O Ye Jigs & Juleps!

by Virginia Cary Hudson, Karla Kuskin (Illustrator), Inspirational Press (a diviision of Simon & Schuster) (Editor)

A refreshing look into a little girl's humorous outlook on life, her Christian perspective, and the customs and social mores of nineteenth-century America. It contains a collection of essays of a child's experiences at a religious boarding school at the turn of the century. Guaranteed to make the reader LAUGH! With qualities similar to Eloise and Dennis the Menace, Virginia Cary Hudson was only ten when she wrote these essays for her teacher at the Episcopal boarding school she was attending in 1904. This humorous collection (over 1 million sold) of small-town Americana is a modern-day classic that celebrates the honesty and charm of a child's turn-of-the century world. On Everlasting Most of the things you get somebody dies so you can get it. But, you have to die your own self to get everlasting life. On Etiquette is what you're doing or saying when people are looking or listening. What you are thinking is your own business. These naively commentaries of school, church etiquette, and everlasting life are both a child's honest impressions that become hilarious when read by adults.

Genres: Humor, Nonfiction, History, Memoir, Biography, Classics, Childrens

50 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 1962

Reviews

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

To this day, I have absolutely no clue whether or not Virginia Cary Hudson really wrote this book. I have a vague memory of reading somewhere that she was the figment of a very clever marketer, but I prefer to believe that she really traipsed around Louisville, Kentucky, getting the bishop to drink mint juleps and baptising babies in the rainwater barrels. This book is probably one of my favorite childhood memories, and while some might snipe and say there's no way a child could be this unintentionally sharp and observant, I beg to differ. My own students catch me out eighteen ways before Sunday, especially when it comes to the ridiculata of grown-up life. As a kid, I remember thinking that Virginia was both hilarious and entirely accurate. Oh ye beans and roses, oh ye jigs and juleps indeed and amen.

[Shiloah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolute delightful! I feel so fortunate to have happened on this little gem. I plan to reread anytime I need a little humor in my life.

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

O Ye Jigs and Juleps by Virginia Cary Hudson is a quick fun read. It was a favorite of my mom's. This book is a collection of essays by the author in 1904 when she was just 10 years old. Oh the mind of a youngster. They'll say anything.

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A strange book. Sort of like one of those parents' guides to children's slang we see every so often, but printed in 1904.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jigs & Juleps! The title of this book is so much fun to say. I had no idea what jigs or juleps were when I was a kid but I did like to read this book. I was so impressed the author was my age and she could write such a funny book. At least, I could tell it was supposed to be funny, though it was from another era and I didn't really understand a lot of it. I felt inspired that I, too, could write a book at such a young age and get it published. Didn't happen, but it did make me do some writing. Wish I still had this book. I'd like to do a re-read of it someday.

[Leah Steever · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extremely short, lighthearted book written [ostensibly:] by a girl of around 12 years of age in the early 1900's. Each chapter is her interpretation of her world as she sees it. Her views on everything from religion to fashion is quite hilarious. Definitely worth digging on Amazon for a used copy.

[Kaethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's old timey! It's folksy! It must have been on sale for pennies at Cracker Barrel 'cause it's considerably more ubiquitous than grits in the homes of older white southern folks.

Some phenomena cannot be explained by Science.

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I lent my copy of "Jigs and Juleps" to someone who failed to return it. When wishing to look up the part about playing baptism in the rain barrel, I found my book missing and ordered a "new" used copy on-line. These are essays written by a (precocious) ten-year-old in Kentucky about growing up in the Episcopal Church. Her daughter copied them and published them post mortem. After the great success of this publication, she edited three other sets of her mother's essays, stories and letters for publication: "Credos & Quips" (1964), "Flapdoodle, Trust & Obey" (1966), and "Close Your Eyes When Praying" (1968), none of which do I own nor have I read. Rereading Hudson's juvenile essays restores a simplicity, a warmth, and a gentle humour to my memories of the Episcopal Church as it was (or as one is prone to imagine it was). She wrote "My grandmother says the Episcopalians are stuck up and some of them can strut sitting down." (p. 49) Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Come, Lord Jesus. Alleluia and Amen.

[Mollie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short delightful read written by a 10 year old Virginia Cary Hudson in about 1904. It gave me insights to what life might of been like for my grandmother's generation.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have the 1964 edition which cost 60 cents! I got it from my mother. It has funny little essays written by a 10 year girl. The illustrations are charming.

[DeAnn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not written by a 10 yr old. It was very clearly written by an adult that thinks they can write and think like a ten year old. They clearly fail at it.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Until today, when I saw what GR people had to say about this book, I thought I was the only one in the world who knew and loved it. Ever since the first time I read it as a child, I have wanted to write a book set in 1904. Now I believe it might simply have been Karla Kuskin's adorable illustrations that hooked me at least as much as Virginia's cheeky essays. I can probably also credit it with my lifelong interest in comparative religions (and not just those stated by Mr. Confuscius, Mr. Tao, and Mr. Buddha and the seven religions practiced in Leesville). I consider myself blessed that after half a century and eight moves, I still have my copy (although I had to repair the dust cover last month) and regret that I don't know whither our family's copy of her other book, Credos and Quips, vanished, and when.

[Roybot · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm surprised there aren't more books like this (books full of humorous essays written by children when they were young but published much later in life). Maybe it's for the best that there aren't; perhaps the humor would wear off if there were too many? Either way, this was a funny, fun read. I particularly enjoyed the essay about the library, but all of the essays had some pretty funny moments.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did a ten-year-old really write these snapshots of her thoughts? If so, she was marvelously creative and a strong young writer. The first time I read this book, I kept insisting that my parents listen while I read them passages that I found especially entertaining. I wonder how these vignettes have stood the test of time.

[Anjanette · Rating 3 out of 5]

2025 Read Your Shelves Challenge #2
(Acquired from the free cart at John K. King Used and Rare Books/Detroit ((By the way, go there)).)

Cute, humorous, short and sweet!

(If anyone wants to be passed my copy, let me know and I can mail it. I don’t anticipate needing a re-read + no one around me would appreciate it.)

[Lou Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was highly rated by my mother-in-law, and I have enjoyed it also. The type of wit would perhaps be better appreciated by someone my age or older than the current generation.

[Mary Lins · Rating 4 out of 5]

“O Ye Jigs & Juleps!” by Virginia Cary Hudson, was given to me as a gift, and it’s just a delightfully quick read!

Enjoy this look at life in a small southern town at the beginning of the twentieth century through the eyes of a child. It would not pass the Politically Correct Police these days, but remember it’s written about 1904.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

These artless and very short essays by a girl living in the early 20th century south are amusing and charming. They don't really add up to a full-length book, but they do provide a few moments of pleasure.

[Emily Maxson · Rating 5 out of 5]

"And now may God grant us all a good night's rest and not let the fire whistle blow. Amen. Hallelujah and so be it as it may."

[Becca Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short hoot to read aloud.

[KATHLEEN · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember first reading this book to my grandmother circa 1969.

[Lizze Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun jig through a small town with a child guide.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Woot! I love Virginia Hudson! She covers the Church that I remember as a child with reverence and yet also with tongue in cheek... a very human look at religion. I have read and reread her short books on the Episcopal Church. She also wrote "Credos and Quips" but I don't see it listed in goodreads.

[MisterFweem · Rating 4 out of 5]

I teach composition to university freshmen and sophomore, and occasionally find a few students whoa re as lucid at writing as this little ten=year-old girl. They're fun to read, because they're past the point where they're worried about grammar and spelling -- though they both quite well, thank you very much -- and just have fun with the language. It's hooptedoodle at its finest.

[Harley Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful collection of essays written by a ten-year-old over a hundred years ago. In 1904 Virginia wrote these nine essays for her class at the Episcopal school she attended. They are full of humor and a ten-year-old's insight into the world around her. These essays were stored in an attic for almost sixty years. Great reading.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super fun read. Whether or not this little book actually is a collection of essays by a ten-year-old girl from Virginia in 1904, it has a distinct, entertaining voice. I loved reading it.

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O_Ye_Jig...!)

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

I believe Ben Merkle read parts of this book at a church dinner long ago - it is especially fun to read out loud. If you need a good belly laugh, this book will do it! I love Mrs. Harris and the Corinthian Julip! Written by a ten year old girl back in 1904, this is a must read.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Humorous essays by a young Southern schoolgirl whose voice is a cross between Scout Finch + Anne Shirley

[scarlettraces · Rating 4 out of 5]

What can I say, it's super cute (even if it's fake, and no one seems to be suggesting that). It also happens to be a lost book of mine - couldn't remember enough of the title to track it down - so I was delighted to find it in the op shop the other day.

[Cheri Blomquist · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my all-time favorite books, and I have read it multiple times. It may have been written by a 10-year-old, but it is a hilarious breath of fresh air. No, it's not great literature, but if you need cheering, you'll love O, Ye Jigs and Juleps!