Do the names Betsy, Tacy and Tib stop you in your tracks? Does a wave of nostalgia wash over you, both for the first time you read the Maud Hart Lovelace books and for their long ago time and place? Born too late, you think? Then you are a fan, as am I.
For years I thought I was the only one, yet the books have never been out of print since "Betsy -Tacy" was published in 1940. The first five books in the series are distinctly children's books— easier readers with sweet illustrations by Lois Lenski. The setting is early 1900s Minnesota, in a town the author called Deep Valley. Although the books are charming, I was relieved I didn't have to wear black wool stockings until the first day of summer like the little girls in the stories.
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| The first Betsy book |
I didn't know when I first read them that Maud Hart Lovelace (don't you just love that name?) was writing about her own childhood and high school days. The characters were based on real people. The antics and shenanigans that fill the stories pretty much all happened. Deep Valley is Mankato, Minnesota, a small city between Minneapolis and Sioux Falls.
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| "The real" Tib, Betsy and Tacy |
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| Maud Hart Lovelace in the '40s |
What distinguishes the books from other teen fiction of that time (Nancy Drew, Cherry Ames, etc.) was Betsy's development as a person, how she handled her hopes and fears, triumphs and disappointments. Anyone who was a teenage girl will tell you having your carefully curled hair come undone and losing an important school essay contest can have the same tragic effect.
In a way I blame Betsy for my disappointing high school years. They could never have lived up to the fun she had with "the gang", gathered around the piano on Sunday nights while Betsy's dad served up his famous onion sandwiches. Her group of friends may have been living in a simpler time but growing up has always had its soaring highs and miserable lows.
And the clothes! I loved the sailor-style "waists", the fashion for "Merry Widow" hats, the carefully chosen party dresses, the hair bows and pompadours.
Illustrations in the teenage Betsy books were by Vera Neville. Black and white, except for the covers, the drawings are full of detail, and I would pour over them. I even got my own "writing trunk". Yes, once upon a time I wanted to be a writer— just like Betsy.
It's not too late. You can discover the books with both a sense of wonder and a bit of nostalgia.
As I have my first grandchild on the way, I've been thinking about beloved childhood books. In terms of my own childhood, I feel like I went from Winnie The Pooh directly to Nancy Drew. What was in between? I do remember all The Borrowers' books and I loved them dearly. Thanks for another great post. Jeanne
ReplyDeleteYour favorite childhood books depend on when you grew up, of course. I loved reading the Mary Poppins books and remember a series about an old lady called Miss Pickerell (still in print). And there was one about another Betsy by Caroline Harwood (also still in print). She would have been a contemporary in the 1950s, maybe quaintly nostalgic today. And nothing wrong with good old Nancy Drew! Congrats on the upcoming grandchild by the way!
DeleteWhat a lovely reunion I had with Betsy after reading this. Thank you.
DeleteGlad I could help you meet up again!
DeleteI had not heard of this author and her books. As a child of the '50's I read Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden. Will have to see if the local library has these. Thank you for a lovely post!
ReplyDeleteHappy to introduce you to the series. While it's always hard to recommend books to others, you would be in good company. Bette Midler and Anna Quindlen are both fans.
DeleteOh how I loved those books!!!! Julia the Man Killer who played the piano so beautifully, how Betsy wore bracelets to set off her pretty hands, her efforts at "self improvement" and of course her friendships with Tacy and Tib. Love. And, like you, I found the last book about her marriage a bit depressing. Here was a young, talented and spirited young woman whose primary purpose in life became housekeeping and learning how to cook ( I love to cook, by the way, so nothing against that!).
ReplyDeleteOh how I loved those books!!!! Julia the Man Killer who played the piano so beautifully, how Betsy wore bracelets to set off her pretty hands, her efforts at "self improvement" and of course her friendships with Tacy and Tib. Love. And, like you, I found the last book about her marriage a bit depressing. Here was a young, talented and spirited young woman whose primary purpose in life became housekeeping and learning how to cook ( I love to cook, by the way, so nothing against that!).
ReplyDeleteAm rereading the high school books again, and darn if that don't still hold up. I'm also seeing now how much they influenced me. One thing I didn't mention in the blog was that I passed up the chance to meet Merian Kirchner, Maud's daughter, about 20 years ago. I did talk to her on the phone. She was very nice and thrilled that her mother's books were not forgotten. She was not well at the time and died shortly thereafter.
DeleteOh my--I read these books when I was a young teenager when I found them in the what? Turning into a young adult section of our local children's library. I'd forgotten all about them. Thanks for bringing back the memories.
ReplyDeleteSo happy to remind you. They're timeless.
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