Ramona the Pest
Encyclopedia
Ramona the Pest is the first of Beverly Cleary
's books to focus on Ramona Quimby
as the protagonist. This children's book chronicles the adventures of Ramona's first few months at kindergarten. The book's title is derived from characterization of Ramona as a "pest" by many, including her older sister Beatrice, known as "Beezus." Ramona the Pest features illustrations by Louis Darling
and was first published in 1968. The current edition was illustrated by Tracy Dockray
.
is excited when she commences her first day of kindergarten
. She is an overly enthusiastic young girl who is exceptionally curious about all that is around her. This is evidenced when she pulls Susan Kushner
's long curls and Miss Binny, her teacher, tells her to sit on the bench outside the door while everyone else plays Gray Duck. She does not mean to hurt Susan; it is just that Susan's hair is so attractive that Ramona feels the need to touch it. It is not Ramona's intention to be mean; she is merely curious. An exchange of dolls and rabbits ensues at show-and-tell between Ramona and Howie Kemp
.
Ramona then develops a crush on Davy
and longs to kiss him. Ramona begins to chase him around the playground every day. She finds a worm and wraps it around her finger acting like it is an engagement ring, and decides to marry Henry Huggins
, but at Halloween
, dressed as a witch, she kisses Davy (through her mask). More drama and curl pulling follows, and Miss Binny tells her to stay home until she can stop pulling Susan's curls. Ramona is adamant that she is not a pest. She is a very imaginative girl and this usually gets her into trouble.
Beverly Cleary
Beverly Cleary is an American author. Educated at colleges in California and Washington, she worked as a librarian before writing children's books. Cleary has written more than 30 books for young adults and children. Some of her best-known characters are Henry Huggins, Ribsy, Beatrice Quimby, her...
's books to focus on Ramona Quimby
Ramona Quimby
Ramona Geraldine Quimby is a character from a series of novels by Beverly Cleary. She starts out in the Henry Huggins series as the pestering little sister of Henry's friend Beatrice, called "Beezus" by Ramona and her family. She was given a larger role in the novel Beezus and Ramona...
as the protagonist. This children's book chronicles the adventures of Ramona's first few months at kindergarten. The book's title is derived from characterization of Ramona as a "pest" by many, including her older sister Beatrice, known as "Beezus." Ramona the Pest features illustrations by Louis Darling
Louis Darling
Louis Darling, Jr. was an American illustrator, author, and environmentalist. He is best known for his illustrations for the original editions of Silent Spring and the Henry Huggins series.-Biography:...
and was first published in 1968. The current edition was illustrated by Tracy Dockray
Tracy Dockray
Tracy Dockray is a US artist. She illustrated the current Harper Collins editions of Beverly Cleary's children's novels.-Bibliography:* Beezus and Ramona* Ramona the Pest* Ramona the Brave* Ramona and Her Father* Ramona and Her Mother...
.
Plot summary
Ramona QuimbyRamona Quimby
Ramona Geraldine Quimby is a character from a series of novels by Beverly Cleary. She starts out in the Henry Huggins series as the pestering little sister of Henry's friend Beatrice, called "Beezus" by Ramona and her family. She was given a larger role in the novel Beezus and Ramona...
is excited when she commences her first day of kindergarten
Kindergarten
A kindergarten is a preschool educational institution for children. The term was created by Friedrich Fröbel for the play and activity institute that he created in 1837 in Bad Blankenburg as a social experience for children for their transition from home to school...
. She is an overly enthusiastic young girl who is exceptionally curious about all that is around her. This is evidenced when she pulls Susan Kushner
Susan Kushner
Susan Kushner is a fictional character in the Ramona series of novels by Beverly Cleary.-Fictional character biography:Susan Kushner is a little girl with long blonde ringlets. Ramona first meets Susan in preschool, in Beezus and Ramona, and when Ramona starts kindergarten and when she first pulls...
's long curls and Miss Binny, her teacher, tells her to sit on the bench outside the door while everyone else plays Gray Duck. She does not mean to hurt Susan; it is just that Susan's hair is so attractive that Ramona feels the need to touch it. It is not Ramona's intention to be mean; she is merely curious. An exchange of dolls and rabbits ensues at show-and-tell between Ramona and Howie Kemp
Howie Kemp
Howie Kemp is a fictional character in the Ramona series of novels by Beverly Cleary.-Fictional character personality:Howard "Howie" Kemp is the curly-haired boy who lives next door to Ramona. They are friends but sometimes they don't like each other. Howie is the polar opposite of Ramona. ...
.
Ramona then develops a crush on Davy
Davy (Ramona series)
Davy is character from the Ramona series of books by Beverly Cleary.-Fictional character biography:Davy is a skinny shy boy. His parents are divorced, and he lives with his mother. Ramona first meets Davy in kindergarten, in the book Ramona the Pest, in which he is the only boy in the class to wear...
and longs to kiss him. Ramona begins to chase him around the playground every day. She finds a worm and wraps it around her finger acting like it is an engagement ring, and decides to marry Henry Huggins
Henry Huggins
Henry Huggins ' is a character appearing in a series of children's literature novels by Beverly Cleary, illustrated by Louis Darling, and first appearing in Henry Huggins. Henry is a young boy living on Klickitat Street in Portland, Oregon. The novels take place in the 1950s, which is when Cleary...
, but at Halloween
Halloween
Hallowe'en , also known as Halloween or All Hallows' Eve, is a yearly holiday observed around the world on October 31, the night before All Saints' Day...
, dressed as a witch, she kisses Davy (through her mask). More drama and curl pulling follows, and Miss Binny tells her to stay home until she can stop pulling Susan's curls. Ramona is adamant that she is not a pest. She is a very imaginative girl and this usually gets her into trouble.