Dorothy Canfield Fisher's exceptional children's novel Understood Betsy returns in this new edition, complete with all of the original illustrations. First published in 1916, Understood Betsy depicts the tale of Elizabeth Ann. An orphan, she is raised in the city by her great-aunt Harriet and her cousin Frances. Although the pair are capable in caring for young Elizabeth, their existence is a sheltered one. To Elizabeth's surprise, her mother's family - who live in rural Vermont - find her and offer her a place in their country home. Although Harriet has reservations about the manner in which the Putneys raise children, she duly packs Elizabeth off to stay there. Much of the novel regards Elizabeth's adapting to the countryside - many of the duties which are taken care of for her in the city are expected of her there. However the beauty of the country, and the practical things she learns during her upbringing, are ultimately to her benefit.

Carol Shields has called this 'a remarkable and brave 1924 novel about being a house husband.' Preface by Karen Knox.

"A remarkable and brave novel. I was astonished at the acute angle of vision and the fullness of sympathy toward both men and women--and children."--Carol Shields

An ahead-of-its-time novel about an unhappy and obsessively house-proud mother of three whose husband is disabled, leaving her free to work in a department store and him to be a Montessori father. One of the ten best-selling novels of 1924 and made into a (silent) film, it was singled out by Elaine Showalter in her recent book on American women writers and was included in the collection Five Hundred Great Books by Women.

Dorothy Canfield Fisher (1879-1958) was one of America's best-known novelists. The Home-Maker has been a bestseller for Persephone Books in the United Kingdom, and with this edition it will be widely available in the United States.

An unabridged edition to include all illustrations: Aunt Harriet Has a Cough - Betsy Holds the Reins - A Short Morning - Betsy Goes to School - What Grade is Betsy? - If You Don't Like Conversation in a Book Skip this Chapter - Elizabeth Ann Fails in an Examination - Betsy Starts a Sewing Society - The New Clothes Fail - Betsy Has a Birthday - "Understood Aunt Frances"

Orphaned as a baby, Betsey is taken in by her flighty maiden aunts. Totally smothered by their overly protective, but well intentioned determination to mother her, Betsey grows into a frail and timid little girl who completely relies on her "Dear Aunt Frances " . When one of the aunts is taken ill, Betsey is sent to live with cousins the aunts heartily disapproved of. There she begins a journey of self discovery and learns many lessons about life, people and relationships. Understood Betsy is one of the best children's books ever written. It isn't quite "Alice in Wonderland," but it is a close runner up. Loke the immortal "Alice" it is as interesting to adults as to children, if not more so . One can read it over and over and always enjoy it.

Elizabeth Ann, a nine-year-old girl, is timid and small for her age, she is also an orphan. At first she lives with her father's aunt, Harriet, who expects her to lead a very sheltered life. When she is sent to live with her mother's family, on a farm in Vermont, she is then expected to do many of the chores that Harriet had thought too demanding of a little girl. Elizabeth Ann, nicknamed Betsy, discovers her own abilities and gains a new perception of the world around her.