Belles on Their Toes

For those of you who have read Cheaper by the Dozen, you know that the antics of the Gilbreth children make even the saddest person attempt to hide their smiles. Well, Belles on Their Toes continues the legacy of laughs and just getting through life.This book begins three days after Cheaper by the Dozen leaves off, three days after the death of Dad. Belles on Their Toes talks about the struggles of a family trying to get back on their feet after such a terrible loss. Mother has to go away to Europe for 5 weeks, to make a name for herself, so Anne, the oldest of the children at age 18, is left in charge. Through chicken pox and hte cook being arrested, the family manages to stick together.In an inspiring story about self sacrifices, and stepping up to fill the shoes of Dad, the Gilbreths pinch pennies to keep the family from splitting up. A rare mix of inspiration and humor, Belles on Their Toes is a must-read for everyone!

I found this book in my cousin's room and did not emerge until, bleary-eyed, I had read it cover to cover. Since then, I've re-read it dozens of times, along with the prequel, Cheaper by the Dozen. Gilbreth family fans will want to know Frank Gilbreth wrote another, adult book, about his father. Also, the University of Texas at Austin has the Gilbreth motion-study film collection.

If you enjoyed Cheaper by the Dozen, reading this book is a must! After Father Gilbreth dies, Mother is left to carry on with her dozen children. The hilarious (and sometimes ridiculous) escapades in this book range from Tom, (the cook) having trouble dosing the Gilbreth clan with castor oil, to first dates and general instruction for the girls by their brothers on how NOT to get kissed! This book is HILARIOUS! Trust me - this is one you DON'T want to miss! Settle yourself down in your favorite easy chair and laugh yourself silly with the amusing escapades of the Gilbreth Clan!

I loved this book. I read it after I had read "Cheaper By the Dozen" which is a book of the events before the events in this book. This is like a sequal to that. I loved them both and I wish there were a ton more books about this family. I think it would be a dream come true to meet some of them. It is so neat to read a whole families life story and it is even more fun to have such an interesting family as the Gilbreths. Sometimes I don't know how they lived. They are really neat people and they inspired me in the weirdest ways. I would recomend this book to everyone of any age. But first you should read "Cheaper By the Dozen" it is up to you but it is more fun to read it in order. I think you should give at least one of these books a try, they are great I think and they would make great gifts if you need a good gift, also. I hope you take my advise and read these books.