Dear Charlie

by Christopher Kimball

As parents, we know that adults and children inhabit different worlds. Sons spy bears in the woods; fathers see the hand of God in each gesture of the newborn. All mothers and fathers want to bring those two worlds together and open their hearts, minds, and wisdom to their children, but the words are hard to find. Dear Charlie, by author and father-of-four Christopher Kimball, is a tender and uplifting compilation of just such words. These are heartwarming letters we want to send to our children and unspoken words we wish our parents had left for us -- all filled with eternal truths that apply to any age.

300 pages, Hardcover

First published September 20, 1999

Reviews

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written. This book made we want to pick up my own pen and paper and put down sweet memories for myself and whomever else might care to read them.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Christopher Kimball was once the editor of Cook’s Illustrated magazine. I used to look forward to reading his homespun articles at the beginning of each issue. He’s a very good writer, capturing warm-hearted snapshots of rural Vermont farming life. This book is a series of short letters written over a period of several years to his four children. While his thoughts became a bit repetitive, overall I liked this book for the comforting and hopeful way it made me feel.

[Emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first couple chapters were cute, but I did not like this book. The only reason I finished it was because of school..
And even then I skimmed the last few chapters.
It took me forever to read.
I just feel like I had to be in that moment to understand the memories.
I'm not going to say anymore.
Ugh.

[Sandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this and did enjoy most of the essays, but it felt like the author was trying too hard. If you took a letter to a child and revamped it for a creative writing class this is what you'd get.

[Andee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book. A beautiful picture is painted of a simple, happy life in the country and of a father's love for his children. The letters he writes to his children are deeply moving. He makes me want to live in his town and adapt to the simpler ways of life in the country.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charlie and Emily, two of Christopher Kimball's children, ride on my bus. I read the first 100 pages this afternoon - have tissues handy!!