👀 The Girl Who Outsmarted Them All: Little Lulu at 90

Every night before bed, I devour my library's comic collection. But there's one title, a favorite from my youth, that I keep returning to: Little Lulu. Created by Marge Buell, this iconic character first appeared in The Saturday Evening Post on February 23, 1935, quickly gaining popularity and becoming a licensed comic book series. Among the many talented artists who contributed to Little Lulu's success was John Stanley, known for his imaginative stories filled with childhood drama and memorable characters.

One such story, "Five Little Babies," has been revered by fans and critics alike for its engaging plot and strong female characters. Comic historian Frank M. Young sets the plot: “It’s important to stress that the chain of events in 'Five Little Babies' isn’t started by Tubby, Willy, or Iggy. Wilbur van Snobbe is the agent of chaos; his cruel, arrogant attitude and agenda dupes the other boys into a brutal betrayal of Lulu’s good nature”.

Please read the full story first to avoid the spoilers that follow.

The Fellers agree to accept Wilbur into their club if he can get Lulu to follow him around on her hands and knees. Using devious tricks, Wilbur convinces Lulu to crawl behind him in front of the boys, who reluctantly accept him as one of them. When Lulu discovers she's been tricked, she plots revenge by stealing the boys' clothes while they swim. When they are hiding in the bushes, Lulu offers to help them and provides them with "all [she] could get": diapers. The boys trust her to take them home and one by one climb into a wagon, which she covers with a blanket. She then sends them rolling down a hill toward a stunned crowd, resulting in their hilarious humiliation.

I've read "Five Little Babies" countless times, and each read never fails to have me erupting in laughter. The boys' club, smug and complacent in their imagined superiority, receive a literal dressing down in the most unexpected and delightful way. Lulu's resilience and wit prove that she's far too clever and strong to be fooled on their terms.

Although Stanley remained anonymous to his readers, his narratives resonated with a bold, relatable voice. Through characters like Lulu, he challenged the gender stereotypes of his era by highlighting the importance of ingenuity and wit. In doing so, Stanley shares a lasting message that transcends time: embracing creativity and resilience can be a powerful force for fairness—and through it all, never let go of the joy that sparks the imagination.

Happy 90th birthday to Little Lulu!