This book is about a girl named Betsy who went to school. At school Betsy made frends and one became her best friend, and her name is Ellen. My favorite part is when Betsy got a new dog because she saved the dog when the dog got stuck in a pit and could not get out. Then the dog had babies and Betsy got to keep one! I liked this book a lot and would recommend this to other kids.

I really dislike these new covers, but thankfully, the original art by the author is still included in each book!!!

Most of these chapters are five stars, in my book. Besty is a sweet, interesting little girl without being obnoxiously perfect or saccharine. Written in 1931, this story contains some excellent "old-fashioned values" yet most of Betsy's adventures are still quite relatable for modern children, from her reluctance to start school to her desire to have a puppy of her own to the day she just feels very out of sorts and does all sorts of naughty things. I love the chapter where she picks violets from a "no trespassing" yard and how she comes to terms with her behavior and finds her own way to make amends. The chapter about "Grandma Pretzie" is also quite special -- it's a Thanksgiving chapter and full of love and generosity. Wonderful lessons here! I could relate to so many of the feelings Betsy goes through. My six-year-old son also loved this book and wants to read the rest of the series, and he is even asking for re-reads of a few chapters while we wait for the others to come in at the library.

Despite the fact Betsy is a very relatable character, there are certainly a few differences between a six-year-old's day in 1939 and those of today. Betsy is in first grade, but it seems more like Kindergarten -- her school day only lasts until lunch and she comes home and takes a nap after that and they aren't reading yet. That said, she is able to go to the grocery store and make a purchase on her own and walk to and from school on her own, talks to strangers, etc. While we don't get much depth to other characters in the story, I did like the glimpses we got of Betsy's father -- he is so funny and sweet. I believe this may be the Betsy mentioned in the Little Eddie book by the same author -- Mr. Kilpatrick the police officer is a recurring character in both books.

Alas, I cannot give this book more than four stars because some of the "old-fashioned" bits just conflict too much with my own sensibilities today. Most objectionable, for me, was the chapter "A Circus is Fun" -- most of the chapter is harmless enough, I suppose -- cute bits with the children creating their own circus and pretending to be the different circus acts -- but just personally it breaks my heart to think of all the real animals who suffered in circuses and I did not like the bits with the "lion tamer" cracking his whip. There's also a part where a real organ grinder's money jumps through the classroom window to eat peanuts and the organ grinder runs up and scolds him (in broken English--very stereotypical) and says he will beat him. Fortunately, no beating occurs. But, still! There's also a classroom scene with some model "Indian" villages that the children make and play with -- is not exactly politically correct anymore, though I don't think any harm was meant at the time. One of the boys wishes he could grow up to be an Indian, and another girl says he can't, he asks why not, she says because his mom and dad aren't Indians. That sort of thing.

All in all, it's a nice little story and I'm glad to see it is still in print. With the warnings above in mind, I would say don't throw the baby out with the bathwater -- while I am generally against "abridgements" the above sections can be previewed and skipped over in whole or in part if you to your family's own comfort level if you are doing this as a read-aloud with your youngsters.

ETA: I have just read another review here that includes a quote from the "Indians" chapter (it is the chapter titled "How Wiggle and Waggle Grew Up" -- mostly about classroom tadpoles) that is much more objectionable than what I read. I am wondering if my copy has been abridged and "cleaned up" some. Based on that review, the original book mentions "squaws" and "braves" and sounds much more problematic. The edition I read is an Odyssey/Harcourt edition from 2004. It has new cover art but, fortunately, retains the author's original charming illustrations inside.

I had a six hour drive with my 4yo so I downloaded this for us to listen to together. I'm impressed that she was able to listen for two hours! It was filled with stories and adventures perfect for a 4yo. The only issue with this book is it was published in 1939 and is very reflective of a school girl's life in the 1930s. There were some little hints of racism, also reflective of the time.

This book is absolutely adorable. Written in 1939 it is a classic little girl book - and for big girls, too!

I love that this was written in 1940, and based on the authors mother.

I have to give the Betsy books 4 and a half stars because my first grade daughter loves them so much and reads and rereads them. They are at her reading level, and very comprehensible to her. Many books at her comprehension level are too simple in terms of vocabulary and reading level. Those at her fluency level are often too complex in terms of plat, problems, etc. Betsy is a welcome change from Junie B. Jones. I recommend it for a young child (first or second grade) who is ready for this reading level, but needs sweeter "younger" chapter books, in terms of subject matter and plot lines.

so excited to be re-reading this series; part of my local libraries ARKS summer reading program (Adults Reading Kids' Stuff). a great excuse for me to read some of my favs from when I was little:)

love that it's told from a child's perspective: how they process newness and unsettling first adventures (first day of school in the first grade), the excitement of the specialness when that day arrives, and meeting so many new friends.

I loved this as a kid and I just finished reading it to my daughter. She loved it, I didn't enjoy it as much as I did when I was her age.

Very sweet.

Carolyn Haywood's Betsy series is most likely too dated and slow for today's youth. I, however, loved the books when I was six or seven. Yes, the characters are far too wholesome to be believable but sometimes that simplicity is refreshing.

B IS FOR BETSY is the first in a series of children's "chapter books" with stories of Betsy's adventures with attending school. First published in 1939, it is more about the times of my mother as opposed to my granddaughter. But actually, it seems to be a potentially educational and fun experience for use with my granddaughter as an example of how school used to be for her elderly relatives.

Betsy first fears the start of first grade, but soon enjoys all the many experiences and friends that starting school provides for her. Her class grows frogs from tadpoles, created a circus for another class, and donated a Thanksgiving dinner to an elderly friend of the school. Betsy finds a new best friend and gets a new puppy.

Short enough for a young child to keep interest, and the black and white pictures are great. Think this will be a good series to help start my three little granddaughters on the road to happy reading adventures.