Monday 23 March 2015

Caroline - The Little Girl in the Red Dungarees

Have you met Caroline the little girl with the blond bunches and red dungarees?

First published in France, Caroline is the creation of the cartoonist Pierre Probst.

Pierre Probst began his artistic career drawing posters, catalogue illustrations and calendars but is best remembered for his cartoon-like pictures and stories of a little girl named Caroline and her anthropomorphic animal friends Pip, Toffy, Snowy, Binkie, Shebo, Toga, Smokey and Broggie Bear.



I’ve recently listed three Caroline books on my website, if you would like further details, please click on the following links.


The three Caroline books featured here are now sold, thank you for your interest.

The illustrations are from Caroline's Party

Caroline sends her little dog Toffy down to the station to meet the guests.



 In all the excitement, nobody sees the farmer's wife running for her life at the sight of a spotted cat and a lion with a sun helmet over one eye. The farmer's wife is sure that Caroline will be eaten alive! 



A quick wash and brush up …



and it's time to get the party started.



The fun goes on late into the night ... 



and ends with a bang. 

Thanks for your visit I hope you enjoyed the party!

45 comments:

  1. Another gem from the jewel box that is March House Books

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    1. My goodness what can I say? Thank you doesn’t sound enough – but thank you!

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  2. I could have imagined myself as Caroline any day of the week. In fact, with Fiona and Pinky around it's like a party all the time!

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    1. Hi Eve, you don’t happen to have room for a small, domesticated, elderly lady do you? Your life sounds like a lot of fun.

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  3. Very busy goings on in the book, made me smile with delight! x

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    1. Hello Suzy, so pleased you like it. Barbara x

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  4. Thank you so much for doing a Caroline posting! I adored Caroline and her friends, and all their adventures - and still do. My favourite stories about Caroline were a trip around Europe including Amsterdam, Venice and the leaning tower of Pisa, and a Winter Sports holiday. Oh, and there was a jolly camping holiday story too. The illustrations are full of clever little touches. Magic.

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    1. Hello Sue, I only discovered the Caroline books a couple of years ago and couldn't believe they had been around since the early 50s. How lovely that you remember them, and I agree the illustrations are magic.

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    2. I managed to get a second-hand copy (not from you, unfortunately!) ten years ago when my son was small and he loved the stories every bit as much as I did. I was a child who was less into dolls and more into furry animals so I think that was part of the appeal.

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    3. Hello Sue, well done on finding a copy, they are gorgeous books. I wish I had known about them when my son was small I’m sure he would have loved them. Actually, I wish I had known about them when I was young as I would have loved them too. Thanks for your visit, Barbara.

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    4. By the way, sorry to keep confusing everyone with my alter-egos. Sue Imgrund and S.P.Moss are both me, but Google won't let me be S.P.Moss with a picture!

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    5. Hello Sue, I usually visit you at the secretagencyblog because that is where your Google link goes to. I don’t think burmeon.com is on your Google account, or if it is I can’t find it. The only way I can find you there is to go to your post on my blog and click on the link. I realised Sue Imgrund, and S.P Moss are one on the same (you!) but I wonder if others have worked that out. Thanks for calling back, Barbara.

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  5. Oh sweet Barbara! What a bang indeed! Like most of the lovely books you share, I never saw them as a child here in the states, but as an adult, they delight me and I just adore them! You have one of the best jobs ever, for anyone who loves books and childhood. I am glad I'm an adult that never wants to out-grow that which is gentle, innocent and uplifting.

    I hope you are well? We got more snow, so our spring is on hold for at least 2 months!

    Sending you warm greetings, Anita

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    1. Oh no, I wish I could box up some sunshine and send it to you. You know I would if I could!

      Caroline is a new delight for me too. I'm not sure if the books were available here in the 50s, but I don’t remember seeing them. I’m making up for it now though. I love my job and sharing it with special friends like you makes it even better.

      Have a wonderful week and keep warm. I can’t believe I’m saying that to you, I really thought you would be getting better weather now. Much love, Barbara. xx

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  6. Caroline sounds delightful!!

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  7. I have never seen a Caroline book- but they sure look cute. She looks so fun and energetic and the colors are so vibrant. You always find the best books. So lucky to learn about so many great books from you. :)

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    1. Thank you so much Stephanie its great to know you are enjoying them.

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  8. I want that little doggy on the cover. (I'm a sucker for floppy eared dogs, real or not).

    And why is it that only in children's books can the dogs bathe themselves? Lol! If I even try to groom my little pommie she tries drawing blood.

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    1. Hello Kristin, we used to have two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (Patch and Albe), and they had the floppiest, silkiest ears you could ever imagine. They were the sweetest little dogs in the world, but even they didn’t like water; bath times were tolerated not enjoyed! Your little pommie sounds adorable.

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  9. I enjoyed the post, the book sounds really good .
    Have a great day Barbara :)

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  10. How lovely and especially the bathroom scene.

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    1. Hi Tracy, that’s my favourite illustration. It makes me smile every time I look at it.

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  11. Hello Barbara, another delightful set of books! I love the scene where the party is starting in all earnest. If only one could sing as heartily as the little doggie. So cute.

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    1. Hello Shashi, the cat sitting next to the singing dog makes me smile. The expression on that cats face is priceless, and the dog is completely unaware.

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  12. Oh, Caroline looks so sweet! You already know I love "vintage children" and this is so cute. It's always a pleasure visiting you and your lovely books.
    A big hug!
    Silvina

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    1. Indeed I do Silvina and I just knew you would enjoy Caroline. Thanks for your visit, Barbara x

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  13. Whoa! such a beautiful creation .. and I never knew about it !!
    Just look at the way they all are washing and brushing up ! The boat ride and finally the fireworks ... its perfect.
    You made me notice the farmer's wife running for her life with hands up in the air :p:p and I in turn made my daughter look at it :)
    As always , this one of your collection is also a sweet story with beautiful illustrations.

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    1. Hello Kokila, it’s a beautiful book and one that I didn’t know about a few years ago. I’m a firm fan now though. Thank you for showing the post to your daughter and for saying you enjoyed it. Barbara x

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  14. Caroline is new to me, too. Fun!

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    1. Thanks for calling in Marcia. Glad you enjoyed Caroline.

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  15. Books were so much happier in those days, weren't they? Also, the characters in the illustrations are so busy! No chance of "I'm bored" in those days. Is this reflected in the behaviour of some of today's young ones? I've never heard of this one.

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    1. Hello Anne Marie, Our son was a little boy when Caroline was newly published. Back then there were trees to climb, camps to build, bikes to ride and conker championships to win. I feel sorry for youngsters now they are missing out on so much.

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  16. These illustrations are beautiful, Barbara. I've enjoyed them very much and I love the way Caroline played the piano ~ so feisty!

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    1. Hi Claudine, feisty sums up Caroline perfectly!

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  17. These are so beautiful Barbara, I love the little thatched cottage in particular! Thanks for sharing them with us.

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    1. Thanks so much Lindsay, thanks also for Tweeting about this post. Hope your giveaway gets lots of entries. Barbara.

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  18. I adore all these, wish I had a little one to share this with. Thanks for sharing them with us.

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    1. I’m lucky because I get to share these sweet books with all of you. Thanks for leaving a comment.

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  19. I love these illustrations - especially the boat with the colorful lantern and making music at the piano.

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    1. I'm so glad you enjoyed them. Thanks for leaving a comment, Barbara

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  20. Way cute pics and Caroline looks so happy.

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I really appreciate your comment. Thank you!
Barbara xx