Friday, April 29, 2011

Man of the Family, by Ralph Moody

*****

Another stellar entry from Ralph Moody. Even if it does make me feel like a lazy, incompetent layabout in comparison. I think I liked this one better than Little Britches--instead of being the superstar golden boy, Ralph is forced to use his skills to provide for his family.

This would be a great book to read to little boys . . . plenty of action and cowboys and adventure and shenanigans for them, but Ralph's moral center (impressed on him by both his mother and his now-deceased father) makes him an admirable role model for kids in many ways. He is hard working, uncomplaining, creative, devoted to his family, and tries very hard to be honest and fair. Hard work is presented as the norm and even a blessing, which is a much-needed lesson in our complacent, affluent, and entitled society.

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