What Katy Did

Katy Carr grows from a heedless girl to a responsible teen in this classic story. Narrator Laurel Lefkow brings Katy's earnest ambitions to life with a pleasant voice. She succeeds in conveying the simple sweetness of this old-fashioned family story. While modern listeners may not understand Katy's protracted illness, they will identify with her desire to endure patiently and to be a help to her family. Voices for each of Katy's five siblings are distinct, and the adult voices of her father and Aunt Izzy are equally strong. A sensitive abridgment also contributes to this fine recording. Take a step back in time with this hopeful story of family life. C.A. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine


First published in 1872, this old-fashioned story espouses old-fashioned values brought to life with gentle good humor by Laurel Lefkow. Her reading perfectly captures the quirky, kind-hearted, if bossy, spirit of Katy, the oldest of six children being raised by their busy father, a doctor, with the help of his fussy sister, Aunt Izzy. In a marketplace full to bursting with edgy, issue-based children's books, this title is a quiet relief, a timeless story of perseverance and love overcoming adversity. Reminiscent of HEIDI and THE SECRET GARDEN, it's a comfort food of a book about secret hideouts and picnics and homemade valentines. Laurel Lefkow will softly lead the child or family listener into this beloved little treasure from a bygone era. D.G. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine