Sarah, Plain and Tall

Sarah, Plain and Tall is one of my favorite books from childhood.  I listened to it on tape numerous times, as well as read it.  I was trying to think of a good book to recommend for Mother's Day, and this one came to mind.  It is not a traditional story of motherhood.  Sarah answers an advertisement in the paper to come to Kansas as a wife and mother for Jacob and his children, Anna and Caleb.  It has become too difficult to run his farm and raise his children, so he sends away for a woman to help him out.  Caleb is desperate for a mother, he has never known one.  His mother died having him.  Anna is a little more skeptical of the newcomer.  Sarah has a tough time adjusting to life in Kansas.  She is from a beautiful town on the coast of Maine.  It takes some time and definitely a little trouble, but they start to become a family.  In the end, Sarah agrees to stay and marry Jacob.  This book embraces the role of a mother and the importance she plays in the life of children.  I enjoy watching Sarah learn to love Anna and Caleb and them her in return.  Every child needs a mother.  This book is an excellent example of that.  As far as length, this book is less than 75 pages, but it is not lacking in anyway.  It won the Newbery Medal in 1986 and has long since been considered a classic in children's literature.  I think it is one that every child should read, either by her/himself, or together as a family.  It is just wonderful.  The characters are ones that have stuck with me throughout my life.  Give it a try.  Don't forget to tell your mothers how wonderful they are too.  Happy reading!