Thursday, February 02, 2006

Little Britches


We finished reading 'Little Britches' by Ralph Moody Monday night. I've been reading it out loud to the family at night before we go to bed. We thoroughly enjoyed it! True stories are usually the best and this one didn't disappoint a bit. If you have never read 'Little Britches" I highly recommend it! (There are some swear words: h---, and d---, and they do take the Lord's name in vain, but reading it out loud to the kids I was able to skip them without their noticing). It is about Ralph Moody's family when he was about 8-11 years of age as they try to make it farming in Colorado in the first decade of the 1900's.

Monday before lunch Sara came in to the kitchen and informed me that Marie was "bawling like a baby. I think she's reading a sad part in the book." Poor little Marie wanted to finish reading the exciting part we stopped at and just couldn't put the book down. She read the rest of the book and was saddened to find out the Dad died in the last chapter. She came in with red, puffy eyes and tear-stained cheeks. After that we weren't looking forward to Monday night at all for two reasons, 1: we didn't want to finish the book, and 2: we didn't want to read about the Dad dying. We sat down to read anyway. I was reading out loud and did pretty good reading about the father's passing away until I came to the words that ran through Ralph's head, "So long, partner. So long, partner. So long, partner." That started the flow! I put the book down to wipe away the tears and saw that all the girls were crying their little hearts out and Joseph's eyes were all red and brimmed over as well. Those last two pages were the hardest to get through! Boy, what a hardship it must be to go through an experience like Ralph had.

Well, know that you know the ending, go and read the rest of 'Little Britches'. You will enjoy it immensely.

4 comments:

andalucy said...

I have this book but we haven't read it yet. It sounds really good! I'm such a crier, though. I sobbed at the end of Ginger Pye, of all things.

Montserrat said...

Joseph's brother, Ammon, was teasing me at lunch the next day saying, "I bet you wouldn't be able to read 'Where the Red Fern Grows' to them without crying a few times." I know I wouldn't be able too, so I haven't even attempted that one.

Anonymous said...

'Where The Red Fern Grows' - Oh, ATTEMPT IT!!! It's DEFINITELY worth the crying! My kids have not read or listened to 'Little Britches' yet, but I LOVED it! What an awesome book! I can't wait to share it with them -- despite the tears.

Julie Lybbert

athena said...

I read this aloud with our children--absolutely loved it. We all cried at the end too. I had to get the next series out for our oldest daughter. I agree with Julie--Where the Red Fern Grows is another very good story. Another beautiful touching story that you HAVE to read!