Do You Know the Star Named Ramona Quimby?

If it's Ramona Quimby weekend at the box office—with the movie "Ramona and Beezus" opening in fourth place, just two shakes behind Angelina Jolie's "Salt"—it was also Ramona's weekend in Larchmont.

On Saturday, The Voracious Reader bookstore held a "Celebrate Ramona" party in the afternoon, with crafts, readings, and gifts related to the beloved sisters Ramona and Beezus Quimby. The steady turnout from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., rising to around 30, proved that local children—and parents—adore the mischievous Ramona, a character born in the 1950s by author Beverly Cleary.

Parents re-reading Ramona

"The only book (of Cleary's) I've ever read is Ramona the Pest," said Veronica Tribuzio, 9, entering fourth grade at Mamaroneck Avenue Elementary School. "It was funny. It's Ramona's first day in second grade at a new school. She's scared to talk to anyone, and meets someone else who's new. So they had something in common and became friends!"

Her mother Maritza grew up with the Ramona books. "I read them in hardcover, and still have them. I read them to my two oldest daughters, who are in college and high school now, and now they read the books to my two youngest daughters."

Store owner Francine Lucidon, in her first Ramona event, also grew up reading the eight Ramona books. "They were first written in the fifties—essentially that was my childhood, when the biggest issue for kids was, 'Will I get in a fight with my sister?' The books hearken to a simpler time, which keeps people coming back. Ramona is quirky and individual—without getting labeled. She gets into trouble not because she's mischievous but because she's curious."

Prolific Cleary

Cleary, 94, whose Ramona books have sold over 30 million copies, has described her heroine as simply a girl learning to grow up.

Originally from Oregon and now living in California, Cleary was a librarian before writing 38 children's books. Her most famous characters are Ramona, Henry Huggins (from which the part of Ramona grew into her own series), and Ralph S. Mouse. Cleary's books have won numerous awards including the Newbery Medal. Her first Quimby book, Beezus and Ramona, was published in 1955. She continues to write.

Movie or the book?

In the movie, Ramona is played by Joey King, and big sister Beezus by Selena Gomez. In a recent NPR interview, director Elizabeth Allen describes meeting with Cleary before shooting. Allen described Ramona as someone "who thinks outside the box." But Cleary countered that Ramona "has imagination. And some of her things just don't turn out the way she expected."

Danny Regan, 9, also attending Mamaroneck Avenue Elementary school, favored the written word. "The books are so much better than the movie. I've read all the Ramona books. Oh—and in one year! They're funny."

His mother, Maria, agreed. "I read all the books as a kid. I read them to my two children at night. The books are really funny and engaging, for boys and girls. That Ramona is always getting into trouble is probably a part every kid can relate to."

Andrew Leighton, of Larchmont, stopped by with daughter Sophie, 9, going into fourth grade at Murray Avenue Elementary School, to buy Ramona the Pest.  "We want to read the book on vacation, then see the movie."

Said Sophie, "I'm going to read it myself."

Identifying with Ramona

Melinda Abrams, from New Rochelle, said that her daughter, Becca Hocking, "kind of reminds me of Ramona. She's always trying to do the right thing but sometimes gets into trouble." Becca broke her arm falling from the monkey bars on the last day of school.

Annmarie Denning, from Pelham, was seated with three of her five children: Molly, 8; Rory, 6; and Fiona, 5. She and her husband take turns reading a chapter to the girls every night. "I read the series when I was a child. Now it's fun to see how all three girls get something different out of the books because they're different ages."

Fiona firmly announced, "I want to say that I like Ramona because she's very funny and she's very cute. I like when her cake was burning. Because I really like cakes that are hot."

The wit and humor of the books, along with the authentic-sounding voice of a child, continues to appeal to generations of readers, making Ramona's strength her believability. Cleary has said that she receives hundreds of letter from children saying, "I am Ramona."

Sound incredible?

Veronica wanted to say a little more about why she loves the books. "It's because Ramona is silly and funny, and actually kind of adventurous. So, she's kind of like, me!"