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quietjenn's review against another edition
4.0
Adding myself to the chorus: what's up with this cover? And why the change for new editions of the other books? I will confess that I am not a huge fan of photos-of-kids-on-covers, but I think they very much worked for this series and I'm flummoxed as to why these whispy arty covers that kids are not going to pick up is the new direction.
And, yes. It's rather silly to spend so much review space bemoaning the cover, but what else am I really going to say. It's Hilary McKay. It's a Casson family story. I love them to bits and this chapter is no exception.
And, yes. It's rather silly to spend so much review space bemoaning the cover, but what else am I really going to say. It's Hilary McKay. It's a Casson family story. I love them to bits and this chapter is no exception.
gschwabauer's review against another edition
5.0
I like to read about the Cassons when I'm sad or anxious. It's like receiving a long, comfortable hug from someone in a very soft sweater.
I remember being skeptical of this book when it was first released, since it is more of a prequel to the others. But I adore seeing the Cassons so many years earlier, the way each person acts authentically younger, less self-conscious, less set in stone, and yet the seeds of each future personality are already poking up through the dirt. McKay is a genius and I will probably read these books until I die.
(I've actually read this four times, but sorry, Goodreads, I have no idea when.)
I remember being skeptical of this book when it was first released, since it is more of a prequel to the others. But I adore seeing the Cassons so many years earlier, the way each person acts authentically younger, less self-conscious, less set in stone, and yet the seeds of each future personality are already poking up through the dirt. McKay is a genius and I will probably read these books until I die.
(I've actually read this four times, but sorry, Goodreads, I have no idea when.)
pixieauthoress's review against another edition
4.0
Not as good as the others in the series but I did rather enjoy this. A bit more serious and bit more sad in some ways, but I adored seeing Saffy and Indigo as children, and their interactions with Bill were hilarious. I just don't think I've ever totally connected with Caddy in any of the books. I'll write a full review later. 8/10
aklibrarychick's review against another edition
5.0
Oh hooray, another Casson book! I hope Hilary McKay never stops writing them!
This was the only one I hadn't read, and though it departs from the others in terms of it's timeline, it has the same spirit, and made me smile just as much.
In this offering, McKay takes us back in time to when Caddy was twelve, and baby sister Rose was about to come into her life. Even then, the Casson household was turbulent and topsy-turvy, although Caddy can remember a time when it was just her, Eve and Bill. She loves her family and home, and doesn't envy her friends, except perhaps for their stability and normalcy.
Ruby, the smart one, is being raised by her four grandparents together, in a quiet, scholarly home with an enormous pet cat. Beth, the perfect one, has a perfect home, a less-than-perfect little sister, and a beloved pony. Alison, who hates everyone, is all about image. Caddy is the bravest of the brave, but if I had to label her, I would call her selfless. She wants the best for her friends, and encourages them to be their best selves, even if it impacts her own life negatively. Each of these girls has problems in their seemingly idyllic lives, but none of them quite measure up to Caddy's.
Into her already eccentric home, the new baby has arrived early and clings precariously to life. Caddy, who has unsuccessfully nursed a succession of orphaned animals, has the feeling her fragile little sister will suffer the same fate. Bill is much more present in this book than he was in any of the others, and ends up being quite likeable, though Saffron refers to him even then as "Bloody Daddy."
I especially enjoyed how the book ended by flashing forward to the time of Caddy's fateful driving lesson, where, with little Rose in attendance, she meets darling Michael for the first time.
Though this is part of a series, this book could easily stand alone. It was equally as enjoyable as the others. These are books I would like to own, because I could read them over and over.
If you enjoy my reviews, you can see more of them in my blog, http://haikulibrarian.blogspot.com/
This was the only one I hadn't read, and though it departs from the others in terms of it's timeline, it has the same spirit, and made me smile just as much.
In this offering, McKay takes us back in time to when Caddy was twelve, and baby sister Rose was about to come into her life. Even then, the Casson household was turbulent and topsy-turvy, although Caddy can remember a time when it was just her, Eve and Bill. She loves her family and home, and doesn't envy her friends, except perhaps for their stability and normalcy.
Ruby, the smart one, is being raised by her four grandparents together, in a quiet, scholarly home with an enormous pet cat. Beth, the perfect one, has a perfect home, a less-than-perfect little sister, and a beloved pony. Alison, who hates everyone, is all about image. Caddy is the bravest of the brave, but if I had to label her, I would call her selfless. She wants the best for her friends, and encourages them to be their best selves, even if it impacts her own life negatively. Each of these girls has problems in their seemingly idyllic lives, but none of them quite measure up to Caddy's.
Into her already eccentric home, the new baby has arrived early and clings precariously to life. Caddy, who has unsuccessfully nursed a succession of orphaned animals, has the feeling her fragile little sister will suffer the same fate. Bill is much more present in this book than he was in any of the others, and ends up being quite likeable, though Saffron refers to him even then as "Bloody Daddy."
I especially enjoyed how the book ended by flashing forward to the time of Caddy's fateful driving lesson, where, with little Rose in attendance, she meets darling Michael for the first time.
Though this is part of a series, this book could easily stand alone. It was equally as enjoyable as the others. These are books I would like to own, because I could read them over and over.
If you enjoy my reviews, you can see more of them in my blog, http://haikulibrarian.blogspot.com/
smlunden's review against another edition
3.0
I love the casson family books, but I have not read any in a while, and this one did not leave me with the same sigh of "spectacular!" that they normally do. I was actually quite annoyed with many characters, which left me unhappy.
kayo32's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
missyp's review against another edition
3.0
Going back to the birth of Rose, Caddy's World presents a prequel to the Casson family adventures. Apparently, the kids always been quirky. Eve (mom) has always been the heart, soul, and spirit of the family. And Bill (dad) has always been hapless, at best. For me it was a bit disconcerting to go back in time; I missed the full dynamics of the four children. I also greatly missed Eve, who is largely absent from this title. That being said, I would still recommend this title, especially to fans of the previous chronicles of this arty clan. Readers should NOT start with this one, even though it's chronologically the earliest, as I think the family dynamics and relationships would be confusing without having read earlier books.
capernex's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
Rereading the Casson Family from the beginning! This is the only one I never read as a kid, because it came out after I had already finished the series. It's a wonderful prequel that reminds me how much I loved reading about this family.
cxtriona's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
tashrow's review against another edition
4.0
If you have not yet discovered the artistic, free-spirited, dynamic world of the Casson family, you are in for a treat! This is the sixth book in the series that started with Saffy’s Angel. In this book, we return to a time when Caddy, the oldest of the Casson children, was twelve. She had three best friends and all of them had a role to play in their little group. But this year, all of them are facing challenges in their lives. Alison is completely bored with school and longing for something new, so she starts rebelling against school rules. Ruby has been asked to try for a prestigious scholarship to a private school but she doesn’t want to leave her friends. Beth is outgrowing her pony and decides to limit her diet. Caddy too has a challenge, a new baby is coming to the family, and her father who usually lives away from the family in London returns to help take charge. But things are never that easy in the chaos of the Casson family!
Read the rest of my review on my blog, Waking Brain Cells.
Read the rest of my review on my blog, Waking Brain Cells.