Status
Available
Series
Publication
World International Publishing Limited (1989), 141 pages
Description
The story of Katy Carr's adventures has delighted generations of readers since its first publication in 1872. Katy, the eldest of an endearing family of five, is determined to overcome her habitual mischievousness and untidiness and become ' beautiful and beloved, and amiable as an angel '. Katy's childhood exploits growing up in a small, late 19th-century American town, and her subsequent battle to come to terms with a debilitating injury are written with great compassion and humour and continue to hold much appeal for young readers today.
User reviews
LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
I know I read and re-read this as a kid and after reading Katy by Jacqueline Wilson I can see some of the problematic aspects to it. But also there are aspects that are period details, yes there were injuries that could happen to a back that are now treated with physio and injections (and I'm
Interesting, worth re-reading but the enjoyment was somewhat spoilt by adult views. Though I did empathise with Katy and her getting lost in reading when I was younger, I still remember the resonance.
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currently going through some of that myself, incidentally) but the best treatment of the time was rest and this is what Katy endures when she badly injures her spine after a stupid accident that is down to being a bit headstrong, which is, of course, disapproved of in this period. I had forgotten the neighbour with the counterfeiting husband that Katy befriends, but overall this is a story that in context is interesting. And I did enjoy the update I do think kids need to read stories from different periods to learn how life was and is different for different people in different places and times. The mild anti-Irish and anti-black sentiment is a discussion that would be useful for people too. Paternalism is another discussion that didn't come up in the afterwords though it was implied when Katy did some of the "good deeds". Cousin Helen does veer into preachy occasionally.Interesting, worth re-reading but the enjoyment was somewhat spoilt by adult views. Though I did empathise with Katy and her getting lost in reading when I was younger, I still remember the resonance.
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LibraryThing member drebbles
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
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.
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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.
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LibraryThing member seldombites
I loved reading this book. It was one of my favourites as a child and I was half afraid I wouldn't enjoy it as much now I'm all grown up.
I wasn't disappointed however.
This book is perfect for anyone who wants their kids to read some wholesome old fashioned literature.
I wasn't disappointed however.
This book is perfect for anyone who wants their kids to read some wholesome old fashioned literature.
LibraryThing member atreic
I'm not sure if I ever read this as a child - although it was one of my Mum's favourite books I found it hard to get into. I enjoyed it as an adult though, the enthusiastic joy of Katy and her siblings and their games and adventure, and then her growth and learning after her injury. I can see why
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people despise it for the 'pain is a lesson from God so we can become patient people' theme, which is very dangerous and needs to be handled with a lot of care, but I can also see why it is a classic. Show Less
LibraryThing member thebookmagpie
It's... very moralistic. In a 19th-century, Christian fashion. HOWEVER, I still love it. It's such a ridiculous story and the bit about the School of Pain made me want to vomit (in fact, it reminded me of a stupendous article that appeared in Lupus UK about how chronic illness is really a
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"beautiful beast within" which is actually the most offensively stupid thing I have ever had the misfortune to see in my entire life, including that film where Jack Black is a luchador) but otherwise there is something so wonderfully compelling in the Katy character that will never make me able to hate this book despite me disagreeing with this whole moral construct. I don't actually think Katy is a less interesting character after she "grows up". There's nothing wrong with learning to be patient with others and to love your neighbour and try to see the best even in the worst situations. It just shouldn't be presented as a requirement of personhood. Anyway, compared to all the other turn-of-the-century sentimental crap that came out of American children's literature (Little Women, Anne of Green Gables, Pollyanna... VOMIT) this is a lot better, and I remember enjoying the sequels too! Good to read on a tiring journey. Show Less
LibraryThing member unlikelyaristotle
I. love. this. book.
When I first discovered it in our bookshelf, I absolutely fell in love with the characters, obviously Katy most of all. For years I felt very acutely the injustice of not having been born in the early 20th century in a countryside somewhere in Devon or Kent. This is a book I
The main character, Katy, is a precocious young girl, the eldest of a large family. She's always getting herself into scrapes, as young children do, and is imaginative and lively, always thinking up stories in their garden, which actually sometimes get her into trouble. One day, as a result of her disobedience, she gets into an accident that will change her life forever. However, this accident unleashes a series of events which actually enrich her, fill her with compassion and kindness, and most importantly the strength to move on in the face of her adversity.
The book had a great impact on me as a child, and for a month afterwards I tried very hard to be like the serene and wonderful and impossibly perfect Helen, one of the characters in the book. A month of commitment from a 10 year old is pretty impressive, looking back!
When I first discovered it in our bookshelf, I absolutely fell in love with the characters, obviously Katy most of all. For years I felt very acutely the injustice of not having been born in the early 20th century in a countryside somewhere in Devon or Kent. This is a book I
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will hold on to forever, and one of the few where I actually have an emotional attachment to. Definitely going to save this one for any future spawn I may produce. It's got everything a children's classic should contain. The main character, Katy, is a precocious young girl, the eldest of a large family. She's always getting herself into scrapes, as young children do, and is imaginative and lively, always thinking up stories in their garden, which actually sometimes get her into trouble. One day, as a result of her disobedience, she gets into an accident that will change her life forever. However, this accident unleashes a series of events which actually enrich her, fill her with compassion and kindness, and most importantly the strength to move on in the face of her adversity.
The book had a great impact on me as a child, and for a month afterwards I tried very hard to be like the serene and wonderful and impossibly perfect Helen, one of the characters in the book. A month of commitment from a 10 year old is pretty impressive, looking back!
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LibraryThing member Figgles
Classic. Not as dated as I expected. Story of how you can turn disaster into, if not exactly triumph, a joyful life. Surprising similarities to Seven Little Australians (but with a happier ending). Very enjoyable.
LibraryThing member callmecordelia1912
As a child I always wanted to read this novel, but never got around to it. Even almost grown, the novel still captivated me. Dear Katy with all her faults, trying so hard to do the right thing, and then the accident...I could put the book down until I knew if Katy would be alright.
LibraryThing member debnance
Katie wants to be a better person but she really doesn't begin to improve until she becomes disabled.
LibraryThing member onlyhope1912
As a child I always wanted to read this novel, but never got around to it. Even almost grown, the novel still captivated me. Dear Katy with all her faults, trying so hard to do the right thing, and then the accident...I could put the book down until I knew if Katy would be alright.
LibraryThing member charlie68
A great read for anyone.
LibraryThing member Cheryl_in_CC_NV
Hm. Yes it's preachy. Of course we'd like Katy to be able to have fun, and not have to learn to be a little housewife while bedridden while still a young teen. But the thing is, in those days before antibiotics, people did die, and other people did have to step up. And apparently this series is as
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to a memoir - inspired at least by the author's childhood. So, given all the context, I'm glad I kept reading the series. In fact, I'll give this 2.5 stars. Show Less
LibraryThing member amandamay83
So this book was sorta weird, in as much as I'm not really sure what I think of it. I started out really liking it. The antics of Katy and her siblings made me laugh out loud several times. Katy is a tomboy, impulsive, always getting into some scrape, saying the first that pops in her head...in
~*~*~*~SPOILERS TO FOLLOW~*~*~*~*~*~
The problem, though, is when Cousin Helen comes in half way through the book. Not surprisngly, Helen and Katy are polar opposites. Helen is paralyzed from the waist down (we surmise), but in spite of her trials, is well-mannered, soft-spoken, never says an ill-word about anyone, never complains, blah blah blah. Of course, the moral of the story is that all good little girls should be like Helen. Katy resolves to try, but of course fails. And because she fails, she has a tragic accident that leaves her bed-ridden for a couple of years. And naturally, during this time, she sees how right Helen is and becomes this wonderful, saint of a girl. Yada yada.
I could have gotten past all that cheesiness, though. It was, after all, written in the 1800s. And in a lot of ways, the book reminds me of Little Women (which I did not like), with its Christian over-tones. However, the tragic tale of Helen was just too much for me. It was ridiculously implausible. Helen was engaged to be wed to Alex. Unfortunately, she has a tragic accident (we never learn what) that leaves her horrible ill; for a while, they think she will die. Helen ultimately survives, but will remain an invalid the rest of her life (again, they never come out and say she's paralyzed, but one can guess). Now that's all well and good. But HERE'S where it gets weird. Alex still wants to marry her, but she insists he cannot. She doesn't want to tie him down like that. Right noble of her, huh? SO THEN, Alex marries someone else and MOVES IN NEXT DOOR TO HELEN. Helen and his wife become best of friends. Alex and his wife have a daughter who they name Helen. Alex and his wife never do anything without first consulting Helen. I'm sorry, but are you F-ING serious? Am I the only one who sees the dysfunction in this? I was on board with refusing to marry the guy, but then to live next door to him and wife? And become one big, happy family? Come on. It sounds like "Days of our Lives" for the 1800s. Had I read this when I was in grade school, I probably would have glossed over it as "romantic." As an adult, though? I find it bizarre and creepy.
In short, Cousin Helen ruined this book for me. It was okay. It was so funny in several places, I feel obligated to give it 3 stars, rather than 2. But do I consider it a must-read classic? Definitely not.
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other words, fun. The kind of girl most of us would have loved for a friend when we were that age.~*~*~*~SPOILERS TO FOLLOW~*~*~*~*~*~
The problem, though, is when Cousin Helen comes in half way through the book. Not surprisngly, Helen and Katy are polar opposites. Helen is paralyzed from the waist down (we surmise), but in spite of her trials, is well-mannered, soft-spoken, never says an ill-word about anyone, never complains, blah blah blah. Of course, the moral of the story is that all good little girls should be like Helen. Katy resolves to try, but of course fails. And because she fails, she has a tragic accident that leaves her bed-ridden for a couple of years. And naturally, during this time, she sees how right Helen is and becomes this wonderful, saint of a girl. Yada yada.
I could have gotten past all that cheesiness, though. It was, after all, written in the 1800s. And in a lot of ways, the book reminds me of Little Women (which I did not like), with its Christian over-tones. However, the tragic tale of Helen was just too much for me. It was ridiculously implausible. Helen was engaged to be wed to Alex. Unfortunately, she has a tragic accident (we never learn what) that leaves her horrible ill; for a while, they think she will die. Helen ultimately survives, but will remain an invalid the rest of her life (again, they never come out and say she's paralyzed, but one can guess). Now that's all well and good. But HERE'S where it gets weird. Alex still wants to marry her, but she insists he cannot. She doesn't want to tie him down like that. Right noble of her, huh? SO THEN, Alex marries someone else and MOVES IN NEXT DOOR TO HELEN. Helen and his wife become best of friends. Alex and his wife have a daughter who they name Helen. Alex and his wife never do anything without first consulting Helen. I'm sorry, but are you F-ING serious? Am I the only one who sees the dysfunction in this? I was on board with refusing to marry the guy, but then to live next door to him and wife? And become one big, happy family? Come on. It sounds like "Days of our Lives" for the 1800s. Had I read this when I was in grade school, I probably would have glossed over it as "romantic." As an adult, though? I find it bizarre and creepy.
In short, Cousin Helen ruined this book for me. It was okay. It was so funny in several places, I feel obligated to give it 3 stars, rather than 2. But do I consider it a must-read classic? Definitely not.
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LibraryThing member 26kathryn
I actually really enjoyed this book. I know it's a bit old-fashioned now, and obviously things have changed a lot since this book was written. Girls aren't expected to be perfect little angels these days. But it's still a very sweet book. It was interesting to see Katy change from a rebellious
One thing about this book that I didn't really like was the ending. I thought the last chapter seemed a bit rushed, and it seemed to me like the happy ending was a bit of an afterthought, and slightly unlikely too.
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little girl into a polite and kind young woman.One thing about this book that I didn't really like was the ending. I thought the last chapter seemed a bit rushed, and it seemed to me like the happy ending was a bit of an afterthought, and slightly unlikely too.
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LibraryThing member Corazie
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.
LibraryThing member electrascaife
Katy is the oldest of four or five (honestly I couldn't be bothered to keep track) siblings with a loving-but-largely-absent doctor for a father and just a memory of her mother. She's rambunctious and naive for her age but tries hard to be good, and when a sudden accident tests her resolve towards
This one started out okay for me, but about 2/3 through, it took a sudden and horrifying turn for the saccharine and preachy. So that's a big NOPE for me. Think Pollyanna and Anne of Green Gables plus even more artificial sweetener. Ew.
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goodness, her chronically-ill cousin helps her to be strong.This one started out okay for me, but about 2/3 through, it took a sudden and horrifying turn for the saccharine and preachy. So that's a big NOPE for me. Think Pollyanna and Anne of Green Gables plus even more artificial sweetener. Ew.
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LibraryThing member soylentgreen23
My nostalgic return to children's literature continues with this charming story, very much establishing the pattern later adopted by Anne of Green Gables with its episodic format and likable protagonist. I had no idea, incidentally, that the Americans called a bush cricket a 'katydid' - but that's
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evidently what it is! Show Less
LibraryThing member ctpress
A charming old Children’s book about a little girl who hurts her spine in an accident and must remain in bed for almost two years. During that time she learns some important lessons about humility, patience and helping others and well, being able to see the positive side of her situation.
The
The
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book deals with some serious issues as death, suffering and handicaps in a good way for Children - unfortunately Susan Coolidge is too eager to spread moral lessons all over the place. A more subtle approach would have been nice. Show Less
LibraryThing member EstherFilbrun
I’ve been wanting to get through a few classics this year, and my most recent pick was this book, which I’ve had on the shelf for a while now. A friend recommended it to me, so over the years, I’ve collected the series from second-hand stores; I just never sat down to read them! I found the
Somewhat reminiscent of Anne of Green Gables, A Little Princess, and Little Women, this book is full of adventures, high jinks, and mischief that children often get themselves into. It’s mostly lighthearted fun; occasionally they are disobedient, but that is rarely tolerated.
I found this a fun story to read, despite the slow start, and I’m glad I didn’t DNF it, as I was tempted to do!
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first third of this book dry and somewhat hard-going, but I’m glad I persevered, because it ended up being a lovely story!Somewhat reminiscent of Anne of Green Gables, A Little Princess, and Little Women, this book is full of adventures, high jinks, and mischief that children often get themselves into. It’s mostly lighthearted fun; occasionally they are disobedient, but that is rarely tolerated.
I found this a fun story to read, despite the slow start, and I’m glad I didn’t DNF it, as I was tempted to do!
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Subjects
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1872
Physical description
141 p.; 7.24 inches
ISBN
0723512124 / 9780723512127
Other editions
What Katy Did by Susan Coolidge (Hardcover)