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Carr Family #1
What Katy Did
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204 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1872
About the author
Susan Coolidge
272 books167 followersSarah Chauncey Woolsey was an American children's author who wrote under the pen name Susan Coolidge.
Woolsey was born January 29, 1835, into the wealthy, influential New England Dwight family in Cleveland, Ohio. Her father was John Mumford Woolsey (1796–1870) and mother was Jane Andrews. She spent much of her childhood in New Haven Connecticut after her family moved there in 1852.
Woolsey worked as a nurse during the American Civil War (1861–1865), after which she started to write. The niece of the author and poet Gamel Woolsey, she never married, and resided at her family home in Newport, Rhode Island, until her death.
She edited The Autobiography and Correspondence of Mrs. Delaney (1879) and The Diary and Letters of Frances Burney (1880). She is best known, however, for her classic children's novel, What Katy Did (1872). The fictional Carr family was modeled after the author's own, with Katy Carr inspired by Susan (Sarah) herself, and the brothers and sisters modeled on Coolidge's four younger Woolsey siblings.
Woolsey was born January 29, 1835, into the wealthy, influential New England Dwight family in Cleveland, Ohio. Her father was John Mumford Woolsey (1796–1870) and mother was Jane Andrews. She spent much of her childhood in New Haven Connecticut after her family moved there in 1852.
Woolsey worked as a nurse during the American Civil War (1861–1865), after which she started to write. The niece of the author and poet Gamel Woolsey, she never married, and resided at her family home in Newport, Rhode Island, until her death.
She edited The Autobiography and Correspondence of Mrs. Delaney (1879) and The Diary and Letters of Frances Burney (1880). She is best known, however, for her classic children's novel, What Katy Did (1872). The fictional Carr family was modeled after the author's own, with Katy Carr inspired by Susan (Sarah) herself, and the brothers and sisters modeled on Coolidge's four younger Woolsey siblings.
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October 9, 2010
I loathe this book.
I'll concede that it's enjoyable for the first few chapters. Katy Carr is a tall, rambunctious tomboy who's constantly getting into "scrapes". Her prissy and dignified Aunt Izzy despairs of her wild, messy, nature, but her younger brothers and sisters all think she's the greatest thing ever. Katy is a writer and storyteller with zillions of great ideas, and she's the ringleader of the family, and Papa's favourite.
If Coolidge had just kept the story like that, it would have been a great book. But then Cousin Helen arrives and things start to go downhill. Helen was rendered an invalid in a carriage crash several years previously (we assume she's paralyzed from the waste down) but she is a saint, and she is always kind to everyone and has ABSOLUTELY NO FLAWS WHATSOEVER.
A character like this can ruin a book, but it only gets worse from there.
The day after Cousin Helen leaves, Aunt Izzy forbids Katy from swinging on the new swing in the shed. This is because the staple holding the swing up has come loose, but Aunt Izzy won't tell Katy that, believing that children should obey their elders without question. Katy, not altogether unreasonably, thinks Aunt Izzy is forbidding her to swing just to be difficult, and swings anyway; predictably, the swing comes loose and Katy sprains her spine.
This renders Katy an invalid for a period of three or so years, and in that time, Katy loses every ounce of spunk and creativity she ever had. She transforms into a perfect little housewife, and becomes obsessed with what is ladylike, and what is not; in short, becomes a completely nauseating Little Miss Perfect. (To such an extent that in the next book, What Katy Did At School, she starts a "Society for the Suppression of Unladylike Conduct.)
Excuse me while I go vomit.
Katy is being punished by the author for her spunk, her individuality, her budding sexuality, her unwillingness to obey every order that she's given without question--everything, in short, that makes her an enjoyable character, and indeed, human being. This book is irritating and anti-feminist and I despise it.
I'll concede that it's enjoyable for the first few chapters. Katy Carr is a tall, rambunctious tomboy who's constantly getting into "scrapes". Her prissy and dignified Aunt Izzy despairs of her wild, messy, nature, but her younger brothers and sisters all think she's the greatest thing ever. Katy is a writer and storyteller with zillions of great ideas, and she's the ringleader of the family, and Papa's favourite.
If Coolidge had just kept the story like that, it would have been a great book. But then Cousin Helen arrives and things start to go downhill. Helen was rendered an invalid in a carriage crash several years previously (we assume she's paralyzed from the waste down) but she is a saint, and she is always kind to everyone and has ABSOLUTELY NO FLAWS WHATSOEVER.
A character like this can ruin a book, but it only gets worse from there.
The day after Cousin Helen leaves, Aunt Izzy forbids Katy from swinging on the new swing in the shed. This is because the staple holding the swing up has come loose, but Aunt Izzy won't tell Katy that, believing that children should obey their elders without question. Katy, not altogether unreasonably, thinks Aunt Izzy is forbidding her to swing just to be difficult, and swings anyway; predictably, the swing comes loose and Katy sprains her spine.
This renders Katy an invalid for a period of three or so years, and in that time, Katy loses every ounce of spunk and creativity she ever had. She transforms into a perfect little housewife, and becomes obsessed with what is ladylike, and what is not; in short, becomes a completely nauseating Little Miss Perfect. (To such an extent that in the next book, What Katy Did At School, she starts a "Society for the Suppression of Unladylike Conduct.)
Excuse me while I go vomit.
Katy is being punished by the author for her spunk, her individuality, her budding sexuality, her unwillingness to obey every order that she's given without question--everything, in short, that makes her an enjoyable character, and indeed, human being. This book is irritating and anti-feminist and I despise it.
October 19, 2024
Like many girls, I read and enjoyed What Katy Did as a child. I use the word “girl” advisedly, as this was written in 1872, and is a typical American girl’s book of the period – perhaps one of the most famous books about a 12 year old girl and her family. It was written by Sarah Chauncey Woolsey, using the pen name Susan Coolidge, which she would use for several further novels about the Carr family. The style and concerns are rather like those of “Little Women”, the 1868 novel by Louisa May Alcott. Interestingly, both authors heightened the realism in their novel by drawing on their own childhood memories.
These memories were not mine. I was an English child, and the descriptions of small-town America in bygone years were alien to me, but of course I could enjoy these tales, and up to a point identify with the heroine, the:
“lovable harum-scarum Katy Carr. Her head is full of schemes and one day she plans to do something important …
She is all legs and elbows, and angles and joints. She tears her dress every day, neglects the sewing Aunt Izzie expected her to like doing and breaks all her resolutions in the excitement of getting into new scrapes.”
For a girl a little younger than this, the premise was irresistible. As was this quotation, for me at least:
“She read all sorts of things: travels, and sermons, and old magazines. Nothing was so dull that she couldn’t get through with it. Anything really interesting absorbed her so that she never knew what was going on about her. The little girls to whose houses she went visiting had found this out, and always hid away their story-books when she was expected to tea. If they didn’t do this, she was sure to pick one up and plunge in, and then it was no use to call her, or tug at her dress, for she neither saw nor heard anything more, till it was time to go home.”
The novel has 26 chapters, in two sections, so is an absorbing read for this age. It starts out explaining about the six children of Dr. Carr, or “Papa”, who live in a fictional little lakeside town of Burnet in Ohio, in the 1860s. Katy is the eldest at twelve years of age, and a tall untidy tomboy. The children’s mother, Mrs Carr is dead, and Katy only has faint memories of her. The children’s Aunt Izzie now lives with them. She is kind, and does her best to look after the children, but she is old-fashioned and rather strict:
“Aunt Izzie was a small woman, sharp-faced and thin, rather old-looking, and very neat and particular about everything. She meant to be kind to the children, but they puzzled her much, because they were not a bit like herself when she was a child … It was very perplexing to Aunt Izzie, and she found it hard to quite forgive the children for being so “unaccountable”, and so little like the good boys and girls in Sunday-school memoirs, who were the young people she liked best, and understood most about.”
Katy’s sister, Clover, is next in age to her. The two girls both go to a nearby school where they manage to get into quite a lot of mischief. The other children are Elsie, Dorry the eldest boy, Joanna, and little Phil, who is the baby of the family. Katy is kind to her younger siblings, but dreams of doing something “grand” with her life one day. Perhaps she will paint famous pictures, or save the lives of drowning people, or lead a crusade on a white horse. She also wants to be: “beautiful, of course, and good if I can.”
When the children’s cousin, Helen, comes to visit, Katy is so impressed by her beauty and kindness despite her challenges as an invalid, that on the day of Helen’s departure she resolves to be more like Helen. However, this is shortlived.
The book is a typical 19th century morality tale, allied with the theme of personal growth. It needs to be read very much with the time it was written in mind. The language is chatty, cosy and overly bright. Also there are other aspects from a modern standpoint which jarr.
The style of writing is sadly dated, and it is doubtful whether many youngsters would enjoy this out of context although an explanation of the different times might help. I would definitely advise skipping the various poems included, which characters apparently wrote.
The two sequels which I read are “What Katy Did at School” and “What Katy Did Next”, although I read these the wrong way round. In those days, you tended to read whatever was on the library’s shelves. In honour of how much I remember enjoying these books, and their near-classic status, I’ll rate this at three stars, though my honest view of it now is closer to two. It has not really stood the test of time. And one final weird fact …
The title of the book What Katy Did is a kind of pun, or play on words. It refers to the “katydid”, a family of insects more commonly called “long-horned grasshoppers”. If you don’t believe me, take a look at the cover of the first edition:
I wonder if such an odd theme for a cover design would pass muster now.
“Katy’s hair was forever in a snarl; her gowns were always catching on nails and ‘tearing themselves’; and, in spite of her age and size, she was as heedless and innocent as a child of six. Katy was the longest girl that was ever seen. What she did to make herself grow so, nobody could tell; but there she was—up above Papa’s ear, and a half a head taller than poor Aunt Izzie. Whenever she stopped to think about her height she became very awkward, and felt as if she were all legs and elbows, and angles and joints. Happily, her head was so full of other things, of plans and schemes and fancies of all sorts, that she didn’t often take time to remember how tall she was. She was a dear, loving child, for all her careless habits, and made bushels of good resolutions every week of her life, only unluckily she never kept any of them. She had fits of responsibility about the other children, and longed to set them a good example, but when the chance came, she generally forgot to do so. Katy’s days flew like the wind; for when she wasn’t studying lessons, or sewing and darning with Aunt Izzie, which she hated extremely, there were always so many delightful schemes rioting in her brains, that all she wished for was ten pairs of hands to carry them out.”
These memories were not mine. I was an English child, and the descriptions of small-town America in bygone years were alien to me, but of course I could enjoy these tales, and up to a point identify with the heroine, the:
“lovable harum-scarum Katy Carr. Her head is full of schemes and one day she plans to do something important …
She is all legs and elbows, and angles and joints. She tears her dress every day, neglects the sewing Aunt Izzie expected her to like doing and breaks all her resolutions in the excitement of getting into new scrapes.”
For a girl a little younger than this, the premise was irresistible. As was this quotation, for me at least:
“She read all sorts of things: travels, and sermons, and old magazines. Nothing was so dull that she couldn’t get through with it. Anything really interesting absorbed her so that she never knew what was going on about her. The little girls to whose houses she went visiting had found this out, and always hid away their story-books when she was expected to tea. If they didn’t do this, she was sure to pick one up and plunge in, and then it was no use to call her, or tug at her dress, for she neither saw nor heard anything more, till it was time to go home.”
The novel has 26 chapters, in two sections, so is an absorbing read for this age. It starts out explaining about the six children of Dr. Carr, or “Papa”, who live in a fictional little lakeside town of Burnet in Ohio, in the 1860s. Katy is the eldest at twelve years of age, and a tall untidy tomboy. The children’s mother, Mrs Carr is dead, and Katy only has faint memories of her. The children’s Aunt Izzie now lives with them. She is kind, and does her best to look after the children, but she is old-fashioned and rather strict:
“Aunt Izzie was a small woman, sharp-faced and thin, rather old-looking, and very neat and particular about everything. She meant to be kind to the children, but they puzzled her much, because they were not a bit like herself when she was a child … It was very perplexing to Aunt Izzie, and she found it hard to quite forgive the children for being so “unaccountable”, and so little like the good boys and girls in Sunday-school memoirs, who were the young people she liked best, and understood most about.”
Katy’s sister, Clover, is next in age to her. The two girls both go to a nearby school where they manage to get into quite a lot of mischief. The other children are Elsie, Dorry the eldest boy, Joanna, and little Phil, who is the baby of the family. Katy is kind to her younger siblings, but dreams of doing something “grand” with her life one day. Perhaps she will paint famous pictures, or save the lives of drowning people, or lead a crusade on a white horse. She also wants to be: “beautiful, of course, and good if I can.”
When the children’s cousin, Helen, comes to visit, Katy is so impressed by her beauty and kindness despite her challenges as an invalid, that on the day of Helen’s departure she resolves to be more like Helen. However, this is shortlived.
The book is a typical 19th century morality tale, allied with the theme of personal growth. It needs to be read very much with the time it was written in mind. The language is chatty, cosy and overly bright. Also there are other aspects from a modern standpoint which jarr.
The style of writing is sadly dated, and it is doubtful whether many youngsters would enjoy this out of context although an explanation of the different times might help. I would definitely advise skipping the various poems included, which characters apparently wrote.
The two sequels which I read are “What Katy Did at School” and “What Katy Did Next”, although I read these the wrong way round. In those days, you tended to read whatever was on the library’s shelves. In honour of how much I remember enjoying these books, and their near-classic status, I’ll rate this at three stars, though my honest view of it now is closer to two. It has not really stood the test of time. And one final weird fact …
The title of the book What Katy Did is a kind of pun, or play on words. It refers to the “katydid”, a family of insects more commonly called “long-horned grasshoppers”. If you don’t believe me, take a look at the cover of the first edition:
I wonder if such an odd theme for a cover design would pass muster now.
“Katy’s hair was forever in a snarl; her gowns were always catching on nails and ‘tearing themselves’; and, in spite of her age and size, she was as heedless and innocent as a child of six. Katy was the longest girl that was ever seen. What she did to make herself grow so, nobody could tell; but there she was—up above Papa’s ear, and a half a head taller than poor Aunt Izzie. Whenever she stopped to think about her height she became very awkward, and felt as if she were all legs and elbows, and angles and joints. Happily, her head was so full of other things, of plans and schemes and fancies of all sorts, that she didn’t often take time to remember how tall she was. She was a dear, loving child, for all her careless habits, and made bushels of good resolutions every week of her life, only unluckily she never kept any of them. She had fits of responsibility about the other children, and longed to set them a good example, but when the chance came, she generally forgot to do so. Katy’s days flew like the wind; for when she wasn’t studying lessons, or sewing and darning with Aunt Izzie, which she hated extremely, there were always so many delightful schemes rioting in her brains, that all she wished for was ten pairs of hands to carry them out.”
August 17, 2018
Another 2018 re-read! Well, I didn't have any intention to read this today, but after spying a review on my newsfeed yesterday, I thought it might be good to see if my original 3 star rating still holds up today. It was a childhood favorite that my mother told me that her mother had read to her and that she in turn read to me.
I think that I forgot large chunks of this book. But somehow I had remembered good Cousin Helen and Katy 's "invalid " state. But I forgot Katy was the oldest of six, that she and her siblings- motherless children, were mischievous and frazzled their father's spinster sister. As an adult I must say that some of the childhood regard I had for this story seems pale in comparison to Louisia May Alcott's Little Women that still manages to weave a magical spell all these years later. So my original three stars finds itself falling to a two.
I think that I forgot large chunks of this book. But somehow I had remembered good Cousin Helen and Katy 's "invalid " state. But I forgot Katy was the oldest of six, that she and her siblings- motherless children, were mischievous and frazzled their father's spinster sister. As an adult I must say that some of the childhood regard I had for this story seems pale in comparison to Louisia May Alcott's Little Women that still manages to weave a magical spell all these years later. So my original three stars finds itself falling to a two.
January 3, 2017
A trip down memory lane to read what was favourite book I read and re-read as a child. Back then I associated with the tomboy Katy and her imaginative stories and games. As an adult I still liked Katy and the Carr family. I loved their plans and games and enthusiasm for life. Perhaps, the style in which it was written is a tad old fashioned. It was written in 1872, but there is still certain charm in the way it is told. It is as though the author is confiding in the reader as she tells her tale, like you are a friend she wants to share with.
Cousin Helen is a little too perfect perhaps but she gives sound advice. As one who suffered a few years back with back pain that had me incapacitated and housebound for five months, a lot of what Helen said was sound advice about attitude. I thoroughly enjoyed my re-read of this book. It has that indefinable quality of a good story and endearing characters. And I discovered after all these years, it still had the power to make me cry.
Cousin Helen is a little too perfect perhaps but she gives sound advice. As one who suffered a few years back with back pain that had me incapacitated and housebound for five months, a lot of what Helen said was sound advice about attitude. I thoroughly enjoyed my re-read of this book. It has that indefinable quality of a good story and endearing characters. And I discovered after all these years, it still had the power to make me cry.
December 21, 2022
Well, this is mighty awkward. You all know of one of those books you adored as a child but reread as a feminist adult and see things from an entirely different perspective? What Katy Did was one of those books.
And, now I've finished the book, the question on the tip of my tongue is; what did Katy DO exactly?
Not a lot, it would seem.
After my confounding reread, I've concluded that this isn't a book one should encourage their daughters to pick up. They would definitely be better off with Anne of Green Gables. I realise that this was written years ago, but I feel that some of Coolidge's ideas involving sexuality, obedience and even disability are completely off.
Katy is wild in nature, loves getting messy, telling exciting stories and generally, enjoys living. Of course, her aunt Izzy hates this and wants her to be the model woman. Her aunt Helen arrives who can literally do no wrong to a single being, and I personally think her character spoiled the book.
Later on, Katy goes on a swing she is forbidden to go on by her aunt Izzy, although, her aunt hasn't given a reason for this, so obviously, Katy goes on it anyway and gets a spinal injury which prevents her from getting into scapes for the next four years.
During these years Katy lets go of everything that made Katy "Katy" and almost becomes nauseatingly obsessed with being prim and proper, and the ideal housewife. It's like Coolidge is penalising Katy for being unique, interesting, a rule breaker and all in all, herself.
And, now I've finished the book, the question on the tip of my tongue is; what did Katy DO exactly?
Not a lot, it would seem.
After my confounding reread, I've concluded that this isn't a book one should encourage their daughters to pick up. They would definitely be better off with Anne of Green Gables. I realise that this was written years ago, but I feel that some of Coolidge's ideas involving sexuality, obedience and even disability are completely off.
Katy is wild in nature, loves getting messy, telling exciting stories and generally, enjoys living. Of course, her aunt Izzy hates this and wants her to be the model woman. Her aunt Helen arrives who can literally do no wrong to a single being, and I personally think her character spoiled the book.
Later on, Katy goes on a swing she is forbidden to go on by her aunt Izzy, although, her aunt hasn't given a reason for this, so obviously, Katy goes on it anyway and gets a spinal injury which prevents her from getting into scapes for the next four years.
During these years Katy lets go of everything that made Katy "Katy" and almost becomes nauseatingly obsessed with being prim and proper, and the ideal housewife. It's like Coolidge is penalising Katy for being unique, interesting, a rule breaker and all in all, herself.
November 30, 2024
This family tale is not to be missed! There are such gems of wisdom packed into these pages - you and your children will love benefiting by them.
Written in 1872 and set in Ohio, "What Katy Did" follows the Carr family. Katy and her siblings are not exactly 'purposefully' bad, but they certainly don't stop to think about their actions either. That is, until one day something happens and everyone, though particularly Katy, learn the value of obedience, even in the littlest of requests.
Both Father and Cousin Helen impart such valuable thoughts on life's lessons, and the story is told in such a way as to be wonderfully engaging and powerfully impacting. I can't recommend this enough!
Ages: 7-15
Reading Level: 5th - 8th grades
Cleanliness:
Children's Bad Words
Mild Obscenities & Substitutions - 2 Incidents: pooh, stupid
Name Calling - 3 Incidents: pig, stupid girl, artful puss
Religious Profanities - 2 Incidents: Mercy on me, oh gracious
Religious & Supernatural - 2 Incidents: Children imagine fairies in the woods and a sister makes up a story. A sister makes up a story with a wizard in it.
Romance Related - 6 Incidents: A girl dreams that when she’s older “all the young gentlemen will want me to go and ride, but I shan’t notice them …” Following the above, another girl says, “it would be nice to go ride with the young gentlemen sometimes.” Children make up a story about a knight and the lady he is in love with. A girl is thought to be “a real heroine of romance.” The word “breast” is used to mean chest. The word “breast-pin” is used.
Conversation Topics - 7 Incidents: There are two rival girl schools. “The Miller girls, on the other hand, retaliated by being as aggravating as they knew how. They spent their recesses and intermissions mostly in making faces…” A girl asks her father what “makes some days so lucky and other days so unlucky.” He explains that it is not luck but her choices. Mentions champagne bottles (as a description). Two girls decide to “adopt” a little neighbor girl and raise her themselves. They hide their “live doll” in the attic and decide not to tell their parents until their baby is grown up. A girl and father have a discussion on friends and people who make up things so much and try to get people to think it really happened. A “poetic” explanation or question as to what happens to good intentions and our attitudes at the start of the day. The aunt tells the children not to swing on a swing until she tells them they can. The author says it was unwise of the aunt to give no explanation and that the aunt’s theory “that young people must obey their elders without explanation,” is incorrect.
Attitudes/Disobedience - 17 Incidents: “Katy ...didn’t care a button about being called ‘good’.”
“The children minded her pretty well, but they didn’t exactly love her, I fear.” Children fight over a doll and the father handles the situation unjustly. Siblings didn’t want a sister to tag along. Sisters fight and make a rude comment. A girl blames her aunt for making her late to school, saying “she has been so horrid,” when it was her own fault. She repents later. Children don’t mind their aunt’s hints to be quiet in church. Siblings burn an older sister’s book. Their aunt orders a game not to be played any longer but the children reason away their disobedience. Siblings argue. A girl starts telling a lie but thinks better of it. A girl says something mean about the children’s aunt. Children are rude, wishing that their cousin wouldn’t visit. Her aunt tells her not to go upstairs and “Katy rebelled against this order a good deal.” Katy is jealous that her sister gets attention. Siblings pout, two sisters argue and one disobeys her aunt. A girl becomes an invalid due to her disobedience and while she is in bed “everybody was very kind and patient with her, but she was too selfishly miserable to notice it.”
Parent Takeaway
The first part of the book shows how the children in the Carr family don’t behave very well and how in the second part they all learn a valuable lesson and work to behave and mend their ways. There are many wonderful lessons in this book.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! And be sure to check out my bio page to learn a little about me and the Picture Book/Chapter Book Calendars I sell on Etsy!
Written in 1872 and set in Ohio, "What Katy Did" follows the Carr family. Katy and her siblings are not exactly 'purposefully' bad, but they certainly don't stop to think about their actions either. That is, until one day something happens and everyone, though particularly Katy, learn the value of obedience, even in the littlest of requests.
Both Father and Cousin Helen impart such valuable thoughts on life's lessons, and the story is told in such a way as to be wonderfully engaging and powerfully impacting. I can't recommend this enough!
Ages: 7-15
Reading Level: 5th - 8th grades
Cleanliness:
Children's Bad Words
Mild Obscenities & Substitutions - 2 Incidents: pooh, stupid
Name Calling - 3 Incidents: pig, stupid girl, artful puss
Religious Profanities - 2 Incidents: Mercy on me, oh gracious
Religious & Supernatural - 2 Incidents: Children imagine fairies in the woods and a sister makes up a story. A sister makes up a story with a wizard in it.
Romance Related - 6 Incidents: A girl dreams that when she’s older “all the young gentlemen will want me to go and ride, but I shan’t notice them …” Following the above, another girl says, “it would be nice to go ride with the young gentlemen sometimes.” Children make up a story about a knight and the lady he is in love with. A girl is thought to be “a real heroine of romance.” The word “breast” is used to mean chest. The word “breast-pin” is used.
Conversation Topics - 7 Incidents: There are two rival girl schools. “The Miller girls, on the other hand, retaliated by being as aggravating as they knew how. They spent their recesses and intermissions mostly in making faces…” A girl asks her father what “makes some days so lucky and other days so unlucky.” He explains that it is not luck but her choices. Mentions champagne bottles (as a description). Two girls decide to “adopt” a little neighbor girl and raise her themselves. They hide their “live doll” in the attic and decide not to tell their parents until their baby is grown up. A girl and father have a discussion on friends and people who make up things so much and try to get people to think it really happened. A “poetic” explanation or question as to what happens to good intentions and our attitudes at the start of the day. The aunt tells the children not to swing on a swing until she tells them they can. The author says it was unwise of the aunt to give no explanation and that the aunt’s theory “that young people must obey their elders without explanation,” is incorrect.
Attitudes/Disobedience - 17 Incidents: “Katy ...didn’t care a button about being called ‘good’.”
“The children minded her pretty well, but they didn’t exactly love her, I fear.” Children fight over a doll and the father handles the situation unjustly. Siblings didn’t want a sister to tag along. Sisters fight and make a rude comment. A girl blames her aunt for making her late to school, saying “she has been so horrid,” when it was her own fault. She repents later. Children don’t mind their aunt’s hints to be quiet in church. Siblings burn an older sister’s book. Their aunt orders a game not to be played any longer but the children reason away their disobedience. Siblings argue. A girl starts telling a lie but thinks better of it. A girl says something mean about the children’s aunt. Children are rude, wishing that their cousin wouldn’t visit. Her aunt tells her not to go upstairs and “Katy rebelled against this order a good deal.” Katy is jealous that her sister gets attention. Siblings pout, two sisters argue and one disobeys her aunt. A girl becomes an invalid due to her disobedience and while she is in bed “everybody was very kind and patient with her, but she was too selfishly miserable to notice it.”
Parent Takeaway
The first part of the book shows how the children in the Carr family don’t behave very well and how in the second part they all learn a valuable lesson and work to behave and mend their ways. There are many wonderful lessons in this book.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! And be sure to check out my bio page to learn a little about me and the Picture Book/Chapter Book Calendars I sell on Etsy!
February 8, 2016
If every young girl should read just one book, it should be this.
This is a childhood favourite of mine, I love it. It's just the way a children's story should be, simple, slightly nostalgic to an older audience, and with a valuable lesson to learn.
This is a childhood favourite of mine, I love it. It's just the way a children's story should be, simple, slightly nostalgic to an older audience, and with a valuable lesson to learn.
June 3, 2016
It's kind of disappointing to see how people want to compare this book to other classics. I truly believe that evey book has something different to convey so it wouldn't be fair to dislike a book only because it doesn't come down to the level of other great books.
The book had what one looks for in a classic. It conveyed beautiful messages in a subtle fashion. The writer succeeded in highlighting some very important factors that are essential for a successful family life. These include one's faith in God, tremendous amount of patience and the leadership skills one needs to be able to guide people around them.
Most importantly, the book awakens a sense of gratitude in the reader towards God even for the smallest of blessings. We tend to underestimate some of our blessings, until God takes them away from us. This is when we realize where we went wrong.
This realization is exactly what motivates the main character of the story to change herself until she can earn the pleasure of God and of those around her.
I certainly believe that if a book is teaching me so much, then it's definitely a great pick. This book deserves all the praises.
The book had what one looks for in a classic. It conveyed beautiful messages in a subtle fashion. The writer succeeded in highlighting some very important factors that are essential for a successful family life. These include one's faith in God, tremendous amount of patience and the leadership skills one needs to be able to guide people around them.
Most importantly, the book awakens a sense of gratitude in the reader towards God even for the smallest of blessings. We tend to underestimate some of our blessings, until God takes them away from us. This is when we realize where we went wrong.
This realization is exactly what motivates the main character of the story to change herself until she can earn the pleasure of God and of those around her.
I certainly believe that if a book is teaching me so much, then it's definitely a great pick. This book deserves all the praises.
February 26, 2023
—3 stars—
(Please ignore me counting this as a classic even though it’s a children’s classic)
I haven’t read this book since I was much younger, and as with most classics, you perceive the story differently at different ages.
When I was younger, the magical play of the children appealed to me, and I found 12 year old Katy fun and boisterous but hated the older version.
Now, I find 12 year old Katy insufferable at times, but like the older version.
All in all, it’s a fun short book which could be enjoyed at any age.
Thanks for reading!❤️
(Please ignore me counting this as a classic even though it’s a children’s classic)
I haven’t read this book since I was much younger, and as with most classics, you perceive the story differently at different ages.
When I was younger, the magical play of the children appealed to me, and I found 12 year old Katy fun and boisterous but hated the older version.
Now, I find 12 year old Katy insufferable at times, but like the older version.
All in all, it’s a fun short book which could be enjoyed at any age.
Thanks for reading!❤️
July 21, 2016
When I was little, I read a ton of older children's books. I read authors like L. M. Montgomery, Louisa May Alcott, Eleanor H. Porter, Kate Douglas Wiggin, Margaret Sidney, and so on. For whatever reason, I totally missed reading any of Susan Coolidge's Katy series, though I was aware that they existed. This is possibly why I did not enjoy them much when I read them at age 24.
I'm going to note that What Katy Did was written in the 1870s. Even though I was reminded a lot of other books like Pollyanna or Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm when I read What Katy Did, I had to remember that What Katy Did predated these books by over 30 years. What Katy Did was actually written shortly after Louisa May Alcott wrote the revolutionary children's book, Little Women (first published in 1868). In fact, Susan Coolidge's books were often compared to Louisa May Alcott's back when they were first published in the 19th century. I have to say, the comparison is rather unfortunate because Louisa May Alcott's books for children are far superior to What Katy Did and its sequels and have much better withstood the test of time.
When What Katy Did opens, Katy Carr is a 12-year-old tomboy who leads her pack of siblings on adventures around their mid-19th century Ohio town. Katy is not unlike other heroines of classic children's literature like Josephine March or Rebecca Rowena Randall. And like a lot of older girls' fiction, What Katy Did is a coming-of-age story, where a dreamy, head-in-the-clouds kind of girl becomes a model little woman. What makes me dislike this story particularly is the way this transformation happens. Katy becomes paralyzed by falling off a broken swing that her aunt has told her not to play on. The aunt does not, however, tell Katy why she should not play on the swing because she believes that children should do as they're told, so Katy does it anyway, thinking that her aunt is just being unpleasant. Katy's accident and resulting paraplegia is intimated to be a sort of punishment for Katy's misbehavior and unladylike ways. Once Katy finally grows up, Even though this book is quite old, its implications concerning femininity and disability are troubling, to say the least. Other books handle the transition from girl to woman much more deftly and in a much less offensive manner than What Katy Did.
I guess my bottom line is that I don't recommend What Katy Did. If you're looking to a buy a classic book for a little girl, there are a lot of superior ones out there. If you're interested in reading it for yourself, I'm guessing that you may only appreciate What Katy Did for its nostalgia factor, especially if you read it as a little girl. For those who haven't read it before and are able to look at it critically, I hope you'll find that there is something truly disturbing in this book's message.
I'm going to note that What Katy Did was written in the 1870s. Even though I was reminded a lot of other books like Pollyanna or Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm when I read What Katy Did, I had to remember that What Katy Did predated these books by over 30 years. What Katy Did was actually written shortly after Louisa May Alcott wrote the revolutionary children's book, Little Women (first published in 1868). In fact, Susan Coolidge's books were often compared to Louisa May Alcott's back when they were first published in the 19th century. I have to say, the comparison is rather unfortunate because Louisa May Alcott's books for children are far superior to What Katy Did and its sequels and have much better withstood the test of time.
When What Katy Did opens, Katy Carr is a 12-year-old tomboy who leads her pack of siblings on adventures around their mid-19th century Ohio town. Katy is not unlike other heroines of classic children's literature like Josephine March or Rebecca Rowena Randall. And like a lot of older girls' fiction, What Katy Did is a coming-of-age story, where a dreamy, head-in-the-clouds kind of girl becomes a model little woman. What makes me dislike this story particularly is the way this transformation happens. Katy becomes paralyzed by falling off a broken swing that her aunt has told her not to play on. The aunt does not, however, tell Katy why she should not play on the swing because she believes that children should do as they're told, so Katy does it anyway, thinking that her aunt is just being unpleasant. Katy's accident and resulting paraplegia is intimated to be a sort of punishment for Katy's misbehavior and unladylike ways. Once Katy finally grows up, Even though this book is quite old, its implications concerning femininity and disability are troubling, to say the least. Other books handle the transition from girl to woman much more deftly and in a much less offensive manner than What Katy Did.
I guess my bottom line is that I don't recommend What Katy Did. If you're looking to a buy a classic book for a little girl, there are a lot of superior ones out there. If you're interested in reading it for yourself, I'm guessing that you may only appreciate What Katy Did for its nostalgia factor, especially if you read it as a little girl. For those who haven't read it before and are able to look at it critically, I hope you'll find that there is something truly disturbing in this book's message.
March 11, 2024
5+ stars (8/10 hearts). I was given this book between 10-13 years old and loved it right away. Since then, I have only loved it more and more each read through!
Katy is my favourite female character ever. I love Katy so much. I really related to her as a 12 year old, and I always admired how her flawed character moved on to greater Godliness. I’ve always looked upon Katy as a model and still now at 20 I find her motivating and encouraging. She starts out so silly and ends up so sweet and pure.
The other children are delightful too. Clover is a little sweetheart—Elsie is a darling—Dorry, Phil, & Johnnie are super cute and funny—Cecy is sweet. Cousin Helen is wonderful; Papa is one of the best fictional fathers ever; Aunt Izzy is such a thought-provoking character and you do grow fond of her. The servants are all funny and stand out from each other, as do all the townspeople. Coolidge nailed the art of creating unimportant but interesting people.
Set in c. 1868 in a tiny town in West America, this story is a mixture of happy home life + a coming-of-age/internal-journey story. The writing style is a sort of cross between Louisa Alcott and Frances Hodgson Burnett. The first half sets the stage of Katy’s life as a thoughtless but well-meaning child, and then the next half chronicles her change after a terrible accident. It isn’t preachy; and people may find the spiritual change very sudden, but honestly I find it’s just the right pace. It’s sweet and funny and realistic and heart-warming and oh-so-full of great messages and truths! There is some mention of Santa Claus & a few mentions of fairies, but that can be changes/skipped. The basic theme is that illness can be used in so many great ways to help others and ourselves. There’s also smaller themes of how to manage a house, how to be a good sister, and how to make a difference.
Overall, one of my highest recommendations for preteen/early teen reads and book 1 in my second-favourite series ever. <3
A Favourite Quote: “So I will do my very best, / Nor chide the clock, nor call it slow; / That when the Teacher calls me up / To see if I am fit to go, / I may to Love's high class attain, / And bid a sweet good-by to Pain.”
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: “Winter had fairly come. Snow was falling out-doors. Katy could see the thick flakes go whirling past the window, but the sight did not chill her. It only made the room look warmer and more cosy.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “‘How delicious!’ cried Clover, skipping about and clapping her hands: ‘I never, never, never did hear of anything so perfectly lovely. Papa, when are you coming down stairs? I want to speak to you dreadfully.’
“‘Right away—rather than have my coat-tails pulled off,’ answered Dr. Carr, laughing.”
Katy is my favourite female character ever. I love Katy so much. I really related to her as a 12 year old, and I always admired how her flawed character moved on to greater Godliness. I’ve always looked upon Katy as a model and still now at 20 I find her motivating and encouraging. She starts out so silly and ends up so sweet and pure.
The other children are delightful too. Clover is a little sweetheart—Elsie is a darling—Dorry, Phil, & Johnnie are super cute and funny—Cecy is sweet. Cousin Helen is wonderful; Papa is one of the best fictional fathers ever; Aunt Izzy is such a thought-provoking character and you do grow fond of her. The servants are all funny and stand out from each other, as do all the townspeople. Coolidge nailed the art of creating unimportant but interesting people.
Set in c. 1868 in a tiny town in West America, this story is a mixture of happy home life + a coming-of-age/internal-journey story. The writing style is a sort of cross between Louisa Alcott and Frances Hodgson Burnett. The first half sets the stage of Katy’s life as a thoughtless but well-meaning child, and then the next half chronicles her change after a terrible accident. It isn’t preachy; and people may find the spiritual change very sudden, but honestly I find it’s just the right pace. It’s sweet and funny and realistic and heart-warming and oh-so-full of great messages and truths! There is some mention of Santa Claus & a few mentions of fairies, but that can be changes/skipped. The basic theme is that illness can be used in so many great ways to help others and ourselves. There’s also smaller themes of how to manage a house, how to be a good sister, and how to make a difference.
Overall, one of my highest recommendations for preteen/early teen reads and book 1 in my second-favourite series ever. <3
A Favourite Quote: “So I will do my very best, / Nor chide the clock, nor call it slow; / That when the Teacher calls me up / To see if I am fit to go, / I may to Love's high class attain, / And bid a sweet good-by to Pain.”
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: “Winter had fairly come. Snow was falling out-doors. Katy could see the thick flakes go whirling past the window, but the sight did not chill her. It only made the room look warmer and more cosy.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “‘How delicious!’ cried Clover, skipping about and clapping her hands: ‘I never, never, never did hear of anything so perfectly lovely. Papa, when are you coming down stairs? I want to speak to you dreadfully.’
“‘Right away—rather than have my coat-tails pulled off,’ answered Dr. Carr, laughing.”
November 4, 2017
I had initially rated this 2 stars as an okay book, but something has reminded me of it recently, and on thinking it over, I'm forced to rate it down. It contains not one, but three very unpleasant ideas which I wish children weren't exposed to:
1. Kids have to obey unquestioningly, adults don't have to explain.
Any need to expound on this one? The story quite definitely tells us that Katy received her injury because she didn't obey a prohibition, thinking it just one of a long line of "because I tell you so" - whereas, in fact, this one did have a reason behind it. I'm getting angry at those adults.
2. If you behave, your health will get better (alternatively, other things out of your control will improve).
No they won't. This is an unfair life, and while there's perhaps no need to hit a young child over the head with that unfairness, it's still wrong to implant the opposite thinking quite so wrongly.
3. You should try to be exactly like someone else you admire.
This one is perhaps less obnoxious, but still quite dangerous I think. While I'm all for nurture against nature when it comes to general ability, it still has to begin at a very early age, and I don't suppose a person can radically change themselves. Trying to become an introvert when you are an extravert (roughly, of course; I know the terms are not exactly scientific) will lead to nothing but pent-up frustration and constant dissatisfaction with yourself. What we need is learn to use what we have to the best purpose, not waste nervous energy imitating someone else.
So altogether, as this is very obviously a didactic tale for the young, and I think the points it makes dangerous to those young - I don't like it and never will. Thankfully, it doesn't seem to be popular.
1. Kids have to obey unquestioningly, adults don't have to explain.
Any need to expound on this one? The story quite definitely tells us that Katy received her injury because she didn't obey a prohibition, thinking it just one of a long line of "because I tell you so" - whereas, in fact, this one did have a reason behind it. I'm getting angry at those adults.
2. If you behave, your health will get better (alternatively, other things out of your control will improve).
No they won't. This is an unfair life, and while there's perhaps no need to hit a young child over the head with that unfairness, it's still wrong to implant the opposite thinking quite so wrongly.
3. You should try to be exactly like someone else you admire.
This one is perhaps less obnoxious, but still quite dangerous I think. While I'm all for nurture against nature when it comes to general ability, it still has to begin at a very early age, and I don't suppose a person can radically change themselves. Trying to become an introvert when you are an extravert (roughly, of course; I know the terms are not exactly scientific) will lead to nothing but pent-up frustration and constant dissatisfaction with yourself. What we need is learn to use what we have to the best purpose, not waste nervous energy imitating someone else.
So altogether, as this is very obviously a didactic tale for the young, and I think the points it makes dangerous to those young - I don't like it and never will. Thankfully, it doesn't seem to be popular.
July 27, 2013
I discovered this book at one of those bargain book outlet dealies when I was a teenager and just ate it up. As someone who read Little Women and Anne of Green Gables over and over again, the fact that no one told me about Katy until I was in high school (and had already bought this book) was, well, negligent on the part of anyone who knew me. This is a wonderful book in the vein of those other, more well-known classics, about a loving, rough-and-tumble family lead by the headstrong Katy. In the wake of their mother's death, a spinster aunt comes to live with them, and Katy butts heads with her constantly despite her longing to be beautiful and good. A near-fatal accident changes Katy and the rest of the family, and seeing how they all cope was my favorite part.
Read
December 12, 2016What Katy Did by Susan Coolidge is now published by Alma Classics. This fresh new edition is wonderfully illustrated by Susan Hellard. Susan Coolidge is the pen name of Sarah Chauncey Woolsey. The characters in What Katy Did were based on the author Sarah Woolsey and her family.
A little about the Carr family
Katy's name was Katy Carr who is the main character. She is full of life and fun and lives in the town of Burnet.
There were six of the Carr children four girls and two boys.
Twelve year old Katy Carr a gangly tomboy was the eldest.
Clover Carr is the next sibling down she is very close to Katy and adores her big sister.
Eight year old Elsie Carr doesn't want to play with the little ones she longs to do everything with her two older sisters Katy and Clover.
Dorry Carr is six he and his sister Johnnie are very close and like to do everything together. Dorry is a boy, but can seem a bit like a girl.
Joanna Johnnie Carr is a year younger than Dorry. While she is a girl, she sometimes seems like a boy.
Four year old little Phil, is the baby of the family.
Dr Carr is the children's father. He lost his wife, whom he dearly loved.
A heart warming tale that has become a children's classic since publication in 1872
A little about the Carr family
Katy's name was Katy Carr who is the main character. She is full of life and fun and lives in the town of Burnet.
There were six of the Carr children four girls and two boys.
Twelve year old Katy Carr a gangly tomboy was the eldest.
Clover Carr is the next sibling down she is very close to Katy and adores her big sister.
Eight year old Elsie Carr doesn't want to play with the little ones she longs to do everything with her two older sisters Katy and Clover.
Dorry Carr is six he and his sister Johnnie are very close and like to do everything together. Dorry is a boy, but can seem a bit like a girl.
Joanna Johnnie Carr is a year younger than Dorry. While she is a girl, she sometimes seems like a boy.
Four year old little Phil, is the baby of the family.
Dr Carr is the children's father. He lost his wife, whom he dearly loved.
A heart warming tale that has become a children's classic since publication in 1872
April 12, 2015
What Katy Did has been compared numerous times to Little Women. I would like to clarify: What Katy Did is totally inferior to Little Women.
What Katy Did has a very bland writing style, and nothing is described. The descriptions were some of the best bits about Little Women. In Little Women, the characters are three-dimensional and likeable, whereas in What Katy Did, the only one with any personality is Katy - and she's just irritating and arrogant.
In short, there isn't anything good about this book. The only thing that saves it from a one-star rating is the fact that it wasn't horribly bad, it was just dull. Very, very dull. If you want to read a classic children's book, go read Little Women.
What Katy Did has a very bland writing style, and nothing is described. The descriptions were some of the best bits about Little Women. In Little Women, the characters are three-dimensional and likeable, whereas in What Katy Did, the only one with any personality is Katy - and she's just irritating and arrogant.
In short, there isn't anything good about this book. The only thing that saves it from a one-star rating is the fact that it wasn't horribly bad, it was just dull. Very, very dull. If you want to read a classic children's book, go read Little Women.
June 8, 2020
A wonderful visit with a childhood friend - I have the next two books to reread in the near future.
December 11, 2009
Twelve year old Katy Carr and her five brothers and sisters have all kinds of fun adventures. A thicket becomes "Paradise", a hayloft a place for a "feast", and the entire house a playground for games invented by Katy. Katy means well, but is impulsive and irresponsible and is constantly getting into scrapes and trouble. After the Carr's Cousin Helen visits, Katy vows to be more like Cousin Helen, who is saint-like despite the fact that she had a bad accident and hasn't been able to walk for years. Unfortunately, Katy gets into the worst scrape of her life the very next day - disobeying her Aunt Izzie, she herself has a terrible accident. It will take Katy a long time to recover and in the course of her recovery she grows into a beautiful, responsible young woman.
I loved reading "What Katy Did" as a child and it's still fun to read as an adult. Written in the 1870's, it is definitely old-fashioned, but it makes me yearn for the days when life was so much simpler. Susan Coolidge writes as if she is sitting opposite the reader, verbally telling the story and uses words that children might use such as "honestest" which makes the book a pleasant read. Coolidge also includes humor that children won't get, but adults will, such as when Katy gives Aunt Izzie $7.25 and a long list of Christmas presents to buy with that small amount of money. Katy is a very realistic heroine; yes, she gets into mischief, but what child doesn't, and she means well. The rest of the children are equally engaging, for me Elsie stands out. Cousin Helen is indeed saintly, almost unbelievable in her goodness, but Coolidge makes her believable also.
"What Katy Did" is a nice, old-fashioned read.
I loved reading "What Katy Did" as a child and it's still fun to read as an adult. Written in the 1870's, it is definitely old-fashioned, but it makes me yearn for the days when life was so much simpler. Susan Coolidge writes as if she is sitting opposite the reader, verbally telling the story and uses words that children might use such as "honestest" which makes the book a pleasant read. Coolidge also includes humor that children won't get, but adults will, such as when Katy gives Aunt Izzie $7.25 and a long list of Christmas presents to buy with that small amount of money. Katy is a very realistic heroine; yes, she gets into mischief, but what child doesn't, and she means well. The rest of the children are equally engaging, for me Elsie stands out. Cousin Helen is indeed saintly, almost unbelievable in her goodness, but Coolidge makes her believable also.
"What Katy Did" is a nice, old-fashioned read.
December 15, 2017
This was such a happy, delightful book. I am going to keep this really short, not because I didn't like the book, but there awaits my challenge.
This little book is the first of a trilogy. I loved the character of Katy. She is you and me. Elder sister, domineering, annoying, always wanting to be on the top, impulsive, constantly getting into problems, making friends, getting heartbroken - until one day, a fatal accident turns her world upside down. This uplifting story is of Katy who finds a way out of all her misery to turn into a beautiful, patient, loving heart of the house.
Although I loved this totally, I loved Anne of Green Gables more. The story lines of both are way different but the feels they gave me were similar, hence the comparison. I have one more book to recommend to 10-yr olds and adults who love to read children's' books now as a must-must read.
This little book is the first of a trilogy. I loved the character of Katy. She is you and me. Elder sister, domineering, annoying, always wanting to be on the top, impulsive, constantly getting into problems, making friends, getting heartbroken - until one day, a fatal accident turns her world upside down. This uplifting story is of Katy who finds a way out of all her misery to turn into a beautiful, patient, loving heart of the house.
Although I loved this totally, I loved Anne of Green Gables more. The story lines of both are way different but the feels they gave me were similar, hence the comparison. I have one more book to recommend to 10-yr olds and adults who love to read children's' books now as a must-must read.
March 2, 2020
منذ أيام قرأت تغريدة لبثينة عبدالله تقول فيها إن قراءة قصص الأطفال ترقق القلب، وأجدني بعد ثلاثة أعوام من ترجمة أعمال اليافعين أوافقها بشدة !
قد تكون قصة كيتي التي تتعرض لحادث وتفقد القدرة على المشي لعامين قصة مألوفة كثيرًا، ولكن التفاصيل هي التي تحدث فرقًا... لا تحاول كيتي أن تكون صبورة في أيام المرض الأولى لكنها تتعلم كيف تكون كذلك، وتنظر إلى المرض من زاوية مختلفة، المرض هنا فرصة لتهذيب النفس وتقدير كثير من الأشياء التي نراها أمورًا بدهية...
قراءة لطيفة خفيفة على الروح والقلب
قد تكون قصة كيتي التي تتعرض لحادث وتفقد القدرة على المشي لعامين قصة مألوفة كثيرًا، ولكن التفاصيل هي التي تحدث فرقًا... لا تحاول كيتي أن تكون صبورة في أيام المرض الأولى لكنها تتعلم كيف تكون كذلك، وتنظر إلى المرض من زاوية مختلفة، المرض هنا فرصة لتهذيب النفس وتقدير كثير من الأشياء التي نراها أمورًا بدهية...
قراءة لطيفة خفيفة على الروح والقلب
May 31, 2022
What DID Katy do? Oh, Katy does a lot of things. Katy and her little siblings play, and sing, and read, and make messes, and get in trouble, and get hurt, and get well again, and rip their clothes, and get scolded... in other words, Katy and her siblings have childhoods. Full and rich childhoods.
I can't believe I'd never read this book before. I would have loved it as a kid! It's got exactly the sort of chummy flavor I've long valued, like the Anne books and the Ramona books. I would have spent a lot of time imagining I was friends with Katy, like I did with Anne and Ramona, when I was a kid. Oh well, at least I've read it now! And I have both sequels waiting on my TBR shelves!
I've seen people compare this to Anne of Green Gables a lot, as if Katy is a sort of proto-Anne, but I think she's a proto-Pollyanna. In fact, there's quite a lot of Pollyanna in this book, including Katy suffering a terrible accident and having to learn a lot from it about how to handle life. She struggles with that a great deal, but realistically, and the author doesn't offer either the character or the audience any pat answers on how to endure hardship. She shows that it takes a lot of patience, learning, and willingness to try over and over. I was impressed.
I can't believe I'd never read this book before. I would have loved it as a kid! It's got exactly the sort of chummy flavor I've long valued, like the Anne books and the Ramona books. I would have spent a lot of time imagining I was friends with Katy, like I did with Anne and Ramona, when I was a kid. Oh well, at least I've read it now! And I have both sequels waiting on my TBR shelves!
I've seen people compare this to Anne of Green Gables a lot, as if Katy is a sort of proto-Anne, but I think she's a proto-Pollyanna. In fact, there's quite a lot of Pollyanna in this book, including Katy suffering a terrible accident and having to learn a lot from it about how to handle life. She struggles with that a great deal, but realistically, and the author doesn't offer either the character or the audience any pat answers on how to endure hardship. She shows that it takes a lot of patience, learning, and willingness to try over and over. I was impressed.
Read
April 6, 2018Did Not Finish
I very rarely do not finish a book unless it has issues I don't want to read. This book didn't have anything objectionable, but I wasn't enjoying it. It is a moralistic book. The main character spends the more than the first half of the book (I reached 57%) getting into one scrape after another, leading her younger siblings astray, and dealing with a prim, strict aunt. The father is a doctor so is hardly every around, and there has been no christian content. I also do not enjoy the way it is written. I feel like I'm not at all connected with the characters, and don't really care what happens to them.
So I'm going to go read something else. Perhaps someday I'll finish this book. But I don't see that happening in the near future. Too many other books to read.
I very rarely do not finish a book unless it has issues I don't want to read. This book didn't have anything objectionable, but I wasn't enjoying it. It is a moralistic book. The main character spends the more than the first half of the book (I reached 57%) getting into one scrape after another, leading her younger siblings astray, and dealing with a prim, strict aunt. The father is a doctor so is hardly every around, and there has been no christian content. I also do not enjoy the way it is written. I feel like I'm not at all connected with the characters, and don't really care what happens to them.
So I'm going to go read something else. Perhaps someday I'll finish this book. But I don't see that happening in the near future. Too many other books to read.
July 27, 2019
I feel incredibly mixed about this book. I loved it as a child and read it obsessively. However as an adult I had a few more reservations. On the surface I enjoyed it and considering it as something written within its era it is a fantastic read. However it does have concerning messages on that girls should be ‘ladylike’ and happy keeping a house. Also it’s stance on disability as a punishment and that once Katy ‘learned her lessons’ she became better is very troublesome. It fell very much into the trap literature so often does when looking at disability as well that the ending must be a cure and the disabled person as being an inspiration or angelic figure similar to the angel/devil idea of women in gothic literature. Could open some interesting discussions though on changing views and beliefs of society.
March 6, 2018
For some reason I find myself re-reading this book nearly every time I get sick and have to stay in bed for a while! Even better than the Anne Of Green Gables books! :)
October 13, 2018
The book was actually interesting, but I never read the next books...
It's a one time read for me...
Just someone comment and let me know how the next books are???
It's a one time read for me...
Just someone comment and let me know how the next books are???
September 12, 2021
I'm currently re-reading many of the beloved old childhood and YA classics on my shelf, and haven't cracked open the covers of some of them for decades. What a treat books such as this one are, as if someone from a bygone era is extending some goodness and wisdom forward through the decades, even centuries, to cheer us up.
This book introduces the original and unruly Carr family. Doctor Philip Carr is a widower with six kids, Katy, Clover, Elsie, Dorry, Johnnie and Phil. This book focuses on the eldest sister Katy, who is messy, curious, bold and sociable. She has great intentions to be a useful and dependable person, but her impulsive, boisterous nature keeps sabotaging her. Then in one split second she suffers a serious accident, as a consequence of her own rebellious action. Katy faces a long recovery period in her bedroom, flat on her back for a good portion of it.
The poor girl is devastated and in great pain, feeling at the age of 12 as if the best of life must have passed her by. Yet there is not much she can do but take each day as it comes. Little by little, it becomes clear that the trial itself is smoothing down Katy's rough edges and helping her to become the person she aimed to be when she kept falling short of the mark she set. She still has her passionate nature, but without the mobility to please herself each moment, it's easier to direct her good intentions in purposeful ways that may benefit others. Nothing encourages productive thought more than enforced reflection time.
There are many instances of how small, everyday pleasures, such as a pretty dressing gown, tasty snack or neat bedroom, may make a far greater impact than their modest nature may suggest. Also loads of excellent supporting characters, including the perpetual invalid, Cousin Helen, who intentionally chooses a bright and merry attitude until it's second nature. This young woman spreads sunshine through the pages. There's good Aunt Izzie, who devotes her life to helping her widower brother with his kids, and is taken for granted all round until the crunch comes. And wistful, left-out younger sister Elsie, who feels as if she fits nowhere. (This little girl stirs me most.)
Okay, I have one major gripe with the premise on which the whole plot hinges. I find it super implausible that Aunt Izzie wouldn't have mentioned the problem with the swing. She says, 'That swing is not to be used until tomorrow. Remember that, children. Not till tomorrow. And not then, unless I give you leave.' The narrator goes on to explain that Miss Izzie Carr expected compliance without needing to justify every order. But as a long-time homeschooling parent, I'm positive in real life Izzie would have added, 'Because the staple is broken.' It would have taken an extra split second and put undeniable weight behind the urgency for obedience.
Here are a few of the ways she could have added it.
'Alexander says the roof staple has come loose, so it'll be dangerous right now.' (About seven seconds.)
'It's damaged, so don't go near it.' (About three seconds.)
Or simply, 'It's broken.' (Barely more than a second.)
I appeal to all parents, teachers, care-givers, older siblings and baby sitters. Would you have dreamed of holding back the vital information that the swing is broken? In fact, I think it would have rolled off her tongue so naturally, it would have taken more effort not to say it.
But I guess Susan Coolidge thought she had no other option for her story to work the way she wanted it to. The only alternative would be that Aunt Izzie does explain why, but Katy doesn't hear any of it, in which case the all-important willful disobedience theme is shattered. And then the adults would be culpable for not making extra sure everyone hears the vital instructions. I can't see how Coolidge could have written the story other than as she did, but it really doesn't sit well with me.
What I do love are descriptions such as this one of Katy's bureau drawer. 'All sorts of things were mixed together as if someone had put in a long stick and stirred them all up. There were books and paint boxes, and bits of scribbled paper and lead pencils and brushes. Stocking legs had come unrolled and twisted themselves about pocket handkerchiefs, ends of ribbon and linen collars. Ruffles all crushed out of shape stuck up from under the heavier things, and sundry little paper boxes lay empty on top, the treasures they once held having sifted down to the bottom of the drawer and disappeared beneath the general mass.' Hmm, I've never seen anything like that! Have you?
I hope I haven't been describing this book as if it's some moralistic, nineteenth century hammer, because there's far too much mischievous movement, flashes of humour, and raw honesty for that. None of the Carr children are goody-two-shoes, least of all Katy. I've decided Susan Coolidge is a great addition to my list of bad-mood busting authors, which is steadily growing.
Stick around, because I'll soon be adding my thoughts about the rest of this series.
🌟🌟🌟🌟½
PS, Maybe Aunt Izzie had already explained about the broken swing to the younger siblings several times, and Katy came in just in time to hear one more directive without the reason added to it. That could be more plausible, but I suspect I'm now way over-thinking this and had better stop.
May 31, 2019
The What Katy Did books were among my favourite reads when I was in primary school (about 11 years old). I still have my original copies of these books and I recently decided to re-read them. I was delighted to discover that these books still filled me with as much joy and inspiration as they did when a read them as a girl.
Katy is a tall, lanky girl, the oldest of six children, who lost their mother at young ages and who are being raised by their delightful father, Dr Carr, a medical practitioner, and their aunt. The Carr family live in the fictional town of Burnet in the USA. At the beginning of the book, we are introduced to a fit and healthy Katy, whose mind is always brimming with lots of amazing and fun ideas to entertain herself, her best friend, Cecy and her younger siblings. Katy has good intentions to set a good example to her brothers and sisters, but being fun loving and rather scatter brained, she often comes unstuck and leads them into trouble.
Katy specifically appealed to me as a young reader because she is a writer of stories to entertain her family. She keeps the episodes of her latest on-going story hidden in strange places all over the house. Katy is depicted as being extremely active and a leader. She creates games that lead her school mates, on one occasion, and her friends and siblings, on another occasion, into trouble. Katy also has a big heart and is always finding new and rather unsuitable friends whom she embraces with great passion and enthusiasm. Katy will do anything for her friends, even if it gets her into trouble.
Nothing every stays the same, however, and Katy meets with an accident that results in her becoming bed-bound. The book takes us through a period of Katy's varying emotions from an expectation that she will soon recover, to self pity and depression when she realises that she will be invalided for a lengthily period. Fortunately for Katy, she has a wonderful cousin, Helen, who is a permanent invalid, and, with Cousin Helen's help, Katy is able to find a way to be useful to her family again and rediscover the joy of life, living and studying, even if it is from her bedroom.
This book is packed with imagination and wonder and I remember "borrowing" a number of Katy's ideas for my own personal use. I have written poems for family members, made mini Christmas trees as gifts for moms and grannies and even made my mom two books, one when I was a girl, filled with contributions from her four daughters, and one as a adult, with contributions from her grandchildren. I believe that this series of books was a significant contributor to me discovering innovative ways of introducing creativity into my own life and the lives of my siblings and parents.
As an adult, I appreciated the leadership lesson and the fact that people who have strong leadership qualities can lead other people astray. Having these qualities actually means that you have a responsibility to learn to use them wisely and not lead others off the cliff.
Every child should read this book.
Katy is a tall, lanky girl, the oldest of six children, who lost their mother at young ages and who are being raised by their delightful father, Dr Carr, a medical practitioner, and their aunt. The Carr family live in the fictional town of Burnet in the USA. At the beginning of the book, we are introduced to a fit and healthy Katy, whose mind is always brimming with lots of amazing and fun ideas to entertain herself, her best friend, Cecy and her younger siblings. Katy has good intentions to set a good example to her brothers and sisters, but being fun loving and rather scatter brained, she often comes unstuck and leads them into trouble.
Katy specifically appealed to me as a young reader because she is a writer of stories to entertain her family. She keeps the episodes of her latest on-going story hidden in strange places all over the house. Katy is depicted as being extremely active and a leader. She creates games that lead her school mates, on one occasion, and her friends and siblings, on another occasion, into trouble. Katy also has a big heart and is always finding new and rather unsuitable friends whom she embraces with great passion and enthusiasm. Katy will do anything for her friends, even if it gets her into trouble.
Nothing every stays the same, however, and Katy meets with an accident that results in her becoming bed-bound. The book takes us through a period of Katy's varying emotions from an expectation that she will soon recover, to self pity and depression when she realises that she will be invalided for a lengthily period. Fortunately for Katy, she has a wonderful cousin, Helen, who is a permanent invalid, and, with Cousin Helen's help, Katy is able to find a way to be useful to her family again and rediscover the joy of life, living and studying, even if it is from her bedroom.
This book is packed with imagination and wonder and I remember "borrowing" a number of Katy's ideas for my own personal use. I have written poems for family members, made mini Christmas trees as gifts for moms and grannies and even made my mom two books, one when I was a girl, filled with contributions from her four daughters, and one as a adult, with contributions from her grandchildren. I believe that this series of books was a significant contributor to me discovering innovative ways of introducing creativity into my own life and the lives of my siblings and parents.
As an adult, I appreciated the leadership lesson and the fact that people who have strong leadership qualities can lead other people astray. Having these qualities actually means that you have a responsibility to learn to use them wisely and not lead others off the cliff.
Every child should read this book.
July 7, 2017
What Katy Did bercerita ttg anak-anak keluarga Carr; Katy, Dorry, Johnnie, Phil, Clover dan Elsie plus tetangga mereka Cecy. Ada saja kelucuan dan kejadian unik yg dialami mereka. Dorry punya jurnal harian dan yg ditulisnya tiap hari adl makanan yg dimakannya, ketika Phil kecil sakit, kursi Johnnie yg disayang-sayang bagaikan boneka juga dilumuri sirup agar ikut sembuh. Mereka jg kreatif, menciptakan Kikeri yaitu permainan hide and seek yg dilakukan dlm gelap.
.
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Kelucuan berganti dgn perasaan depresi dan kesedihan ketika Katy jatuh dari ayunan. Kakinya sulit digerakkan dan tulang punggungnya yg terluka menyebabkan Katy hanya bisa terbaring di tempat tidur. Cousin Helen, invalid periang yg diidolakan anak-anak keluarga Carr, memberi semangat dgn pilihan kata yg tepat sehingga Katy kembali bersemangat dan tidak lagi pemurung dan pemarah.
.
.
Karena suatu kejadian, Katy menggantikan peran Aunt Izzie yg selama ini mengurus mereka sejak mama Katy meninggal. Semua urusan rumah tangga dikonsultasikan pada Katy yg terbaring lumpuh di kamarnya lantai atas.
.
.
Tak heran buku ini disukai selama bergenerasi-generasi. Isinya menghibur dan sarat moral bagus. Bagaimana ketika dlm kesulitan Cousin Helen mengingatkan Katy bahwa saat itu Katy berada dlm sekolahNya; The School of Pain, with lessons of Patience, Cheerfulness, Hopefulness, Neatness, Love.
.
.
Kelucuan berganti dgn perasaan depresi dan kesedihan ketika Katy jatuh dari ayunan. Kakinya sulit digerakkan dan tulang punggungnya yg terluka menyebabkan Katy hanya bisa terbaring di tempat tidur. Cousin Helen, invalid periang yg diidolakan anak-anak keluarga Carr, memberi semangat dgn pilihan kata yg tepat sehingga Katy kembali bersemangat dan tidak lagi pemurung dan pemarah.
.
.
Karena suatu kejadian, Katy menggantikan peran Aunt Izzie yg selama ini mengurus mereka sejak mama Katy meninggal. Semua urusan rumah tangga dikonsultasikan pada Katy yg terbaring lumpuh di kamarnya lantai atas.
.
.
Tak heran buku ini disukai selama bergenerasi-generasi. Isinya menghibur dan sarat moral bagus. Bagaimana ketika dlm kesulitan Cousin Helen mengingatkan Katy bahwa saat itu Katy berada dlm sekolahNya; The School of Pain, with lessons of Patience, Cheerfulness, Hopefulness, Neatness, Love.
January 18, 2020
We all have our weaknesses and, dear me, I do have a soft spot for 19th-century children's classics. I live for their melodramatic and didactic storytelling. Funnily enough, they also inspire me to be a better person. What Katy Did might not have aged as well as Little Women or A Little Princess (from a modern perspective, the exploration of disability in Katy is quite horrendous), yet it remains a funny, moving book that depicts 19th-century domestic life in precise details.
February 26, 2018
Pretty sweet. A little preachy, but all children's books from back then were on-the-nose. The only problem is I feel that they beat the spunk out of Katy, but ... I guess that's too be expected from the era. (See Lucinda/Lucilla/that one girl from Elsie Dinsmore. :P)
October 14, 2019
the terribly boring writing does nothing to make up for the period-appropriate but still god-awful messages about disability, women and unquestioning obedience.
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