Forget it, it's too hard to write anything offhand about Sylvia Plath. She did her most amazing writing at the same time she was having and raising two kids. [Frieda was almost three, and Nicholas was one when Plath killed herself.] One of her most carefully anguished poems is called "Daddy." I hope I never provide the occasion or inspiration for such a work.
Plath joins Graham Greene and Gertrude Stein on the DT list of Writers I'd Never Have Imagined Wrote Children's Books. [Any manuscripts you're holding back on us, Mr. Pynchon? Hmm?] But you know what, she was a prolific mother of two, so why not?
Considering the florid, overwrought discussion that's poured out over the rest of her oeuvre, I couldn't find any significant consideration or even background on Plath's children's stories, all of which were published posthumously.
The Bed Book has the best reception [i.e., a comment on a blog and a Plath messageboard.] and sounds like the best place to start:
…So a Pocket-size BedThe It-Doesn't-Matter Suit, a story about a kid who wants a suit for every occasion, looks pretty wordy-long, not the choice for nights when you're barely holding it together by bedtime. And Mrs. Cherry's Kitchen, well, I just don't know. A book about kitchens.
Is a fine bed to own.
When you’re eating out
With friend Jim or Aunt JoanAnd they say: It’s too bad
You can’t stay overnight
But there isn’t an extra
Bed in sightYou can take out your Bed
Shrunk small as a pea
And water it till
It grows suitably.
The It-Doesn't-Matter Suit, with illustrations by Rotraut Susanne Berner, was published in 1995-6. It's on Amazon from just $1.31. All three stories are in The Collected Children's Stories, published in 2001 with illustrations by David Roberts. That's like eight bucks. [amazon]
Frieda Hughes has also written a book for very young children, The Meal A Mile Long. No idea.
Hothouse discussion of "Daddy" [sylviaplathforum.com]
Previously: Children's books by Graham Greene & Getrude Stein
I still have my copy of The Bed Book, given to me when I was three. It is a wonderful book, and my daughter loves looking at the pictures and imagining crazy fun beds for herself. We read it a lot round here. Not to mention it is good to see Plath in this playful light.
I'm a huge Plath fan, but I obviously do not want to introduce my children to her work until they are much, MUCH older. I guess The Bed Book will have to do for now.
Husband Ted Hughes's The Iron Man is very entertaining as well, for both adults and kiddies. It's a fun read.