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Grandma's Attic #2
More Stories from Grandma's Attic
A young girl delights in her grandmother’s stories of days gone by, sparked by keepsakes and simple questions, Grandma shares marvelous stories of mischief , discovery, and laughter, such as a beautiful heart-shaped locket and a curl that cost Grandma more than a lock of hair. Part of the bestselling Grandma’s Attic series, these charming tales—updated with delightful new illustrations—will whisk you away to another time and place. And you’ll find something worth far more than any treasure or keepsake…timeless lessons of life and faith!
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1979
48 people are currently reading
742 people want to read
About the author
Arleta Richardson
60 books108 followersArleta Richardson was an author, librarian, and a teacher. The Grandma's Attic series was her most well known series. She was born in Flint, MI, and served in World War II. She belonged to the Free Methodist Church.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
July 20, 2020
My Aunt Mandy and I started this series when I was about ten. We read the first book together when I was at her old house. We started the second one. I can't remember if we finished it then or not.
About two years later, we were talking about books we could read together. She brought up these books, and I said I remembered some of the stories, but not all of them. She read me the summary, and memories came rushing back. We started that book on family vacation, and I finished it on my own. We can only see each other once a year.
We read the second book last year, and to make it last the whole year, I had to read about a chapter every two months. When I read the book, I can sometimes hear her voice reading it to me, and I can imagine sitting on her old couch or on a hotel bed.
Sadly, because of covid-19, we couldn't do family vacation this year, so we're going go write a review over the phone. I'm going to ask her some questions, and she will answer.
Me-What was your favorite part of the book?
Mandy-I mean. There are a lot of good stories. Um. Let me look back. I really liked the one about the doll.
Me-That was probably my favorite part, too.
Mandy-What was the doll's name again?
Me-(typing)-Um.
Mandy-Oh, CHARLOTTE.
Mandy-I also liked the part about the pig. I also liked the blizzard.
Me-I remember the pig now, but I'm not sure about the snowstorm.
(We start talking about that chapter and where we were when we read it.)
Me-I thought the part with Charlotte was funny. I can't believe I barely remembered it before I read it again.
Mandy-(laughing)-Yeah, it was a very humorous story.
Me-I read that chapter to Grandma Habecker because she likes to tell me some stories.
Mandy-That's good.
Me-I forgot to ask you an important question. What was the book about?
Mandy-This book is about the childhood of Mabel and her family and her friend Sarah Jane, and she is recounting her memories to her granddaughter.
Me-I can't believe that all of these things actually happened.
Mandy-I know.
Me-When I imagine the grandma in these stories, I imagine her as around Poppy's age or younger.
(Poppy is my younger sister.)
Mandy-Yes, yes. I mean, she was probably about eight to ten years old maybe?
Me-Although, in one, it said she was in kindergarten. It was the one about Charlotte.
Mandy-Oh, yeah. She was in kindergarten, so she would have been younger than Poppy in that one. Good catch.
Me-In the winter storm one, I can see her being older, though.
Mandy-Yeah, in all the stories it seems to fluctuate in time a little bit. In the stories, sometimes she's younger, and sometimes she's older.
Me-How many stars do you want to give it?
Mandy-Oh, I say five stars. The only thing that I don't like about the book is that it's really hard to find.
Me-I know. I seriously just had that problem with goodreads. (I'm going to have to save this on a flashdrive and have Dad put it on goodreads.) I agree that it deserves five stars. Do you recommend this book to anybody?
Mandy-Yes. I recommend this book to anybody who's looking for cozy stories about farm life in the nineteenth century.
Me-Is there anything else you want to say?
Mandy-We could just say we're looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Me-We already have the schedule planned out.
About two years later, we were talking about books we could read together. She brought up these books, and I said I remembered some of the stories, but not all of them. She read me the summary, and memories came rushing back. We started that book on family vacation, and I finished it on my own. We can only see each other once a year.
We read the second book last year, and to make it last the whole year, I had to read about a chapter every two months. When I read the book, I can sometimes hear her voice reading it to me, and I can imagine sitting on her old couch or on a hotel bed.
Sadly, because of covid-19, we couldn't do family vacation this year, so we're going go write a review over the phone. I'm going to ask her some questions, and she will answer.
Me-What was your favorite part of the book?
Mandy-I mean. There are a lot of good stories. Um. Let me look back. I really liked the one about the doll.
Me-That was probably my favorite part, too.
Mandy-What was the doll's name again?
Me-(typing)-Um.
Mandy-Oh, CHARLOTTE.
Mandy-I also liked the part about the pig. I also liked the blizzard.
Me-I remember the pig now, but I'm not sure about the snowstorm.
(We start talking about that chapter and where we were when we read it.)
Me-I thought the part with Charlotte was funny. I can't believe I barely remembered it before I read it again.
Mandy-(laughing)-Yeah, it was a very humorous story.
Me-I read that chapter to Grandma Habecker because she likes to tell me some stories.
Mandy-That's good.
Me-I forgot to ask you an important question. What was the book about?
Mandy-This book is about the childhood of Mabel and her family and her friend Sarah Jane, and she is recounting her memories to her granddaughter.
Me-I can't believe that all of these things actually happened.
Mandy-I know.
Me-When I imagine the grandma in these stories, I imagine her as around Poppy's age or younger.
(Poppy is my younger sister.)
Mandy-Yes, yes. I mean, she was probably about eight to ten years old maybe?
Me-Although, in one, it said she was in kindergarten. It was the one about Charlotte.
Mandy-Oh, yeah. She was in kindergarten, so she would have been younger than Poppy in that one. Good catch.
Me-In the winter storm one, I can see her being older, though.
Mandy-Yeah, in all the stories it seems to fluctuate in time a little bit. In the stories, sometimes she's younger, and sometimes she's older.
Me-How many stars do you want to give it?
Mandy-Oh, I say five stars. The only thing that I don't like about the book is that it's really hard to find.
Me-I know. I seriously just had that problem with goodreads. (I'm going to have to save this on a flashdrive and have Dad put it on goodreads.) I agree that it deserves five stars. Do you recommend this book to anybody?
Mandy-Yes. I recommend this book to anybody who's looking for cozy stories about farm life in the nineteenth century.
Me-Is there anything else you want to say?
Mandy-We could just say we're looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Me-We already have the schedule planned out.
April 15, 2020
So great to read with my daughter! Teaches important lessons on telling the truth, working hard, and loving others. This is our favorite time of day!
April 4, 2023
A collection of delightful stories that you can learn by!
Grandma Mabel has the best stories, some funny and some … even funnier! And everything around her home reminds her of one of them, so the stories just gush out. One story from a sewing basket, one from a button, another from a piece of fabric.
Each chapter is short and it’s own tale (perhaps a good book to read aloud at lunch with the kids?). You’ll learn lessons on pride, vanity, obedience, telling the truth, not making hasty assumptions and more.
Don’t miss this series. An oldie but a goodie!
Cleanliness: most bad behavior is used as a lesson to learn from. However, there is some squabbling among the siblings that does not always get addressed.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! And be sure to check out my bio page to learn a little about me and the Picture Book/Chapter Book Calendars I sell on Etsy!
Grandma Mabel has the best stories, some funny and some … even funnier! And everything around her home reminds her of one of them, so the stories just gush out. One story from a sewing basket, one from a button, another from a piece of fabric.
Each chapter is short and it’s own tale (perhaps a good book to read aloud at lunch with the kids?). You’ll learn lessons on pride, vanity, obedience, telling the truth, not making hasty assumptions and more.
Don’t miss this series. An oldie but a goodie!
Cleanliness: most bad behavior is used as a lesson to learn from. However, there is some squabbling among the siblings that does not always get addressed.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! And be sure to check out my bio page to learn a little about me and the Picture Book/Chapter Book Calendars I sell on Etsy!
April 9, 2011
The Grandma’s Attic Series by the late Arleta Richardson is a compilation of stories from a simpler time long ago that children of all ages will enjoy. Arleta took the stories she heard from her grandmother while she was growing up and put them onto paper for all to enjoy. Many of the stories have a moral to them and readers are invited to remember with Arleta, her favorite times of exploring Grandma’s old house and life on the farm in Michigan.
The way these are written and illustrated reminded me of the Little House on the Prairie books, which I loved as a child. I think these would make a perfect read aloud or bedtime story book, or great gifts for children who can read on their own. They are wholesome and encouraging, funny and entertaining and all the while, share a positive message or life lesson. The black and white illustrations add to the charm of these books and the character of the stories.
The way these are written and illustrated reminded me of the Little House on the Prairie books, which I loved as a child. I think these would make a perfect read aloud or bedtime story book, or great gifts for children who can read on their own. They are wholesome and encouraging, funny and entertaining and all the while, share a positive message or life lesson. The black and white illustrations add to the charm of these books and the character of the stories.
February 24, 2023
My beloved series. 😍 These books are so sweet and so fun.
April 21, 2025
5 stars. It's been probably a decade since I read this??? This series formed my childhood and consisted some of my favourite books. I still really enjoy the stories; what a great glimpse of former life, family life, and faith-filled life! The humour is great, the stories are so realistic, and I thoroughly appreciated this trip down memory lane + recommend this series as heartily as I did as a child.
July 28, 2011
Our three daughters loved the Grandma's attic books, enough to re-read them many times. And I enjoyed reading these to them. These books inspire me to pass along my stories to my children and (future) grandchildren.
April 30, 2024
A book from my youth!
Does it get any better!
Does it get any better!
July 24, 2025
You just can’t beat these books… the sense of humor, the straightforward-with-zero-cringy-cheesiness biblical life lessons, and the whole framework of learning from and honoring the elderly in our lives. Truly so good.
And not just for girls! My 6 and 4 year old boys are eating these up.
And not just for girls! My 6 and 4 year old boys are eating these up.
January 15, 2021
I just finished this second book in the Grandma's Attic series. It was ok but the adults were still pretty demeaning toward the children. I did like reading the story about how the little girl tried to win a contest at school with a book being the prize. I like to collect antique books and have several in my collection that were given as prizes in school and Sunday school. At a time when most homes only had a handful of books, if that, I'm sure these books were very precious!
March 10, 2014
We read this one for school and while my daughter enjoyed it, I found the stories rather preachy which to me detracted from the enjoyment. I might look at the other books in the series for the fun of it, but I don't feel a huge urgency to read the rest.
November 8, 2013
Really good book that my boys greatly enjoy. Teaches lots of biblical lessons such as honesty and forgiveness in a way that is unforgettable.
January 31, 2015
This series is really lovely! I am reading them to my kids and we all enjoy the fun stories Grandma tells about her childhood. Each one comes with a lesson that everyone can learn from.
May 22, 2015
Richardson wove her whimsical stories with history, giving a clear picture of early American life. Each story kept all 3 children's attention. Fun to read!
August 27, 2025
It was charming that she thought about what her grandma had been like as a girl. She called her grandma's house the old house and I'm always surprised when I hear other people using that term because that's what my family calls my great-grandparent's house.
Her grandma told her about her dad taking in a baby goat whose mom had rejected it, and they put it in a box on the oven door to warm it up. They fed it milk on a rag. It was cute how it followed her mom around. She said it could be sleeping but the next thing she knew it was on her feet and she couldn't go 6 inches without running into it. But I felt bad for it that she didn't want it around!
It was cute that Mabel wanted to stay out in the barn with the goat. Her brothers said she was too scared to even walk past it at night much less go in. Her brother Rueben came out and asked if it was alright if he slept in the barn with her because he hadn't in a long time, and she was so grateful he did because she'd been so scared she wanted to go back inside.
Another story, Mabel told of a time when the school was going to have a contest and the winner would win a book. She told her family that she was going to win because she prayed about it. But she ended up making a mistake on her sewing and made a comment that she was sure The Lord would answer her prayers. Her mom told her she should have prayed to do her best instead, and The Lord is willing to help us but we need to do our best with the intelligence He gave us. Mabel told her granddaughter that it was a good lesson, to not be so sure about what she was doing again, and never to blame The Lord for her mistakes.
The story about swapping the neighbor's baby out of its carriage and putting a dressed up baby pig in her place was crazy. I couldn't believe they did that. But it was funny when Mabel's mom asked if she thought she could ring the dinner bell without doing something foolish. Then pa asked what the pig was doing in doll clothes because the sow wouldn't let it come near her.
It was about 20 pages in or so that I went to say something about the main character and realized I didn't know what her name is. I filled back through the book to see if it was said, but it wasn't. I was sure the grandma had addressed her granddaughter by name at some point but she did not. The girl was nameless, like her name wasn't important! That's the trouble when you have a character tell stories about another, or have a side character tell stories about themselves to the main character; it becomes about that other person and the heroine is just a conduit for the stories, like a bystander in their own book. I wondered why she just didn't have this be in the grandma's POV the whole time since so much of it was 1st person in her POV.
It was even more ironic when in ch. 5 Grandma asked who the girl was playing with, and she said she didn't know his name, he just followed her back up the road after she went to the mailbox. Grandma was surprised and said you played with him all morning and didn't ask his name? You wrote 4 chapters and didn't even name the main character, or have the grandma use her name!
The girl said she hadn't needed to call him because he was right there, and he didn't ask for her name either. The grandma said names aren't as important as other things about a person.
The nameless granddaughter couldn't find her library book, so her grandma suggested they pray for it. That night the girl found it in her bed and said they didn't have to pray about it because God knew she needed it. Her grandma told her a story about why you should always pray even though God knows what you need.
She was going to a fair but when her dad started to pray in the morning she asked if they couldn't do that later. Her mom let her off the hook without praying, but at the fair her and her friend Sarah Jane went after a deer and got lost in the woods. She remembered that she hadn't prayed that morning and felt ashamed to ask God for help now. Mabel said she hoped He didn't send Roy to find them because he wouldn't let her forget it and asked if they shouldn't pray for pa to come.
Her pa had told her to stay still if she was ever lost in the woods, and when he eventually found them he said she was glad she had remembered.
They found a stranger at their home one day and didn't know who he was, waited for pa to come home. It reminded me of Patricia Clark's Sarah Plain and Tall series. But anyway, I didn't like when the old man said God had blessed her dad with two fine sons to help around the farm and didn't say anything about Mabel, like she was good for nothing. Girls are a blessing too and that was so sexist. But he did tell them he daresay the Missy is a big help to her mom, which made it a little better.
I liked how she had something happen to the granddaughter that tied in to what had happened to the grandma when she was a child. It would remind her of her own story.
It was funny that after pa had shown the man where to sleep, Ma said pa might have told them what his name was and he said you mean you don't know who that man is? What a funny situation to make a stranger at home, both spouses assuming the other knew who he was. Pa said he'd never heard of such a thing and asked what they should do. They didn't want to knock on his door and say "Who are you?" Ma felt it would be rude to ask his name, so he left the next day without saying. Ma said they didn't know any more now than they ever did, which was funny. He'd given Mabel his book and Rueben suggested that he had written his name in it, except he hadn't.
I was disappointed that the man turned out to be an uncle of their neighbor, who had forgotten to tell her family that he was coming, had told the man that their family would probably welcome him. I liked the angel unaware theory.
It felt so much like Little House on the Prairie and Sarah Plain and Tall, especially when she got to the part about her dad tying a rope from the house to the barn door so they wouldn't get lost in the snow.
Pa found the cellar door open during the storm and shut it, not realized when Mabel said Ma had gone for vegetables that she was down there. When he finally realized it, he got her in and she was cold. Ma said she would have rather been shut in the barn it he was going to keep her locked up all afternoon.
Pa had to do the cooking and remarked that it looked easier when Ma did it. He asked how many cups of baking powder in the pancakes and Ma went cups! Mercy on us! He'll kill us all with indigestion.
Pa said to pray for The Lord to take care of Ma until he could go for the doctor, but Mabel had the idea to pray for the doctor to come. Sure enough, that night he came to them, having gotten lost and found their light in the storm.
I liked hearing about their slate tablets they wrote on, with slate pencils. And they would bring an old piece of flannel from home to wipe their writing off with.
On pg. 65 I was glad to see that Uncle Roy made an appearance. I hadn't even thought about her family still being alive.
I expected ch. 8 to be about Uncle Roy telling a story about Grandma's tricks, because at the end of ch. 7 he told them he would think of one. So I was astounded that there wasn't one.
I didn't care for the story about the slate or the trunk. Roy had a slate and Mabel really wanted it. He was supposed to take the goat into the barn but he was doing schoolwork and told Mabel if she did it he would give the slate to her. She did, but then he backed out of it and said he meant when she was older. Their mom made him give Mabel the slate and he had to use an old one that year. And the next was a story about Roy and Rueben buying a trunk without looking at the contents. It ended up being full of old nails, and it was a lesson not to buy sight unseen again. I didn't like the stories, but they did have good lessons I guess.
Ch. 9 had the girl sullenly refusing to set the table for supper. Grandma asked if she would and she said she didn't want to, and said another girl (who she named) didn't have to do anything she didn't want to. Grandma said she didn't ask if she wanted to, and said she wouldn't like it if she didn't have anything to do. I didn't like that because they had been getting along before and the girl seemed bratty now.
Grandma told of a time when she complained about having so much chores to do so her mom let her do whatever she wanted, but the family didn't do anything for her. Her mom cooked and cleaned for everyone but her and she found she couldn't fill her time and she felt guilty being the only one who hadn't done anything. She didn't even last a day before she asked for something to do. So Grandma asked her granddaughter if she'd like that and she decided it was better to do something.
The author thought it was important enough to name the man who called her on the phone to tell her the material for the granddaughter's dress was ready.
I've only ever read one book where the author didn't name a main character and that was Ree Drummond's biography where she literally never once named her husband. It was as crazy there as it is in here.
I liked hearing about the peddler coming. If he came in the morning they'd have to stay for dinner. If he came in the afternoon he'd stay for supper. Sometimes they persuaded him to stay the night. He brought ribbons and cloth and toys and games. He had a grindstone and would sharpen knives, scissors, scythe and tools by pumping a pedal with his foot. He would mend pots and pans, put a new sole in their shoes, and paint a silver background for mirrors.
The story went downhill as Mabel heard from the peddler that her friend's brother's girl bought material for a wedding dress and she jumped to the conclusion that her friend's brother was getting married and her friend hadn't told her. They decided to throw a party for them and then found out later after they'd invited everyone that the girl had bought material for her cousin's wedding. Not funny!
I didn't really like the doll story, because she forgot her lunchbox when she picked up the doll and their mom made Roy go back to get it which was unfair. But there was some humor. Roy told her to throw it back. Mabel hugged it to her and got all muddy and he said wait til Ma sees what she's got all over her front. She said she'd hold the doll way out here and he said it's too late to hold it way out here and told her to chuck it in the nearest hole. When they got home Roy said it needs to be buried. After supper her family teased her. Roy offered it a decent burial, Rueben said he wouldn't touch it with a stick and Pa said he was going to go air out on the porch. That night Rueben said the doll was alive because it was moving on the stove and the picture of that lumpy doll with its arms raised looked so funny. Pa said all thy learning has made thee mad, but the doll was moving. Pa said to throw it on the floor and Roy said to jump on it. They realized it had popcorn inside which had popped in the heat.
Ma cut it open to get the popcorn out and said she'd have to stuff it with something. Rueben suggested catnip so the cat would drag it off and lose it.
There was a story when grandma told her to buy something at the store, and she usually told her granddaughter to buy penny candy but this time she didn't. The girl decided it would probably be okay to buy candy, so she bought 2 pieces but felt so dishonest and guilty that she finally came clean. Grandma had stolen a pencil someone dropped in class and felt so bad she confessed to her parents. They told her God forgives when you're sorry, and the lesson was that it feels good to be forgiven.
I didn't like the next story any more. Mabel and her friend were going to write stories and her friend found her cousin's diary and read it and wanted to write about that. Mabel's mom said it wasn't right to read other's things and they came to the conclusion on their own that you shouldn't write about someone's private business, and that was that. It's not like they wrote about it and it caused some trouble and they learned a lesson. They learned the lesson before they even did anything.
The next story was Roy's as the girl was almost caught eating in the parlor where she wasn't supposed to and stuffed a cookie in the couch that Grandma later found. It reminded him of when he'd washed the dishes and broke a plate, and buried it outside so no one would find it, but before he could glue it, it snowed and he forgot about it. His dad found it and he confessed, and they asked why he didn't just tell when he'd done it. Even though your parents might not know, God does and we're responsible to him. Whatever you cover up will be found out sooner or later so you might as well not cover it up. At least it had a good lesson though I didn't enjoy the story.
I was bothered that the next one was about covering things up when they lesson had just been done. Her friend cut her hair off accidentally and suggested Mabel wear a sun bonnet, when then asked what her mom would think since it's raining. It was funny when Mabel said it was her idea and now she can just pray that the sun comes out. I loved their way of speaking.
It annoyed me when her friend told her that no matter how bad you are, you'll be twice as bad of you hide it. It was her fault Mabel was in this mess! She said her mom says be sure your sin will find you out. A good lesson to kids to confess when they've done wrong but that lesson was just covered! Ma said your own conscience is worse punishment than anyone else can give you. "Covering something up doesn't make it go away."
It was funny how the girl asked if the friend had gotten her curl and Grandma said yeah, but she didn't need it to remember Mabel or that day.
The girl said she hated someone and Grandma said the bible considers you to be a murderer if you hate someone and you won't get eternal life. Harsh and scary! and that we're supposed to love our enemies and pray for them. She said it's hard to hate someone when you really pray for them.
Her pa said we're supposed to forgive the wrongs done to us so God can forgive our wrongs. If you pray for your enemies they might even turn into your friends, because no one wants enemies.
The last 50% was disappointing. It didn't have the same feel as the first half. But it was a charming book that had a down-home, down to earth, country feel.
Her grandma told her about her dad taking in a baby goat whose mom had rejected it, and they put it in a box on the oven door to warm it up. They fed it milk on a rag. It was cute how it followed her mom around. She said it could be sleeping but the next thing she knew it was on her feet and she couldn't go 6 inches without running into it. But I felt bad for it that she didn't want it around!
It was cute that Mabel wanted to stay out in the barn with the goat. Her brothers said she was too scared to even walk past it at night much less go in. Her brother Rueben came out and asked if it was alright if he slept in the barn with her because he hadn't in a long time, and she was so grateful he did because she'd been so scared she wanted to go back inside.
Another story, Mabel told of a time when the school was going to have a contest and the winner would win a book. She told her family that she was going to win because she prayed about it. But she ended up making a mistake on her sewing and made a comment that she was sure The Lord would answer her prayers. Her mom told her she should have prayed to do her best instead, and The Lord is willing to help us but we need to do our best with the intelligence He gave us. Mabel told her granddaughter that it was a good lesson, to not be so sure about what she was doing again, and never to blame The Lord for her mistakes.
The story about swapping the neighbor's baby out of its carriage and putting a dressed up baby pig in her place was crazy. I couldn't believe they did that. But it was funny when Mabel's mom asked if she thought she could ring the dinner bell without doing something foolish. Then pa asked what the pig was doing in doll clothes because the sow wouldn't let it come near her.
It was about 20 pages in or so that I went to say something about the main character and realized I didn't know what her name is. I filled back through the book to see if it was said, but it wasn't. I was sure the grandma had addressed her granddaughter by name at some point but she did not. The girl was nameless, like her name wasn't important! That's the trouble when you have a character tell stories about another, or have a side character tell stories about themselves to the main character; it becomes about that other person and the heroine is just a conduit for the stories, like a bystander in their own book. I wondered why she just didn't have this be in the grandma's POV the whole time since so much of it was 1st person in her POV.
It was even more ironic when in ch. 5 Grandma asked who the girl was playing with, and she said she didn't know his name, he just followed her back up the road after she went to the mailbox. Grandma was surprised and said you played with him all morning and didn't ask his name? You wrote 4 chapters and didn't even name the main character, or have the grandma use her name!
The girl said she hadn't needed to call him because he was right there, and he didn't ask for her name either. The grandma said names aren't as important as other things about a person.
The nameless granddaughter couldn't find her library book, so her grandma suggested they pray for it. That night the girl found it in her bed and said they didn't have to pray about it because God knew she needed it. Her grandma told her a story about why you should always pray even though God knows what you need.
She was going to a fair but when her dad started to pray in the morning she asked if they couldn't do that later. Her mom let her off the hook without praying, but at the fair her and her friend Sarah Jane went after a deer and got lost in the woods. She remembered that she hadn't prayed that morning and felt ashamed to ask God for help now. Mabel said she hoped He didn't send Roy to find them because he wouldn't let her forget it and asked if they shouldn't pray for pa to come.
Her pa had told her to stay still if she was ever lost in the woods, and when he eventually found them he said she was glad she had remembered.
They found a stranger at their home one day and didn't know who he was, waited for pa to come home. It reminded me of Patricia Clark's Sarah Plain and Tall series. But anyway, I didn't like when the old man said God had blessed her dad with two fine sons to help around the farm and didn't say anything about Mabel, like she was good for nothing. Girls are a blessing too and that was so sexist. But he did tell them he daresay the Missy is a big help to her mom, which made it a little better.
I liked how she had something happen to the granddaughter that tied in to what had happened to the grandma when she was a child. It would remind her of her own story.
It was funny that after pa had shown the man where to sleep, Ma said pa might have told them what his name was and he said you mean you don't know who that man is? What a funny situation to make a stranger at home, both spouses assuming the other knew who he was. Pa said he'd never heard of such a thing and asked what they should do. They didn't want to knock on his door and say "Who are you?" Ma felt it would be rude to ask his name, so he left the next day without saying. Ma said they didn't know any more now than they ever did, which was funny. He'd given Mabel his book and Rueben suggested that he had written his name in it, except he hadn't.
I was disappointed that the man turned out to be an uncle of their neighbor, who had forgotten to tell her family that he was coming, had told the man that their family would probably welcome him. I liked the angel unaware theory.
It felt so much like Little House on the Prairie and Sarah Plain and Tall, especially when she got to the part about her dad tying a rope from the house to the barn door so they wouldn't get lost in the snow.
Pa found the cellar door open during the storm and shut it, not realized when Mabel said Ma had gone for vegetables that she was down there. When he finally realized it, he got her in and she was cold. Ma said she would have rather been shut in the barn it he was going to keep her locked up all afternoon.
Pa had to do the cooking and remarked that it looked easier when Ma did it. He asked how many cups of baking powder in the pancakes and Ma went cups! Mercy on us! He'll kill us all with indigestion.
Pa said to pray for The Lord to take care of Ma until he could go for the doctor, but Mabel had the idea to pray for the doctor to come. Sure enough, that night he came to them, having gotten lost and found their light in the storm.
I liked hearing about their slate tablets they wrote on, with slate pencils. And they would bring an old piece of flannel from home to wipe their writing off with.
On pg. 65 I was glad to see that Uncle Roy made an appearance. I hadn't even thought about her family still being alive.
I expected ch. 8 to be about Uncle Roy telling a story about Grandma's tricks, because at the end of ch. 7 he told them he would think of one. So I was astounded that there wasn't one.
I didn't care for the story about the slate or the trunk. Roy had a slate and Mabel really wanted it. He was supposed to take the goat into the barn but he was doing schoolwork and told Mabel if she did it he would give the slate to her. She did, but then he backed out of it and said he meant when she was older. Their mom made him give Mabel the slate and he had to use an old one that year. And the next was a story about Roy and Rueben buying a trunk without looking at the contents. It ended up being full of old nails, and it was a lesson not to buy sight unseen again. I didn't like the stories, but they did have good lessons I guess.
Ch. 9 had the girl sullenly refusing to set the table for supper. Grandma asked if she would and she said she didn't want to, and said another girl (who she named) didn't have to do anything she didn't want to. Grandma said she didn't ask if she wanted to, and said she wouldn't like it if she didn't have anything to do. I didn't like that because they had been getting along before and the girl seemed bratty now.
Grandma told of a time when she complained about having so much chores to do so her mom let her do whatever she wanted, but the family didn't do anything for her. Her mom cooked and cleaned for everyone but her and she found she couldn't fill her time and she felt guilty being the only one who hadn't done anything. She didn't even last a day before she asked for something to do. So Grandma asked her granddaughter if she'd like that and she decided it was better to do something.
The author thought it was important enough to name the man who called her on the phone to tell her the material for the granddaughter's dress was ready.
I've only ever read one book where the author didn't name a main character and that was Ree Drummond's biography where she literally never once named her husband. It was as crazy there as it is in here.
I liked hearing about the peddler coming. If he came in the morning they'd have to stay for dinner. If he came in the afternoon he'd stay for supper. Sometimes they persuaded him to stay the night. He brought ribbons and cloth and toys and games. He had a grindstone and would sharpen knives, scissors, scythe and tools by pumping a pedal with his foot. He would mend pots and pans, put a new sole in their shoes, and paint a silver background for mirrors.
The story went downhill as Mabel heard from the peddler that her friend's brother's girl bought material for a wedding dress and she jumped to the conclusion that her friend's brother was getting married and her friend hadn't told her. They decided to throw a party for them and then found out later after they'd invited everyone that the girl had bought material for her cousin's wedding. Not funny!
I didn't really like the doll story, because she forgot her lunchbox when she picked up the doll and their mom made Roy go back to get it which was unfair. But there was some humor. Roy told her to throw it back. Mabel hugged it to her and got all muddy and he said wait til Ma sees what she's got all over her front. She said she'd hold the doll way out here and he said it's too late to hold it way out here and told her to chuck it in the nearest hole. When they got home Roy said it needs to be buried. After supper her family teased her. Roy offered it a decent burial, Rueben said he wouldn't touch it with a stick and Pa said he was going to go air out on the porch. That night Rueben said the doll was alive because it was moving on the stove and the picture of that lumpy doll with its arms raised looked so funny. Pa said all thy learning has made thee mad, but the doll was moving. Pa said to throw it on the floor and Roy said to jump on it. They realized it had popcorn inside which had popped in the heat.
Ma cut it open to get the popcorn out and said she'd have to stuff it with something. Rueben suggested catnip so the cat would drag it off and lose it.
There was a story when grandma told her to buy something at the store, and she usually told her granddaughter to buy penny candy but this time she didn't. The girl decided it would probably be okay to buy candy, so she bought 2 pieces but felt so dishonest and guilty that she finally came clean. Grandma had stolen a pencil someone dropped in class and felt so bad she confessed to her parents. They told her God forgives when you're sorry, and the lesson was that it feels good to be forgiven.
I didn't like the next story any more. Mabel and her friend were going to write stories and her friend found her cousin's diary and read it and wanted to write about that. Mabel's mom said it wasn't right to read other's things and they came to the conclusion on their own that you shouldn't write about someone's private business, and that was that. It's not like they wrote about it and it caused some trouble and they learned a lesson. They learned the lesson before they even did anything.
The next story was Roy's as the girl was almost caught eating in the parlor where she wasn't supposed to and stuffed a cookie in the couch that Grandma later found. It reminded him of when he'd washed the dishes and broke a plate, and buried it outside so no one would find it, but before he could glue it, it snowed and he forgot about it. His dad found it and he confessed, and they asked why he didn't just tell when he'd done it. Even though your parents might not know, God does and we're responsible to him. Whatever you cover up will be found out sooner or later so you might as well not cover it up. At least it had a good lesson though I didn't enjoy the story.
I was bothered that the next one was about covering things up when they lesson had just been done. Her friend cut her hair off accidentally and suggested Mabel wear a sun bonnet, when then asked what her mom would think since it's raining. It was funny when Mabel said it was her idea and now she can just pray that the sun comes out. I loved their way of speaking.
It annoyed me when her friend told her that no matter how bad you are, you'll be twice as bad of you hide it. It was her fault Mabel was in this mess! She said her mom says be sure your sin will find you out. A good lesson to kids to confess when they've done wrong but that lesson was just covered! Ma said your own conscience is worse punishment than anyone else can give you. "Covering something up doesn't make it go away."
It was funny how the girl asked if the friend had gotten her curl and Grandma said yeah, but she didn't need it to remember Mabel or that day.
The girl said she hated someone and Grandma said the bible considers you to be a murderer if you hate someone and you won't get eternal life. Harsh and scary! and that we're supposed to love our enemies and pray for them. She said it's hard to hate someone when you really pray for them.
Her pa said we're supposed to forgive the wrongs done to us so God can forgive our wrongs. If you pray for your enemies they might even turn into your friends, because no one wants enemies.
The last 50% was disappointing. It didn't have the same feel as the first half. But it was a charming book that had a down-home, down to earth, country feel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2019
I love these stories. They are excellent as read-alouds. My 7yo son kept asking me to read them. My version is old, but I don't think they changed the stories in the new editions. I don't have the whole series, but still remember laughing and loving them as a child. I don't have book #3 Still More Stories, but I do have book #4 Treasures, and they quit the openers with Arleta talking to her Grandma with all of the spiritual life lessons. In book 4, it just becomes a continuous string of stories. The moral lessons are still there, just as humorously painted, but not as preachy-overt, which is nice. So keep going in the series. It gets even better. Much like the Laura Ingalls stories, it will go up through her marriage and early motherhood. A little more funny though, than historical, as in Ingalls' stories.
December 25, 2021
Fun and wholesome stories. I read these to the kids one per night before bedtime for several weeks. I don’t think I enjoyed all of these quite as much as I did the first book, but they were consistently fun and wittily told, with good, simple lessons easy to explain to kids. My favorite story was certainly one from early in the collection about a piglet in baby clothes. Read it to find out more.
September 10, 2020
I thought it was funny when they dressed the pig in doll clothes!
July 30, 2022
My kids and I just love these books! This one was great! Fun stories with a lesson to learn! Looking forward to the next one!
October 7, 2024
Fun little Christian character building stories. My 9 year old girl loves reading these.
July 9, 2025
Oh the stories Grandma tells in this delightful little book. I grew up reading these books, and this reread was just as fun as it always has been. Good lessons learned, mistakes that shouldn't be repeated, and oh, Sarah Jane! Not everything is Mabel's fault or even her idea though she has plenty of them.
Recommended for any age.
Recommended for any age.
May 29, 2011
Title: IN GRANDMA’S ATTIC
MORE STORIES FROM GRANDMA’S ATTIC
Author: Arleta Richardson
Publisher: David C. Cook
April 2011
ISBN: 978-0-7814-0379-5 (Book 1)
978-1-7814-0380-1 (Book 2)
Genre: Young adult/memoir
I remember these books well from the first time they were published, in 1974, when I was just a little girl, the age of one of my daughters. I loved this series back then, and I saved the original set for my daughters to read someday. Now they are back, in beautiful, colorful covers and black and white illustrations ready to win another set of little girls’ hearts.
Ms Arleta Richardson writes charming short stories based on the things she remembered her grandmother telling her. Stories about the ancient trunk filled with quilt pieces, each with its own special tale. Stories about the button box. Stories about funny looking contraption she found hidden in the attic. And stories about many other things.
Grandma’s Attic Series is destined to touch your little girl’s life like it did mine. Not only are they fun stories that are easy to read, short, and to the point, but they also teach about history, about life when their grandma was a little girl asking questions about things she found in her grandmother’s attic.
I highly recommended these books as a girl and I highly recommend them now. My daughter loved them. If you are looking for something for your tweener girl to read, then definitely pick up a copy of the books in Grandma’s Attic Series. Books one and two are out now, the third and fourth will release in July. $6.99. 144 pages.
MORE STORIES FROM GRANDMA’S ATTIC
Author: Arleta Richardson
Publisher: David C. Cook
April 2011
ISBN: 978-0-7814-0379-5 (Book 1)
978-1-7814-0380-1 (Book 2)
Genre: Young adult/memoir
I remember these books well from the first time they were published, in 1974, when I was just a little girl, the age of one of my daughters. I loved this series back then, and I saved the original set for my daughters to read someday. Now they are back, in beautiful, colorful covers and black and white illustrations ready to win another set of little girls’ hearts.
Ms Arleta Richardson writes charming short stories based on the things she remembered her grandmother telling her. Stories about the ancient trunk filled with quilt pieces, each with its own special tale. Stories about the button box. Stories about funny looking contraption she found hidden in the attic. And stories about many other things.
Grandma’s Attic Series is destined to touch your little girl’s life like it did mine. Not only are they fun stories that are easy to read, short, and to the point, but they also teach about history, about life when their grandma was a little girl asking questions about things she found in her grandmother’s attic.
I highly recommended these books as a girl and I highly recommend them now. My daughter loved them. If you are looking for something for your tweener girl to read, then definitely pick up a copy of the books in Grandma’s Attic Series. Books one and two are out now, the third and fourth will release in July. $6.99. 144 pages.
April 26, 2011
Product Description
No one can tell a tale quite like Grandma. With her natural gift of storytelling, she recounts story after story from her childhood and life around the turn of the century. Her granddaughter listens intently to stories about an old rag doll that seems to come alive and a newborn goat dancing stiff-legged in the old farm kitchen. With the feeling of a simpler time, Grandma's entertaining sagas will captivate your children.
This is the second book in this delightful series. I absolutely loved this book. It gives great messages on life to children [adults], the family shows a great faith in the Lord.
Think one of my favorite stories, and my Grandson's too is Mrs Carter's Fright. When I was reading this to Alex, my Grandson, he ended up rolling on the floor with laughter.
If I could have a meeting with some one living or dead in the literary field it would be Arleta Richardson. She has enriched my life with these wonderful books, in fact my cat is named Sarah Jane...after Mable's best friend!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from of B & B Media Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
May 27, 2011
Again, the author is telling more stories from the grandma she lived with in Michigan. Her grandma tells of things that happened in the cabin and the farm house she and her parents lived in, along with her two brothers. It seems that they had fun getting into a little trouble now and then. In this book, you will find sixteen more stories, treasures from her grandma’s attic as she calls it. These are of some of the things she and her brother got into as youngsters. In this one, there is a time an Indian comes to their house with a basket, upsetting them all, The Stranger, but did they ever find out his name? There was a Pig in a Poke and even a Pig in Baby Clothes. You will find more heartwarming stories when grandma was young.
And again, this is a great getaway book, for laughs, cries, sadness, and then just all around fun. The grandma lived in much simpler times that we live in today, and told stories that we would never think of. I recommend this book to anyone. I think it can be enjoyed by adults and younger ones alike!
The book was given to me by the publisher through B&B Media Group. I appreciate being able to read and review this book for them. I was not expected to give a positive review. The opinions of this review are mine only
And again, this is a great getaway book, for laughs, cries, sadness, and then just all around fun. The grandma lived in much simpler times that we live in today, and told stories that we would never think of. I recommend this book to anyone. I think it can be enjoyed by adults and younger ones alike!
The book was given to me by the publisher through B&B Media Group. I appreciate being able to read and review this book for them. I was not expected to give a positive review. The opinions of this review are mine only
April 26, 2011
Another wonderful wholesome book of stories about Grandma's memories of when she was a little girl on the farm back in the late 1800s in Michigan. Her age is not mentioned often this time around but six and nine years old are mentioned, with the majority of the stories taking place with her best friend Sarah Jane at around the age of nine. This makes the time frame compatible with book one. The short prelude stories of Grandma and Arleta have become a bit more involved and Arleta herself has become a character. The stories are just as fun as in book one, though all are not just fun, some have a more serious side as well. I'd say the stories this time around focus more on learning a lesson (though by no means are they didactic) and this book is definitely more from a Christian world view than the first. This time around Grandma and Arleta are staying at Grandma's old farm house for several months, this is where Uncle Roy lives now, and Arleta will be going to school here for a time. A joy to read by little girls, to little girls and for the little girl in you. Will be enjoyed by those who like the Little House or Betsy-Tacy books but with a more prominent Christian element.
September 25, 2011
Grandma’s Attic series is a fun, enjoyable series that you will treasure. The first book in this series is In Grandma’s Attic. I read this book and More Stories from Grandma’s Attic. I liked hearing about how when Mabel was a little girl, just as much as Arleta did. What I loved the most about these books is that the stories did have lessons with them. All the mischief that Mabel got into was entertaining to read. Besides Mabel, it was fun to get to know the rest of the family…Pa, Ma, and her two brothers, Rueben and Roy. There were so many amusing stories that I can not pick just one as my favorite. These books would make the perfect gift to share with your mom, sibling or grand children.
July 10, 2011
Perfect to read aloud to kids. We all enjoyed these stories from days gone by. Even though the perspective is that of a young girl, my 9 yr old son liked these just as much as my 6 yr old daughter. As a parent, I loved that each of the chapters tell a story that highlights a lesson learned during the course of a young girls' spirited childhood back in the olden days. The morals and character lessons still apply today. I hope to instill these kind of values in my own children. I'm thrilled that there are more books in this delightful series.
May 3, 2018
I really love this series. This collection is really great. It was my first time reading it through with the kids, and although they are a bit on the young side for these stories, they were great to listen to as a family. I even have been using Mabel as an example when I discipline!
Some standout stories in this collection were "The Stranger" and "Grandma and the Slate." "Grandma's Day Off" is a great lesson and the one I have been trying to use in "teachable" moments with my little Mabel-like gal!
Some standout stories in this collection were "The Stranger" and "Grandma and the Slate." "Grandma's Day Off" is a great lesson and the one I have been trying to use in "teachable" moments with my little Mabel-like gal!
October 25, 2015
This book treated us to delightful tales "Grandma" shared with her granddaughter. I loved the Michigan farm setting for the faith-based life lessons from "Grandma's" childhood. We saw humor, mischief, and discovery related in her stories. I appreciated the time-honored truths shared in the stories. Recommended highly!
January 27, 2011
Grandma has a story for everything and her granddaughter is more than willing to listen to Grandma's tales of mischief. Why? Because she knows there is a lesson to be learned in Grandma's recounting!
These wholesome stories by Arleta Richardson fit nicely into a Christian homeschool curriculum.
These wholesome stories by Arleta Richardson fit nicely into a Christian homeschool curriculum.
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