Louise Seaman Bechtel

Delightful juvenile fable that could be read by all ages, with lots of lively line drawings. Bantam roosters are famous for pugnacity, but the Pecks' Bantam *hen* ruled the roost of 600 white hens and thus helped in the war effort. If you like this, be sure to read the slightly more advanced sequel, [b:Mr. Peck's Pets|32903142|Mr. Peck's Pets|Louise Seaman Bechtel|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1480278389l/32903142._SX50_.jpg|53516646].

This is on show more openlibrary.org. The author did not use "Bechtel" for this book. show less

And I thought that I was old!

I mean to say, I love older children's classics. I run the Newbery Club here on GR. I'm in my 6th decade of reading children's books.

But almost none of this book is relevant or interesting to me. Her complaints apply to issues of publishing that are no longer relevant. She sings praises of books that have long gone out of print, and deservedly so. Most of the few titles that seem interesting to me are not even available in any of my library systems any longer. show more Even prolific authors she admires have no representation in my libraries. So I wondered why I was reading....

I tried to read it as a scholar, as if I were interested in the history of publishing for children. And even then I could not get through it. I turned every page, kept on trying to read, but ultimately have to decide it counts as an unrateable dnf. show less

Delightful. Reads like a memoir - Mrs. Peck's loving, patient, but slightly exasperated voice rings as true as that of a speaker. Fortunately they had money for these adventures! Back at the farm, at least, they had a farmer and a cook. In the city they had access to a stable somehow. All too short. Mention is made of the 'brave bantam.'