Betsy-Tacy is a charming, wholesome series for girls in elementary school. My 8 year old daughter and I read the first in this series together and she is eager to read more. The original book follows the sweet, innocent friendship of two girls and is filled with both humor and touching moments.
Title: Betsy-Tacy
Author: Maud Hart Lovelace
Publication Year: 1940
Website: www.betsy-tacysociety.org
Age Group: Mid Elementary
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Comments
This book has been recommended so many times that I knew I wanted to read it with my daughter. It seemed like a great precurser to the Anne of Green Gables series which I love, but feel at 8 years old she is not quite old enough to fully appreciate.
Since the characters in the original Betsy Tacy are only 6, at first I was worried that I waited too long and she would not be interested in this story about “little kids.” However, I shouldn’t have worried. Even though this book does have an old-timey feel, the feelings, actions, and plights of these creative little girls is entirely relatable.
What I was most impressed by while reading this book is he breadth of feeling. Some chapters were very light and joyful, filled with imagination and the humorous stories of the little girls play. Other chapters were heavier, such as when Tacy’s baby sister dies of an illness and Betsy comforts her.
I was originally planning to have my daughter read the rest of the series on her own, but I have become attached to these characters as well and plan to continue the series with her.
Recommended By:
- 1001 Children’s Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up
- 100 Best Books for Children
- The New York Times Parent’s Guide to the Best Books for Children
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