Eugene's Story

Patricia Morley is professor emerita of English and Canadian Studies at
Concordia University. She is the author of several books, including The
Mountain Is Moving: Japanese Women’s Lives, Kurlek and Margaret
Laurence: The Long Journey Home.

Winifred, Eugene, and Bun Bun are siblings. In Scrimger’s first story
about them, Bun Bun’s Birthday (2001), older sister Winifred becomes
seriously upset when the party decorations she thought were for her
birthday turn out to be for Bun Bun’s first birthday instead. In the
second story, Princess Bun Bun (2002), Winifred and baby Bun Bun share a
fantasy adventure on an elevator. Eugene’s Story is a wonderful
takeoff on domineering older siblings and feisty preschoolers.

Winifred delights in correcting, improving, and generally making fun of
her little brother. Four-year-old Eugene is proud of being able to dress
himself, until Winifred gleefully points out that his shirt is on
backwards. He loves to lift his baby sister, Bun Bun, into her high
chair, but Winifred says he is squishing her, and is delighted when
Eugene spills his dry cereal and milk.

Eugene’s defence is his imagination. He fantasizes about having a dog
and being able to take it walking. He imagines being old enough to go to
the candy store by himself, to cross the street, and to ride a two-wheel
bike instead of the one he has with training wheels. Finally, the worm
turns. Eugene has had enough of Winifred. He presses his ears shut and
imagines Winifred shrinking until she finally disappears altogether. Now
he can tell his own story—imagining his life as an only child.

Scrimger’s amusing stories find inspiration in his four children.
Gillian Johnson’s expressive, cartoonlike illustrations are a perfect
match for the text, successfully conveying Eugene’s anger and
frustration. Many young readers will be able to relate to Eugene. Highly
recommended.