Holly's review
The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: How My Mother Raised 10 Kids on 25 Words or Less by Terry Ryan
A simply delightful book to read. Set in the 1950s, the author's family struggled to make ends meet. Ten kids and an alcoholic husband drained what income they had. Evelyn Ryan, was an amazing woman and by entering contests, she managed to provide an additional income and prizes to support her family. Evelyn's daughter, Terry, tells an entertaining story about her mom. It's clear that she admired and loved her mother a great deal.
Her voice rings true though, and her resourceful mother managed to win shopping sprees to put food on the table and in the freezer. She stockpiled the prizes she won and gave them to her children as Christmas presents. She won a washing machine and a car, which she sold for the much needed cash.
Evelyn saved everything and the book has pictures of the contests she entered and her winning slogans and jingles. It's an entertaining story of a woman who will do anything necessary to provide for her children.
The ending is heartwarming, as the ch...more
Her voice rings true though, and her resourceful mother managed to win shopping sprees to put food on the table and in the freezer. She stockpiled the prizes she won and gave them to her children as Christmas presents. She won a washing machine and a car, which she sold for the much needed cash.
Evelyn saved everything and the book has pictures of the contests she entered and her winning slogans and jingles. It's an entertaining story of a woman who will do anything necessary to provide for her children.
The ending is heartwarming, as the ch...more
