I loved this book even more than when I read it as a child!!

Single father with a love of poetry, books and cooking pancakes struggles to make a living for himself and his two daughters. When his sister agrees to take them in, they set off to drive to Minneapolis from Chicago, but break down in the woods of northern Wisconsin in late October of the year 1930. They find an unoccupied summer cabin and decide to shelter for the night, which turns into days. As it keeps getting colder they decide to stay for the winter and hope to make money somehow to pay rent to the owners, the Vincent Family. The home is warm and lively, full of laughter and poetry. They invite other travelers in and make many friends. Mr. Sparkes (the father)’s pancakes are a staple for meals with the choices of Sockdollagers, Gollwhollickers or Whales!

This book is an absolute pleasure to read and I’m sure I will pick it up again and again to re-read with my girls!

Winter Cottage by Carol Ryrie Brink read January 2015

Absolutely loved this little-known gem. Though Winter Cottage collects dust while its more famous sister, Caddie Woodlawn, gets all the fame, WC is an excellent book in its own right and it's a shame that it is out-of-print. My library still has a copy in circulation, thank goodness, and if you can get your hands on a copy I urge you to read it without delay before libraries start discarding them.

As with Brink's other works, the characters in this story feel real, not only because of her deft characterization but because she does not shy away from delving into moral complexities. Pop is a dreamer for whom the workaday world is a struggle; though he can quote poets at length, he has been a failure in every job he's endeavored and the Great Depression certainly hasn't helped matters. Yet, for all of this, he is a kind and intelligent man, and a loving (widower) father who tries to provide for his girls, Araminta (Minty) and Eglantine (Eggs) -- and oh! those names! As soon as I read them, I remembered my mom had read me this book when I was a girl. Those names are memorable! ;-) Younger daughter Eglantine shares her father's dreamy nature. Moreover, she and Pop are not overly troubled by the little ups and downs of life; they don't fret and trust that things will work out. Minty has a more practical nature and shoulders much of the responsibility for their day-to-day life. She loves her Pop and admires him in many ways, but also wishes someone else would see things her way sometimes. Indeed, when the family's car breaks down and they stumble upon a summer cottage, vacant for the winter, Minty feels intensely uncomfortable staying the night there, though she is not immune to its charms. Yet, Pop figures that no one would mind them staying there, especially if they left some rent money at the end of the winter (just trusting that between now and then he would find some way to earn that money) and it would forestall their having to move in with his unpleasant sister-in-law. Eggs is keen, but Minty's conscience prickles. The story contains several more situations like this, that really draw out questions of what is “right” and what is “wrong” and I appreciate that Brink treats children with respect by showing characters (adults, especially) with all their “gray areas.” Above all, the story is just a delight to read! Highly recommended.

Suggested in a recent OCTE Journal as a book for children to read during hard times. Language and story a bit dated, but still engaging. Middle school level.

This book started it all in elementary school... and my love of reading!!

Cute story. It's just funny to read stories about back then and they think nothing of living in a place with no electricity or plumbing.

Perfect winter read with a lovely, warmhearted family who make the best of their circumstances and show hospitality in spite of not having much to call their own.

Easy reading because it was so delightfully FUN! This book has all the charm of Caddie Woodlawn but is a fun, cozy winter tale about a down-on-his-luck widower and his two daughters. A heartwarming story that I highly recommend.

4.5 stars for this uniquely sweet family story

What a cozy, warm-hearted read!

Pop, Minty and Eggs have hit on hard times - like everyone else during the Great Depression - so of course their car would break down on their way to live with their Aunt. But maybe it's not such a bad turn after all. The hidden and comfortable cottage they discovered nestled in the woods gives them more than just a warm, dry place to spend the night. It gives them hope and a brighter future!

Ages: 8+

Cleanliness: "Golly" "gee" and the like are used. A teen boy runs away from home but is encouraged to write his mother and say he's safe and will be in touch again soon. In the end, he realizes he shouldn't have run away and returns home to make amends. The father in the story isn't always the brightest or most responsible - it is not done in such a way as to make adults look stupid like some stories do. There is a scene with Indians dancing and they're called heathens by some nuns. A man smokes a pipe.

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It was a fun little story by a favorite author, a perfect light read when nursing a newborn.

Wholesome and soul-nourishing. This is a great story with a bit of suspense. It can be enjoyed by kids or adults. It’s a very nice read for a snowy, January weekend!

Sweet, charming story; perfect read for winter, especially when you are longing for a blizzard, but you live in a place where it doesn't snow that much!