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle is a kooky woman who lives in an upside down house, bakes enormous batches of cookies, and welcomes all of the neighborhood children to hang out at her house (where they dig for pirate gold in the backyard and eat raw cookie dough). Above all, she knows EVERYTHING about kids of all ages and sizes and can "cure" them of any disease they may have. Parents frequently call Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle to seek her advice on how to cure Selfishness, Answerbackism, or Never-Want-to-Go-to-Bedders Syndrome, among others. Her silly cures are not only hysterical, but 100% effective. If you are a picky eater, frequently leave your toys out, or never want to go to bed HIDE THIS BOOK from your parents. There is a Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle in every neighborhood just looking to cure you of your ailment!
Some interesting facts about the author:
-Betty McDonald's husband's name was Donald (hehe--Donald McDonald)
-Mrs. McDonald worked an odd assortment of jobs before she became a writer including
secretary to a mining engineer, tinting photographs, keeping records for a rabbit grower,
secretary to a mining engineer, tinting photographs, keeping records for a rabbit grower,
running a chain letter office, modeling fur coats, and selling advertising.
-The stories in Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle were first told to her daughters, Anne and Joan (who make an
appearance in the book as the quarreling twins).
*Recipe to Read By: No Roll Sugar Cookies
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle's favorite treat to make for any visiting children. Be sure to eat a huge chunk of raw dough (unless your parents are squeamish about raw egg being consumed).
Ingredients
1cup granulated sugar
1cup powdered sugar
1cup butter or margarine, softened
3/4 cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 eggs
4 1/4 cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1cup powdered sugar
1cup butter or margarine, softened
3/4 cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 eggs
4 1/4 cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup granulated sugar
Directions
1. In large bowl, beat 1 cup granulated sugar, the powdered sugar, butter, oil, milk, vanilla and eggs with electric mixer on medium speed, or mix with spoon. Stir in remaining ingredients except 1/4 cup granulated sugar. Cover; refrigerate about 2 hours or until firm. (The waiting is the worse part!)
2. Heat oven to 350°F. Place 1/4 cup granulated sugar in small bowl. Shape dough into 1 1/2-inch balls. Roll balls in sugar. On ungreased cookie sheet, place balls about 3 inches apart. Flatten to 1/4-inch thickness with bottom of glass. Sprinkle cookies with a little additional sugar.
3. Bake 13 to 15 minutes or until set and edges just begin to brown. Immediately remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack.
4. Make sure you share, or your mother may pull out a cure for Selfishness.
Recipe courtesy of Betty Crocker.
I am loving your blog. And I mean loving it! Your voice is fantastic, and I basically want to drop everything and hole myself up for a month to read your recommendations. Thanks for sharing your reads with a wider audience. Your students are lucky to have you. :)
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