A Happy Series: The Fairchild Family Books

I can’t quite remember when I first read Happy Little Family by Rebecca Caudill, but what I do know is that I was fairly young and definitely enchanted with the story, which is set on an idyllic farm in Kentucky. Who couldn’t help but love the story of four-year-old Bonnie Fairchild, who just wants to be a little more grown-up, like her big sisters? As the youngest child in my family, I identified with Bonnie’s longing to be older. I suspect the theme is universal, because these stories have remained popular with readers for a long time (the first book was published in 1947).

And yes, this is just the first book in the series! It’s my personal favorite, but the other three tales are also delightful. My second favorite is Schoolroom in the Parlor, in which the Fairchild children are taught at home (in the parlor!) by their oldest sister during one unforgettable winter. The other two volumes in the series are Schoolhouse in the Woods and Up and Down the River. I believe all four stories are currently in print, which makes collecting them a lot easier!

Happy Little Family doesn’t have a major plot. It doesn’t really have much of a plot at all, except for the overarching theme of Bonnie’s wish to be a little older and just a bit more important. Each chapter is its own miniature story, which is the style of lots of children’s classics, a style I love.

These books are also wonderful on audio—I have listened to two of the stories on Audible; they’re narrated by Mary Sarah Agliotta. And if they sound familiar to you, it may be because I read Happy Little Family as part of my Summer of Vintage Kid Lit back in 2019. (Which, by the way, was pretty fun … should I do another one this summer?)

Here’s what I said about the book back then:

This week, we’re reading Rebecca Caudill’s “Happy Little Family,” the charming story of four-year-old Bonnie, who is the youngest of five siblings and longs to have the adventures and advantages her older brother and sisters do. I’m not sure if it ever says when the story is supposed to take place, but I’m fairly sure it’s supposed to be the early 1900s or a bit earlier.

Have you read any of the Fairchild family stories? If so, do leave a comment below! I’d love to chat about them with you. 🙂