Jesus, Beezus!

by Steve, October 3rd, 2009

RamonaIt seemed like such a great idea… a walking tour of Beverly Cleary’s neighborhood, which, it turns out, was Ramona Quimby’s and Henry Huggins’ neighborhood.

Rain in the forecast? Who cares! It’ll be all the more authentic!

Well, it didn’t rain, the weather was great, and the turnout was insane. We had traffic blocked in the heart of Hollywood for a little bit, as guide Laura Foster explained a landmark.

The tour started at the Hollywood branch library, then made its way Jesus, Beezus!down Hancock (which Cleary renamed Klickitat Street) to the home Cleary lived in as a young girl, just across from what is now known as Beverly Cleary School (until recently Fernwood; known as Glenwood in the books). The tour continued up 33rd to Grant park with it’s Ramona, Ribsy and Henry statues, then over to another of Cleary’s childhood homes at the foot of the Alameda ridge, and finally back to the library.

It was a fun tour, despite the crush of humanity. We love Beverly Cleary at my house.