How Not To Become A Little Old Lady (Paperback)

by Mary McHugh (Author), Adrienne Hartman (Illustrator) "Have never seen a ladies' room that was clean enough..." (more)
Key Phrases: Little Old Lady

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
We've all seen her. She's hunched forward, her blue hair is tucked neatly under a plastic rain bonnet, she's clutching expired coupons, and she's discussing her latest health problems over lunch. She's a little old lady...and she's coming you way at 2 m.p.h. Little old ladies have elastic waistbands on all their slacks. They save rubber bands, remember 15-cent McDonald's hamburgers, and have never seen a public rest room that was clean enough. How Not To Become A Little Old Lady is for any woman who is proud to have escaped little old ladyhood, and it's the perfect, lighthearted gift to give women in danger of slipping into those awful little old lady tendencies. The charming illustrations from Adrienne Hartman perfectly caputer the senior syndrome. Say good-bye to little old ladies who pass off their liver spots as beauty marks and say hello to this fresh and fun gift book.

About the Author
Mary McHugh is the author of seven books, is a contributor to SeniorWomen.com, and has written for such publications as the New York Times and Good Housekeeping. She lives in Chatham, N.J.Adrienne Hartman has illustrated five books and has created illustrations for the New York Public Library and for magazines such as Parents and Gourmet.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing (March 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0740722131
• ISBN-13: 978-0740722134
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #611,515 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Mean Spirited and Banal, December 21, 2006

By	Mrs. Platt (New York will always be home.) - See all my reviews

I purchased this book expecting a whistful, witty, wink and nod at older age, along with some genuine suggestions for maintaining one's vibrance in advanced years. Please be assured this book contains none of those things. Each page states a tired, much used, irrelevant or outright offensive cliche. If you've ever watched a sit com you've heard these same old lines over and over again. The narrative reminds me of a bad comedian doing his first minute at an open-mike night. I purchase this as a gift for my mother, but realized I couldn't possibly give it to her without hurting her feelings. Ageism at it's worst. Sadly, the writer maligns senior women as bigoted small-minded losers while failing to recognize her own emotional fears about aging and body image. Her tone is that of a sorority sister gossiping about what's wrong with anyone not in her peer group.

It's shocking that Andrews McMeel Publishing actually printed this "book". The illustrations are fine and surpass the writing to a degree. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean very much.

Wish I could send this back, but I'd lose so much on shipping it's not worth it. I don't know that I've ever recycled a book, but I wouldn't even feel right donating it to the library book sale.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Insulting book, January 7, 2009

By	E. Reynolds (Vermont) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

My daughter gave me this book for Christmas but said she hadn't read it, which made me feel a little better. Frankly, I'd rather be a little old lady than Mary McHugh, who trades on all the nasty things that have been said about women growing older. My copy is going into the trash, where it definitely belongs.

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun Read!, March 10, 2009

By	Jami D. Robson (Tacoma, WA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: How Not to Become a Little Old Lady (Paperback)

Cute book, great, quick read! I'm sorry to say that I may already be turning into a little old lady! : )