Belles on Their Toes by Frank Gilbreth Jr. and Ernesting Gilbreth Carey

Title: Belles on their Toes
Author: Frank Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey
Reviewer: Stephanie
Genre: YA Biography
Rating: Love
Alerts/Warnings: A couple of curse words and some smoking.
Premise: Life is very different now in the rambling Gilbreth house.When the youngest was two and the oldest eighteen, Dad died and Mother bravely took over his business. Now, to keep the family together, everyone has to pitch in and pinch pennies. The resourceful clan rises to every crisis with a marvelous sense of fun — whether it's battling chicken pox, giving the boot to an unwelcome boyfriend, or even meeting the President. And the few distasteful things they can't overcome — like castor oil — they swallow with good humor and good grace. (goodreads.com)

Opinions: This is the sequel to "Cheaper by the Dozen". It takes off where the first one ends and follows the family through all of the children getting married.

I like "Belles on their Toes" better than "Cheaper by the Dozen" for a couple of reasons. 1) It's in chronological order. So I'm never confused as to where they are or how many kids there are. 2) As the children get older, more and more interesting things happen that happen to be quite funny.

Having read both of these books many times, I have to conclude it would have been crazy growing up in the Gilbreth family. And I have a lot of respect for the parents (especially since I've become a mom). I like that this one highlights the mom and shows how much love and respect the kids have for her. Also how determined they were to stay together and work together to do so.

Cheaper by the Dozen by Frank Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey

Title: Cheaper by the Dozen
Author: Frank Gilbreth Jr. and Ernesting Gilbreth Carey
Reviewer: Stephanie
Genre: YA Biography (kind of)
Rating: Love
Alerts/Warnings: A couple of curse words.
Premise: No growing pains have ever been more hilarious than those suffered loudly by the riotous Gilbreth clan. First there are a dozen red-haired, freckle-faced kids to contend with. Then there's Dad, a famous efficiency expert who believes a family can be run just like a factory. Finally there's Mother, his partner in everything except discipline. How they all survive such escapades as forgetting Frank Jr. in a roadside restaurant or going on a first date with Dad in the backseat or having their tonsils removed en masse will keep you in stitches. You can be sure they're not only cheaper, they're funnier by the dozen. (goodreads.com)

Opinions: This is such a fun book about this large family. It is not in chronocological order, so it takes a little bit to get used to where they are and how many kids are alive at the time. But I love that it gives a look at this very quirky huge family of two people who brought about change in motion study.

I have read this book many times over the years. I've seen 2 of the movies made about this book. Honestly, neither are all that accurate. ESPECIALLY the one starring Steve Martin. I enjoyed it, but don't go in expecting anything like that movie.

I enjoy the book more and more as the kids get older and start dating. It's funny and cute and just worth the time to read.