This was, as I'd thought it would be, perfectly lovely, and just what I like best in a vintage children's book--old house in the country, needing to bThis was, as I'd thought it would be, perfectly lovely, and just what I like best in a vintage children's book--old house in the country, needing to be fixed up, with antique furniture and clothes in the attic, and weeding to be done outside, two kids becoming friends and playing imaginative games in the beautiful countryside (in this case, navel battles with a fleet of miniature ships), a historical mystery to be unraveled, a beautiful painting, kindly grownups, and for adult me, the hint of adult romance at the end. ...more
This shares much in common with the typical malt shop type book from the 1950s (girl meets two boys, one of whom is good looking but rotten at the corThis shares much in common with the typical malt shop type book from the 1950s (girl meets two boys, one of whom is good looking but rotten at the core, the other is homely but kind and wholesome and guess who she ends up liking more?) but it never gets to the point of really being a romance book. Jinny, the heroine, is still more a kid than a teen, and she (as the title suggests) prefers animals (especially horses) to boys. If you like dogs, of which there are more of than horses, and vintage girls books, you will like this lots!...more
If you love stories about dollhouse families, this is a fine one. But it doesn't have anything really special to make it stand out in that genre.If you love stories about dollhouse families, this is a fine one. But it doesn't have anything really special to make it stand out in that genre....more
a good one for those who don't mind reading about very young girls at boarding school; poor little Emily is only 8 and doesn't really remember her mota good one for those who don't mind reading about very young girls at boarding school; poor little Emily is only 8 and doesn't really remember her mother.....It's a pleasant read, apart from the sadness of the abandoned child (though Emily's mother isn't horrible, just in Africa)….....more
a short, pleasant look at Jane Austin's life, focusing primarily on her youthful romance.a short, pleasant look at Jane Austin's life, focusing primarily on her youthful romance....more
A sweet family story of the changing seasons out in a prairie town, anchored by a baby willow tree grown form a branch saved from the old tree that waA sweet family story of the changing seasons out in a prairie town, anchored by a baby willow tree grown form a branch saved from the old tree that was the children's favorite place to play....more
giving this five stars because it was such a lovely trip back to Flambards; so much so that I cannot be certain if those new to Flambards will like itgiving this five stars because it was such a lovely trip back to Flambards; so much so that I cannot be certain if those new to Flambards will like it....or if they will find all the references to the past characters to be pointless to the story at hand. But I enjoyed it lots!...more
If you like stories of girls playing classical music, and/or introverted girls figuring out what makes therounded up the stars to a five...really 4.5.
If you like stories of girls playing classical music, and/or introverted girls figuring out what makes them happy and doing it, and/or more generally stories of talented teens at boarding school, you will love this book. The main characters are all nice people who care about each other, something that I find always makes a book more pleasant....more
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