Betsy-Tacy (Betsy-Tacy, 1)

I specifically ordered a hardcopy, and expected the version that was pictured (with the Lous Lenski illustration). Instead, I received a paperback with a newer illustration. Going to try to return it.

I specifically and particularly ordered the hardcover of this book but received a paperback. Annoying.

The Betsy-Tacy books are among the best in children's literature, maturing as the characters age through the series. Even my brothers liked listening to my dad read these aloud. But this was my second try at getting a hardcover copy (my paperbacks fall apart from so much re-reading by my daughters) and my second time getting a paperback instead of the hardcover I ordered; the book gets 5 stars, but not the ordering.

I was recently reminded of the Betsy-Tacy books I loved so much when I was a young girl. You can not imagine my horror at seeing the current editions' illustrations of the girls, though. Part of the original books' charm was the simple illustrations. Whoever decided to change them should be ashamed. Ashamed and fired. Seriously. Contact me if you want to join a campaign to have the real drawings returned to future editions of these timeless classics so many of us loved so much.

For my 8th birthday my Mom and Dad gave me the Betsy-Tacy Treasury which contained this book and Betsy-Tacy and Tib, Betsy and Tacy Go Over Big Hill, and Betsy and Tacy Go Downtown. I have just finished the whole thing and now I am 11. I have read it many others times and I find it amazing that I still appciate it at age 11. Whenever we go to the libary I look for smaller printed books but even though this has fairly large print I think it is a wonderful book. I found it when I was in organizing my family's books and started to read it and couldn't put it down. I loved this book and if you do you should read the rest of the Betsy-Tacy book series.