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!
at 11:11

45 comments:

  1. Unknown23 March 2015 at 12:40

    Another gem from the jewel box that is March House Books

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    Replies
    1. Barbara23 March 2015 at 14:30

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

      Delete
  2. Intangible Hearts23 March 2015 at 16:01

    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. Barbara23 March 2015 at 16:13

      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.

      Delete
  3. Melancholy and Menace23 March 2015 at 17:28

    Oh! This is such a cute book. x

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  4. Rustic Vintage Country23 March 2015 at 19:09

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

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    1. Barbara23 March 2015 at 21:43

      Hello Suzy, so pleased you like it. Barbara x

      Delete
  5. S.P.Moss23 March 2015 at 21:18

    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. Barbara23 March 2015 at 22:00

      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.

      Delete
    2. Sue Imgrund24 March 2015 at 08:19

      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.

      Delete
    3. Barbara24 March 2015 at 08:33

      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.

      Delete
    4. Sue Imgrund24 March 2015 at 17:01

      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!

      Delete
    5. Barbara24 March 2015 at 22:42

      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.

      Delete
  6. Castles Crowns and Cottages23 March 2015 at 21:51

    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. Barbara23 March 2015 at 22:12

      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

      Delete
  7. Darlene23 March 2015 at 22:01

    Caroline sounds delightful!!

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  8. Stephanie@Fairday's Blog23 March 2015 at 22:23

    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. Barbara24 March 2015 at 06:30

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

      Delete
  9. Kristin_Texas24 March 2015 at 00:00

    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. Barbara24 March 2015 at 06:40

      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.

      Delete
  10. Aunt Mary24 March 2015 at 02:39

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

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  11. Felicity Grace Terry24 March 2015 at 16:58

    How lovely and especially the bathroom scene.

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    1. Barbara24 March 2015 at 22:31

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

      Delete
  12. Shashi Nayagam24 March 2015 at 19:09

    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. Barbara25 March 2015 at 07:59

      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.

      Delete
  13. Tazas y Cuentos26 March 2015 at 00:19

    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. Barbara26 March 2015 at 06:59

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

      Delete
  14. Kokila gupta26 March 2015 at 10:07

    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. Barbara26 March 2015 at 16:32

      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

      Delete
  15. Anonymous26 March 2015 at 17:09

    Caroline is new to me, too. Fun!

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    1. Barbara26 March 2015 at 19:56

      Thanks for calling in Marcia. Glad you enjoyed Caroline.

      Delete
  16. Campfire26 March 2015 at 20:39

    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. Barbara26 March 2015 at 22:21

      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.

      Delete
  17. Yanting Gueh26 March 2015 at 21:27

    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. Barbara27 March 2015 at 07:28

      Hi Claudine, feisty sums up Caroline perfectly!

      Delete
  18. Lindsay27 March 2015 at 09:35

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

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    1. Barbara27 March 2015 at 10:43

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

      Delete
  19. New Release Books28 March 2015 at 01:44

    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. Barbara28 March 2015 at 07:20

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

      Delete
  20. HKatz6 April 2015 at 19:16

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

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    1. Barbara7 April 2015 at 06:49

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

      Delete
  21. Anonymous18 April 2015 at 00:36

    Way cute pics and Caroline looks so happy.

    ReplyDelete

I really appreciate your comment. Thank you!
Barbara xx

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