Turning four is practically turning ten, or at a minimum, almost six. Just ask sweet little sister Bonnie who is thrilled to be graduating from babyhood, and who is scrambling to play catch-up to her four older siblings in this charming story about an Appalachian farm family living in the early 1900s. Reprinted by Bethlehem Books, Happy Little Family by Rebecca Caudill is the first of four books in the Fairchild Family series. The series chronicles the Fairchild family’s daily life and adventures, but it gives particular focus to little Bonnie. 

In each book in this series, Bonnie and her family get older and have more adventures, like ice skating and selling laundry bluing powder door-to-door with all of the joys and mishaps that go along with that. In this first book, however, the story is slow and lovely and follows the seasonal rituals and habits of the Fairchilds and their friendly neighbors, the Watterstons, Huffs, and Sawyers. Readers who love Betsy-Tacy, Grandma’s Attic, Caddie Woodlawn, or Understood Betsy will likely find this a similar treasure. Especially sweet is how this book focuses in on the tender relationship between Bonnie and her father who is the special ally of his littlest girl.

Like many of the books reprinted by Bethlehem Books, the Fairchild family stories are as edifying as they are entertaining. Just as Hilda van Stockum said that the family is the main character of most of her stories, this one really is a celebration of traditional family values. Readers are treated to a living look inside a happy but totally normal family. A strong, loving, and convivial father is present throughout. A tender, nurturing, and organized mother serves her children with great love and wisdom. My young family got lost in this story and moaned every night when the chapter ended and we had to put the book down for another day.

This series would be a wonderful family read aloud for children of all ages. In terms of reading level, it is a touch easier than Betsy-Tacy or Understood Betsy. It may be most comparable to Grandma’s Attic. This series followed by these other gems would be a great foundation in preparation for Caddie Woodlawn and Little House On The Prairie or Little Britches.

The series is graced with lovely sketch illustrations and has an almost whimsical feel. Not only would this be a beautiful series for any family to own, it would also make an ideal series for grandparents to have on hand for special visits from grandchildren.

This book and the entire series are available at Audible and at Bethlehem Books. Learn more about this book at Biblioguides.