Man of the Family: Little Britches #2

I purchased this for my grandson as a birthday gift. I’d given him the first volume for Christmas and he asked for this for his birthday. He’s almost done with this volume. We will have to find him another series to read.

The second book in the Little Britches series is both inspiring and thought provoking. Ralph Moody has a way of connecting with the reader. His narration is simple. He has a very straight-forward way of telling his stories that makes it seem like you are sitting down with him, listening to him tell tales of his childhood over a cup of coffee. The characters in his books come to life in vivid form. Your mind's eye can picture the sheriff with his long drawl, the blacksmith's rugged form, his mother pinching her lip as she puzzles out a problem. As I read of what this family went through after his father's death, how every single one of them pulled together and accomplished amazing things, I wonder if our family could do the same. Would we have the fortitude to bare up under extreme hardship? And not only to bare up, but to do so with contentment and optimism? Ralph and his older sister Grace as well as the younger siblings had to accept grown-up responsibilities at a young age. There was no self-pity or feeling that they were somehow missing out in life. The fruits of their labor were never viewed as individual property, but were given to the good of the whole family. A theme of selflessness and love for each other runs through the book. Though the title is "Man of the Family", the thread that ties it all together is Ralph's mother. Her utter selflessness, her constant labor, her unbelievable cheerfulness in the face of constant worry and struggle, and her deep love for her children and theirs for her is what makes this book so touching. She is a woman of tremendous character--character that leads her to right, even when it is hard, character that she passed on to her children. She inspires them to be all that they can be, and they rise to the occasion and meet the obstacles that life throws at them with cheerfulness and a sense of humor. It truly is amazing what a family can do.

My family has fallen in love with the Moody family. Ralph sometimes gets into trouble, but he has a good conscience and the book upholds morals and integrity. I love that. My kids are impressed with how Ralph finds ways to help his family and it challenges them to think more about serving others. I have kids ages 6,8,10,12 (2 boys and 2 girls) and they all BEG me to read ‘just one more chapter’ every night after dinner. Even my husband thorough enjoys this book, and it’s not his usual genre. Heck, we feel like it challenges us to be better parents too, to respond softly. Mrs. Moody is very patient and kind as a parent; but she doesn’t let the kids get away with anything. Can’t recommend this enough. We listened to the first book on audio, so I make the voices as close to the audio version as I can when I read aloud. We loved the audiobook version of the first, but I’m going to purchase the paper copy too because my kids read and reread all the time. I know this series would get read over and over.

Man of Family & others by this author are great, easy reading. Exciting true stories of life growing up and beyond, from about late 1920's and beyond. My husband has read them all (eight I think), and I'm working on them.

This book. I would recommendas refreshing .the story line kept .gov interest felt like I was part of the family.

This was my review of the first of this series and it holds for all books by Mr Moody."I first read this book in 1956 shortly after it was published. This is probably my favorite book of all time and I am a voracious reader. I own several first editions of Mr Moody's books including an autographed copy of this one.This book is must reading for families as it teaches the values that made this Country what it is. Hard work. Self Reliance. Honesty. Honor.This book and the books in this series helped form the value system that stays with me to this day and served me throughout a successful career in commercial construction and in raising a family of my own.I am now buying copies for my grandkids as they get to the age that they will understand the lessons contained in Mr Moody's books."

Man of the family is book 3 of Ralph Moody's series I read as a young teen. His stories are about a young family struggling to make a living after the loss of the father. Ralph is the oldest and the books follow him as he uses often very clever ways to support his family, learning life's lessons along the way. His love for horses threads through each book, and his experiences with them is one of the things that drew me to the stories. I've read these over and over and shared them with my children and grand children. I wrote to Ralph Moody as a 14 year old, and we exchanged several letters about his books. He was a treasure. This series will forever be my favorite.

Ralph Moody is once of the best children's authors ever. I don't know why his books are not more well know. And the books he writes are not just for kids, adults enjoy them too. I loved them all and I just gave the first two to my mother and she loved them! Cameron Beierle is an excellent narrator. He does all the voices and he does a superb job. To me he makes listening to to the books better than reading them and I almost never feel that way. Don't hesitate for a minute,buy these CDs, they will touch you and stay with you in a way few books do!!

Great series.

I haven't finished it, but so far I like the writing style