Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interest
Fiction Series
For ages 8 to 12
Random, 2007 ISBN: 978-0440420477
When the Penderwick sisters, Rosalind, Skye, Jane, and Batty see their summer home they are thrilled. It is so much more than they expected. Arundel Cottage is situated in the grounds of the Arundel Hall estate and the gardens promise to be a perfect playground for all sorts of summer games. Everything is made even more wonderful when the sisters meet Jeffrey, the son of Mrs Tifton who lives at the Hall. Jeffery is a wonderful boy, a great sport, and lots of fun to be with. There is one big problem however and that is Mrs Tifton herself. It would be hard to imagine a more disagreeable person than Mrs Tifton. Stuck up and incapable of understanding children, Mrs Tifton is soon feared and disliked by every one of the Penderwick girls. The way in which she completely fails to listen to her son makes all four of the girls wish there was something that they could do to help Jeffrey.
The sisters do their best to stay on the right side of Mrs Tifton for both their sakes and also for the sake of their new friend and yet, no matter how much they try, they always seem to get into trouble and Jeffery's situation only seems to get worse with every passing day. Is there anything that they can do to help Mrs Tifton see what her son is really like?
Written in an old-fashioned style which is easy to read, comforting, and gently funny, this summer tale about friendship, family and growing pains is charming and cheerful. In addition to being suitable for older readers this book is perfect for reading out loud.
