Family relationships are commonly the subject of the endearing picture books of Governor General’s Award-winning author Rachna Gilmore, and this book (with updated text and new illustrations) deals with the need for different generations to learn to understand each other a bit better. The conflict here between mother and daughter is amusingly presented through a touch of fantasy: when Lizabeth’s mother reproaches her once too often, contrasting her behaviour unfavourably with the memory of “When-I-was-a-little-girl,” a ghostly image materializes.

This little girl, whose ringlets and pretty dress are never rumpled, is unfailingly polite and co-operative with mother. She is also insufferably smug, with an I’m-so-perfect smile. She doesn’t want to play in the sand with Lizabeth, comes promptly when called, and appreciates the dinner of liver and onions that Lizabeth had indignantly rejected. Anxious to get rid of this irritating spectre, whose model behaviour contrasts with Lizabeth’s own untidy ways, Lizabeth aranges for Grandma to visit. Grandma’s memories are of a daughter who ate only peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, hated to clean her room, and loved to “play pig” by rolling in mud – quite a different character from the prissy When-I-was-a-little-girl. As Grandma reminisces, the spectral visitor scowls, then fades away. Remembering her child-self more truly, Mom embraces Lizabeth and plans to have some fun with her tomorrow.

The story is simple, and its sweetly humorous message will amuse parents as well as children. The soft colours and expressive faces of Benoit’s illustrations reinforce the sympathetic and reassuring qualities of the story. The tricky task of representing When-I-was-a-little-girl is cleverly handled by making her diaphanous. She looks just like an ordinary child but is outlined in silver, and we can see through her to the background.