From the January/February 2010 issue of The Horn Book Magazine

Cadenza
Promises, Promises

by Alicia Potter

o ring in 2010, The Horn Book asked some familiar children’s book characters about their New Year’s resolutions. Here’s what they told us:

Bella Swan
Stay away from people who suck.

Charlotte
Sign up for Twitter.

Harold
Think pink.

The Gingerbread Man
Qualify for the Boston Marathon.

Voldemort
Stop cursing.

The Pigeon
Get my driver’s license.

The Magic Tree House Kids
Be more present.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Cut out after-dinner snacks.

Strega Nona
Cut out carbs.

The Old Lady Whispering Hush
Switch to a high-fiber mush.

The Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly
Don’t bite off more than I can chew.

Peter Rabbit
Reconsider eating local.

Mary Anne
Dig out of debt.

The Lonely Doll
Look into Match.com.

The Love You Forever Guy
Find a good therapist.

The Giving Tree
Set firmer boundaries.

Amelia Bedelia
The kids told me to buy a clue, so I’ll do that.

Wanda Petronski
Send Project Runway my sketches.

Babymouse
Request a different locker.

Waldo
Find myself.

Peter Pan
Grow up.

Alicia Potter is a Boston-based author and journalist.

From the January/February 2010 issue of The Horn Book Magazine