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Borrowed this book from a friend and thought my mother would enjoy it so I purchsed her a copy.
But the pride and satisfaction that comes with the achievement of self-sufficiency through individual and communal responsibility makes the whole book glow with a feeling of "this is as it should be. Kalish makes no attempt to gloss over the hard work involved. This is how people are supposed to live together." There was a time - not that long ago, really - within the memory of many of us, or right before our time - when people made a full life out of "making do." Mildred Kalish's book is a delicious celebration (complete with recipes) of that all-but-vanished part of the American character. People "made do" because there was no alternative, and Mrs.
Loved the recipes and household tips. Mildred Kalish articulated so well what was expected of her, the learning that took place and the resulting closeness she and her family members had. How the togetherness in completing daily chores with her siblings added to her well being. Little Heathens was a page turner. I now yearn for a day in her past. In an age of high tech devices, we are truly missing the mark on what children need as tools for life's hardships. Mildred Kalish's story of her childhood made me realize, as a teacher, how the simple things in life are crucial to a child's overall development. Hard work, discipline and an overall appreciation for our environment.
It is very "light" but interesting and educational reading. The book was a very good price and it arrived on time and in perfect condition. I had already read the book and bought this one to give to my daughter for her birthday.
Thumbs up, high fives - BUY THIS BOOK for anyone you know in that generation who had a rural touch to their lives and enjoys reading. They have been uniformly enthusiastic and grateful for the opportunity to relive their childhood memories with such a knowing storyteller. We have since given it to a number of friends and relatives who lived in areas as diverse as upstate New York, Texas, and the mountains of North Carolina.
My niece was assigned this book in a Biography class in college. She would call laughing about different episodes in the book. This woman has indeed written a memoir for her generation.
We could tell this was special. This is a very inexpensive gift that will bring invaluable pleasure to your older friends and relatives. She was not particularly taken with it but had the good judgment to know that her Grandma, who grew up in rural / small town North Carolina during the depression, would enjoy it.
Niece hit a home run - Granda RAVED about the book, finding that it captured perfectly her childhood experiences - hard times AND good ones.
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