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Thee Hannah
Nine-year-old Hannah, a Quaker living in Philadelphia just before the Civil War, longs to have some fashionable dresses like other girls but comes to appreciate her heritage and its plain dressing when her family saves the life of a runaway slave.
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First published January 1, 1940
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About the author
Marguerite de Angeli
77 books99 followersMarguerite de Angeli was an American writer and illustrator of children's books including the 1950 Newbery Award winning book The Door in the Wall. She wrote and illustrated twenty-eight of her own books, and illustrated more than three dozen books and numerous magazine stories and articles for other authors.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
June 10, 2019
A quick read about a Quaker family living in Philadelphia just before the civil war. We look into the day to day life of this family and meet the people who come to sell door to door. I have heard of a muffin man but had not come across a pepper pot lady before and still can't quite imagine what she was selling, from the picture we guessed perhaps some sort of spicy soup or stew? We get to learn about some Quaker beliefs and how these were hard for Hannah who longed for a prettier bonnet. The illustrations were beautiful, a wonderful look into another life.
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July 22, 2018
I loved this story! I'd be happy to read it to any small child of 8-10. The message is clear; while Hannah spends much of the time focused on the pretty things she can't have, her patient mother tells her, "you aren't ready yet...you don't know what the bonnet means." So while her sisters dress in prettier colors and her best friend next door puts flowers in her bonnet, Hannah has to stay in plain clothes and figure out the meaning of what her mother said. Eventually she learns—it's not about the clothes or the vanity; it's about what our dress says to the world we live in.
A background of antebellum Philadelphia and of the Quaker duty to quietly help slaves escape north lends a colorful background to the story.
A background of antebellum Philadelphia and of the Quaker duty to quietly help slaves escape north lends a colorful background to the story.
May 24, 2017
Wonderful to learn so much about the Quaker point of view. Obviously I don't agree with all of it, but we could all use a bit more simplicity, and a bit more courage, in our lives. And, as always, love the art.
October 27, 2018
DeAngeli's books are all gentle ways to teach young children about an earlier era and specific places. One of the strengths of her stories is her ability to think like a child; Hannah's thoughts and transgressions are all very believable.
January 21, 2018
A pleasant children's story set in 19th century Philadelphia, featuring little Hannah and her siblings and parents, a Quaker family who aim to be different from those around them. Hannah doesn't always understand why they must be different and makes many mistakes along the way. In the end, she is able to help others as she discovers the beauty of being a Friend.
I felt for Hannah as she was drawn to beautiful things but was being told to deny herself those "luxuries" and I hope her love of beauty was not squelched by this early training! But I do appreciate the lesson of learning not to be vain or self-focus. I also loved reading about a young girl learning to sew and hope my daughter is encouraged to continue learning as well!
I felt for Hannah as she was drawn to beautiful things but was being told to deny herself those "luxuries" and I hope her love of beauty was not squelched by this early training! But I do appreciate the lesson of learning not to be vain or self-focus. I also loved reading about a young girl learning to sew and hope my daughter is encouraged to continue learning as well!
March 4, 2018
Thee, Hannah! is by Marguerite de Angeli.
I remember this quick, short read (took me about half an hour to read through the entire thing) from when I was around eight years old. I decided to re-read it in order to get my "Books Read" number up higher in a reading challenge I was doing.
I found the moral of the story in-your-face and annoying. The book could have been cute if it didn't shove the vanity thing down your throat. The mother was also very vague, which exasperated me.
Hey, maybe I didn't notice it when I was eight. Maybe younger kids would like the book. The illustrations were very pretty and I did enjoy looking at them. The book just annoyed me personally.
2.5 stars out of 5.
I remember this quick, short read (took me about half an hour to read through the entire thing) from when I was around eight years old. I decided to re-read it in order to get my "Books Read" number up higher in a reading challenge I was doing.
I found the moral of the story in-your-face and annoying. The book could have been cute if it didn't shove the vanity thing down your throat. The mother was also very vague, which exasperated me.
Hey, maybe I didn't notice it when I was eight. Maybe younger kids would like the book. The illustrations were very pretty and I did enjoy looking at them. The book just annoyed me personally.
2.5 stars out of 5.
June 19, 2015
Another de Angeli that was a perfect read-aloud for my 4 and 6 year old daughters. Hannah's struggle to adapt herself to Quakerism gave us a lot to discuss (Hannah longs to wear the frills and furbelows of her non-Quaker friends in 1850s Philadelphia). My daughters were grateful that we don't have to try to please God by eschewing pretty things, but sympathised with Hannah's mistakes and her desire to understand her parents' convictions.
January 29, 2016
A quick read with some nice content on Quakers, abolition, pre-Civil War Philadelphia, and the development of a conscience. Could serve as a preparatory book with an eye toward Downright Dencey.
May 18, 2016
Wonderful book. Very good examples on what it means to want worldly things and why it is best to live for the will of God. Also, what happens when we don't listen to that voice we hear inside of us telling us to "stop" before we do something we shouldn't. Would be great to read with other books about Quakers such as the Obadiah books...krb 5/18/16
May 13, 2016
DD and I did this as a a read aloud and both found it preachy and a difficult read. The plot was non-existent and to quote my DD, "The only exciting thing in the book happened on the last two pages!"
The illustrations were superb though.
The illustrations were superb though.
September 2, 2011
Lovely illustrations, sweet book.
March 5, 2016
As a Quaker, this is what I strive to live up to. It is a fictional tale that could be true from my experience. What a satisfying book it is.
April 25, 2022
This book made me cry, and all books do but still I was not expecting the tears. Most of the book is a little Quaker girl who wants pretty clothes like the other girls. Tantrums are had, bonnets are thrown. The usual. Hannah is Not Like Other Girls and is constantly reminded who she is and who she belongs to. The ending chapter drives the point home sharp when an escaped slave asks her to help her sick son. The woman knows she can trust the girl because she wears a Quaker bonnet. There is a happy ending with the woman and her son getting on a boat for Canada and Hannah understanding the deeper meaning of her garb.
December 23, 2012
I read this book aloud to my children.
This book is about a little girl named Hannah, who is a Quaker living in Philadelphia before the time of the Civil War. She always seems to be getting herself into trouble! Gammy Welsh, a neighbour, tells children that “Old Spotty” (which is what she calls Satan) whispers into the ears of children and makes them do bad things.
Hannah looks longingly at her neighbour, Cecily, and wishes that her own bonnet and clothes were fancy like hers. When Cecily lets Hannah borrow her pretty sash, she soils it. Instead of owning up to it and asking someone to help her clean it, she stuffs it into a drawer and hopes that it will go away. At the church service, Hannah is overwrought with guilt when a woman stands and says that someone there has a secret sin and that the person should be sure that the sin will be found out. Of course, it isn’t Hannah whom she is referring to but Hannah feels absolutely sick to her stomach at what she has done. Hannah decides to save her allowance each week until she has enough money to buy a new sash for Cecily. Her mother finds the ruined sash a couple of weeks later and insists that Hannah buy a new sash for Cecily right away to replace it. She is relieved that she is no longer keeping this horrible secret and shows her mother the money that she has been saving up.
On another occasion, Hannah wishes that she had pantalettes under her skirt like Cecily. She finds what she thinks is an old petticoat and cuts it up to make her own pantalettes. It turns out that Hannah has ruined her grandmother’s wedding petticoat! Another time, she pins wildflowers to her bonnet in an effort to make it look pretty but instead the flowers stain it. Yet again, her mother catches Hannah traipsing around with her good shawl over head because Hannah wanted to know what it felt like to have long hair.
It troubles Hannah’s mother that her daughter is so concerned about her looks and material things. They are Quakers, and Hannah’s father is a church elder. Hannah does not seem to appreciate the simple Quaker ways.
At the end of the story, Hannah is walking down the street and a black woman asks her for help because her child is sick and they haven’t any food or water. Hannah gives the loaf cake in her basket to the woman and tells her that she will go home to her parents to get help. Hannah takes her father to the child, and he puts a shawl over the boy’s head and carries him back to their home with the boy’s mother following. The boy’s mother tells Hannah that it was because of her plain bonnet, her Quaker bonnet, that she knew that she could trust her. Finally, Hannah realizes the association between the plain clothes that she wears and what statement she is making about herself and feels proud to be a Quaker.
This book was a bit difficult to read because of the old style of language used, with lots of “thees” and “thys.” What I liked about the book was that it taught us about how the Quakers were instrumental in helping slaves escape through the Underground Railway, and I wish that more of the book would have focused on that. Instead, Hannah comes across as a child who is always wanting what she can’t have! Every time she got into trouble, she was chastised for listening to “Old Spotty.” That really rubbed me the wrong way, and I think that Hannah should have taken responsibility for her own actions instead of her parents blaming “Old Spotty” for her behaviour. Even though Hannah was wrong for hiding Cecily’s ruined sash, she actually showed her true nature when she came up with the idea all on her own to save up her allowance to buy a new one. She did feel horribly for ruining the sash, and she had the intention of replacing it.
I enjoyed parts of the book but, overall, it was “just okay” for me. I was expecting to learn more about the Quakers' involvement with the Underground Railway. For me, there was too much focus on "Old Spotty."
This book is about a little girl named Hannah, who is a Quaker living in Philadelphia before the time of the Civil War. She always seems to be getting herself into trouble! Gammy Welsh, a neighbour, tells children that “Old Spotty” (which is what she calls Satan) whispers into the ears of children and makes them do bad things.
Hannah looks longingly at her neighbour, Cecily, and wishes that her own bonnet and clothes were fancy like hers. When Cecily lets Hannah borrow her pretty sash, she soils it. Instead of owning up to it and asking someone to help her clean it, she stuffs it into a drawer and hopes that it will go away. At the church service, Hannah is overwrought with guilt when a woman stands and says that someone there has a secret sin and that the person should be sure that the sin will be found out. Of course, it isn’t Hannah whom she is referring to but Hannah feels absolutely sick to her stomach at what she has done. Hannah decides to save her allowance each week until she has enough money to buy a new sash for Cecily. Her mother finds the ruined sash a couple of weeks later and insists that Hannah buy a new sash for Cecily right away to replace it. She is relieved that she is no longer keeping this horrible secret and shows her mother the money that she has been saving up.
On another occasion, Hannah wishes that she had pantalettes under her skirt like Cecily. She finds what she thinks is an old petticoat and cuts it up to make her own pantalettes. It turns out that Hannah has ruined her grandmother’s wedding petticoat! Another time, she pins wildflowers to her bonnet in an effort to make it look pretty but instead the flowers stain it. Yet again, her mother catches Hannah traipsing around with her good shawl over head because Hannah wanted to know what it felt like to have long hair.
It troubles Hannah’s mother that her daughter is so concerned about her looks and material things. They are Quakers, and Hannah’s father is a church elder. Hannah does not seem to appreciate the simple Quaker ways.
At the end of the story, Hannah is walking down the street and a black woman asks her for help because her child is sick and they haven’t any food or water. Hannah gives the loaf cake in her basket to the woman and tells her that she will go home to her parents to get help. Hannah takes her father to the child, and he puts a shawl over the boy’s head and carries him back to their home with the boy’s mother following. The boy’s mother tells Hannah that it was because of her plain bonnet, her Quaker bonnet, that she knew that she could trust her. Finally, Hannah realizes the association between the plain clothes that she wears and what statement she is making about herself and feels proud to be a Quaker.
This book was a bit difficult to read because of the old style of language used, with lots of “thees” and “thys.” What I liked about the book was that it taught us about how the Quakers were instrumental in helping slaves escape through the Underground Railway, and I wish that more of the book would have focused on that. Instead, Hannah comes across as a child who is always wanting what she can’t have! Every time she got into trouble, she was chastised for listening to “Old Spotty.” That really rubbed me the wrong way, and I think that Hannah should have taken responsibility for her own actions instead of her parents blaming “Old Spotty” for her behaviour. Even though Hannah was wrong for hiding Cecily’s ruined sash, she actually showed her true nature when she came up with the idea all on her own to save up her allowance to buy a new one. She did feel horribly for ruining the sash, and she had the intention of replacing it.
I enjoyed parts of the book but, overall, it was “just okay” for me. I was expecting to learn more about the Quakers' involvement with the Underground Railway. For me, there was too much focus on "Old Spotty."
September 11, 2013
A VIRTUE OF SIMPLICITY
This gentle 1940's book by De Angeli, based on true anecdotes and truer values, remains a sweet charmer even in the 21st century. It was a challenge back then to accept life without the frills. Eight-year- old Hannah was a typical girl who longed for ribbons, bright-colored clothing, fancy frills and pretty attire. Which is natural enough--but Not permissable or encouraged in a devout, Quaker family, where Plain and Simple are deemed best. The Lord looks on the heart--not on externals--but Hannah has a hard time accepting such a gloomy outlook.
Hannah's desire to look fashionable leads her into trouble or disgace
on several oocasions--after which her mother gently amdonishes her re the necessity of observing and appreciating Quaker values. What Hannah only later comes to understand is that her religious sect, the Friends
as they are called, were helpful to runaway slaves following the Underground railroad. Feminine Nature competes with Quaker Nurture in this short but charmingly quaint story--related with the traditional Thee's and Thou's, and authentically illustrated. Learning to accept modest dress is a valuable lesson for Hannah, as she grows to realize the importance of a simple bonnet. At the book's conclusion Hannah actually takes pride in modest attire--which has demonstrated serious social consequences--developing a Taste for Simplicity after all.
(September 10, 2013. I welcome dialogue with teachers.)
This gentle 1940's book by De Angeli, based on true anecdotes and truer values, remains a sweet charmer even in the 21st century. It was a challenge back then to accept life without the frills. Eight-year- old Hannah was a typical girl who longed for ribbons, bright-colored clothing, fancy frills and pretty attire. Which is natural enough--but Not permissable or encouraged in a devout, Quaker family, where Plain and Simple are deemed best. The Lord looks on the heart--not on externals--but Hannah has a hard time accepting such a gloomy outlook.
Hannah's desire to look fashionable leads her into trouble or disgace
on several oocasions--after which her mother gently amdonishes her re the necessity of observing and appreciating Quaker values. What Hannah only later comes to understand is that her religious sect, the Friends
as they are called, were helpful to runaway slaves following the Underground railroad. Feminine Nature competes with Quaker Nurture in this short but charmingly quaint story--related with the traditional Thee's and Thou's, and authentically illustrated. Learning to accept modest dress is a valuable lesson for Hannah, as she grows to realize the importance of a simple bonnet. At the book's conclusion Hannah actually takes pride in modest attire--which has demonstrated serious social consequences--developing a Taste for Simplicity after all.
(September 10, 2013. I welcome dialogue with teachers.)
November 25, 2018
I doubt that I could read this book aloud to children without breaking into tears. Upon a recent rereading it, I find that it's a little different from what I remember.
Hannah loves and respects her family, but even at nine years old, she notices that they're unusual. They belong to a non-conformist religion that causes them to address each other with odd Shakespearean pronouns, old-fashioned even for 1850's Philadelphia. Her father often disappears on errands to help other "Friends." (Note: Who all these friends may be seems less mysterious on a second reading than I recall from the first.) Worst of all from Hannah's point of view, they never let her wear fashionable clothes. Hannah finds this particularly frustrating, because her friend Cecily, who goes to a more mainstream church, gets to wear pretty things, like lacy petticoats, and to trim her bonnets with flowers. Hannah spends much of the book fretting about her plain bonnet, wondering why she can't trim it with a flower or two. Finally, a stranger teaches her what her plain bonnet symbolizes. Her family operates a station on the underground railway, and it's because of her recognizable bonnet that they manage to save a fugitive woman with a sick child.
Hannah loves and respects her family, but even at nine years old, she notices that they're unusual. They belong to a non-conformist religion that causes them to address each other with odd Shakespearean pronouns, old-fashioned even for 1850's Philadelphia. Her father often disappears on errands to help other "Friends." (Note: Who all these friends may be seems less mysterious on a second reading than I recall from the first.) Worst of all from Hannah's point of view, they never let her wear fashionable clothes. Hannah finds this particularly frustrating, because her friend Cecily, who goes to a more mainstream church, gets to wear pretty things, like lacy petticoats, and to trim her bonnets with flowers. Hannah spends much of the book fretting about her plain bonnet, wondering why she can't trim it with a flower or two. Finally, a stranger teaches her what her plain bonnet symbolizes. Her family operates a station on the underground railway, and it's because of her recognizable bonnet that they manage to save a fugitive woman with a sick child.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 19, 2015
It's been a while, but I am continuing on my de Angeli reading project. When you work pretty much in the same room as someone's Newberry medal, it seems like it is your duty to read their work.
If you don't know, de Angeli's books are like the original American Girls. Each book follows a girl from a different culture. There were even dolls to go with the books! However, de Angeli's writing was sweet when being sweet was still novel instead of sickly. I find her much easier to stomach. Though, I may be a little biased.
Thee, Hannah is the story of a Quaker girl living in Philadelphia. She is the youngest in her family and she has not quite figured out what it means to be a Friend yet. She lives next door to a little girl who is not a Quaker but is her best friend and she finds herself jealous of Cecily's clothes and bonnets. Hannah wants to look like the other little girls and it is always getting her into trouble. Finally, after numerous little disasters, Hannah is in deep trouble when she gets the chance to see what it is that her religion actually means and why she must look different.
This was another cute little read. I enjoyed it a lot, actually. I found myself getting sucked into the story even if it was simple. Sometimes simple is good.
If you don't know, de Angeli's books are like the original American Girls. Each book follows a girl from a different culture. There were even dolls to go with the books! However, de Angeli's writing was sweet when being sweet was still novel instead of sickly. I find her much easier to stomach. Though, I may be a little biased.
Thee, Hannah is the story of a Quaker girl living in Philadelphia. She is the youngest in her family and she has not quite figured out what it means to be a Friend yet. She lives next door to a little girl who is not a Quaker but is her best friend and she finds herself jealous of Cecily's clothes and bonnets. Hannah wants to look like the other little girls and it is always getting her into trouble. Finally, after numerous little disasters, Hannah is in deep trouble when she gets the chance to see what it is that her religion actually means and why she must look different.
This was another cute little read. I enjoyed it a lot, actually. I found myself getting sucked into the story even if it was simple. Sometimes simple is good.
April 10, 2014
Good writing, as is usual for de Angeli. It was interesting to learn a little about Quakers, also.
I found myself arguing in my head with the Friends over points of theology, and especially over how they were raising their children. For example, "Old Spotty" (Satan) does not make us do things- we're perfectly capable of sinning on our own! Poor Hannah needed to learn to fight against her natural self and do the right thing, not to be afraid of Old Spotty.
I found myself arguing in my head with the Friends over points of theology, and especially over how they were raising their children. For example, "Old Spotty" (Satan) does not make us do things- we're perfectly capable of sinning on our own! Poor Hannah needed to learn to fight against her natural self and do the right thing, not to be afraid of Old Spotty.
October 18, 2023
I remembered this being a favorite when I was growing up. It's a nice slice of city life from the eyes of a child. But others, many others, would disagree because of the religious content. However, I'm religious soooooo there's my bias. And I find the Quakers quite forward for their time(Women spoke in church, etc).
February 1, 2013
I loved this book. It is a beautifully illustrated book for 3rd - 4th grade readers, though they may need a little help understanding the Quaker verbiage of the 19th century and the vernacular language used by the runaways seeking freedom.
December 22, 2014
I found how the Quaker girl Hannah was envious of pretty things to be tedious after a while, but the message of being recognized because of one's commitment to dressing modestly outweighed the tiresome troubles in which Hannah found herself.
June 26, 2017
Beautifully illustrated chapter short chapter book. Considering the use of Quaker language, it would be difficult to find a child today who would read the book. But as an adult reader it was very enjoyable
May 14, 2016
A gentle introduction to the Underground Railroad as well as the Quakers and their lifestyle. Hannah is a very real little girl with an eye for beauty that causes some problems for her in her Quaker community and with her family but, in the end, she comes to understand true beauty.
November 26, 2016
a charming little book about a young Quaker girl learning how important is being kind and helpful and discreet versus looking fancy & fashionable. A decent lesson for ALL children of ALL eras or religious backgrounds.
July 31, 2008
very sweet and just right for little girls.
April 26, 2009
A Quaker child is tempted by the glamor of secular life.
January 8, 2010
I read this book a while ago. Mainly because of my name! It was good, and interesting though I don't remeber the details that much. I would say that 8-10 year olds should read Thee, Hannah.
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April 24, 2010An all-time childhood favorite-beautiful artwork, beautiful story -before there was American Girl, there were these treasures.
February 20, 2012
I liked that it had illustrations, but it was sort of boring.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews