Saturday, January 29, 2011

Book Review: The Golly Sisters series by Betsy Byars; illustrated by Sue Truesdell

We discovered the Golly Sisters books by Betsy Byars at our local library. And we've checked them out a LOT! Written in the 1980's and early 1990's, these books are a delight.

Meet the Golly Sisters: two singing, dancing, thoroughly lovable, slightly dim-witted sisters traveling west in their covered wagon, who love putting on shows for people in the towns they pass through. They get into one misadventure after another.

I think the antics of the two sisters really resonates with my girls, because it reflects the rivalry and love that real sisters have. And Sue Truesdell's whimsical, funny illustrations fit the text perfectly. These books make my six year old laugh out loud and come running to share passages and even whole chapters with me. They are great fun for reading aloud to your non-readers, too.

Published by HarperCollins Publishers. Later versions list them as a reading level 3.


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7 comments:

  1. kathy@bookskidslike.comJanuary 30, 2011 at 9:10 AM

    I love Betsy Byars!!! Have you read the Blossom Family series? The books are- Not-Just-Anybody Family, The Blossoms Meet the Vulture Lady, The Blossoms and the Green Phantom, A Blossom Promise, Wanted...Mud Blossom. Simply delightful!!!

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  2. mouseprintsJanuary 30, 2011 at 11:07 AM

    I haven't read those. Thanks so much for the recommendation! I'll bet the girls will love them. Oh, so many good books, so little time!

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  3. JenniferApril 22, 2011 at 7:24 PM

    These were favorites of mine when I was little! Yay Golly Sisters! I can still repeat some of the dialogue from the theater scene and that part where just the dogs are left...

    FYI, the I Can Read Carnival is up! Thanks for contributing!

    http://jeanlittlelibrary.blogspot.com/2011/04/april-i-can-read-carnival_22.html

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  4. booksdogsandfrogsApril 22, 2011 at 9:10 PM

    I'm sad these are out of print, the other branches are always asking for replacement copies. So fun!

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  5. mouseprintsApril 22, 2011 at 11:07 PM

    Jennifer - Thanks for the chance to spread some "Golly" love!

    BD&F - It IS a shame they are out of print. I wish they'd bring them back. (Especially since they're ones that parents can enjoy listening to their children read from, something you can't say about a lot of those I Can Read books!)

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  6. KatieApril 23, 2011 at 4:16 PM

    I remember these from my childhood. Good old Betsy Byars. I'm a new follower from the I Can Read carnival. :-)

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  7. mouseprintsApril 29, 2011 at 6:03 PM

    Katie, thanks for coming over from Jennifer's terrific Carnival, and for following! :D

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