About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is navigating the complexities of a large family or feeling embarrassed by a parent's unconventional rules. It is a warm, hilarious memoir about twelve siblings growing up in the 1920s under the guidance of a father who is a pioneer in efficiency engineering. Through a series of vignettes, it explores how a family functions as a team, the humor found in strict routines, and the inevitable shift as children begin to crave independence. While it is primarily a comedic look at domestic life, it also gently touches on the transitions of growing up and the eventual loss of a patriarch. It is an excellent choice for fostering a sense of family loyalty and appreciation for parental quirks.
What Parents Should Know
Discussion Prompts
1
Mr. Gilbreth uses a stopwatch to time how long it takes the kids to button their vests. If you could make one chore in our house more efficient, which one would it be?
2
The Family Council allowed the children to vote on things like buying a dog. Do you think a family should be a democracy or should parents make all the rules?
3
Anne wants to wear silk stockings and bob her hair like other girls her age. Why does her father resist these changes so much?
4
How do the children use teamwork to handle the challenges of having such a large family?
5
By the end of the book, we learn why Dad was in such a hurry to teach his children everything. How does that change how you feel about his strict rules?
