Philomena Paperback – February 1, 2008

This was the very last of the Kate Seredy books I had never read (thankfully I found GYPSY and THE TENEMENT TREE online), and it was reprinted a few years ago in this trade paperback format with cover art by another artist. Philomena lives in a small Bohemian town with her grandmother, Baboushka, who brought her up after her parents died. In her town, girls her age (twelve) journey to Prague and go "into service" for four years learning to be good workers before coming home at age sixteen to be married. Every woman in the small community has done so, except for Philomena's aunt, who wrote home saying she was marrying a wealthy man and not returning. So when it's time for Philomena to do the same, Baboushka bids her to go to Prague to find her aunt and work for her.Alas, Philomena can't find her aunt, but she has many adventures with different employers before her journey comes to an end, and also makes many friends. Throughout her journey, although homesick, she works hard, remains friendly and optimistic, and is always ready to comfort the sad and rescue the abused. Sometimes her escapades are amusing, other times sad, and the text is illustrated by Seredy's lovely pre-World War I views of Prague and the traditional clothing of the time.A sweet tale of faith, determination, and courage, although today's parents may find it horrifying that a twelve-year-old was allowed to go to a big city alone.

After I read the description of the village priest to my daughter, she wouldn't let me give it to her children. He gives the farmers in his congregation good advice about farming but doesn't have to talk much about God or heaven because if the people are working hard and are well fed and happy, they will be good and won't have to worry about any theology. She takes her faith a little more seriously than this.After Philomena's grandmother dies, Philomena follows her deathbed instructions to leave the village and go to the city to find her aunt who left as a teenager. After the first set of instructions leads to a dead end, Philomena prays to her dead grandmother for further instructions and then looks around for an answer. Using this method of guidance, she finds herself in a succession of rather difficult places but remains cheerful and one by one collects a menagerie of pets. Of course such a book has a happy ending.The writing is a bit "cutesy." It is a chapter book but easy reading and not too long. Philomena's adventures are a series of mini-stories. I think children from about 7 to 10 would either enjoy reading it, or having it read to them but since I can't read it to the grandchildren I have, this is only a guess.

Kate Seredy is a wonderful author who changes the world for the better for each person that reads her books. She has a way of bringing your heart out of the world's hands - cleaning it off and polishing it until it shines, ready for you to put it back in the world in a much better state. This book has so many things going for it and it's just a fun pretty quick read. I loved it (can you tell?)

Have loved Kate Seredy since I was a little kid, and that's a long time ago. I just reread this and it'still magical. Perfect to read to your kids at bedtime to tweens.

Amusing. Quite a cheerful, cheeky child!

It was what I wanted and I'm glad I order it.

I have looked for this book in print for year. Love the story and am very happy with the book quality and all the original pictures.

Beautiful book.

It was not the edition that I had had as a child, but that was okay as I bought it for my children. However, there were more stains and foxing of the pages than the description by the seller. However, acceptable for a well loved, delightful book.