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Ida Early
Ida Early Comes over the Mountain
A heartwarming tale about the Great Depression
Life in rural Georgia is tough for the Suttons. Their mother has passed away, and the country is in the midst of the Great Depression . But things take a turn for the better when Ida Early comes over the mountain. She offers to help Mr. Sutton with the children, and entertains them with her tall tales of lion taming, working as a cook on a pirate ship, and even a stunt pilot!
Life in rural Georgia is tough for the Suttons. Their mother has passed away, and the country is in the midst of the Great Depression . But things take a turn for the better when Ida Early comes over the mountain. She offers to help Mr. Sutton with the children, and entertains them with her tall tales of lion taming, working as a cook on a pirate ship, and even a stunt pilot!
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First published January 1, 1980
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About the author
Robert Burch
52 books8 followersRobert Joseph Burch (June 25, 1925 – December 25, 2007) was an American writer of 19 children's books whose readers are "usually young adolescents". Many of his stories are based on his childhood experiences in rural Georgia during the Great Depression. He was born in Fayette County, Georgia, and spent the majority of his life there.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
August 13, 2023
5 stars because Robert Burch is my cousin.
Entertaining short children’s novel. Makes want to live a simple life out in the country post depression. Good for laying out the moral framework of a child’s life
Entertaining short children’s novel. Makes want to live a simple life out in the country post depression. Good for laying out the moral framework of a child’s life
January 16, 2014
This book is a re-read from my childhood. I actually understand the book much better about a quarter century later. I can see why Ida Early is the Mary Poppins of the mountains in Georgia during the Depression. Ida Early comes to the Sutton house the summer after the mother died to take care of the house and the four children, Ellen, Randall, Dewey, and Clay, to take over mean Aunt Ernestine who is like a battleship. She claims she could do just about everything and impressed the kids with her cooking, animal tending, and playing skills. It was funny to read about her tall tales, including one about cooking for a pirate ship and how she is the tiddlywinks champion of the world. The game, "Country Club," is a riot for both the children and Ida. I cheered when she stole the show at a school presentation with her rope tricks especially after the students at the Sutton children's school made fun of her for her appearance. I cracked up frequently. At the same time, this book delivers messages about friendship and not judging people by their appearances. She arrives at the house in scraggly hair, overalls, and boots and was definitely not as Mary Poppins pretty. She may be a strange-looking woman, but inside, she has a heart of gold. What a treat to revisit this book!
April 11, 2015
I first read this book twenty-some years ago. "Ida Early" was required reading at my school, Robert J. Burch Elementary. Mr. Burch would even come to the school and sign copies on special occasions--my first brush with literary celebrity. When I found this book for twenty two cents at a thrift store, I snatched up a copy, curious to see if it would hold up to my memory. It did. "Ida Early" is still totally delightful. Ida is wonderfully odd and tender and human. Twenty-something years after my first reading, I was amazed at how many details about Ida's perfectly drawn character I remembered vividly. IECOTM deserves a place alongside any book on a middle grade shelf today. And if I come across any more of Mr. Burch's books, I'll be re-reading those, too.
March 20, 2008
Aptly hailed as a "Mountain Mary Poppins" Ida Early is a real charmer. Set in depression-era Appalachia, Ida Early "comes over the mountains" and quickly becomes part of the Sutton household. The short chapters and lively, quirky characters will appeal to young readers.
March 20, 2012
First, I can't believe they changed the cover, because that does not look like Ida Early, and they have modernized the kids.
The book has a wonderful message for kids of all ages, and that is to always be a true and loyal friend.
The book has a wonderful message for kids of all ages, and that is to always be a true and loyal friend.
April 1, 2007
is there a sequel to this?
January 9, 2008
So good, the main character is so GAY. it's awesome. very inspirational to another Ida as a youth.
March 15, 2008
My mom read the Ida Early books to us when we were kids. I loved them then and I still love them.
June 23, 2011
Recommended by my friends Segi and Simi.
February 11, 2020
Great family book. Think Mary Poppins without magic in a rural setting.
October 11, 2011
Ida Early Comes Over the Mountain fits into the historical fiction genre of junior books. The novel, written by Robert Burch, tells the story of a know-it-all, overall-wearing, always-joking Ida Early who shows up on a doorstep “at the outset of the Depression” in Georgia (p. 4). Ida Early was hired as a live-in cook, cleaner and nanny but turned into much more, becoming a true friend and, in a sense, a step-in mother to four young children.
a.) This novel provides a great relationship between accepting people for who they are and reminding them to never change-no matter who calls you names, makes fun of you, or says you are “too tall” and ugly.
b.) Burch provided the reader with a character who looked out of the ordinary, did not play by the rules and taught a southern family the true meaning of friendship. At first sight, Ida “looked for all the world like a telephone pole and seemed almost as tall” but also cooked great family meals and helped make the four Sutton children “happy for the first time in months” (p.3 & p.77). The housekeeper seemed strange acting and looking to other town people, the children’s schoolmates and Sutton’s family members, but the Sutton family looked passed the strange behavior and outfits to find a true friend help them learn about fun family games such as country club, chess and roping.
c.) Carnival workers believed Ida “belonged in a freak show” (p. 69), Aunt Earnestine did not care for the rambunctious housekeeper much, and friends of the children felt as though Ida needed a new wardrobe but no clown suit because she “looked funny enough as it is” (p. 86). Although feelings were hurt, Ida and the entire Sutton family grew to find happiness and what it means to have “true friends” (p. 144).
Dirty jokes, harmful names and hurt feelings are present in and part of every middle school throughout the country. Students never understand how much pain name-calling, teasing and out-casting can cause to a young person. Reading this story to students can begin a lesson on acceptance and friendship. Teachers must always try to set great examples by treating everyone as equals regardless of their abilities, faults and weaknesses, just as students need to accept each other. Ida Early Comes Over the Mountain is a great read for students, creates many questions and comments for debate and will be an asset to many classrooms.
a.) This novel provides a great relationship between accepting people for who they are and reminding them to never change-no matter who calls you names, makes fun of you, or says you are “too tall” and ugly.
b.) Burch provided the reader with a character who looked out of the ordinary, did not play by the rules and taught a southern family the true meaning of friendship. At first sight, Ida “looked for all the world like a telephone pole and seemed almost as tall” but also cooked great family meals and helped make the four Sutton children “happy for the first time in months” (p.3 & p.77). The housekeeper seemed strange acting and looking to other town people, the children’s schoolmates and Sutton’s family members, but the Sutton family looked passed the strange behavior and outfits to find a true friend help them learn about fun family games such as country club, chess and roping.
c.) Carnival workers believed Ida “belonged in a freak show” (p. 69), Aunt Earnestine did not care for the rambunctious housekeeper much, and friends of the children felt as though Ida needed a new wardrobe but no clown suit because she “looked funny enough as it is” (p. 86). Although feelings were hurt, Ida and the entire Sutton family grew to find happiness and what it means to have “true friends” (p. 144).
Dirty jokes, harmful names and hurt feelings are present in and part of every middle school throughout the country. Students never understand how much pain name-calling, teasing and out-casting can cause to a young person. Reading this story to students can begin a lesson on acceptance and friendship. Teachers must always try to set great examples by treating everyone as equals regardless of their abilities, faults and weaknesses, just as students need to accept each other. Ida Early Comes Over the Mountain is a great read for students, creates many questions and comments for debate and will be an asset to many classrooms.
August 16, 2013
STAND BY YOUR FRIENDS!
When Ida Early tramped over the Blue Ridge Mountains into rural Georgia, she changed the lifestyle of the Sutton family in a dramatic way. During the Great Depression of the 1930's thousands of folks were jobless and starving. Thus it was no surprise that a raggle-taggle woman should knock on their door, asking for food and work. But this wayfarer blew in like a cheerful tornado: exceptionally tall and somewhat masculine in habits, Ida fearlessly took over the household, claiming to be a great cook--though some were suspicious about her domestic skills.
Ida proves a breath of fresh air with her eager smile, her willingness to try anything new and blatantly preposterous exploits--tales to match her height. She quickly endears herself to the 4 Sutton children and their widower father, but two busybody aunts warn of dire consequences if Ida is not dismissed and replaced by someone more suitable. It's clear that Ida will never be a Lady, but Ida is deeply hurt when the older kids act ashamed of her at school. How can Rardall and Ellen restore her dignity and self-esteem? Besides, how will the family survive the "battleship" invasion looming on Thanksgiving Day? Burch serves up country fun for kids up to 15, with his wacky characters and cleverly-resolved conflicts. Humorous yet touching, this story points out the dangers of succumbing to peer pressure. Will Ida Early come back too Late?
(January 15, 2012. I welcome dialogue with teachers.)
When Ida Early tramped over the Blue Ridge Mountains into rural Georgia, she changed the lifestyle of the Sutton family in a dramatic way. During the Great Depression of the 1930's thousands of folks were jobless and starving. Thus it was no surprise that a raggle-taggle woman should knock on their door, asking for food and work. But this wayfarer blew in like a cheerful tornado: exceptionally tall and somewhat masculine in habits, Ida fearlessly took over the household, claiming to be a great cook--though some were suspicious about her domestic skills.
Ida proves a breath of fresh air with her eager smile, her willingness to try anything new and blatantly preposterous exploits--tales to match her height. She quickly endears herself to the 4 Sutton children and their widower father, but two busybody aunts warn of dire consequences if Ida is not dismissed and replaced by someone more suitable. It's clear that Ida will never be a Lady, but Ida is deeply hurt when the older kids act ashamed of her at school. How can Rardall and Ellen restore her dignity and self-esteem? Besides, how will the family survive the "battleship" invasion looming on Thanksgiving Day? Burch serves up country fun for kids up to 15, with his wacky characters and cleverly-resolved conflicts. Humorous yet touching, this story points out the dangers of succumbing to peer pressure. Will Ida Early come back too Late?
(January 15, 2012. I welcome dialogue with teachers.)
February 13, 2024
One Saturday morning in mid-July, Ida Early knocks at the Sutton's door. She walks into their house and into their hearts. Closer to six feet than seven, closer to twenty than thirty, dressed in overalls and clodhoppers, Ida is hired as cook and housekeeper. The Sutton children- Randall, Ellen, Dewey, and Clay- are relieved to see Aunt Ernestine leave. Caring for the children since their mother died, Aunt Ernestine was efficient and careful, but, also, cranky and critical. Ida is like a breath of fresh air. She's a great cook and a tolerable housekeeper, but she's an even better companion. Dewey and Clay, the twins, are mesmerized by her stories of world travels and awe-inspiring achievements. The first day of school, Ida walks with the twins to ease their first-day anxiety. When the older children see Ida, they begin to poke fun at her appearance. Ida tries to joke her way through, but when Randall and Ellen fail to come to her defense, she is deeply hurt. Disappearing for a few days, Ida comes back a changed woman. Unfortunately, the change is not for the better.
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com
June 5, 2018
It was immediately apparent in the first 3 sentences of the novel that the author had a sense of humor. "Ida Early came over the mountains. Or else she came around them. Randall Sutton never was sure which."
It was funny how Randall compared her to a scarecrow.
I liked that this was set in the Blue Ridge Mountains, even though it was Georgia.
Ida got on my nerves the way she came looking for a job, and then when Aunt Earnestine told her to make a stew she ended up foisting it on the kids. That was really bad form to get signed on as help and then not do anything, while she played tiddlywinks with the kids. She slyly had Ellen and Randall make it by saying things like surely Ellen was old enough to do it, and since she started it she should be the one to add the ingredients, and they didn't want to miss out. When she took credit for it I wanted to scream. That was so devious.
It got interesting as Mr. Sutton said he saw the Ragsdale boys and Ellen asked if it was Marcus. He had said she was pretty and Clay and Dewey, the twins, teased her for having a sweetheart.
Aunt Earnestine told Ida to do the dishes instead of read the funny papers, and she wouldn't. Randall and Ellen did all of the dishes while she sat there. If that wasn't bad enough, Ida told her to have someone wake her up for breakfast, meaning she wouldn't be cooking breakfast. She even said Earenstine didn't have to send her a tray though that was a nice offer. If this was supposed to be charming, it missed it by a country mile.
I was so glad when they went to the fair. I liked the change of scenery. It was cute when they saw Marcus and Randall asked him to ride the Ferris wheel with him and Ellen and he was happy too. I had wished for Marcus to actually have a line, and for some details on where each one sat and everything. But then the author switched to J.C. and Randall. It was cute how J.C. dared Randall to ride the pendulum ride and Randall said he was trying to work up the courage to, and he could ride if J.C. did.
Ida was certainly a character. She said at the fair that they could start having fun once they spent all their money because then they wouldn't have to decide what to spend it on. She said the freaks in the show weren't really funny, it's just things nature had played mean tricks on.
I did feel bad for her about the throwing contest. She did so good she won a plaster horse, and then some guys challenged her to a contest. She only made 1 out of 10 shots, and I thought she was saving the face of the guy whose friends had gotten him into the contest, because he hadn't been throwing so good. But instead of being happy about winning, he told Ida she should join with the circus in the freak show because anyone as funny-looking as her belonged there.
There were nice little touches like the twins wanting to make a flower for Ida to pin on her overalls, and they couldn't find another fake one so they used chicken feathers. Their dad said it was a Rhode Island Red rose, because of the breed of chicken.
There were cute scenes. Their cousin Kathy Alice said Ida was tacky-looking and goofy and the twins ended up getting her back. They played country club, which Randall invented. You come up with a password and when the person comes to the barn and says it, you dump that item on them from the loft. They chose the password to be bucket of mud, and when Randall tried to intervene Aunt Myrtle stopped him, thinking he was trying to stop Kathy Alice from playing. So Mr. Sutton and Randall smiled at each other, knowing what would happen.
I liked hearing about Randall and his friends hanging out after school, and sometimes they would tease the girls who hung out at the tree. I wish that had been in here.
I felt bad for Ida when the school kids all made fun of her. They made jokes about her being a home economics teacher because you can tell by her overalls she knows style, and that she dresses like a clown and acts funny. Randall and Ellen didn't stick up for her but they did stop a kid from throwing a rock at her. She always kept her spirits up and joked along with things, until it hurt her too bad.
I thought they would buy her some clothes since that's what everyone was making fun of. When they bought her a checker board I thought that was really random and not right. She ended up leaving them, went traveling to a place where she bought herself some clothes, shoes that didn’t fit and a lopsided dress.
It was sweet that Randall was searching for a way to show Ida that he wasn't ashamed of her, and he had the idea to put her in his school program lassoing things.
She was a big hit with the audience, roping anything Randall wanted her to. There was a live bear that ended up getting loose, creating the opportunity for Ida to save the day. The bear went after a girl, who had been making fun of Ida so much that day. All the kids finally realized the woman who had put on such a good show and saved a life was the one they had made fun of.
They said things like "Let's don't talk about it."
"Run get a book."
"I know what let's do."
That was endearing and charming, because it’s how Southerners speak and it’s unique.
We left off not knowing how long Ida would stay there, when she would leave, or if she would come back to visit them. I like more conclusive endings. I don’t like to have to guess what happens. I was glad she didn’t get with the dad though, as I originally feared, because they would have been a mismatch. I expected more out of this. Her character was just too much. Her outlandish made-up stories. You didn’t know what she had really done in her life, all we knew was that she could cook. Her throwing ability was too crazy. She would toss things over her shoulder and it would land in the bin every time. She threw a plate of spaghetti from across the room. It was ridiculous. I couldn’t understand how or why this ability was created for her.
The book was just too basic and it barely had a plot. I looked forward to a smidgen of love with the sister, since a boy was mentioned for her, and from Randall, but I got nothing. I don’t know how lives really were back then during the Depression, so it leaves a lot to be desired.
The writing was simple, needed detail and descriptions and more dialogue. Writing back then just doesn’t contain descriptions of characters, color and height and weight and things like that that are the only way that you can picture what you’re reading.
It was funny how Randall compared her to a scarecrow.
I liked that this was set in the Blue Ridge Mountains, even though it was Georgia.
Ida got on my nerves the way she came looking for a job, and then when Aunt Earnestine told her to make a stew she ended up foisting it on the kids. That was really bad form to get signed on as help and then not do anything, while she played tiddlywinks with the kids. She slyly had Ellen and Randall make it by saying things like surely Ellen was old enough to do it, and since she started it she should be the one to add the ingredients, and they didn't want to miss out. When she took credit for it I wanted to scream. That was so devious.
It got interesting as Mr. Sutton said he saw the Ragsdale boys and Ellen asked if it was Marcus. He had said she was pretty and Clay and Dewey, the twins, teased her for having a sweetheart.
Aunt Earnestine told Ida to do the dishes instead of read the funny papers, and she wouldn't. Randall and Ellen did all of the dishes while she sat there. If that wasn't bad enough, Ida told her to have someone wake her up for breakfast, meaning she wouldn't be cooking breakfast. She even said Earenstine didn't have to send her a tray though that was a nice offer. If this was supposed to be charming, it missed it by a country mile.
I was so glad when they went to the fair. I liked the change of scenery. It was cute when they saw Marcus and Randall asked him to ride the Ferris wheel with him and Ellen and he was happy too. I had wished for Marcus to actually have a line, and for some details on where each one sat and everything. But then the author switched to J.C. and Randall. It was cute how J.C. dared Randall to ride the pendulum ride and Randall said he was trying to work up the courage to, and he could ride if J.C. did.
Ida was certainly a character. She said at the fair that they could start having fun once they spent all their money because then they wouldn't have to decide what to spend it on. She said the freaks in the show weren't really funny, it's just things nature had played mean tricks on.
I did feel bad for her about the throwing contest. She did so good she won a plaster horse, and then some guys challenged her to a contest. She only made 1 out of 10 shots, and I thought she was saving the face of the guy whose friends had gotten him into the contest, because he hadn't been throwing so good. But instead of being happy about winning, he told Ida she should join with the circus in the freak show because anyone as funny-looking as her belonged there.
There were nice little touches like the twins wanting to make a flower for Ida to pin on her overalls, and they couldn't find another fake one so they used chicken feathers. Their dad said it was a Rhode Island Red rose, because of the breed of chicken.
There were cute scenes. Their cousin Kathy Alice said Ida was tacky-looking and goofy and the twins ended up getting her back. They played country club, which Randall invented. You come up with a password and when the person comes to the barn and says it, you dump that item on them from the loft. They chose the password to be bucket of mud, and when Randall tried to intervene Aunt Myrtle stopped him, thinking he was trying to stop Kathy Alice from playing. So Mr. Sutton and Randall smiled at each other, knowing what would happen.
I liked hearing about Randall and his friends hanging out after school, and sometimes they would tease the girls who hung out at the tree. I wish that had been in here.
I felt bad for Ida when the school kids all made fun of her. They made jokes about her being a home economics teacher because you can tell by her overalls she knows style, and that she dresses like a clown and acts funny. Randall and Ellen didn't stick up for her but they did stop a kid from throwing a rock at her. She always kept her spirits up and joked along with things, until it hurt her too bad.
I thought they would buy her some clothes since that's what everyone was making fun of. When they bought her a checker board I thought that was really random and not right. She ended up leaving them, went traveling to a place where she bought herself some clothes, shoes that didn’t fit and a lopsided dress.
It was sweet that Randall was searching for a way to show Ida that he wasn't ashamed of her, and he had the idea to put her in his school program lassoing things.
She was a big hit with the audience, roping anything Randall wanted her to. There was a live bear that ended up getting loose, creating the opportunity for Ida to save the day. The bear went after a girl, who had been making fun of Ida so much that day. All the kids finally realized the woman who had put on such a good show and saved a life was the one they had made fun of.
They said things like "Let's don't talk about it."
"Run get a book."
"I know what let's do."
That was endearing and charming, because it’s how Southerners speak and it’s unique.
We left off not knowing how long Ida would stay there, when she would leave, or if she would come back to visit them. I like more conclusive endings. I don’t like to have to guess what happens. I was glad she didn’t get with the dad though, as I originally feared, because they would have been a mismatch. I expected more out of this. Her character was just too much. Her outlandish made-up stories. You didn’t know what she had really done in her life, all we knew was that she could cook. Her throwing ability was too crazy. She would toss things over her shoulder and it would land in the bin every time. She threw a plate of spaghetti from across the room. It was ridiculous. I couldn’t understand how or why this ability was created for her.
The book was just too basic and it barely had a plot. I looked forward to a smidgen of love with the sister, since a boy was mentioned for her, and from Randall, but I got nothing. I don’t know how lives really were back then during the Depression, so it leaves a lot to be desired.
The writing was simple, needed detail and descriptions and more dialogue. Writing back then just doesn’t contain descriptions of characters, color and height and weight and things like that that are the only way that you can picture what you’re reading.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2008
This is a fun book! I think it would make a great read aloud. Ida Early is referred to as a "mountain Mary Poppins", but I see her more as a Calamity Jane kind of person. One of the reasons that I liked the book was because I felt like I could relate to Ida. She is a socially awkward person and since all of us have some social anxieties in one form or another, Ida is a character all of us can identify with or at least sympathize for.
I understand that there are more of these "Ida books". I'd be interested in finding out if the others are as good as the first.
I understand that there are more of these "Ida books". I'd be interested in finding out if the others are as good as the first.
July 27, 2011
my daughter quickl read this book in less then an hour and said it was good too. the story is of a young family that lost its mother and ida early comes to help and work at their farm. she is different and is noticible but people don't apprechate her until she saves a little girl from a bear, then she is celbrated but she leaves soon after and the family misses her. it is not until she relaizes that she misses the family that she returns to the family and calls it home.
April 24, 2023
Actual rating 2.5 ⭐ rounded up. This was a tough one to read. Not because of the Great Depression which was vaguely mentioned here and there "times were hard", but while I liked Ida, I just wasn't drawn into the story as much as I wanted to be. Also taking place in Georgia, this story tried being heartwarming but I just wasn't feeling it. I may try the second book, but I doubt it.
December 12, 2012
This was my first Robert Burch book, which is sad considering that I live in Fayette County, GA. It was a great book with wonderful characters. I was a little disappointed in the back story with Ida and wanted to learn more. I can't wait to get started on some others.
April 1, 2014
I really liked this book because it doesn't seem like an intense book. It even seems peaceful then everything happens in a flash like "WOW that just happened!" It is a fast read book if you like adventures and family love stories.
September 9, 2009
Ida helps the children of a motherless family learn to enjoy or at least tolerate doing their chores. There is more to people than what they look like.
Want to read
April 25, 20114/25/11: A sweet and funny book set in the Blue Ridge mountains. Topics to discuss include standing up for someone when they are different and being made fun of by others, being yourself.
Read
February 24, 2013Thiis waass ann awwesomee bookk!! buut iit couuldve beenn beettre/:byye peepps!!!! obeyy morqan swaqq! i <3 you!:)
April 25, 2014
The boys and I really enjoyed this book. Funny and yet had some important ideas about how to treat other people and family. I highly recommend it. I really want to give it a 4.5 stars!
January 4, 2017
A fun read
June 1, 2021
I read this in elementary school and loved it. Thought it very funny. I saw this again on Good Reads and thought I would read again and see if I still enjoyed it as much. I did not find it funny, felt there was no plot and it was super boring not as fun as when I first read it. Taste in books change over the years. Not surprising.
July 15, 2021
Imagine someone who's sort of a combination of Mary Poppins, Amelia Bedelia, Calamity Jane and your favorite eccentric aunt and that will give you an idea of the main character, Ida Early. This was a fun little read. I'm way too old an audience for this book but enjoyed it anyway! Four stars.
August 23, 2023
Four stars for nostalgia. (I read this to my children and students years ago.) Four stars for the mountain setting. (The mountains are calling and I must go.) Four stars for Ida Early herself, a Pippi Longstocking fully grown and living life as only she can.
January 1, 2018
B-. fiction, children's fiction, grade 4, humor, Appalachia.
January 1, 2018
Loved it as a kid. love it still.
April 16, 2018
Ida is a likeable character. this is a good kids story. :)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews