Edinger House has just completed a grand adventure with Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. First students followed along in a wide variety of editions (each with a different illustrator) while Ms. Edinger read the book aloud. Along the way, they:
- learned the real people and places behind the book
- considered all the different ways the book has been illustrated, adapted, and altered
- discovered the real poems and songs parodied
- joined in for the chorus of the songs and poems
- heard about bathing machines and other odd aspects of Victorian life
- played games like indoor croquet and doublets
- danced a bit of a quadrille
- ran a Caucus race
- ate confit-stand-ins
They then had a wonderful tea party with funny hats, scones, tarts, tea sandwiches, crumpets, tea (of course!), and more lovely treats. Together Ms. Edinger led them in a reading of “Jabberwocky,” they watched the Hello Kitty version of Alice (which is surprisingly cute). Finally, they all wrote letters to Lewis Carroll or a favorite characters. Ms. Edinger even found Carroll’s own font which many used (sometimes in purple as that was an ink color used by Carroll). Here are some of them:
*****
Dear Lewis Carroll,
Hello, Mr. Carroll. I am K. I have read and enjoyed your book; Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. I read it with my class at school and we did many activities for it. We ran a Caucus race, played a mini game of croquet and we danced a Lobster Quadrille which was all really fun.
Your book is one of my favorite books. I think it is very humourous, like when Bill goes up the chimney. I also really like the characters. Bill, The Queen Of Hearts, the Cheshire Cat and more. I also how all of these little things were actually based on you and the Liddell family. One thing I didn’t really like was the fact that the whole story was a dream.
I have one question for you. Do you not like lizards, because all these bad things happen to poor Bill the Lizard? I think maybe you should make it so it is not the dream but as the cards fly out at Alice at the very last part you could make her run away and hide in some part of the rabbit hole. But overall, your book is practically perfect!!!
*****
Dear Mad Hatter,
My name is L and I go to the Dalton School. My class read Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and most of us thought it was a great book. We also did interactive things with the book such as play croquet, have a tea party, and run a caucus race. This was a lot of fun!
In my opinion it was a great book. I loved the tea party that you were at . And I thought it was funny that each time you shifted places, you were the only one who got a clean plate. I thought the book had a lot of humor and funny characters in it, too. One example of this is that Alice is always talking about her cat and dog to mice without thinking. Because cats and dogs eat mice.I also like that the book was very unrealistic because animals talked and there was a set of cards that talked, too. My third and final thought about the book was that I liked how almost all the characters had a purpose. I feel like in some books not all the characters have a purpose. An example of this is that in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland all the characters talk to Alice except the puppy.
If I could give Lewis Carroll a few recommendations for the book these would be it. I think the White Rabbit and Bill should appear more often. I also think that the puppy should talk or not be in the story because right now he has no purpose. I love your character and wish you were in the book more.
Sincerely,
L
******
Dear Lewis Carroll,
I am A and I read your book, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland in our class. As a class we read one chapter at a time, and then discussed it. We also did some real life things such as our Caucus Race, croquet game, and a tea party based on the events of the book. I really enjoyed reading your book, and I like it a lot.
One reason I liked the book is because it doesn’t make sense, but it is completely possible in another way. Queer things such as characters rapidly changing size and cards that can talk, can’t happen in the real world, but it is all possible in a dream. I also really liked all the characters that were so unusual and different. One character I liked was the Queen of Hearts. I liked the Queen of Hearts because she was insane – “Off with their heads!” she always said! I also liked the “mad” characters such as the March Hare and the Mad Hatter because they were so crazy. Another reason I liked the book was due to your parodies of the poems and songs. The altered versions like “Twinkle Twinkle Little Bat” is funny to read. This book is funny because almost everything in wonderland was crazy!
Although I loved your book, I have some suggestions for what could have happened differently in the story. I really would have liked if the animals from the caucus race and the brown mouse reappeared in the story. The caucus race animals could have been another twist to the story, or have helped Alice at times. Why was the Queen of Hearts so obsessed with chopping peoples heads off? Why did you do such mean things to poor old Bill in the story? I have been really wondering about these questions and want to know their answers. Overall, I really liked this book, and I’d have to say this book is very unique. Great work Mr. Carroll!
Yours,
A.
*****
Dear Queen of Hearts,
You are most polite to read this letter. I am a kid who likes books, and I have been reading Alice in Wonderland in school. You are in it. It is an interesting book, and it has a great plot. Except, it is completely unfair to you! This is why I am writing. Alice is always being rude to you. She says, “How should I know?” Then, “It’s no business of MINE.” The nerve. Your juries are also lazy and not well educated. In fact, they are stupid. Plus, your executioner never obeys your orders! He refused to execute the Cheshire Cat. Most importantly, the book portrays you as a crazy, evil ruler! You have my sympathies.
I do like how funny the book is. For example, you walk around saying, “Off with their Heads!” To everybody you meet. The story is also very nonsensical. In Chapter Seven, the Mad Hatter says, “Suppose it were nine o’clock in the morning, just time to begin lessons: you’d only have to whisper a hint to Time, and round goes the clock in a twinkling! Half-past one, time for dinner!” I like it when books don’t make sense because you have to think about the story. When I read about the tea party, I was so confused that I had to read the chapter over several times.
However, the book should have had a different ending. I think it is unfair to you and the other playing cards that you only exist in a dream. Instead, Alice should drink an antigravity potion, fly up the rabbit hole, and hit her head on the way. Then, she would go back to her family but no one would believe her story. A couple of years later, they would all fall into the rabbit hole and live as your prisoners for eternity. You should execute the Knave of Hearts. Also, the Mad Hatter should finish his tea.
You are a fantastic character! Your croquet matches are great and you also have good taste with flowers. I agree that red roses are better than white ones. Thank you again for taking time out of your busy schedule to read a letter from your most devoted fan.
Yours truly,
K.
*****
My good friend Bill,
Oh Bill, I have read Alice in Wonderland and I liked it a lot. You were my favorite character because I felt so bad for you for all the things the other characters did to you.
First I didn’t like how you were treated because all the other characters got to have funny times and not you. Also because you were the only character that got kicked out a chimney, you had to write with your finger, and got ink spilled all over you. Lastly, because everybody told you what to do and you did it! Also I think Lewis Carroll should have included you more because you were a really good character. Lewis Carroll should have at least given you one moment where you didn’t have something bad happen to you. I think Alice should have noticed that she had hurt you. And finally I think even though you are a lizard my favorite illustrator, Rodney Matthews, did a great job drawing you and you can be drawn a lot of ways but he did it the best.
Bil,l I am being serious— are you okay from when Alice kicked you out a chimney because you were hit really bad? Also BIll take this advice and stand up for yourself. Have a safe rest of your life.
YOUR BEST FAN!
S.
*****
ear Alice,
How are you? I am E from the Dalton school. Over the last few weeks we have been readingAlice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. I will refresh you on this book in case you have forgotten this as it has been a long, long time. In Alice in Wonderland, You fall through a rabbit hole. The rabbit hole leads to Wonderland. I am writing you because I was outraged by the way you behaved in Wonderland.
One of the ways you behaved badly was by making rude remarks. For example, when the March Hare offers some wine and you don’t see any, he responded “There isn’t any.” However instead of saying “Why did you ask?” you say “Then it wasn’t very civil of you to ask.” By not responding in the form of a question, you made that remark 62 times more rude! You were also physically mean. LIKE WHEN YOU KICKED POOR BILL THE LIZARD UP A CHIMNEY LIKE HE WAS A WORTHLESS ROCK!!!!!!!!! Also why were you always interrupting the creatures. When the Mock Turtle told you the students called their teacher tortoise you interrupted it’s story by saying “Why did you call him tortoise if he wasn’t one.”
I think Lewis Carroll bailed you out by making it a dream. You almost got the punishment you deserved. Almost I tell you Alice, almost. Those cards had you, before Lewis Carroll decided to rescue you from being dead meat. I hope he still regrets it.
Sincerely, E
P.S, Many are still after you
*****
Dear Lewis Carroll,
How have you been? My name is A and I am in Edinger House at the Dalton School. Ms. Edinger (our teacher), has read Alice in Wonderland aloud to us. We have enjoyed the book very much and we have tried some things in it like the Caucus Race and the Lobster Quadrille.
I really liked the book because it was really funny. All of the characters were funny like the Mad Hatter, the Duchess, and Bill. Here is an example of why the Mad Hatter is funny: at the trial the Duchess says “ Why do you have so many hats?” and he says “ they are not mine, I keep them to sell.” Another reason that I like it is because it is really wacky. All of the shrinking and growing, and when the poor pigeon thinks that Alice is actually a snake! All of that… Super WACKY!!! And the last reason that I like it is, it’s really dramatic. The Queen of Hearts and the Duchess are both really dramatic. Here is an example why the Duchess is so dramatic. She always says “ OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!!”
I also have some suggestions for if you were to write the book again. Here goes,
1: Make the puppy a more important character. Have Alice ride her or something.
2: Have Alice’s sister Lorina go with her into the rabbit hole.
3: At the end make the rabbit go into a different hole and Alice will go “ I am not falling for that again!”
4: Also Dinah should go into the rabbit hole looking for her.
5: Bill should try and sue Alice for all the damage she did to him.
Yours Truly,
A
*****
Dear Duchess,
How are you doing? You are my favorite character in the book Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. I find you the most interesting person in it. I am A and I am nine years old. I live in New York City and go to The Dalton School. If you could ever visit I would LOVE to meet you. Our class has read Alice in Wonderland and has played a miniature version of croquet. It must have been especially hard to play with flamingoes and hedgehogs.
I really loved the chapters “Pig and Pepper” and “The Queen’s Croquet Ground” because I liked your moods and how they changed. This was your thought about Alice before: “‘Talking of Axes,’ said the Duchess, ‘chop off her head!’” And after it sort of seemed like you were trying to become good friends with Alice. “‘You can’t think how glad I am to see you again, you dear old thing!’ said the Duchess, as she tucked her arm affectionately into Alice’s, and they walked off together.” I also think it was funny when the Queen kept on saying, “Off with her head!” I also liked the part when (I am sorry but you are not in this part) when poor Bill the Lizard got kicked out the window by Alice. “She drew her foot as far down the chimney as she could, and waited till she heard a little animal (she couldn’t guess of what sort it was) scratching and scrambling about in the chimney close above her : then, saying to herself ‘This is Bill,’ she gave one sharp kick, and waited to see what happened next.” I don’t know why, but I really find it funny.
I think that something Lewis Carroll could have done better in Alice in Wonderland at the end. I don’t like the fact that it was a dream. In the end, once she wakes up, he should have at least made Alice see the White Rabbit winking at her or something. Or maybe ALice’s sister could see the White Rabbit jump down the rabbit hole or something and Alice shows her around Wonderland and they have tea with the March Rabbit and Mad Hatter, play croquet with the Queen of Hearts and meet you and the Cook. I think that would be a better ending.
Yours Truly,
A
*****
Dear Lewis Carroll,
My name is L and my class just finished reading Alice In Wonderland. We also played games like the Caucus Race and croquet. We also saw a quadrille.
I thought that your book was okay. One of the reasons was because it was funny. An example of that is “She drew her foot as far down the chimney as she could, and waited till she heard a little animal scratching and scrambling about in the chimney close above her: then, saying to herself. “This is Bill, she gave one sharp kick, and waited to see what would happen next.
The first thing she heard was a general chorus of “There goes Bill!” then the Rabbit’s voice alone – “Catch him, you by the hedge!” Your funny words made me picture a lizard flying out of chimney! Another reason that I liked the book were the characters. My favorites were the White Rabbit, the Mad Hatter, Bill, and the Dormouse. I liked the characters because they were very weird and different. My third reason why I liked the book was the illustrations. I thought it was interesting seeing how different people picture your book.
One of the things that I wish would happen in the book is that I would like the White Rabbit to appear more often because I feel that even though he is a main character he doesn’t appear that often. I also would change the end of the book by not making it a dream and having the last couple chapters being you trying get back to the rabbit hole and climbing out. Lastly, I am impressed by how long Alice can go without getting hungry. Bye and I hope you listen to my suggestions.
Sincerely,
L
****
Hello Queen,
I think you are a very funny and amazing character but I must say that you get angry really fast. What if you kill all the people in the land and there to be no more people for you to rule wouldn’t it be sad. A whole world and no one to enjoy it with. Quite a shame you know.
My name is H and my class and I thought the book you were a very good book. I live in Brooklyn, New York and my school is Dalton it is also in New York but in Manhattan instead of Brooklyn. I will read the second book because if the first book is good the second might be as good if not better. I wrote to you because you are my favorite character and wanted to know what it is like to rule a whole land, it must be pretty fun is it hard or do you have servants do all the work instead. You are truly a wonderful character.
I liked how the book was funny and all the riddles were quite good. Even though you are my favorite character I think there is something wrong if you say off with your head for no reason but if there is a reason please share. Did you know that in the end of the book your husband the king went behind your back and let all of the prisoners, go how rude! Do you like to play croquet and are you any good at the wonderful sport. How in the world do you play croquet with a flamingo as mallets hedgehogs as balls and the cards as wickets. It must take a good amount of skill and I applaud you for being so good.
Warmest Regards H
*****
Dear Mad Hatter,
My name is N and I am a big fan of yours. I love to drink tea, my favorite tea is chamomile, and jasmine. My sister and I have tea together almost every day. In my class we have been learning, and reading about Alice Adventures in Wonderland. My teacher has assigned us to write a letter to our favorite character. My favorite character was you.
What I like about Alice Adventures in Wonderland is that, it such a creative book, with all these magical events happening. Sometimes I just wish I could be there.I think it is very funny when you stuff the dormouse in the teacup. I also think it is funny and queer that you don’t, wear your hats that you make.
I think that if I got to write a section of the book, I would add what tea the Mad Hatter likes. Here are a few things questions I have for you. Are you good friends with March Hare? How many times do you have tea a day? Why do you not use your hats that you actually make?
With friendship,
N
*****
Dear Alice,
Good day. I felt I needed to talk to you because of your major role in the book. I wanted to show you how much I appreciate and honor your character for going through that type of madness.
My name is A and my class and I have just finished a book about your adventure in Alice in Wonderland. It was a really amazing book. We liked it so much we did activities based on some events in the book. For instance, we did a caucus race we some makeshift comfits. And we also played a mini game of croquet. We tried one of Lewis Carroll’s games, Doublets. That got challenging after a while, but it was a lot of fun.
Of course, I liked the book and here are some reasons.
- Nonsense: Yes, the fact that the whole storyline was just a gathering of random events, I liked that a lot. Some books have storylines that just get monotonous but Alice in Wonderland just keeps going!
- Characters: OK, I have some favorite characters that are not you. They are just so funny. Like the queen with her famous line, Off with his/her head! Or the Mad Hatter and his famous Mad Tea Party. The Duchess, with her pig baby at first and then her obsession with morals? And poor Bill? And of course, who could forget about the Cheshire Cat?
- The Parodies: Lewis Carroll has a way of taking regularly sung songs or poetry and making parodies of them, and making them funny to go with the story. Like the Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star parody. Or the Lobster Quadrille!
As much as I liked the book, I think some things could be changed. Like the ending, for instance. I didn’t particularly like that it was a dream. And there could be a little bit more about the White Rabbit, because, he was the one who started the whole Wonderland madness! But I still liked it, so I am looking forward to reading the sequel!
Yours truly,
A