Set in 1889 Vermont, the series revolves around a set of orphans, adopted by their widowed aunt, coming to terms with their parent’s death, adjusting to life in their new family, learning new responsibilities, and making new friends. The Bobtails series teaches lessons about responsibility, duty, difficult obedience, and, above all, trusting God through difficult circumstances.
My Review: I enjoyed reading both of these books. I love historical fiction (or books that were written before I was born) to learn more about what life was like... what was good, and what I am glad we have moved beyond.
The 4 children (Robert, Esther, Roger, and Ruth) are orphaned when both parents die, and during a meeting to decide who will raise them, the judge decides their Aunt Grace is in the best position to take custody. She is the children's least favorite relative, but they know there is no choice and prepare to move miles away from their hometown.
Grace does live up to her reputation of being very strict, but they soon learn she believes children need a balance of work and play. Even their nightly reading sessions are divided among spiritual growth through Bible reading, an educational book, and a book for pleasure reading. There are other bumps along the road as they deal with grief, new surroundings, learning responsibility with their new chores on Aunt Grace's dairy farm, and fitting into a new community including a few boys who want to challenge them. Robert gains a nemesis in Geoffrey who is the one who disparagingly calls the new kids "The Bobtails." Grace also finds unexpected romance with a widowed neighbor!
In the second book, the children have been adopted by Grace and her new husband! At the request of Grace, there are three 2 week long visits from their 3 uncles and aunts, and all of their cousins. The character development of all is fun to read, and I was sorry when each family would return home. I would love to know more about them; each family is worth a book (or more) on their own. Or, even numerous family visits like the Bobbsey Twins books I loved as a child.
The books are very well written and interesting. To modern eyes, the lives of these kids may seem harsh, but there was also a common sense approach to raising responsible children to become adults who can take care of themselves. These would be a fun family reading project with a lot of material for discussions. I also enjoy the train motif of the covers, and there are train-related stories included. The illustrations included are an absolute delight, and could also be included in a family project. I highly recommend both books (and look forward the reading their 3rd adventure when it is released.
Below are more details of each book:
THE BOBTAILS MEET THE PREACHER'S KID
Robert was determined to do his best and make his dead father
proud. Esther put her grief aside to take care of her little sister.
Roger didn’t believe his parents were dead, and was just going to have
fun until they came back. Ruth was confused and lost. But Aunt Grace had
set her mind to providing the best possible home for her orphaned
"niblings"... and Aunt Grace always did what she set her mind on.
A
poignant story about four orphans and their widowed aunt who takes them
in. Set on a dairy farm in Northern Vermont in 1889, Bobtails follows
the children’s journey through grief, jealousy, and, finally, settled
love with a new family and friendships.
Buy Book 1
Now that the adoption is final, and the addition complete, the Bobtails are settling into their new house and family. But Aunt Grace writes to her brothers and says they need to come for a visit. Not all of the cousins are thrilled to come and spend time on a dairy farm, however. And they certainly get more than they expected!
The Bobtails series is set in 1889 Vermont and revolves around a set of orphans, adopted by their widowed aunt, coming to terms with their father’s death, adjusting to life in their new family, learning new responsibilities, and making new friends. In this installment, their cousins visit, and everyone learns a lot about farming, horse breeding, sermonizing, and living together. The Bobtails series teaches lessons about responsibility, duty, difficult obedience, and, above all, trusting God through difficult circumstances.
Buy Book 2
