Celia en el colegio facts for kids
Cover of the first edition of Celia en el colegio, 1932
|
|
| Author | Elena Fortún |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Molina Gallent |
| Country |  Spain |
| Language | Spanish |
| Series | Celia |
| Genre | Children's novel |
| Publisher | M. Aguilar (1932) Alianza Editorial (2000) |
|
Publication date
|
1932; reprints in 1973, 1980, 1992, 1993 and 2000 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Pages | 270 pp |
| ISBN | 84-206-3574-X |
| Preceded by | Celia, lo que dice (1929) |
| Followed by | Celia novelista (1934) |
Celia en el colegio (which means "Celia at School") is the second book in the popular Celia series by Elena Fortún. It was first published in 1932. These books tell the exciting stories of a young girl named Celia. She lives in Spain during the 1930s.
In this book, Celia's parents send her to a convent school. They find her a bit wild and are having money troubles at home. They hope the school will help Celia learn discipline and keep her out of mischief. The Celia books became very popular after they were released. Both kids and adults loved them. Children enjoyed Celia's many adventures and her playful personality. Older readers also liked finding hidden messages about Spain changing during that time.
Most early versions of the books had many black and white drawings by Molina Gallent. Some of these drawings were even used in the opening of the TV series by Televisión Española. Later editions featured art by other artists, like Asun Balzola. In 1992, Spanish director José Luis Borau turned the Celia series into a six-episode TV show. It was simply called Celia. Child actress Cristina Cruz Mínguez played Celia. Ana Duato and Pedro Díez del Corral played her parents. The TV series was very successful at first, just like the books. However, its popularity faded over time. Today, the series is not as well known. The fourth episode of the TV show, called "En el colegio," was the first one based on this book.
Contents
Celia's School Adventures
This book continues Celia's story from Celia, lo que dice. It starts after her father agrees to send her to a convent school for girls. At school, Celia finds it hard to follow the strict rules of the nuns. She often gets scolded by Madre Loreto, whom Celia thinks is "very strict."
Trying to Get Expelled
When she first arrives, Celia believes her father misses her a lot. She tries to get kicked out of school. Celia pretends to be a sleepwalker, hoping the nuns will send her home. But her plan doesn't work. She soon learns that even though her father misses her, he wants her to stay at the school. Celia actually starts to enjoy her new home.
Friends and Nuns
Celia becomes a favorite among many of her classmates. But she also has arguments with some girls who find her behavior too wild. Madre Isolina, an English nun, is Celia's favorite. Celia describes her as "very intelligent and understanding." Madre Isolina sometimes helps Celia when she gets into trouble. Celia tries hard to be good and even dreams of becoming a saint. The priest, Don Restituto, tries to guide her. But when Celia causes more trouble trying to become a saint or a martyr, he tells her to stop.
Summer at the Convent
When the school term ends, most girls leave the convent. But Celia stays behind with the nuns. Her parents have left Spain to find better jobs and earn money. Doña Benita, an old lady who used to care for Celia, comes to the school. She takes Celia with her for a while. During this time, Celia and Doña Benita visit a circus. This visit makes Celia imagine many stories about running away with gypsies. She tells these tales in the next book, Celia, novelista.
New Arrivals and Mischief
In the summer, an older woman named Doña Remedios arrives. Celia and some nuns quickly nickname her Doña Merlucines. Doña Remedios is kind to Celia at first. But she soon gets annoyed by Celia's wild ways and wishes she were more disciplined. After many arguments, Celia gets her revenge. She fills the sleeping Doña Remedios's bed with cockroaches.
Leaving the School
Another school term begins, and Celia's popularity with the other girls starts to drop. One day, Celia's uncle, Tío Rodrigo, arrives at the school. He is angry and demands to take Celia away. He wants to reunite her with her parents, who are now living in Paris. The book is told from Celia's point of view, like she is telling the story herself. There is a short introduction by the author.
TV Show Adaptations
Celia en el colegio was made into a TV series in 1992 by Televisión Española. The show was directed by José Luis Borau. The TV series followed the book's events very closely. It often used the same words from the book.
Episodes and Changes
The story of Celia en el colegio was spread across three episodes: "En el colegio," "Ni santa, ni mártir," and "¡Hasta la vista!". Some parts of the book were left out of the TV show. For example, in the book, Celia is punished and sent to Madre Florinda's room. Celia thinks the nun has died and gives her belongings to homeless children. This part was not shown in the series. However, Madre Florinda did appear briefly in the show.
Nuns and Classmates
Only five nuns were named in the TV series: Madre Loreto, Madre Bibiana, Madre Corazón, Madre Isolina, and the Madre Superiora. All of them were in the book. Some scenes involving the nuns were changed around. For example, in the book, Madre Mercedes teaches sewing. But in the series, Madre Bibiana teaches sewing and struggles to teach Celia. Another example: in the book, Madre Consuelo suggests the girls only learn answers for their final exam. This leads to a disaster. In the series, Madre Loreto has this idea and is embarrassed by Celia's explanation. Celia's classmates were also changed. Only Elguibia, who had a slight learning difference, was given a consistent name. Other girl actresses played Celia's friends but were not given real names.
Dramatic Changes
Other events were changed in the TV show to make it more dramatic. In the book, Celia doesn't enjoy the end-of-year plays because she can't participate. But in the series, Celia has a part in the play. Before her performance, Doña Benita tells Celia that her parents have closed their house in Madrid. She says they are leaving "for China" with Celia's brother, "Cuchifritín." Celia will have to spend the summer with the nuns instead of going to the beach.
Heartbroken, Celia cleverly changes her lines in the play. She announces to everyone that her parents are leaving for China and leaving her behind. Then, Celia grabs a box of chocolates her father brought her. She runs crying to the school's vegetable gardens. There, she hides and tells her pet stork, Culiculá, all her sadness.
Later in the series, Celia's father takes her to a small circus. When they return, he gives her a writing book. He encourages her to write stories. He leaves her with Madre Loreto again. He is surprised and disappointed that Celia walks away happily without saying goodbye. But Celia turns around, crying. She tells her father she wants to leave with him and be with her family. Her father says she can't. Celia replies that she will become a performer and travel to China, where she believes her parents are going. They part feeling very sad. Madre Loreto then tucks Celia into bed. Celia pulls out her new book and starts writing a story. It's about running away with gypsies to find her parents on their way to China. The series shows Celia's story visually. When she and Culiculá catch up with her gypsy friend Coralinda, Celia convinces Coralinda's father to let her travel with them. In the wagon, Celia asks if they are going to Pekin in China. When Coralinda says yes, Celia replies, "It's just that I have to find my parents." The series ends there, incomplete. The original music from the show was used to make these sad scenes even more powerful. In the books, these events were not as dramatic. Celia had an easier time dealing with her parents leaving her.
See also
In Spanish: Celia en el colegio para niños
