FUN with DICK and JANE (Basic Reader, Scott/Foresman, 1946) was one of the first books that I read when I started the 3^rd grade. A white city family of Mom, Dad, Dick, Jane, Sally, Spot and Puff were the basic unit in Somewhere, USA. The family is introduced in the first section, and then they take a trip to see Grandmother and Grandfather on their farm in the second section. The third and fourth sections are filled with playing with pets, toys, and friends.

The family lives in a two story in the suburbs with a white picket fence. Mom often wears a house dress and apron and Dad is either in a three piece or double breasted suit. Overalls are worn only a few times when he is fixing things. When they prepare to go to the farm, Dick& Jane with sibling, parents and pets stop at a gasoline station. It’s a Ma & Pa with a hoist so that the two can go up and down in the fastback, 4 door, and generic

blue Oldsmobile.

The trip to the farm is not far and the grandparents farm crops and livestock. Spot the dog causes a lot of trouble when he chases after the animals, but it is a good trip. On their way back home, they decide to get a duckling and young rabbit. They have names also along with Tim the toy teddy bear. With 3 kids and 4 animals in the car it may have been a less than pleasant trip back but we don’t know that.

At home, we are introduced to games, toys, and about 5 or 6 friends. Most of the time, they play in their dress clothes in the back yard. It is a safe community and no mention is made of the possible troubles that could occur. The kitchen has a break feast nook and pretty living room. Dad must have made a lot of money to support all those kids and pets. He was always home to help mother.

In the last of the story, the school invites EACH child to bring a pet to school. So there were 2 pets from Dick and Jane’s family. It is a modern school as the desks for the kids are not bolted to the floor, but can move around for various projects.

The story ends when the last day some 300-500 kids plus the same amount of animals show up for school. Sally who is too young for elementary grades sneaks in with Spot. Then “they all went home.”

Today, Mom is a cashier in a supermarket and Dad is an Assistant Manager at a discount house. Dick is an only child and his parents are amicably divorced. Dick has his own room in Mother’s 2 bedroom apartment. His room is a mess and it is filled with lots of technology that connects him to the world. He plays in organized sports with a uniform in activities that involve “stick” ball and soccer. Dad often takes him to sports events and they go out for pizza. Dick attends a charter school with about 25% on lunch programs.

There are 30 kids in the class room and about 20% are minority.

Mother is really happy to have Dick go see Grandmother and Grandfather. They both now live in the same city as Mother and are financially comfortable. They sold half of their farm to a suburban developer and the other half to a mega farmer. Dick is special and the grandparents help out Mother.

The statistical changes and the relationships reflect the two eras. The mid to late 40’s ushered in the biggest growth boom of the 50’s when America had 50% of world gnp.

Today, the economy in real dollars is contracting. Divorce in adjusted rates has increased since then. Thus Fun with Dick and Jane became dated although it is still a favorite to many.

Dick and Jane started in 1927 and ended in 1965 with a reissue of paper backs for those who look back at their time as kids. I remember my first day in the 40’s. I even remember more clearly in the early 80’s taking our 2 boys to Hoover school in the northwest with their Hawkeye T-shirts, new jeans, new tennis shoes, and a book bag. We were off to see the wider world. For all of us in our family, grade school was the best of times.

For many of you, it is your turn. School days begin. If you remember Dick and Jane, perhaps it is your grand kids that make their first trip. Dick and Jane may be way back in your unconscious like a universe in a grain of sand, but it is there. Welcome back. Dick and Jane have new faces names and relationships, but the story continues on.