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Mother Carey's Chickens
Mother Carey's Chickens By Kate Douglas Smith Wiggin
114 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1911
92 people are currently reading
931 people want to read
About the author
Kate Douglas Wiggin
396 books164 followersKate Douglas Smith Wiggin
Kate Douglas Wiggin, nee Smith (1856-1923) was an American children's author and educator. She was born in Philadelphia, and was of Welsh descent. She started the first free kindergarten in San Francisco in 1878 (the "Silver Street Free Kindergarten"). With her sister in the 1880s she also established a training school for kindergarten teachers. Her best known books are The Story of Pasty (1883), The Birds' Christmas Carol (1886), Polly Oliver's Problem (1893), A Cathedral Courtship (1893), The Village Watchtoer (1896), Marm Lisa (1897) and Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1903).
Kate Douglas Wiggin, nee Smith (1856-1923) was an American children's author and educator. She was born in Philadelphia, and was of Welsh descent. She started the first free kindergarten in San Francisco in 1878 (the "Silver Street Free Kindergarten"). With her sister in the 1880s she also established a training school for kindergarten teachers. Her best known books are The Story of Pasty (1883), The Birds' Christmas Carol (1886), Polly Oliver's Problem (1893), A Cathedral Courtship (1893), The Village Watchtoer (1896), Marm Lisa (1897) and Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1903).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
November 7, 2022
Oh, I loved this!
I really enjoyed reading Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, so I'm not sure why I didn't think to look up Wiggin's other works. I came across this book because I grew up watching the movie, Summer Magic, with Hayley Mills, and years later saw the title mentioned in the movie's credits. It is kind of neat to discover that an author you enjoy wrote a story you like. Haha!
The Carey family is quite stellar in their love for each other and the people around them too. But they're not perfect either, and several of the children have their lessons by which they grow and become better people. Nancy is so thoughtful, outgoing and friendly, Gilly steps up to being the man of the house well, Kitty is warm and a perfect sidekick, and Peter is simply ... lovable Peter. The real heroine of the story, though, is Mother Carey! What an example of a sweet, caring but firm mother. She is utterly charming and likable and does and says things that just make your heart melt into a happy little sigh.
When Mother Carey becomes widowed, she and her children must move from their home to a place that will accommodate their new and very tight income. Nancy comes up with a wonderful idea of moving to a yellow house in Maine; one that the family saw years ago while on vacation with their father. When they hear back that the owner is willing to rent to them, the family is thrilled. From there, so many wonderfully laughable and tender moments happen throughout the course of the year or two that follows!
Cleanliness: there is a little romance in the book but is not mushy or detailed.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! And be sure to check out my bio page to learn a little about me and the Picture Book/Chapter Book Calendars I sell on Etsy!
I really enjoyed reading Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, so I'm not sure why I didn't think to look up Wiggin's other works. I came across this book because I grew up watching the movie, Summer Magic, with Hayley Mills, and years later saw the title mentioned in the movie's credits. It is kind of neat to discover that an author you enjoy wrote a story you like. Haha!
The Carey family is quite stellar in their love for each other and the people around them too. But they're not perfect either, and several of the children have their lessons by which they grow and become better people. Nancy is so thoughtful, outgoing and friendly, Gilly steps up to being the man of the house well, Kitty is warm and a perfect sidekick, and Peter is simply ... lovable Peter. The real heroine of the story, though, is Mother Carey! What an example of a sweet, caring but firm mother. She is utterly charming and likable and does and says things that just make your heart melt into a happy little sigh.
When Mother Carey becomes widowed, she and her children must move from their home to a place that will accommodate their new and very tight income. Nancy comes up with a wonderful idea of moving to a yellow house in Maine; one that the family saw years ago while on vacation with their father. When they hear back that the owner is willing to rent to them, the family is thrilled. From there, so many wonderfully laughable and tender moments happen throughout the course of the year or two that follows!
Cleanliness: there is a little romance in the book but is not mushy or detailed.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! And be sure to check out my bio page to learn a little about me and the Picture Book/Chapter Book Calendars I sell on Etsy!
August 16, 2018
UPDATE: August 16, 2018: I've just finished reading Stormy Petrel by Mary Stewart and in this delightful little book, I learned that Stormy Petrels are a type of "storm bird" - very small, very strong and very tough, spending almost all of their lives out at sea. Sailors used to call them "Mother Carey's Chickens". It finally dawned on me how Kate Douglas Wiggin chose the very fitting title of her book. Perhaps it was mentioned in this book - but I must have missed it until now!
**************
LOVED this charming book that reminded me so very much of Little Women. Its a gem indeed, and a wonderful study in building community. I borrowed this via my library's interlibrary loan system, but I will have to be on the hunt for my very own copy. As I will want to read this again and again.
Mother Carey, recently widowed, on her desire to raise her 4 children:
"She had but one keen desire: to go to some quiet place where temptations for spending money would be as few as possible, and there live for three or four years, putting her heart and mind and soul on fitting the children for life. If she could keep strength enough to guide and guard, train and develop them into happy, useful, agreeable human beings, - masters of their own powers; wise and discreet enough, when years of discretion were reached, to choose right paths, - that, she conceived, was her chief task in life, and no easy one. "
Mother Carey, being intentional about helping her oldest son grow into a responsible young man:
"It was Nancy who as the eldest seemed the heard of the family, but Gilbert, only a year or so her junior, ought to grow into the head, somehow or other. The way to begin would be to give him a few delightful responsibilities, such as would appeal to his pride and sense of importance, and gradually to mingle with them certain duties of headship neither so simple nor so agreeable. Beulah would be a delightful beginning."
**************
LOVED this charming book that reminded me so very much of Little Women. Its a gem indeed, and a wonderful study in building community. I borrowed this via my library's interlibrary loan system, but I will have to be on the hunt for my very own copy. As I will want to read this again and again.
Mother Carey, recently widowed, on her desire to raise her 4 children:
"She had but one keen desire: to go to some quiet place where temptations for spending money would be as few as possible, and there live for three or four years, putting her heart and mind and soul on fitting the children for life. If she could keep strength enough to guide and guard, train and develop them into happy, useful, agreeable human beings, - masters of their own powers; wise and discreet enough, when years of discretion were reached, to choose right paths, - that, she conceived, was her chief task in life, and no easy one. "
Mother Carey, being intentional about helping her oldest son grow into a responsible young man:
"It was Nancy who as the eldest seemed the heard of the family, but Gilbert, only a year or so her junior, ought to grow into the head, somehow or other. The way to begin would be to give him a few delightful responsibilities, such as would appeal to his pride and sense of importance, and gradually to mingle with them certain duties of headship neither so simple nor so agreeable. Beulah would be a delightful beginning."
April 25, 2024
This is the story of a wonderful single (widowed) mother raising her four children around the turn of the century. Because they are in very straitened circumstances they have to downsize. Nancy, the oldest daughter, remembers a yellow house they saw on a vacation to Maine when their father was alive where the family can live much more cheaply. Sound familiar? It was made into a Disney movie, Summer Magic.
For a while, this book is quite similar in tone and content to many other children’s books I have read from the turn of the century. It noticeably picks up around chapter 20, however. A neighbor family, The Lords, are introduced. This family is a piece of work. Henry Lord, especially, being a seriously messed up parent, to the point of tragedy. The two children are the bitter but brilliant Olive and the nerdy Cyril, who has tons of potential. As with her more famous Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, I would kill to read a sequel. Unfortunately, once again, Kate Douglas Wiggin did not oblige. The Lords are surely one of the most unique and non-stereotypical families in any literature of the time and genre.
There are several quite slapstick and delightful comedy scenes. I found myself pausing with delight and saying to myself, “Hey, this is really funny!” Among them, is the resurrection of “You dirty boy”, a much-hated to the point of being a family joke, statue. Despite the family's best efforts, it refuses to be broken so it can be disposed of. The deed is finally accomplished after they move into the yellow house, by a fall from a loft, after the initial move, despite supremely careless packing, failed to destroy it. However, Osh Popham, their friend and landlord, glues the whole mess together from “a thousand” pieces much to the family's chagrin, and presents it to them during a solemn housewarming ceremony. The description of Nancy teaching her brothers and sisters how to pretend- faint on command and en-masse creates a hilarious picture in the mind’s eye. At her signal, this performance turned a serious and possibly weepy cliché moment into laughter instead of tears.
Mother Carey is a beautiful widow who is universally admired at first sight by all who meet her acquaintance. Here is a rather poignant glimpse into her secret thoughts and emotions:
https://rebekahsreadingsandwatchings....
For a while, this book is quite similar in tone and content to many other children’s books I have read from the turn of the century. It noticeably picks up around chapter 20, however. A neighbor family, The Lords, are introduced. This family is a piece of work. Henry Lord, especially, being a seriously messed up parent, to the point of tragedy. The two children are the bitter but brilliant Olive and the nerdy Cyril, who has tons of potential. As with her more famous Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, I would kill to read a sequel. Unfortunately, once again, Kate Douglas Wiggin did not oblige. The Lords are surely one of the most unique and non-stereotypical families in any literature of the time and genre.
There are several quite slapstick and delightful comedy scenes. I found myself pausing with delight and saying to myself, “Hey, this is really funny!” Among them, is the resurrection of “You dirty boy”, a much-hated to the point of being a family joke, statue. Despite the family's best efforts, it refuses to be broken so it can be disposed of. The deed is finally accomplished after they move into the yellow house, by a fall from a loft, after the initial move, despite supremely careless packing, failed to destroy it. However, Osh Popham, their friend and landlord, glues the whole mess together from “a thousand” pieces much to the family's chagrin, and presents it to them during a solemn housewarming ceremony. The description of Nancy teaching her brothers and sisters how to pretend- faint on command and en-masse creates a hilarious picture in the mind’s eye. At her signal, this performance turned a serious and possibly weepy cliché moment into laughter instead of tears.
Mother Carey is a beautiful widow who is universally admired at first sight by all who meet her acquaintance. Here is a rather poignant glimpse into her secret thoughts and emotions:
Was she doing all that she could, she wondered as her stepsSummer Magic is my number one comfort movie, and it was amazing to read so many passages, scenes, and dialogue that Sally Benson incorporated into the film. The book is considerably fleshed out with more characters and plots, but regrettably, only a bit where Nancy meets her future love, Tom Hamilton. Miss Benson obviously read the book very carefully and loved it.
flew over the Yellow House, from attic to cellar. She could play
The piano and sing; she could speak three languages and read
Four; she had made her curtsy at two foreign courts; admiration and
Love had followed her ever since she could remember, and here
She was, a widow at forty, living in a half-deserted New England
Village, making parsnip stews for her children’s dinner. Well,
it was a time of preparation, and its rigors and self-denials must be cheerfully faced.
https://rebekahsreadingsandwatchings....
July 10, 2014
One of the Disney movies I watched a lot, growing up, was Summer Magic, so I was happy to discover that this is the book behind it. Even better, it's written by the author of Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, which was a book I remember reading and liking as a kid.
I enjoyed the book version of this story a lot. I liked that it fleshed out the detail that the movie was lacking, and I particularly liked the fact that the characters were more honest and showed more integrity than they did in the version "updated" for the '60s.
My only real complaint is that the ending was so very abrupt -- I'd have liked a little bit of "happily ever after" epilogue as payoff, but sadly it was denied me. Oh well. It was absolutely worth reading (I can probably come up with my own epilogue), and I've consequently picked up several of her other similar-genre books.
I enjoyed the book version of this story a lot. I liked that it fleshed out the detail that the movie was lacking, and I particularly liked the fact that the characters were more honest and showed more integrity than they did in the version "updated" for the '60s.
My only real complaint is that the ending was so very abrupt -- I'd have liked a little bit of "happily ever after" epilogue as payoff, but sadly it was denied me. Oh well. It was absolutely worth reading (I can probably come up with my own epilogue), and I've consequently picked up several of her other similar-genre books.
March 8, 2015
Undoubtedly her very best! I had watched the movie Summer Magic more than once, before I learned that Mother Carrie's Chicken's was the book it was taken off of.. The book is indeed better than the movie, and I proudly own my own copy!
February 10, 2017
Absolutely wonderful! And one of the most beautiful odes to motherhood I've ever read. Highly recommend! Will try find time to write a review worthy of this special gem. (Available on Project Gutenberg.)
May 19, 2013
Mother Carey’s Chickens by Kate Douglas Wiggin, is a paean to motherhood. Like others in its genre, like Little Women or Little Lord Fauntelroy, it shows a wise little mother bringing up her lively children in relative poverty while inspiring them (and everyone around them) to be good and to help others. In the meantime the author pokes gentle good fun at the local Maine color.
In this incarnation, the mother is Mrs. Carey. Newly widowed, Mrs. Carey takes her four children and a niece to live in the tiny Maine town of Beulah. There, they learn to love country life, country living, country neighbors, country schools, and especially their new home, the “Yellow House.” They have little misadventures and learn to be better people. It’s moral and heartfelt and about as interesting as you would expect.
August 29, 2008
This was a darling little story about a family struggling to survive gracefully. It was interesting to read a story about a loving strong mother and family during this time period.
June 14, 2017
I love this book! So fun and wholesome!
March 17, 2020
My spouse got a weird crossword puzzle clue: "Mother Carey's Chickens". The answer, apparently, was "petrel", a flying water bird. It seems that the "stormy petrels fly out over the seas to show the good birds the way home". Who knew? Well, I Googled and found this book, which dates from 1911. Given that most people who are still living weren't kids until several decades after 1911, I'm surprised that the reference still appears to some to be in common usage.
Anyway, it turns out that, while this book hits on the topic of the petrels repeatedly, the actual reference comes from a book written some 50+ years further in the past, The Water Babies. I didn't learn this until I'd tackled quite a bit of this particular book. Later on, I read the predecessor so as to help me figure things out better.
I wasn't sure about this book at the beginning. It seemed a bit too much goody-two-shoes even for my elderly, repressed Calvinist tastes. But then I got into the book, and rather liked it.
Mother Carey is a young(-ish) woman who has four children, Nancy, Gilbert, Kathleen, and Peter. Her husband is a sea captain and is visited by an admiral, who is the one who named the children "Mother Carey's Chickens". Anyway, Capt. Carey gets sick and dies. So, to cut down on expenses, Mother Carey and her children move to Beulah, Maine, a place where they fondly remember a lovely, yellow house from one of their earlier travels. The lovely, yellow house is up for rent, so they rent it. They make friends in the town, they make friends with the yellow house's owner, a diplomat named Mr. Hamilton. So, anyway, in all these interactions, they help the people around themselves become better people...or something. And, of course, it's all hearts and flowers, or is trending that way at any rate, in the end.
If you like old stuff and heartwarming stuff, this is a lovely book to pick up.
Anyway, it turns out that, while this book hits on the topic of the petrels repeatedly, the actual reference comes from a book written some 50+ years further in the past, The Water Babies. I didn't learn this until I'd tackled quite a bit of this particular book. Later on, I read the predecessor so as to help me figure things out better.
I wasn't sure about this book at the beginning. It seemed a bit too much goody-two-shoes even for my elderly, repressed Calvinist tastes. But then I got into the book, and rather liked it.
Mother Carey is a young(-ish) woman who has four children, Nancy, Gilbert, Kathleen, and Peter. Her husband is a sea captain and is visited by an admiral, who is the one who named the children "Mother Carey's Chickens". Anyway, Capt. Carey gets sick and dies. So, to cut down on expenses, Mother Carey and her children move to Beulah, Maine, a place where they fondly remember a lovely, yellow house from one of their earlier travels. The lovely, yellow house is up for rent, so they rent it. They make friends in the town, they make friends with the yellow house's owner, a diplomat named Mr. Hamilton. So, anyway, in all these interactions, they help the people around themselves become better people...or something. And, of course, it's all hearts and flowers, or is trending that way at any rate, in the end.
If you like old stuff and heartwarming stuff, this is a lovely book to pick up.
April 15, 2021
I loved this book. I couldn't put it down and shirked other duties in order to finish it in one day.
I happened upon it and picked it up when I heard it was the basis for one of my favorite movies, "Summer Magic". The book is written to children but I found much in the character of Mother Carey to emulate. She creates a happy home for her children and is committed to helping them develop a moral character. I could learn much from her winsome way of guiding, correcting, and encouraging her brood and others she welcomes into her home. I had tears in my eyes more than once.
I read a digital copy from the library but will now be keeping my eyes open for a hard copy for our home.
A book by an author who is no longer alive.
I happened upon it and picked it up when I heard it was the basis for one of my favorite movies, "Summer Magic". The book is written to children but I found much in the character of Mother Carey to emulate. She creates a happy home for her children and is committed to helping them develop a moral character. I could learn much from her winsome way of guiding, correcting, and encouraging her brood and others she welcomes into her home. I had tears in my eyes more than once.
I read a digital copy from the library but will now be keeping my eyes open for a hard copy for our home.
A book by an author who is no longer alive.
August 15, 2023
I’m chipping away at some heavier books, but wanted some lighter reading for a Sunday afternoon. Not as heavy-handed with the Victorian sentimentalism as some in the genre, but there was still a good bit of magical motherhood. One character could have used this morning’s sermon on repenting of your virtues. Unlike me, since I have no virtues. 😆
A mix of LibriVox volunteers, bless their hearts, not a one of whom pronounced the author’s name correctly.
A mix of LibriVox volunteers, bless their hearts, not a one of whom pronounced the author’s name correctly.
August 9, 2021
I loved this wholesome and thoroughly enjoyable story of the Carey family. The Disney movie, Summer Magic, was derived from this book. Some changes occurred in the screenplay, so the movie loosely follows the book. A great book if you want a light,turn-of-the-century tribute to motherhood and family. I found a 1911 hard cover edition for about $5 on the internet.
February 21, 2015
There is no way for me to say enough good things about this book. Please just read it. If you love family and a happy ending and old fashioned values then you really need to read this book and have hope in the world again. And the cultural references, the large number of authors and mythology that Ms. Wiggin references is AMAZING and made me so very happy.
May 17, 2017
The Carey family, composed of a naval father, an educated and refined mother, a son nearing college age, two daughters -- one 14 and the other 16, and a young son age five, have moved often due to their father's work. As this story begins the father has fallen ill and does not recover, leaving the family in a financial downturn but not destitute. The house help must be let go, furnishings sold, and a more affordable situation acquired. A house they saw once on a family vacation comes to mind. So commences a year of change in their lives. The story is much about the mother and the eldest daughter but includes them all and their neighbors and relations. If the plot sounds familiar it may be because you've seen the film which was taken from this book (with many artistic liberties), but which keeps the spirit of the story and characters.
In 1963 Disney made a film, starring Haley Mills, based on this book which was published in 1910. The film? SUMMER MAGIC. How on earth did I stumble upon this book? I requested it through inter-library loan at my library and when it finally came I had no clue as to why I requested it. What a delight to find myself reading the book which inspired a favorite film of mine! Sometime I'll need to read WATER BABIES by Kingsley, which was referenced quite often in this book.
I have a few vocabulary words and quotes I want to nail down. ---
p. 4 "encomiums" Encomium is a Latin word deriving from the Classical Greek ἐγκώμιον (enkomion) meaning "the praise of a person or thing." Wikipedia
"As a matter of fact it required only a tolerable show of virtue for Peter to win encomiums at any time."
p. 40-42 (the father has recently died from an illness and the family has had to let the 'house help' go). Here is an example of a mother helping a child develop a valuable trait:
"There came a day when even Peter realized that life was real and life was earnest. When the floor was strewn with playthings his habit had been to stand amid the wreckage and smile, whereupon Joanna would fly and restore everything to its accustomed place. After the passing of Joanna, Mother Carey sat placidly in her chair in the nursery and Peter stood ankle deep among his toys, smiling.
"Now put everything where it belongs, sweet Pete," said mother.
"You do it," smiled Peter.
"I am very busy darning your stockings, Peter."
"I don't like to pick up, Muddy."
"No, it isn't much fun, but it has to be done."
Peter went over to the window and gazed at the landscape. "I dess I'll go play with Ellen," he remarked in honeyed tones.
"That would be nice, after you clear away your toys and blocks."
"I dess I'll play with Ellen first," suggested Peter, starting slowly towards the door.
"No, we always work fist and play afterwards!" said mother, going on darning.
Peter felt caught in a net of irresistible and pitiless logic.
"Come and help me, Muddy?" he coaxed, and as she looked up he suddenly let fly all his armory of weapons at once, -- two dimples, tossing back of curls, parted lips, tiny white teeth, sweet voice.
Mother Carey's impulse was to cast herself on the floor and request him simply to smile on her and she would do his lightest bidding, but controlling her secret desires she answered: "I would help if you needed me, but you don't. You're a great big boy now!"
"I'm not a great big boy!" cried Peter, "I'm only a great big little boy!"
"Don't waste time, sweet Pete; go to work!"
"I want Joanna!" roared Peter with the voice of an infant bull.
"So we all do. It's because she had to go that I'm darning stockings."
The net tightened round Peter's defenseless body and he hurled himself against his rocking-horse and dragged it brutally to a corner. Having disposed of most of his strength and temper in this operation, he put away the rest of his goods and chattels more quietly, but with streaming eyes and heaving bosom.
"Splendid!" commented Mother Carey. "Joanna couldn't have done it better, and it won't be half so much work next time." Peter heard the words "next time" distinctly, and knew the grim face of Duty at last, though he was less than five."
p. 50 "Beulah means land of promise; -- that's a good omen.
p. 52-53 (Mother Carey ponders her life's purpose)
..."If she could keep strength enough to guide and guard, train and develop them into happy, useful, agreeable human beings, -- masters of their own powers; wise and discreet enough, when years of discretion were reached, to choose right paths, -- that, she conceived, was her chief task in life, and no easy one. "Happy I must contrive that they shall be," she thought, "for unhappiness and discontent are among the foxes that spoil the vines. Stupid they shall not be, while I can think of any force to stir their brains; they have ordinary intelligence, all of them, and they shall learn to use it; dull and sleepy children I can't abide. Fairly good they will be, if they are busy and happy, and clever enough to see the folly of being anything but good! And so, month after month, for many years to come, I must be helping Nancy and Kathleen to be the right sort of women, and wives, and mothers, and Gilbert and Peter the proper kind of men, and husbands, and fathers."
p. 83 (about moving to their new home before the end of the school term)
"It was finally decided that the girls should leave their spring term of school unfinished, and that the family should move to Beulah. ...
Mother Carey gave due reflection to the interrupted studies, but concluded that for two girls like Nancy and Kathleen the making of a new home would be more instructive and inspiring, and more fruitful in its results, than weeks of book learning."
p. 84
"Youth delights in change, in the prospect of new scenes and fresh adventures, and as it is never troubled by any doubts as to the wisdom of its plans, the Carey children were full of vigor and energy just now."
p. 112 (on spanking)
"Mother Carey had arms to carry, arms to enfold, arms to comfort and caress. She also had a fine, handsome, strong hand admirable for spanking, but she had so many invisible methods of discipline at her command that she never needed a visible spanker for Peter. "Spanking is all very well in its poor way," she used to say, "but a woman who has to fall back on it very often is sadly lackin in ingenuity."
p. 156 "ineradicable" adjective -- unable to be destroyed or removed.
..."His racy accounts of Mrs. Popham's pessimism, which had grown prodigiously from living in the house with his optimism; his anecdotes of Lallie Joy Popham, who was given to moods, having inherited portions of her father's incurable hopefulness, and fragments of her mother's ineradicable gloom, --these were of a character that made the finishing of the hall a matter of profound unimportance."
p. 157 "celerity" noun--swiftness of movement.
..."Mis' Bill Harmon's another 'hurrier,' -- ...she an' Mis' Popham hev been at it for fifteen years, but the village ain't ready to give out the blue ribbon yet. Last week my wife went over to Harmon's and Mis' Harmon said she was goin' to make some molasses candy that mornin'. Well, my wife hurried home, put on her molasses, made her candy, cooled it and worked it, and took some over to treat Mis' Harmon, who was jest gittin' her kittle out from under the sink!"
The Careys laughed heartily at this evidence of Mrs. Popham's celerity, while Osh, as pleased as possible, gave one dab with his paste brush and went on..."
p. 352 "celerity" again
"There was a brief interval for ice cream, accompanied by marble cake, gold cake, silver cake, election cake, sponge cake, cup cake, citron cake, and White Mountain cake, and while it was being eaten, Susie Bennett played The Sliding Waltz, The Maiden's Prayer, and Listen to the Mocking Bird with variations; variations requiring almost supernatural celerity."
p. 254 "execrable" adjective -- extremely bad or unpleasant.
..."These country schools never have any atmosphere of true scholarliness, and the speech and manners of both teachers and pupils are execrable."
p. 284 (the mother's thoughts to herself)
..."You can't have the joys of motherhood without some of its pangs! Think of your blessings, and don't be a coward!"
p. 308 (Nancy's thoughts on the occasion of her 17th birthday)
"A young girl's heart is ever yearning for and trembling at the future. In its innocent depths the things that are to be are sometimes rustling and whispering secrets, and sometimes keeping an exquisite, haunting silence. In the midst of the mystery the solemn young creature is sighing to herself, "What am I meant for? Am I everything? Am I nothing? Must I wait till my future comes to me, or must I seek it?"
In 1963 Disney made a film, starring Haley Mills, based on this book which was published in 1910. The film? SUMMER MAGIC. How on earth did I stumble upon this book? I requested it through inter-library loan at my library and when it finally came I had no clue as to why I requested it. What a delight to find myself reading the book which inspired a favorite film of mine! Sometime I'll need to read WATER BABIES by Kingsley, which was referenced quite often in this book.
I have a few vocabulary words and quotes I want to nail down. ---
p. 4 "encomiums" Encomium is a Latin word deriving from the Classical Greek ἐγκώμιον (enkomion) meaning "the praise of a person or thing." Wikipedia
"As a matter of fact it required only a tolerable show of virtue for Peter to win encomiums at any time."
p. 40-42 (the father has recently died from an illness and the family has had to let the 'house help' go). Here is an example of a mother helping a child develop a valuable trait:
"There came a day when even Peter realized that life was real and life was earnest. When the floor was strewn with playthings his habit had been to stand amid the wreckage and smile, whereupon Joanna would fly and restore everything to its accustomed place. After the passing of Joanna, Mother Carey sat placidly in her chair in the nursery and Peter stood ankle deep among his toys, smiling.
"Now put everything where it belongs, sweet Pete," said mother.
"You do it," smiled Peter.
"I am very busy darning your stockings, Peter."
"I don't like to pick up, Muddy."
"No, it isn't much fun, but it has to be done."
Peter went over to the window and gazed at the landscape. "I dess I'll go play with Ellen," he remarked in honeyed tones.
"That would be nice, after you clear away your toys and blocks."
"I dess I'll play with Ellen first," suggested Peter, starting slowly towards the door.
"No, we always work fist and play afterwards!" said mother, going on darning.
Peter felt caught in a net of irresistible and pitiless logic.
"Come and help me, Muddy?" he coaxed, and as she looked up he suddenly let fly all his armory of weapons at once, -- two dimples, tossing back of curls, parted lips, tiny white teeth, sweet voice.
Mother Carey's impulse was to cast herself on the floor and request him simply to smile on her and she would do his lightest bidding, but controlling her secret desires she answered: "I would help if you needed me, but you don't. You're a great big boy now!"
"I'm not a great big boy!" cried Peter, "I'm only a great big little boy!"
"Don't waste time, sweet Pete; go to work!"
"I want Joanna!" roared Peter with the voice of an infant bull.
"So we all do. It's because she had to go that I'm darning stockings."
The net tightened round Peter's defenseless body and he hurled himself against his rocking-horse and dragged it brutally to a corner. Having disposed of most of his strength and temper in this operation, he put away the rest of his goods and chattels more quietly, but with streaming eyes and heaving bosom.
"Splendid!" commented Mother Carey. "Joanna couldn't have done it better, and it won't be half so much work next time." Peter heard the words "next time" distinctly, and knew the grim face of Duty at last, though he was less than five."
p. 50 "Beulah means land of promise; -- that's a good omen.
p. 52-53 (Mother Carey ponders her life's purpose)
..."If she could keep strength enough to guide and guard, train and develop them into happy, useful, agreeable human beings, -- masters of their own powers; wise and discreet enough, when years of discretion were reached, to choose right paths, -- that, she conceived, was her chief task in life, and no easy one. "Happy I must contrive that they shall be," she thought, "for unhappiness and discontent are among the foxes that spoil the vines. Stupid they shall not be, while I can think of any force to stir their brains; they have ordinary intelligence, all of them, and they shall learn to use it; dull and sleepy children I can't abide. Fairly good they will be, if they are busy and happy, and clever enough to see the folly of being anything but good! And so, month after month, for many years to come, I must be helping Nancy and Kathleen to be the right sort of women, and wives, and mothers, and Gilbert and Peter the proper kind of men, and husbands, and fathers."
p. 83 (about moving to their new home before the end of the school term)
"It was finally decided that the girls should leave their spring term of school unfinished, and that the family should move to Beulah. ...
Mother Carey gave due reflection to the interrupted studies, but concluded that for two girls like Nancy and Kathleen the making of a new home would be more instructive and inspiring, and more fruitful in its results, than weeks of book learning."
p. 84
"Youth delights in change, in the prospect of new scenes and fresh adventures, and as it is never troubled by any doubts as to the wisdom of its plans, the Carey children were full of vigor and energy just now."
p. 112 (on spanking)
"Mother Carey had arms to carry, arms to enfold, arms to comfort and caress. She also had a fine, handsome, strong hand admirable for spanking, but she had so many invisible methods of discipline at her command that she never needed a visible spanker for Peter. "Spanking is all very well in its poor way," she used to say, "but a woman who has to fall back on it very often is sadly lackin in ingenuity."
p. 156 "ineradicable" adjective -- unable to be destroyed or removed.
..."His racy accounts of Mrs. Popham's pessimism, which had grown prodigiously from living in the house with his optimism; his anecdotes of Lallie Joy Popham, who was given to moods, having inherited portions of her father's incurable hopefulness, and fragments of her mother's ineradicable gloom, --these were of a character that made the finishing of the hall a matter of profound unimportance."
p. 157 "celerity" noun--swiftness of movement.
..."Mis' Bill Harmon's another 'hurrier,' -- ...she an' Mis' Popham hev been at it for fifteen years, but the village ain't ready to give out the blue ribbon yet. Last week my wife went over to Harmon's and Mis' Harmon said she was goin' to make some molasses candy that mornin'. Well, my wife hurried home, put on her molasses, made her candy, cooled it and worked it, and took some over to treat Mis' Harmon, who was jest gittin' her kittle out from under the sink!"
The Careys laughed heartily at this evidence of Mrs. Popham's celerity, while Osh, as pleased as possible, gave one dab with his paste brush and went on..."
p. 352 "celerity" again
"There was a brief interval for ice cream, accompanied by marble cake, gold cake, silver cake, election cake, sponge cake, cup cake, citron cake, and White Mountain cake, and while it was being eaten, Susie Bennett played The Sliding Waltz, The Maiden's Prayer, and Listen to the Mocking Bird with variations; variations requiring almost supernatural celerity."
p. 254 "execrable" adjective -- extremely bad or unpleasant.
..."These country schools never have any atmosphere of true scholarliness, and the speech and manners of both teachers and pupils are execrable."
p. 284 (the mother's thoughts to herself)
..."You can't have the joys of motherhood without some of its pangs! Think of your blessings, and don't be a coward!"
p. 308 (Nancy's thoughts on the occasion of her 17th birthday)
"A young girl's heart is ever yearning for and trembling at the future. In its innocent depths the things that are to be are sometimes rustling and whispering secrets, and sometimes keeping an exquisite, haunting silence. In the midst of the mystery the solemn young creature is sighing to herself, "What am I meant for? Am I everything? Am I nothing? Must I wait till my future comes to me, or must I seek it?"
May 26, 2025
This is one of my favorite old-fashioned stories about a large family whose father dies and they are left to make their way in the world on very little money. They give up their home in the city and move to a tiny village, into an old house that needs some fixing up, and begin to re-orient themselves into life without Father. The allusion to "Mother Carey's Chickens" comes from a story I haven't read called "The Water Babies." I will have to look that up next.
A cousin comes to live with them - she has had a privileged upbringing and is snobbish. She can't understand why she has to scrimp and save and do chores along with the rest of them. But eventually, the home comes together, the family comes together, and even the community comes together because of Mother Carey's Chickens.
A cousin comes to live with them - she has had a privileged upbringing and is snobbish. She can't understand why she has to scrimp and save and do chores along with the rest of them. But eventually, the home comes together, the family comes together, and even the community comes together because of Mother Carey's Chickens.
July 31, 2022
Another "paean to motherhood" written by a woman who had no children of her own. It's easier to romanticise parenthood when you don't actually have to do it 24/7 for years on end. Like Louisa May Alcott before her, she creates a perfect little family...well, fatherless and poor, but perfect...with the central figure of Mother Carey as Marmee, ever watchful, ever loving, ever perfect. Everyone falls in love with her, from staid Cousin Ann to the local handyman to the intellectual hermit. The family has to move from their city home to upstate Maine in order to survive on a tiny budget, but of course it rains coincidences to get them just what they need just when they need it. And of course since everyone loves Mother, their many new friends provide things at huge discounts or free gratis for nothing, despite the stereotype of the time of Maine farmers as tightfisted bootstrappers who are wary of outsiders. Of course--of course!--everything works out fine for the lucky, loving family as the wealthy landlord bows down at Mother Carey's throne. Her eldest daughter has inherited her beauty and charm (MC herself is "still lovely, even at 40!", ick) and soon has every male in the vicinity eating out of her sixteen year old hand. This is not a "children's book"--it is a book ostensibly about children, but not necessarily for them. I would say it was more YA fiction of the time. Mother is so worried about her two sons' selfish natures; well okay, one of them is four when the book starts, but the other is highschool age. And who taught him to put himself above his sisters, hmmm? Is perfect Mummy guilty of favouritism? (Yes).
Though much better written than most of Wiggin's output, it is very much a reworking of The Water Babies, a book I never could like. Whenever the authoress gets stuck, she throws in a longish quote from Kingsley's book, or a poem by someone else. Two and a half stars as there were patches of very good story interrupted by long tracts of motherhood worship.
Though much better written than most of Wiggin's output, it is very much a reworking of The Water Babies, a book I never could like. Whenever the authoress gets stuck, she throws in a longish quote from Kingsley's book, or a poem by someone else. Two and a half stars as there were patches of very good story interrupted by long tracts of motherhood worship.
April 25, 2015
This book was seriously a five star clear up to the very end. I was deeply involved with every character. I loved all of Mother Carey's "chickens". And I loved Mother Carey all the more for taking in the Lord children so they really felt loved.
I read with glee Nancy's letters to their landlord and his thoughts on what she wrote. I loved reading of how they fixed up the rooms in their homes. The way that Julia eventually came around. How all of their neighbors loved them so much that they constantly helped them out. Peter was at all times adorable!
Then the teacher came and I'm pretty sure there was a scene that he was looking at Nancy as a woman and not a girl. Maybe it was a as a girl and not a woman. Regardless when the teacher is thanking Mother Carey for helping him feel loved I was under the impression that Nancy would end up with him. Or if she didn't their would be n explanation.
Then came the last chapter/ last four pages of the book where Tom comes along and Nancy is suddenly enamored with him and we are told that Olive is with the teacher and Kathleen is with Cyril. Wait what? When did any of that happen? Did they edit all of that out? And they suddenly the book was over. What? What happens to Gilbert? Am I to be satisfied with such and ending? No.
I remember feeling left out when she didn't further explain what happened to Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, but this was much more of a "just slap an end on it". This has left me feeling like I must read every thing she ever wrote to see if that is her style. Maybe she liked to leave the ending open to our own imagination.
I read with glee Nancy's letters to their landlord and his thoughts on what she wrote. I loved reading of how they fixed up the rooms in their homes. The way that Julia eventually came around. How all of their neighbors loved them so much that they constantly helped them out. Peter was at all times adorable!
Then the teacher came and I'm pretty sure there was a scene that he was looking at Nancy as a woman and not a girl. Maybe it was a as a girl and not a woman. Regardless when the teacher is thanking Mother Carey for helping him feel loved I was under the impression that Nancy would end up with him. Or if she didn't their would be n explanation.
Then came the last chapter/ last four pages of the book where Tom comes along and Nancy is suddenly enamored with him and we are told that Olive is with the teacher and Kathleen is with Cyril. Wait what? When did any of that happen? Did they edit all of that out? And they suddenly the book was over. What? What happens to Gilbert? Am I to be satisfied with such and ending? No.
I remember feeling left out when she didn't further explain what happened to Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, but this was much more of a "just slap an end on it". This has left me feeling like I must read every thing she ever wrote to see if that is her style. Maybe she liked to leave the ending open to our own imagination.
March 23, 2011
The Little Bookworm
After the death of her husband, Mrs. Carey and her children pack up and move to the Yellow House in Beulah, a country village.
There is an old Hayley Mills movie called Summer Magic that is based on this book. I love that movie and have been meaning to read the book it was based on for a while now. This was a very sweet book. I can see the similarities between the movie and the book and, while it is not faithful, the movie manages to capture the tone of the book though it gets rid of the language thankfully. Because the flowery language is the hardest part of the book and I found myself skipping over bits of it.
Nancy is the eldest, spunkiest daughter (Hayley Mills played her) and I really liked her. She was funny and spirited and charming. There are 3 more Carey children, Gilbert the oldest boy, Kathleen the youngest girl and Peter the youngest and the smallest boy. Together they all rally around their mother after their father's death and help to support her and do their best with lot that life has handed them, especially since they don't have a lot of money. But they get the Yellow House and it makes for a fine life for them. It really is a charming little book and very sweet.
After the death of her husband, Mrs. Carey and her children pack up and move to the Yellow House in Beulah, a country village.
There is an old Hayley Mills movie called Summer Magic that is based on this book. I love that movie and have been meaning to read the book it was based on for a while now. This was a very sweet book. I can see the similarities between the movie and the book and, while it is not faithful, the movie manages to capture the tone of the book though it gets rid of the language thankfully. Because the flowery language is the hardest part of the book and I found myself skipping over bits of it.
Nancy is the eldest, spunkiest daughter (Hayley Mills played her) and I really liked her. She was funny and spirited and charming. There are 3 more Carey children, Gilbert the oldest boy, Kathleen the youngest girl and Peter the youngest and the smallest boy. Together they all rally around their mother after their father's death and help to support her and do their best with lot that life has handed them, especially since they don't have a lot of money. But they get the Yellow House and it makes for a fine life for them. It really is a charming little book and very sweet.
January 1, 2016
Sweet and endearing historic story, a good one for fans of Anne of Green Gables and similar.
Mother Carey's Chickens is the book that the musical Summer Magic (1963) starring Hayley Mills was based on. I love the film, so checked out the book which you can find free on Gutenberg. I was surprised to find out how faithful the film is to the book, particularly the early sections. Entire lines of dialogue are taken from the book which is rather charming.
There are of course some character differences, including an extra child, and some ages swapped around, but on the whole if you like the movie you'll like the book, and vice versa. It's a lovely, gentle read - you know that a host of happy endings are on the way - with many beautiful pieces of verse and song woven in that I really enjoyed. I also found the food descriptions interesting, and am dying to know what "gold cake" and "silver cake" are.
As lovely as the book is, it's possible that the film is even better (which is a rare phenomenon: usually Hollywood ruins books). If you were going to edit the book, you might well make some of the changes that the film made: fewer characters, more humour, and so on. A few more loose ends wrapped up.
But either way, this is a lovely read, and I highly recommend it to anyone that enjoys reading older fiction.
Mother Carey's Chickens is the book that the musical Summer Magic (1963) starring Hayley Mills was based on. I love the film, so checked out the book which you can find free on Gutenberg. I was surprised to find out how faithful the film is to the book, particularly the early sections. Entire lines of dialogue are taken from the book which is rather charming.
There are of course some character differences, including an extra child, and some ages swapped around, but on the whole if you like the movie you'll like the book, and vice versa. It's a lovely, gentle read - you know that a host of happy endings are on the way - with many beautiful pieces of verse and song woven in that I really enjoyed. I also found the food descriptions interesting, and am dying to know what "gold cake" and "silver cake" are.
As lovely as the book is, it's possible that the film is even better (which is a rare phenomenon: usually Hollywood ruins books). If you were going to edit the book, you might well make some of the changes that the film made: fewer characters, more humour, and so on. A few more loose ends wrapped up.
But either way, this is a lovely read, and I highly recommend it to anyone that enjoys reading older fiction.
February 22, 2011
A sweet story of 4 children and their widowed mother -- filled with cheer, Mother Carey makes an interesting life for her children, who are of varying temperaments. Older daughter Nancy is the heroine, I believe, and she is not quite completely, unbelievably good and clever, and of course, beautiful, etc. But even with the charming children, and others Mother Carey takes into her loving home, the era of a long-gone innocence is hard to realize -- the contrast with our life today as opposed to "then" (late 1800s) is almost unbelievable (and tempting to hope to recreate it, but the impossibility is just too loud and strong). (Whew! That sentence started in one area and ended I know not where.) This was another free download to my Kindle.
January 5, 2014
A nice light read set in the early 20th century about a widowed mother and her children (who seem to multiply as strays wonder by). Kate Douglas Wiggin has a taste for the florid while describing things, but she's got a sharp wit and a great admiration for women that shines in a bright proto-feminist manner. I liked it but I don't know if I'd pick the book up again. Maybe I'd watch the movie.
December 1, 2021
It's not literature. It has a few Pollyanna-esque leanings, and relies a bit too much on The Water Babies for those who are unfamiliar with the story(which I was). But it's a fun little tale that meanders through a couple of forgotten and unpopular truths.
August 5, 2014
I completely loved this charming story! It felt very much like a Louisa May Alcott novel. The characters are bright and lovely and flawed and interesting. Is idyllic and inspiring. There were many moral gems woven beautifully into this dreamy tale.
September 19, 2014
I do find this book a charming little read. A trifle too "good" and "cozy". Although the family faces great adversity, everything seems to go a bit smoothly for them. There are several excellent quotes that I loved about Muddy's mothering style.
September 7, 2022
A sweet family life story. L enjoyed it more than the others. I wish I remembered more of the story of the water babies, since that gets used as an analogy-inspiration repeatedly, but you get the general idea.
October 8, 2011
Cute story if you just want to read something happy like, say, after you finish The Shining and you feel like you need some sort of reading detox
April 10, 2016
Beautiful. Dreamy. Perfect.
December 5, 2025
A lovely tale with many inspiring ideas (and quotes worth commonplacing), for mothers. It reminded me a lot of Louisa May Alcott's Little Women.
Mrs Carey is a cheerful and industrious mother who is so tender and wise in her dealing with her children. She's also so hospitable and loving that her wonderful influence goes well beyond the bounds of her home.
If you're needing a light read to inspire you in the work of motherhood and the value of making of a home, consider picking this one up. It's available for free on Project Gutenburg.
My only complaint is that because I have not (yet) read Water Babies, I didn't understand all those references which initially made the book difficult to get into.
Mrs Carey is a cheerful and industrious mother who is so tender and wise in her dealing with her children. She's also so hospitable and loving that her wonderful influence goes well beyond the bounds of her home.
If you're needing a light read to inspire you in the work of motherhood and the value of making of a home, consider picking this one up. It's available for free on Project Gutenburg.
My only complaint is that because I have not (yet) read Water Babies, I didn't understand all those references which initially made the book difficult to get into.
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