Theresa K. (Tesstarosa) -
Helpful Score: 3
Mildred Armstrong Kalish grew up dividing her time between a farm and life in a small town in Iowa during the Great Depression. In this book, she describes her life growing up in this environment mostly focusing on her life as a child of about 8-10.
The book is divided into sections about her family, the things that built character and life in the seasons Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer. The last section is about her young adult life and what lead her to leave the farm in Iowa.
Ms. Kalish obviously has fond and warm memories of her childhood despite the difficulties that her fatherless family faced growing up during the Great Depression. Her tales of her life as a youngster as well told you can see yourself in her shoes and understand why she treasures her childhood and how it helped her develop into the adult that she became.
I highly recommend this book and you just might want to get your cooking skills prepped because she includes many family recipes that will make you want to get busy in the kitchen
The book is divided into sections about her family, the things that built character and life in the seasons Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer. The last section is about her young adult life and what lead her to leave the farm in Iowa.
Ms. Kalish obviously has fond and warm memories of her childhood despite the difficulties that her fatherless family faced growing up during the Great Depression. Her tales of her life as a youngster as well told you can see yourself in her shoes and understand why she treasures her childhood and how it helped her develop into the adult that she became.
I highly recommend this book and you just might want to get your cooking skills prepped because she includes many family recipes that will make you want to get busy in the kitchen
Sena G. (bluegrassgirl) reviewed Little Heathens: Hard Times and High Spirits on an Iowa Farm During the Great Depression on + 4 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Very cute memoir! It's unbelievable how different things were then or are now. In today's world of excess and convenience, it is nice to see what life, filled with hard work and simple pleasures was like.
Amy D. (Iowan) reviewed Little Heathens: Hard Times and High Spirits on an Iowa Farm During the Great Depression on + 173 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Mildred Kalish gives us a glimpse into a "simpler" time - although life on the farm in the 30's certainly wasn't easy. Her easy narrative opens a door into not only the challenges brought about by the tough economic times (waste not, want not), but the tremendous lessons and character building that the situation produced. From the secrets to great homemade remedies and treats, to the quite often hilarious tales of the ways the "little kids" passed the time, this book is a retreat from the pressures of modern day life. You'll never look at your groceries, your garbage or your spare time in quite the same way again.
Patricia G. (wideeyedcorngirl) reviewed Little Heathens: Hard Times and High Spirits on an Iowa Farm During the Great Depression on
Helpful Score: 3
This will warm your heart, especially if you grew up hearing similar stories from your own midwestern grandparents. I read this and then gave it to my grandmother. She was delighted. She said she felt as if someone had written her own story.
Laura R. (starwolf) reviewed Little Heathens: Hard Times and High Spirits on an Iowa Farm During the Great Depression on + 120 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This is a wonderful book that describes rural life in the 30's in Iowa. Great stories of how they lived then. Lots of recipes, home remedies, and wonderful stories! I highly recommend it!
