Product Description

An illustrated facsimile of the first edition, published in 1880, of a classic children's book features the wise and imperturbable Lady from Philadelphia, who solves the slightly absurd dilemmas of a Victorian family of New Englanders.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #297751 in Books
• Published on: 1994-10
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 246 pages

Customer Reviews

A Classic
Lucretia P Hale's, The Peterkin Papers is as wonderful today as I'm sure it was in 1880, when it was originally published. Meet the Peterkins, a nineteenth century family, totally lacking in common sense and enjoy their troubles and adventures as they muddle through life's challenges. For example, what do the Peterkins do when their daughter, Eliza Elizabeth's piano is delivered and set in front of the living room window backwards. They solve this problem by simply opening the window and she sits outside, on the porch playing and practicing. This is all fine during the summer, but when fall and winter arrive, it becomes too cold for her to sit out, even in her winter coat. Enter the lady from Philadelphia...she's so wise that she always has a quick solution to these tough Peterkin problems. "But why don't you turn the piano 'round?" And the Peterkins are always amazed that they didn't think of that. As Mrs Peterkins says, "What shall we do when the lady, from Philadelphia goes home again?" This is a delightful book of short chapters, each detailing a glich in the Peterkin's lives, that will charm and amuse your family, as it has families for many generations. The Peterkin Papers is an American classic and the perfect read-aloud book the whole family can share together.

Great for reading aloud. Engineers will enjoy the humor.
The basic Peterkin formula: the Peterkins are stupid, yetlogical. They are completely devoid of common sense. Theyget into complicated situations and try to work their way out by adding complexity. Eventually they consult the wise old lady from Philadelphia, who always has a sensible, commonplace, wise, BORING answer. The stories are also an unforgettable picture of daily life in what seems to be a suburb of Boston in the early nineteenth century, almost an Eastern version of "Little House on the Prairie." And somehow there is an impression of a _slightly_ dysfunctional family that manages to muddle through, through with warmth, affection, and mutual tolerance. Stories are just the right length for reading aloud. Anyone eight years old or older will appreciate the humor.

One's education is lacking if you have not read this book
Ask the lady from Philadelphia -- a classic line -- one that is often quoted -- the book has been read by five generations in my family -- it is just as relevent today as when written