Author Description

Product DescriptionTwelve-year-old Katy always planned to do a great many wonderful things but in the end did something she never planned at all.From School Library JournalGrade 5-8-Twelve-year-old Katy is constantly making and quickly breaking resolutions about how she will change her ways and treat others, especially her five younger brothers and sisters, with more respect and compassion. When Katy meets her Cousin Helen, an invalid, Katy is awed by her kindness, prettiness, and generosity. Katy is determined to become more like Helen, a resolution that lasts only a few hours. Soon, however, Katy gets a chance to become more like cousin Helen than she ever wished as she finds herself confined to her bedroom for four years as a result of an accident. Much of the story is focused on the change Katy undergoes during her illness. Helen visits again to advise Katy to learn from her experience and to try to become the center of the house by making her room and herself more attractive to others. One way Katy decides to take Helen's advice is through assuming the responsibility of running the house, a job that consists of giving the servants instructions and ringing her bell to summon her sisters when she has a task for them. As soon as Katy has learned the lesson about how to care for others, she recovers and regains the ability to walk. Barbara Caruso's expressive narration is well done. She has given each character a distinct voice that helps portray his or her personality. This is a lengthy audiobook, but Caruso's pleasant narration helps to keep listeners' interest. Written by Susan Coolidge (Viking Penguin pap. 1997) and originally published in 1872, this work is dated and offers a limited vision of the roles of girls and women within the world and the family. Although there are moments of good storytelling, this title is too dated to be recommended for purchase.Erin Drankwalter Wyatt, Palombi School, Lake Villa, IL Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.From AudioFileFirst published in 1872, this old-fashioned story espouses old-fashioned values brought to life with gentle good humor by Laurel Lefkow. Her reading perfectly captures the quirky, kind-hearted, if bossy, spirit of Katy, the oldest of six children being raised by their busy father, a doctor, with the help of his fussy sister, Aunt Izzy. In a marketplace full to bursting with edgy, issue-based children's books, this title is a quiet relief, a timeless story of perseverance and love overcoming adversity. Reminiscent of HEIDI and THE SECRET GARDEN, it's a comfort food of a book about secret hideouts and picnics and homemade valentines. Laurel Lefkow will softly lead the child or family listener into this beloved little treasure from a bygone era. D.G. © AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine--Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, MaineAbout the AuthorSusan Coolidge (1835-1905) was born Sarah Chauncey Woolsey in Ohio, USA. She worked as a nurse during the American Civil War, after which she started to write. She is best known for her classic children's novel What Katy Did, which was modelled on her own family, and its four sequels: What Katy Did at School, What Katy Did Next, Clover and In the High Valley. Nick Sharratt has written and illustrated many books for children including Shark in the Park, You Choose and Pants. He has won numerous awards for his picture books, including the Sheffield Children's Book Award and the 2001 Children's Book Award. He has also enjoyed stellar success illustrating Jacqueline Wilson's books. Nick lives in Brighton.ReviewThose who enjoy Jodie will turn with interest to Laurel Lefkow's spirited reading of Susan Coolidge's What Katy Did, not only because of the heroines' similarities, but because it opens such a vivid window into a domestic world that we have lost: full of aunts and cousins, innumerable siblings and clearly drawn moralities. Abridgement has meant a loss of detail, but has made the book work bet