Recently I learned that Mildred Augustine Wirt Benson was the ghost writer for five of the Honey Bunch books, including Her Trip to the Big Fair. I was given most of that lady's Penny Parker series back in 1969, so I reread this book with interest.

I suspect that the big fair Honey Bunch visits is the 1939-1940 New York World's Fair, but that's not actually stated. I like the descriptions of the fair, especially Mrs. Toti's doll making, as well as the scene about making a talking letter.

I don't mind Honey Bunch being asked to buy dolls from other countries for a collection to be donated to the Barham Library. The greedy and dishonest Mr. Means is the kind of businessman I like to see lose out. I'm used to Norman Clark and Honey Bunch's cousin Stub getting into trouble. (The stunt Stub pulls when she tries to wash Lady Clare was a bit much. If it had been a 21st century washing machine, I doubt the poor cat would have survived.) I'm used to the Mortons' misplaced faith in leaving their daughter and friend/Stub in the care of some attendant in a public place. I suppose I shouldn't be outraged that a waiter allowed a child to order and eat five or six dishes of ice cream. Certainly the waiter doesn't seem to worry about getting sued even though that child was taken away in an ambulance.

I can grit my teeth over the way the Inuit family Honey Bunch befriends is depicted, especially the father's broken English. I don't believe in the power of the lost Inuit good-luck charm, either, but I think the Mortons were insensitive about the Inuits' belief. I also found it a tad hard to believe that only Honey Bunch could think of a way to keep the escaped polar bear from getting too close to a baby left in its carriage before the Inuit man shows up.

The incident that lowers my rating for this book is the Parade of Nations and Honey Bunch's role in it. I know these books are supposed to be wish fulfilment for their intended audience, but I still thought it went too far.

Remember Hilda, Honey Bunch's biggest doll? Hilda is her favorite doll in this book. Eleanor fans needn't worry, though. She's restored to her position as favorite doll in one of the later books.

Still, the book is worth reading.

By the way, of the 12 Louisa May Alcott books advertised at the end, I don't recall ever hearing of 'A Garland for Girls,' 'Kitty's Class Day,' 'Silver Pitchers,' and "Spinning Wheel Stories'. ( )