In J.D. Salinger’s novel, The Catcher in the Rye, while in New York City, Holden buys his little sister, Phoebe, the record Little Shirley Beans, by Estelle Fletcher. Although Holden knows the record is meant for children, he thinks that the singer knows what she is doing because she does not make the song sound cute. To quote Holden's thoughts, “she sings it very dixieland… and it doesn’t sound all mushy.” (115). The record symbolizes the childhood innocence that Holden is afraid to let go of. Even though the record costs five dollars, an expensive price in the 1950's, Holden buys the record. This shows the extent to which Holden will go to hold onto the idea of childhood innocence. Despite his efforts to hold onto this innocence, Holden realizes