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The Little Colonel #1
The Little Colonel
An old-fashioned Southern colonel has disowned his daughter for marrying a Yankee and resists all entreaties for a reconciliation until he succumbs to the charms of his little granddaughter.
During the early part of the 20th century the Little Colonel series was the most popular series for children. Published in 1895, this is the first in the series of books about Lloyd Sherman, the Little Colonel.
During the early part of the 20th century the Little Colonel series was the most popular series for children. Published in 1895, this is the first in the series of books about Lloyd Sherman, the Little Colonel.
116 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1895
11 people are currently reading
153 people want to read
About the author
Annie Fellows Johnston
116 books12 followersAnnie Fellows Johnston (1863-1931) was an American author of children's fiction who wrote the popular "Little Colonel" series, which was the basis for the 1935 Shirley Temple film The Little Colonel. She was born and grew up in McCutchanville, Indiana, a small unincorporated town near Evansville, Indiana.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
November 23, 2018
Originally published in 1895, The Little Colonel was the first of an extended series of children's novels that chronicle the adventures of young Lloyd Sherman - nicknamed "the Little Colonel" because her fiery temperament and stubborn disposition call to mind similar qualities in her estranged grandfather, a former colonel in the Confederate army - and her friends. In this opening volume of the series, the five-year-old Little Colonel meets her grandfather for the first time, and, despite the tensions existing between him and her parents - Colonel Lloyd, having lost his only son, Tom, as well as his arm, in the recent Civil War, had no use for Yankees, and had disowned his only daughter Elizabeth (Lloyd's mother), when she married Jack Sherman of New York - forms a bond of deep affection with him. Will the Little Colonel's love be enough to conquer his pride, however, and reconcile him to his daughter and son-in-law...?
This being a sentimental novel of the late nineteenth/early twentieth centuries, there is never much doubt as to the conclusion of the tale, but the process by which that conclusion is reached is not without its charm. Colonel Lloyd is (with a few exceptions) an engaging character despite his flaws, and the Little Colonel is endearing. I did wonder a bit at the author's decision to make her speech so decidedly southern, when (according to the story) she had been raised in New York, and had only come to Lloydsborough some short time before the opening of the story, but leaving that issue aside, her characterization - her penchant for story-telling (and evident fondness for The Three Billy Goats Gruff), her knack for making friends with all and sundry, her passionate temper - was well done. The conclusion itself, while easy enough to predict, is a satisfying affirmation of family love and reconciliation, as well as an oblique portrait of rapprochement between North and South, so recently divided by that bitterest of struggles, the American Civil War.
Read a certain way, The Little Colonel is really a most engaging book, making it easy to see why it (not to mention its many sequels) was so very popular in the early years of the twentieth century. There was even a Shirley Temple film made from it, in 1935. Of course, that "certain way" of reading involves turning a blind eye to the thoroughly racist depictions of all the black characters, who are happily subservient, stupidly superstitious (as witnessed by Mom Beck's conviction that Papa Jack is doomed to die, because of the "signs" she has seen), and speak in the sort of broken dialect often reserved for them in children's stories of the period. It also requires ignoring the frequent occurrence of such racial epithets as "pickaninnies," "darkies," and (to a lesser extent) "n*ggers" in the text.
That such is the way some would like to read the book can be seen by their emphatically (and defensively) glowing reviews, in which they insist either that the book is not racist, or that its racism cannot be held against it, because it was "of the times." I am amused to note that www.littlecolonel.com, a most informative website devoted to Johnston's books, claims that her work has fallen out of favor because contemporary readers don't value "romantic and sentimental wholesomeness" any more, but makes no mention of this other, far more significant objection that said readers might have, or that Johnston's fall from popularity might reflect the (thankfully!) changing racial dynamics of American society.
What then is the contemporary reader, the one who does value the "romantic and sentimental" (yes, yes, I admit it!), but who loathes racism, to do? Should books like The Little Colonel still be read, and by whom? As someone with an interest in the history of American children's books, as well as (more recently) the school-story genre, this is a title I've been meaning to pick up. After all, the Little Colonel series was once immensely popular, and it also includes an example of the school story, in The Little Colonel at Boarding-School . It documents, not necessarily a moment in American history, but a perception of that moment. Or put another way, it helped to create the perception of that moment, and seems to have been part of a new kind of romanticism about the south. All factors that give it great interest for me, as someone with a more academic interest in children's literature, and its social significance. It is also, despite its objectionable content, quite readable (hence the three stars, rather than two, although I'm still debating that point).
I think that this is a book I would recommend to older readers who are interested in the history of American children's literature, in vintage American children's series, or in the depiction of the post Civil War South (and specifically, Kentucky) in said literature and series. I don't know that I would recommend it to young readers, and am thankful that I didn't encounter it as a young person myself. Still, I'm glad to have read it at this point, as I do find it utterly fascinating, and I think I will probably read further in the series.
This being a sentimental novel of the late nineteenth/early twentieth centuries, there is never much doubt as to the conclusion of the tale, but the process by which that conclusion is reached is not without its charm. Colonel Lloyd is (with a few exceptions) an engaging character despite his flaws, and the Little Colonel is endearing. I did wonder a bit at the author's decision to make her speech so decidedly southern, when (according to the story) she had been raised in New York, and had only come to Lloydsborough some short time before the opening of the story, but leaving that issue aside, her characterization - her penchant for story-telling (and evident fondness for The Three Billy Goats Gruff), her knack for making friends with all and sundry, her passionate temper - was well done. The conclusion itself, while easy enough to predict, is a satisfying affirmation of family love and reconciliation, as well as an oblique portrait of rapprochement between North and South, so recently divided by that bitterest of struggles, the American Civil War.
Read a certain way, The Little Colonel is really a most engaging book, making it easy to see why it (not to mention its many sequels) was so very popular in the early years of the twentieth century. There was even a Shirley Temple film made from it, in 1935. Of course, that "certain way" of reading involves turning a blind eye to the thoroughly racist depictions of all the black characters, who are happily subservient, stupidly superstitious (as witnessed by Mom Beck's conviction that Papa Jack is doomed to die, because of the "signs" she has seen), and speak in the sort of broken dialect often reserved for them in children's stories of the period. It also requires ignoring the frequent occurrence of such racial epithets as "pickaninnies," "darkies," and (to a lesser extent) "n*ggers" in the text.
That such is the way some would like to read the book can be seen by their emphatically (and defensively) glowing reviews, in which they insist either that the book is not racist, or that its racism cannot be held against it, because it was "of the times." I am amused to note that www.littlecolonel.com, a most informative website devoted to Johnston's books, claims that her work has fallen out of favor because contemporary readers don't value "romantic and sentimental wholesomeness" any more, but makes no mention of this other, far more significant objection that said readers might have, or that Johnston's fall from popularity might reflect the (thankfully!) changing racial dynamics of American society.
What then is the contemporary reader, the one who does value the "romantic and sentimental" (yes, yes, I admit it!), but who loathes racism, to do? Should books like The Little Colonel still be read, and by whom? As someone with an interest in the history of American children's books, as well as (more recently) the school-story genre, this is a title I've been meaning to pick up. After all, the Little Colonel series was once immensely popular, and it also includes an example of the school story, in The Little Colonel at Boarding-School . It documents, not necessarily a moment in American history, but a perception of that moment. Or put another way, it helped to create the perception of that moment, and seems to have been part of a new kind of romanticism about the south. All factors that give it great interest for me, as someone with a more academic interest in children's literature, and its social significance. It is also, despite its objectionable content, quite readable (hence the three stars, rather than two, although I'm still debating that point).
I think that this is a book I would recommend to older readers who are interested in the history of American children's literature, in vintage American children's series, or in the depiction of the post Civil War South (and specifically, Kentucky) in said literature and series. I don't know that I would recommend it to young readers, and am thankful that I didn't encounter it as a young person myself. Still, I'm glad to have read it at this point, as I do find it utterly fascinating, and I think I will probably read further in the series.
March 27, 2016
I know, I know, it's like a fairy tale. And Shirley Temple played in a much revised version in her glory days.
But it's also utterly charming, and now I know why young heroines in old novels would refer to loving the latest Little Colonel books!
But it's also utterly charming, and now I know why young heroines in old novels would refer to loving the latest Little Colonel books!
August 6, 2012
Racist, twee, and saccharin-sticky. From the opening scene with the "trawbewwies" right up to the end it was torture of the most sentimental sort. I couldn't stop, it was such a twain weck!
November 16, 2017
These books are still a Big Deal among collectors in Kentucky. When I eavesdropped on an old guy talking about his search for The Little Colonel's Diary, I figured I should at least read the first one for free. The Betsy-Tacy books referenced them several times, too. It was a quick read and the perfect length for one bout of pregnancy insomnia. This book was basically an Elsie Dinsmore book without the Bible and with twice as many apostrophes. The main theme was grudges and pride giving way to reconciliation and love. All in all, the book was OK for what it is, but I have no desire to spend any time tracking down the rest of the series (even on Kindle).
September 6, 2019
I don't understand why people don't like this book.
Yes the Grandfather is disdainful of all poor people, but I wouldn't say he thought any less of African American's.
If you take offense at the word nigga, I'm sorry to hear that you are rewriting history and I don't want to have much to do with you.
I read a charming tale of forgiveness and healing.
Yes the Grandfather is disdainful of all poor people, but I wouldn't say he thought any less of African American's.
If you take offense at the word nigga, I'm sorry to hear that you are rewriting history and I don't want to have much to do with you.
I read a charming tale of forgiveness and healing.
June 1, 2011
I read as a child and now own all the Little Colonel books. Loved every one of them.
September 29, 2016
First of the Little Colonel series, which were later made into a movie starring Shirley Temple, set in the 1880s in Kentucky. The (old) Colonel served in the Confederate army and disowned his daughter when she married a Yankee. When he realizes that this keeps him from his granddaughter, who is very much like him, he has to consider whether his love can overcome his pride and loyalty for the southern cause.
From LibriVox.com: The scene of this story is laid in Kentucky. Its heroine is a small girl, who is known as the Little Colonel, on account of her fancied resemblance to an old-school Southern gentleman, whose fine estate and old family are famous in the region.
From LibriVox.com: The scene of this story is laid in Kentucky. Its heroine is a small girl, who is known as the Little Colonel, on account of her fancied resemblance to an old-school Southern gentleman, whose fine estate and old family are famous in the region.
October 27, 2018
I liked this book. I really, really liked it, and I'm sure I'd like to read the rest of the books in the series as well. I cried, probably because I was thinking of my Grandpa.
One thing though -- this characters constantly use racist terms. Of course! it's set in 1880s Kentucky, what else would you expect? Also --*gasp* those racist pigs aren't bad guys! they're normal (for a children's novel anyway). These books are likely to never see a reprinting because they display attitudes as common during the original publishing.
I think that's sad for two reasons. First, I'm pretty sure someone famous once said "those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it"-- painting over the past condemning otherwise normal people to be forever remembered as monsters isn't remembering the past, it's forgetting how normal people can do bad things and have society's approval. Second, it's a great teaching tool for children. The lesson? How to read and think critically. They are never to young to learn that.
One thing though -- this characters constantly use racist terms. Of course! it's set in 1880s Kentucky, what else would you expect? Also --*gasp* those racist pigs aren't bad guys! they're normal (for a children's novel anyway). These books are likely to never see a reprinting because they display attitudes as common during the original publishing.
I think that's sad for two reasons. First, I'm pretty sure someone famous once said "those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it"-- painting over the past condemning otherwise normal people to be forever remembered as monsters isn't remembering the past, it's forgetting how normal people can do bad things and have society's approval. Second, it's a great teaching tool for children. The lesson? How to read and think critically. They are never to young to learn that.
August 17, 2017
The Little Colonel stories were instrumental in making me a life-long reader. I first picked one up at my small, converted-house library in West Lafayette, IN when I was no more than 9. This library had the full series in a pink moire cover - what more could a little girl want? Before the summer was over I had read every single one of the series. To this day I remember them fondly. They were so special to me in fact as a married woman with children I was reminiscing about the books to my husband and he made it his mission to find and gift to me the complete series. I display them proudly.
Behind today's values? Of course, they are. Do they contain broad characterizations that we might find a bit racist today? Yes, to that too. But the Little Colonel was a feisty, take-n0-prisoners type child and served me well to become a strong, independent, know my strengths type of woman. I shall be forever grateful to The Little Colonel.
Behind today's values? Of course, they are. Do they contain broad characterizations that we might find a bit racist today? Yes, to that too. But the Little Colonel was a feisty, take-n0-prisoners type child and served me well to become a strong, independent, know my strengths type of woman. I shall be forever grateful to The Little Colonel.
December 20, 2018
This book holds a dear place in my heart! A friend introduced me to the series, and now I own the whole set of Little Colonel books and the companion Mary Ware series. _The Little Colonel_ is the first in the series, and introduces the heroine, Lloyd Sherman.
Plot Synopsis (and spoiler)!
Lloyd Sherman is a young child in this book, nicknamed "The Little Colonel" after her resemblance and similar hot-headed temper to her grandfather, a Civil War Colonel who lost his arm fighting the Yankees. Because her mother married without her father's consent, the Colonel has not spoken to her since.
However, Lloyd and her grandfather meet each other by accident. He is drawn to her, initially due to her resemblance of her own mother at her age, and then because of her own winning personality, although they have some stormy interludes. Lloyd's father comes home from the West where he went to bolster their fortunes, but he is very ill with typhoid fever, and the family is even poorer now, trying to find money to pay for the doctor. At the same time, the Colonel comes down with rheumatism and wants Lloyd to come stay at Locust - his mansion, named after the rows of old locust trees on each side of the drive - because he wants her near him, and is afraid she will catch the fever from her father.
The grandfather and granddaughter become closer during her stay, but Lloyd at last returns to her family, much to her grandfather's regret. 'Papa Jack' is better, but when he suffers a relapse, Lloyd runs to the Colonel - the only one she knows to go to for help. The Colonel had sworn never to see his daughter again at her marriage, and refuses to go with his granddaughter, believing there is no danger. Lloyd leaves the house in tears and anger while the Colonel searches his heart. The love he bears for his daughter and Lloyd finally wins the battle, and he goes to the Sherman house, to find Jack revived - the relapse was only a faint brought on by exertion. A joyful reunion follows between him and his daughter, and the entire family goes back to Locust for Christmas.
Plot Synopsis (and spoiler)!
Lloyd Sherman is a young child in this book, nicknamed "The Little Colonel" after her resemblance and similar hot-headed temper to her grandfather, a Civil War Colonel who lost his arm fighting the Yankees. Because her mother married without her father's consent, the Colonel has not spoken to her since.
However, Lloyd and her grandfather meet each other by accident. He is drawn to her, initially due to her resemblance of her own mother at her age, and then because of her own winning personality, although they have some stormy interludes. Lloyd's father comes home from the West where he went to bolster their fortunes, but he is very ill with typhoid fever, and the family is even poorer now, trying to find money to pay for the doctor. At the same time, the Colonel comes down with rheumatism and wants Lloyd to come stay at Locust - his mansion, named after the rows of old locust trees on each side of the drive - because he wants her near him, and is afraid she will catch the fever from her father.
The grandfather and granddaughter become closer during her stay, but Lloyd at last returns to her family, much to her grandfather's regret. 'Papa Jack' is better, but when he suffers a relapse, Lloyd runs to the Colonel - the only one she knows to go to for help. The Colonel had sworn never to see his daughter again at her marriage, and refuses to go with his granddaughter, believing there is no danger. Lloyd leaves the house in tears and anger while the Colonel searches his heart. The love he bears for his daughter and Lloyd finally wins the battle, and he goes to the Sherman house, to find Jack revived - the relapse was only a faint brought on by exertion. A joyful reunion follows between him and his daughter, and the entire family goes back to Locust for Christmas.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2014
Loved Little Women? Adored Betsy-Tacy? Wish there were more in these delightful series? Then hurrah for the Little Colonel!
A charming series of coming-of-age stories about a little girl in Kentucky at the turn of the century. Lloyd Sherman, the spunky miniature of her grandfather the colonel (hence the nickname), wins the hearts of all who meet her. She and her friends learn valuable life lessons and try to be good people, as did the March sisters of Little Women. They also have amusing adventures and stories-within-the-story, like Betsy Tacy & Tib (the Little Colonel is set about 10-15 years before Besty-Tacy, and mentioned in "Carney's House Party.")
The characters all seem drawn from real life. They are engaging and likable and distinct. Their adventures and games also seem rue to life. I couldn't put it down, and finished a book every day or two.
Series: You can download the entire collection for free or under $2 on Amazon. Be sure to get the complete collection and read in order. It starts with The Little Colonel, then The Giant Scissors, Two Little Knights of Kentucky, The Little Colonel's House Party, and so on.
Warning: These books are set in the South at the turn of the century, so there is some unfortunate and outdated language referring to the African-American servants and townspeople. It is infrequent (much less than in Tom Sawyer & Huck Finn) and clearly meant to be true to the style of the time and not outright derogatory or hurtful. But it should be explained to young readers and given its proper context, to avoid any encouragement/resurgence of racist language.
A charming series of coming-of-age stories about a little girl in Kentucky at the turn of the century. Lloyd Sherman, the spunky miniature of her grandfather the colonel (hence the nickname), wins the hearts of all who meet her. She and her friends learn valuable life lessons and try to be good people, as did the March sisters of Little Women. They also have amusing adventures and stories-within-the-story, like Betsy Tacy & Tib (the Little Colonel is set about 10-15 years before Besty-Tacy, and mentioned in "Carney's House Party.")
The characters all seem drawn from real life. They are engaging and likable and distinct. Their adventures and games also seem rue to life. I couldn't put it down, and finished a book every day or two.
Series: You can download the entire collection for free or under $2 on Amazon. Be sure to get the complete collection and read in order. It starts with The Little Colonel, then The Giant Scissors, Two Little Knights of Kentucky, The Little Colonel's House Party, and so on.
Warning: These books are set in the South at the turn of the century, so there is some unfortunate and outdated language referring to the African-American servants and townspeople. It is infrequent (much less than in Tom Sawyer & Huck Finn) and clearly meant to be true to the style of the time and not outright derogatory or hurtful. But it should be explained to young readers and given its proper context, to avoid any encouragement/resurgence of racist language.
December 11, 2017
When I was young, the Little Colonel stories were a favorite, as much for the upward call toward beauty, truth, and goodness, as for the delightful stories. In this first volume, the Little Colonel meets her grandfather, a civil war veteran who has been estranged from the her mother, his daughter, became she married a Northerner. That was not an uncommon situation after such a bitter war, and it is interesting and enjoyable to read how it all turns out.
The copyright on this book is 1895, so it not unexpected that the characters, black and white, have dialogue that is written in the accent and dialect of the time and geographic region. I did not find it distracting, as it pretty fairly represented what my ear hears in the South, but some readers may not care for it. Obviously since it is an old book, it does not have some of the modern sensibilities that have developed over recent decades, but it seems a fair representation of life then.
I always came away from this series of books with the desire to do better and be better, though are in no way preachy or didactic. This book was enjoyable to reread even now, and I look forward to sharing it with my grandchildren.
The copyright on this book is 1895, so it not unexpected that the characters, black and white, have dialogue that is written in the accent and dialect of the time and geographic region. I did not find it distracting, as it pretty fairly represented what my ear hears in the South, but some readers may not care for it. Obviously since it is an old book, it does not have some of the modern sensibilities that have developed over recent decades, but it seems a fair representation of life then.
I always came away from this series of books with the desire to do better and be better, though are in no way preachy or didactic. This book was enjoyable to reread even now, and I look forward to sharing it with my grandchildren.
October 24, 2008
Mostly I agree with Rachel. This book was too weird not to read (although I guess I would have anyway since I am teaching it). As it seemingly attempts to work as a book to show children they have agency as well as some sort of attempt at showing a North-South reunion, bizarre things abound in the background.
The Little Colonel, we are told, is a butch little girl who reassembles her dead uncle and selfish, stodgy old grandpa. There are episodes in which it almost seems like she can communicate with the dead and all the landscape of Kentucky is anthropomorphized. In many ways, you just have to see for yourself.
The Little Colonel, we are told, is a butch little girl who reassembles her dead uncle and selfish, stodgy old grandpa. There are episodes in which it almost seems like she can communicate with the dead and all the landscape of Kentucky is anthropomorphized. In many ways, you just have to see for yourself.
October 15, 2008
I thought this book was so interestingly bizarre and interesting to think about in relation to how race relations and slavery are portrayed in Civil War literature at the time. I won't be reading this children's book again anytime soon, but it will definitely be hanging out in the back of my mind as I try to answer some of the problematic social questions that it raises.
July 29, 2013
Read several in this series as a child. The writer's setting is in PeeWee Valley, Kentucky, just out of Louisville, Ky. Sweet book that for this time is totally politically incorrect. If you read for the relationship part of the story, taking in consideration for the time the book was written, it is an interesting read.
March 11, 2015
Really enjoyed this quick read. This is one of the first pieces of 19th century children's literature that I feel really captures the essence of a child. Lloyd, or the Little Colonel, feels like a real person to me rather than the caricature of a child.
July 8, 2016
This is just such a wonderful, sweet story. Classic read right there along with A Little Princess and The Secret Garden. Great chapter book to read to children. I can't help but picture Shirley Temple playing The Little Colonel in the old movie.
September 26, 2011
cute book.
September 10, 2014
Rereading a classic from not only my childhood but my sister's and even my mothers. Fun to revisit but far more dated than I thought it would be.
July 17, 2016
Read the book with Shirley Temple on the cover as it also made it into movie. Memories
September 10, 2022
When I picked this old book up at my gramma's house this weekend, I didn't think I would like it much. Sometimes when I stay with her, I like picking up some of the books she has sitting on her bookshelf. Call me cheesy, but I like imagining these books in the hands of someone years back, reading with eyes full of entertainment. I mean, c'mon, us readers these days forget how spoiled we are, what with libraries and bookstores galore. We don't realize that at one time, books were scarce and the books one owned were cherished-read and re-read time and again.
Anyway, I did end up liking this story somewhat. I thought the Little Colonel was a sweet little girl. Granted, some of the racism and racial slurs were a little shocking, but it wasn't littered throughout the story like I thought it would be. As much as I didn't like the exaggerated dialect of the black characters or the way they were treated as servants, it wasn't very surprising, considering how old these books are--they were first copyrighted in 1895. Not that it makes the racism in them right, but it makes it a little less surprising? I'm not sure how to explain it. I don't agree with it one bit, but I suppose it was just the norm for that time period. I'm just glad that I read this book at an age at which I understand how wrong it is. I was even surprised that although there wasn't a lot of character development, I felt as though the characters were dear to me. Even though there wasn't much substance to this, it was a "feel good" story (minus the racism), and it was easy for me to see why the series of books about the Little Colonel have been popular among generations of women.
Anyway, I did end up liking this story somewhat. I thought the Little Colonel was a sweet little girl. Granted, some of the racism and racial slurs were a little shocking, but it wasn't littered throughout the story like I thought it would be. As much as I didn't like the exaggerated dialect of the black characters or the way they were treated as servants, it wasn't very surprising, considering how old these books are--they were first copyrighted in 1895. Not that it makes the racism in them right, but it makes it a little less surprising? I'm not sure how to explain it. I don't agree with it one bit, but I suppose it was just the norm for that time period. I'm just glad that I read this book at an age at which I understand how wrong it is. I was even surprised that although there wasn't a lot of character development, I felt as though the characters were dear to me. Even though there wasn't much substance to this, it was a "feel good" story (minus the racism), and it was easy for me to see why the series of books about the Little Colonel have been popular among generations of women.
November 13, 2019
You need a tissue box for this one!
A little girl wanders into the garden of an old rough gentleman. At first he doesn’t know who she is, tough it seems she knows about him. When she is collected by her nurse at the gate, he discovers the child is the daughter of his estranged daughter, recently returned to the area from New York.
Bit by bit the child becomes dear to him. His lonely lifestyle, developed through his temper with everyone, begins to change as his granddaughter’s interest in the things in his home awakens memories from long ago.
I don’t think I have read a book from the years after the American Civil War, like this, that give the insight about prejudices that still created strong differences in families. Food for thought.
The reader did well with the book, though the servants accented speech was done in a way that made it hard to understand.
A little girl wanders into the garden of an old rough gentleman. At first he doesn’t know who she is, tough it seems she knows about him. When she is collected by her nurse at the gate, he discovers the child is the daughter of his estranged daughter, recently returned to the area from New York.
Bit by bit the child becomes dear to him. His lonely lifestyle, developed through his temper with everyone, begins to change as his granddaughter’s interest in the things in his home awakens memories from long ago.
I don’t think I have read a book from the years after the American Civil War, like this, that give the insight about prejudices that still created strong differences in families. Food for thought.
The reader did well with the book, though the servants accented speech was done in a way that made it hard to understand.
September 25, 2022
Why I picked this up: It's a book I think came from my grandma's book collection and it's been sitting on my to-read shelf for years. I decided it was about time I got around to reading it.
Why I kept reading it: A couple of reasons. First of all, Lloyd had such a charming and forceful personality I just had to keep reading. Then too, it was made into a move starring Shirley Temple and I was thinking I might want to see it. I wanted to read the book before seeing the movie.
In the end: Over all, it was a sweet story. One caveat, it was written in the late 1800s and is set just after the civil war, so the story includes the sentiments of the time regarding African Americans. Parents who want to introduce this series to their children may want to join them in reading the books in order to discuss some of those issues.
Why I kept reading it: A couple of reasons. First of all, Lloyd had such a charming and forceful personality I just had to keep reading. Then too, it was made into a move starring Shirley Temple and I was thinking I might want to see it. I wanted to read the book before seeing the movie.
In the end: Over all, it was a sweet story. One caveat, it was written in the late 1800s and is set just after the civil war, so the story includes the sentiments of the time regarding African Americans. Parents who want to introduce this series to their children may want to join them in reading the books in order to discuss some of those issues.
December 3, 2018
I read this book for the same reason I've read most of the books I've read recently - it fulfilled a few categories of the reading challenge. This one is by a local author and is tied to my heritage as it is set near the family farm in Pewee Valley, KY. This book does not stand the test of time. It was written not long after the Civil War and the racism is definitely blatant and not disguised in any way. The dialogue of the Little Colonel, a young girl, was written is some weird dialect that I guess was supposed to be the cute way a little kid would talk, but it was just painful.
May 16, 2019
I had seen the movie, but never read the book before. It was a happy day when I found and read it!
I had seen the Shirley Temple movie several times while growing up, but never thought to check to see if there was a book behind the script. I was delighted to find this book. It was a delight to read except for the attempt to capture the Southern Speech with unusual spelling. I will admit that this Western born and raised Yankee had to scratch my head over a few of the words,, but I applaud the author for trying to bring authenticity into her pages.
I had seen the Shirley Temple movie several times while growing up, but never thought to check to see if there was a book behind the script. I was delighted to find this book. It was a delight to read except for the attempt to capture the Southern Speech with unusual spelling. I will admit that this Western born and raised Yankee had to scratch my head over a few of the words,, but I applaud the author for trying to bring authenticity into her pages.
June 5, 2023
19th century perspective and values. I found the writing not too bad, but it's more or less "Heidi" set in the American south. (Bitter old man redeemed by adorable child.) The dialogue written all in southern dialect was annoying and a bit hard to read. I think this would be most valuable to students of children's literature in history. Would definitely NOT give it to a child without a great deal of context.
December 31, 2024
Cute short story of post civil war family coming to terms with family love over past political differences. The grandpa and grand daughter are darling. Deals with anger of the south against northerners, but not much sensitivity of the status of the black folk in the community- who are there but still more or less the servant class.
September 2, 2021
I read this as a child (my mother's copy) and found it held up surprisingly well. The Colonel and the little Colonel are both vivid and sympathetic characters despite the sentimentality of the period and watching them interact was the heart of the book.
July 15, 2020
Forgiveness, love and the power of family.
August 10, 2021
Racist words aside, I couldn’t stop reading this.
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