Fuse 8 n’ Kate: Stop That Ball! by Mike McClintock, ill. Fritz Siebel

We all we have our pet favorite books for children. Some were the ones we loved when we ourselves were kids. Others are the ones we enjoy reading to our own children. And a few are the ones we enjoy hearing our children read when they’re learning how. This book falls into that final category. And part of the reason I love it is how weird it is. Take a trip back in time with us to 1959 where Ball Boy and Stalker Sally go on a series of misadventures as his ball attempts to destroy itself in a myriad number of ways.

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Show Notes:

We mention that SLJ did an article about this podcast and lo and behold it’s online as well. Visible here!

This is the famous poster created by Fritz Siebel that won the contest that was judged by Eleanor Roosevelt. As we mention on the show, it apparently makes an appearance in The Spanish Prisoner:

And here is what may arguably be Fritz’s most famous creation to this day: Mr. Clean!

Mind you, this marks the moment I went down the Mr. Clean rabbit hole. Wowzah. That is a weird rabbit hole to find yourself down.

Don’t do this at home, kids! Stalker Sally has her skills, but you shouldn’t emulate her.

Only Kate would look at this image and think Pennywise might be down there. Of course now I can’t look at this picture and think anything BUT that.

There was a time when all references to smoking were excised from old children’s books. Guess they missed this guy. I can see why. He’s sneaky.

Kate’s a little weirded out by the lamp in this shot. It appears to be lit. What does he know that we do not?

This is a good friend. He believes in supporting his co-worker’s bum. Tenderly. Like a friend would.

The part of the soda pop man will be played by Dick van Dyke.

Kate thought that this had hints of And to Think I Saw It On Mulberry Street.

The true mystery of the book: How did Stalker Sally know to be there, in Ball Boy’s backyard, at that exact moment?

Kate Recommends: Dug Days

Betsy Recommends: Stuff the British Stole

Filed under: Fuse 8 n' Kate