LoveReading4Kids Says
LoveReading4Kids Says
A timeless story about a young girl who wants to be sweet natured, good and easy to love. Somehow she never is. Instead, her dress is always torn, her hair is always a tangle and she doesn’t care whether she’s thought good or not. But then Katy has a terrible accident and has time to find out what really matters to her and to change. A trifle moral in parts, this is none-the-less a memorable story about a strong willed but likeable heroine.
This edition is part of the Vintage Children's Classics series which is aimed at and shaped by 8-12 year olds, and the adults in their lives. It is a broad, affordable selection of books that will inspire a life-long love of reading; these stories that have secured a place in the hearts of thousands. They are all unabridged. To view all the Vintage Children's Classics titles click here. They are books to be given as gifts, and passed down the generations.
In addition, story hungry children often don't want the adventure to end, so why not take a look at the fully interactive website - World of Stories - which contains lots of extra material - the backstory: with quizzes, activities and fascinating facts about the books and their authors.
LoveReading4Kids
Find This Book In
| Suitable For: |
|
| Other Genres: |
|
| Recommendations: |
|
About
What Katy Did Synopsis
HarperCollins is proud to present its incredible range of best-loved, essential classics.
'And now, Katy, it's your turn. Tell us what you're going to be when you grow up.'
'I'm not sure about what I'll be,' replied Katy; 'beautiful, of course, and good if I can. That's what I'd like to be. But now I'll tell you what I mean to do…'
Tomboyish Katy Carr is tall, gangling and full of mischief. Constantly scheming and playing with her brothers and sisters, 12-year-old Katy dreams that one day she will be 'beautiful and beloved, and amiable as an angel'. But goodness and obedience don't come easily to Katy, who has promised to be a good stand-in mother to her younger siblings but finds it difficult to stick to her word. When her bedridden cousin Helen comes to stay, Katy becomes enchanted with her as the living embodiment of goodness and light. On the day Helen leaves, Katy devotes herself to be a shining example of Helen's behaviour. But quickly the best of intentions go awry, and a day of mischief ends in an accident: a serious fall from a swing that seems to threaten Katy's grand hopes for the future. But by focusing on the good humour and strength she witnessed in Helen, Katy eventually learns to overcome her difficulties in the 'School of Pain', and to practice strength, patience, and hope.
Originally published in 1872, and often paired with 'The Secret Garden' and 'Pollyanna', 'What Katy Did' is the classic American tale of childhood, love, hope and 'doing good'.
About This Edition
| ISBN: |
9780007920648 |
| Publication date: |
13th September 2012 |
| Author: |
Susan Coolidge |
| Publisher: |
William Collins an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers |
| Format: |
Paperback |
| Pagination: |
188 pages |
| Series: |
Collins Classics |
| Suitable For: |
|
| Other Genres: |
|
| Recommendations: |
|
Author
About Susan Coolidge
Susan Coolidge lived in America from 1835 to 1905. She was born into an upper class family and her real name was Sarah Chauncy Woolsey. She worked as a nurse in the American Civil War and then began her writing career. Her editor was also the editor of Louis M Alcott who was having huge success with her book Little Women. The editor suggested that Susan try her hand at the same kind of family story and the five books about the irrepressible Katy Carr followed. They followed the fortunes and misfortunes of the Carr family, from childhood, through school and travels in Europe, to marriage. The books: What Katy Did, What Katy Did at School, What Katy Did Next, Clover and In the High Valley brought fame to Susan Coolidge. The titles of the first three books are a pun on the North American grasshopper-like insect, the katydid, whose noise was not only responsible for its name but inspired Susan Coolidge!
The characters in the books are especially life-like because, without doubt, they’re based on members of the author’s family. Susan herself was tall, quick-witted and impatient – like Katy; Katy’s three sisters are Susan’s three sisters, and Katy’s two brothers are Susan Coolidge’s brother and cousin.
Susan Coolidge devoted her life to her literary and social activities. As well as children’s books, she wrote poetry and edited the letters of Jane Austin and Fanny Burney.
More About Susan Coolidge
