Grade 5-8-Twelve-year-old Katy is constantly making and quickly breaking resolutions about how she will change her ways and treat others, especially her five younger brothers and sisters, with more respect and compassion. When Katy meets her Cousin Helen, an invalid, Katy is awed by her kindness, prettiness, and generosity. Katy is determined to become more like Helen, a resolution that lasts only a few hours. Soon, however, Katy gets a chance to become more like cousin Helen than she ever wished as she finds herself confined to her bedroom for four years as a result of an accident. Much of the story is focused on the change Katy undergoes during her illness. Helen visits again to advise Katy to learn from her experience and to try to become the center of the house by making her room and herself more attractive to others. One way Katy decides to take Helen's advice is through assuming the responsibility of running the house, a job that consists of giving the servants instructions and ringing her bell to summon her sisters when she has a task for them. As soon as Katy has learned the lesson about how to care for others, she recovers and regains the ability to walk. Barbara Caruso's expressive narration is well done. She has given each character a distinct voice that helps portray his or her personality. This is a lengthy audiobook, but Caruso's pleasant narration helps to keep listeners' interest. Written by Susan Coolidge (Viking Penguin pap. 1997) and originally published in 1872, this work is dated and offers a limited vision of the roles of girls and women within the world and the family. Although there are moments of good storytelling, this title is too dated to be recommended for purchase.
First published in 1872, this old-fashioned story espouses old-fashioned values brought to life with gentle good humor by Laurel Lefkow. Her reading perfectly captures the quirky, kind-hearted, if bossy, spirit of Katy, the oldest of six children being raised by their busy father, a doctor, with the help of his fussy sister, Aunt Izzy. In a marketplace full to bursting with edgy, issue-based children's books, this title is a quiet relief, a timeless story of perseverance and love overcoming adversity. Reminiscent of HEIDI and THE SECRET GARDEN, it's a comfort food of a book about secret hideouts and picnics and homemade valentines. Laurel Lefkow will softly lead the child or family listener into this beloved little treasure from a bygone era. D.G. |
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