Growing up, Vinnie Warren Bump longed to see the world, but her parents were concerned that the world would be cruel to Vinnie who was only 32 inches tall. Determined to make a name for herself, Vinnie signed a contract with Colonel Wood who promised to make her a singing sensation. Instead, Vinnie was exhibited as one of his “oddities” on a shabby showboat on the Mississippi River. Vinnie returned home humiliated. She reached out to P. T. Barnum who agreed to hire her to sing at his American Museum. Thus began a long, mutually respectful friendship. Barnum introduced Vinnie to General Tom Thumb who became her husband. Mr. and Mrs. Thumb became quite famous under Barnum’s employment and Vinnie achieved her childhood dream of seeing the world.
Using Vinnie Bump’s own autobiographical notes, author Melanie Benjamin fills in missing details of Vinnie’s interesting life with a fictionalized version, focusing on the unique friendship between Vinnie and P.T. Barnum. If you’re a fan of historical fiction, add this book to your reading list.