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The Araboolies of Liberty Street
A “very vivid and entertaining tale of fair play and poetic justice,”* The Araboolies of Liberty Street by writer Sam Swope and illustrator Barry Root is the story of a family overcoming neighborhood prejudice.
The General and Mrs. Pinch have always prided themselves on the character of those living on Liberty Street. But when the Araboolies move in, the rigid conformity stifling the neighbors is shattered by the newcomers’ joyous and eccentric behavior.
Now, the General has called in the army to reestablish order―only to find resistance from the children of Liberty Street determined to ensure the freedom of their newfound friends, the Araboolies.
“Even on a street named for freedom itself, people conform and are terrified by bullies, by killjoys…Enter the Araboolies, an irrepressible extended family of multicolored vagabonds [with] rollicking, nonconformist behavior.”―* The New York Times Book Review
“The crisp text and autumn-muted, full-color paintings are a triumph of energy, enthusiasm, and design.”― Booklist (starred review)
The General and Mrs. Pinch have always prided themselves on the character of those living on Liberty Street. But when the Araboolies move in, the rigid conformity stifling the neighbors is shattered by the newcomers’ joyous and eccentric behavior.
Now, the General has called in the army to reestablish order―only to find resistance from the children of Liberty Street determined to ensure the freedom of their newfound friends, the Araboolies.
“Even on a street named for freedom itself, people conform and are terrified by bullies, by killjoys…Enter the Araboolies, an irrepressible extended family of multicolored vagabonds [with] rollicking, nonconformist behavior.”―* The New York Times Book Review
“The crisp text and autumn-muted, full-color paintings are a triumph of energy, enthusiasm, and design.”― Booklist (starred review)
- GenresPicture BooksChildrens
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1989
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107 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
November 26, 2017
What an amazing book about standing up to bigotry and injustice! In "The Araboolies of Liberty Street", there are strict rules that are to be followed. Every house must look the same, and children are not allowed to have fun or else the general will "call in the army!". Then one day the Araboolies roll into town and blow these rules to pieces! Through this fun book, Swope shows that standing up to injustice is always for the better.
September 10, 2007
I was in the world premiere of the musical version of this amazing parable of fascism. Its message could not be more poignant in this time of war. Sam Swope is a dear friend and a genius!
December 30, 2025
Liberty Street is far from a namesake title, for residents only pride themselves on the conformity with which they neatly, tidily are all the same. (Anyone who has lived under the constrictions of a strict HOA or covenants that restrict what a homeowner can do to their own property will relate.)
On Liberty Street General Pinch and his skinny wife rule with an iron fist; they keep the 'hood tidy. When the Araboolies move in all hectics break loose. The Araboolie family with their many many children, their menagerie of pets, and their glow in the dark attitude, immediately make trouble. They paint their house red and white stripes. They put their furniture out in the yard. Oh, and they made noise! Loud noise. The General is beside himself and threatens "I'll call in the army!" The rest of the community is on the fence, however.
Colorful tawny-to-bright hues fuel the general's wrath but offer young readers an alternative to blind conformity. A great read for the current political climate.
On Liberty Street General Pinch and his skinny wife rule with an iron fist; they keep the 'hood tidy. When the Araboolies move in all hectics break loose. The Araboolie family with their many many children, their menagerie of pets, and their glow in the dark attitude, immediately make trouble. They paint their house red and white stripes. They put their furniture out in the yard. Oh, and they made noise! Loud noise. The General is beside himself and threatens "I'll call in the army!" The rest of the community is on the fence, however.
Colorful tawny-to-bright hues fuel the general's wrath but offer young readers an alternative to blind conformity. A great read for the current political climate.
July 15, 2025
I read this book once at school in 7th grade and it stuck with me for years but I wasn't able to find it again until recently.
I loved the fact that this book, in a very child friendly way, not only teaches that we should accept people who are different but challenges ideas of what is, in fact, "normal." This story uses differences that do actually exist across cultures, such as family sleeping arrangements, and discuss complex concepts, such as the use of collective action to undermine the power of authority, all in language that will be easily accessible to children.
I loved the fact that this book, in a very child friendly way, not only teaches that we should accept people who are different but challenges ideas of what is, in fact, "normal." This story uses differences that do actually exist across cultures, such as family sleeping arrangements, and discuss complex concepts, such as the use of collective action to undermine the power of authority, all in language that will be easily accessible to children.
September 20, 2018
It was fine from my perspective but JP likes it so much he said he wants his own copy.
April 16, 2019
Brilliant. Totally engrossing (for a three year old) in its challenge to the status quo.
March 27, 2023
The crazy Araboolies are just the sort of hooligans needed to bring liberty back to Liberty Street.
January 24, 2026
ive been searching for this book for years and finally stumbled across it again. recommend for any child or adult:)
January 7, 2017
A fun read aloud with a powerful message of standing up for others in the face of bigotry and oppression. Liberty street is a well maintained lovely little street where no one is happy. Children are not allowed to play outside or cause any unnecessary disturbances under the watchful gaze of The General and his nasty wife Mrs. Pinch. When the unusual foreign Araboolie family takes up residence the street will never be the same.
July 28, 2017
I liked the silliness of the book. The kids of Liberty Street like the strange new neighbors and band together to make sure the cranky old neighbors don't drive them out of town.
May 25, 2012
An interesting lesson in diversity and tolerance, matched with some fun pictures, but I found it ironic that in the end everyone had become "diverse". A curious result of those who try so hard to be different is that often they ending up being immersed in a culture that is "different" all together--which is really just being the same, in a smaller group. We could assume that everyone reverted back to their own originalities after the needs of necessity were met, except that the last picture shows the town in the distance, still all painted up. I did have some qualms that no lessons on personal responsibility were inserted (the ball hit through the Pinch's window, into Mr. Pinch's stomach was completely ignored, insinuating the lesson that ornery people don't deserve apologies or restitution. The children's solution to save the Araboolies was a clever and childlike one and made for a fun little twist in the end, but I cringed when reading the off-handed remark disparaging armies--not because I have any great military insights, but because I have loved ones who are soldiers.
August 15, 2008
You know, I love this book. The pictures are beautiful, the text is well-written and funny, the story is good... there is just one part that sort of sticks in my craw... at the end when the author makes the comment about armies not being able to think. It just didn't seem to fit - it seemed more like a gripe or a jab from the author. We all understood what was happening and why the army would go to General Pinch's house, we just didn't need that extra commentary, I thought it sort of distracted from the story. It pulled me out of the story for a moment to look at the author and his views instead of what was happening. Still, a good book overall.
September 29, 2007
Stagnant submissiveness meets infectious effervescence in this rousing exploration of supremacy, perspective and the power of partnership.
Other books mentioned:
* The Swine Snafu
Listen to our chat about The Araboolies of Liberty Street on our JustOneMoreBook.com Children's Book Podcast:
http://www.justonemorebook.com/2007/0...
Other books mentioned:
* The Swine Snafu
Listen to our chat about The Araboolies of Liberty Street on our JustOneMoreBook.com Children's Book Podcast:
http://www.justonemorebook.com/2007/0...
August 18, 2011
This book had been on my to-read list for a while so I was excited to finally purchase it. It did not disappoint. Although first published in 1989, the message of acceptance continues to ring true with the strong voices of the Araboolies. The vibrant characters give life to a visual canvas as the story develops. A wonderful book to talk about our differences and how to celebrate them with a splash of colour!
February 15, 2015
I loved the humor and the message of this book. My professor read this in a class on genocide, and helped drive home the message that genocide is a result of long-term discrimination, fear, hatred, that starts with fear of what is "different". This book is a great (kid appropriate) way to help students understand why someone who is different becomes a target, and how they need to address that fear of the unknown.
December 6, 2007
This is one of my favorite children's books ever. I read it to my kids, but I loved it myself. I read it to my kids' classes. They loved it too. My kids are 18 and 22 now, and probably wouldn't sit still for it, but if you are a fan of children's books that are funny, clever and have a simple but profound social message, try this one.
January 24, 2015
Introduces lots of complex social ideas and concepts to children such as prejudice, conformity and even things like liberty, government/regulations/laws, leadership and control. However, it does so in a way that is playful and fun so children can enjoy the silliness and the bigger ideas can be discussed with a mediating adult.
April 15, 2008
This is a great book about dealing with people who are different from the "norm". A must read for everyone with children. And please, don't think it's anti-military. It's not about that.
July 29, 2008
I love love love this book. Wacky illustrations about an even wackier family. I WANT to be an Araboolie!
April 14, 2009
SO cute! The General in this book reminded me of Uncle Vernon in Harry Potter. I was cheering on the children, saving the day for the Araboolies.
June 13, 2009
The kids of Liberty Street join forces to help the Araboolies when mean General Pinch orders them to move because they look different.
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January 4, 2011
it is cool
June 26, 2011
I loved this book
April 18, 2016
Very fun children's book about tolerance.
September 9, 2012
A fun, brightly illustrated lesson on tolerance and diversity. It would make a great read-aloud for all ages.
November 28, 2012
Awesome. Teaches nonconformity.
December 2, 2012
PB32 a very good book about how people should not judge people before they know them.
June 19, 2013
I enjoyed this book and will most certainly use it when building classroom community.
April 7, 2008
love this great book on accepting differences. fab.
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August 29, 2017Quite a fun read! One of my favorite picture books as a kid.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews