Caddie Woodlawn

 Last week we finished Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink and then we watched the movie. We all preferred the book to the movie- most of the time we do but this one was really obvious. We also loved that we read the version with pictures by one of our favorite illustrators- Trina Schart Hyman. We always go back and talk about our favorite chapters, characters and so on but I forgot to write down what the kids said about their favorite parts. My favorite parts were when Caddie spent her silver dollar on the motherless, half-indian boys and also when Obadiah saves the schoolhouse in the fire. I also really loved what Caddie's father said to her when she got into big trouble with her mama. Here it is:

"Perhaps Mother was a little hasty today, Caddie," he said. "She really loves you very much, and, you see, she expects more of you than she would of someone she didn't care about. It's a strange thing, but sometimes we expect more of girls than of boys. It is the sisters and wives and mothers, you know, Caddie, who keep the world sweet and beautiful. What a rough world it would be if there were only men and boys in it, doing things in their rough way! A woman's task is to teach them gentleness and courtesy and love and kindness. It's a big task, too, Caddie--harder than cutting trees or building mills or damming rivers. It takes nerve and courage and patience, but good women have those things. They have them just as much as the men who build bridges and carve roads through the wilderness. A woman's work is something fine and noble to grow up to, and it is just as important as a man's. But no man could ever do it so well. I don't want you to be the silly, affected person with fine clothes and manners whom folks sometimes call a lady. No, that is not what I want for you, my little girl. I want you to be a woman with a wise and understanding heart, healthy in body and honest in mind..."