Uncle Wiggily and His Friends

Uncle Wiggily #31

by Howard R. Garis

A clever, old gentleman rabbit and his animal pals enjoy eight lively adventures

Genres: Fiction, Childrens, Classics, Picture Books

98 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1939

About the author

Howard Roger Garis graduated from Binghamton High School and attended Stevens Institute of Technology at Hoboken, New Jersey. From 1896 to 1947, Mr. Garis was a reporter and special writer for the Newark, New Jersey "Evening News." His Uncle Wiggily stories first appeared in the "News" in 1910, were sydicated in 1915, and continued to be published for more than forty years, at one time appearing in one hundred newspapers.

Howard R. Garis wrote 35 volumes of Uncle Wiggily stories under his own name, as well as numerous other children's books under several pseudonyms. Among series Garis contributed to are Tom Swift (as Victor Appleton), the Bobbsey Twins (as Laura Lee Hope), the Motor Boys (as Clarence Young), the Great Marvel series, and books featuring Baseball Joe (as Lester Chadwick) and the Camp Fire Girls (as Marion Davidson). He also wrote "With Force of Arms" (1902), four volumes of the Rocket Riders series, and seven volumes of the Teddy series. His wife, Lilian McNamara Garas, whom he married in 1900, collaborated on several of his books including the Bobbsey Twins volumes.

He had a son, Roger.

Reviews

[Laura (Book Scrounger) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this to my 4-year-old and he enjoyed it. It was a good memory from my childhood, though the writing felt more dated to me now than it could have then. Still, fun stories for kids, especially now that this is the third generation in our family to read them.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

My enjoyment of this book now, as a mother, is mostly a reflection of my remembered enjoyment of it many years ago, as a young girl. That enjoyment, in turn, was probably in large part a reflection of my own mother's penchant for the long-eared rabbit gentleman and Miss Nurse Jane Fuzzy-Wuzzy, his muskrat housekeeper.

There is a certain charm in the unpredictability of Uncle Wiggily's adventures and his ability to bring joy and avert disasters (not to mention the quirkiness of his red-white-and-blue-striped rheumatism cane and his automobile with the turnip steering wheel). The actual literary or moral value of the stories is rather slight, though, when read with adult perspective. I do love the combination of full-color and line-drawn illustrations in this edition.

For now Uncle Wiggily will stay on the shelf to await discovery by my son when he is a bit older. If he enjoys the tales, I will have no problem indulging his interest in them, but it isn't a book I will try to ensure that he cherishes.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book to the twins one story at each meal and was surprised how much they liked it and also that the book was not particularly politically incorrect considering it was copyrighted in 1939 and 1945. So many old children's books are such that I would not read them to my grandchildren.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I re-read this book with my three daughters (ages 4, 8, and 10), all of whom thoroughly enjoyed it - the pictures, the humor, everything. They make the fourth generation of people in my family who have enjoyed Uncle Wiggly. My grandfather first read Uncle Wiggly stories to my mother, and the humor has been passed down from generation to generation ever since.

The humorous ways that one chapter ties into the next are part of what makes these stories memorable. "And if the loaf of bread doesn't get a toothache and jump out of the oven into the dishpan, I'll tell you about ..."

[David Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uncle Wiggily and His Friends by Howard Garis (Platt & Monk 1955) (Fiction – Children's). This is a another simple collection of short stories and poems featuring Uncle Wiggily Longears and Nurse Jane Fuzzy-Wuzzy. My rating: 7.5/10, finished 1962.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightfully illustrated with original black and white drawings as well as colored drawings to appeal to the modern reader. These stories are wonderful for beginning readers and the repetition of characters,vocabulary and sentences is very helpful.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

My parents read Uncle Wiggily stories to me when I was growing up and to this day, they remain my favorite books from my childhood.

[Pam Mccullough · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have the original hardback fully illustrated book that was given to me when I was in the 2nd grade. It is a treasure to read to my daughter now. The stories are timeless.

[Sarah Ehinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved these books as a child and the simple and goofy stories are still fun to read through. This one includes many nice color illustrations.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've never been fond of talking animals, but I do like the art in these books.

[Bat713 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love,love,love the pictures. Memories from another time❤️*