Sarah Ban Breathnach's Mrs. Sharp's Traditions: Reviving Victorian Family Celebrations Of Comfort & Joy

Rating:
Summary: Okay, but definitely nothing special
Review: This book is okay, but nowhere near as good as the author's earlier works. Although initially intrigued by the "legends", those I checked looked stupid to me ... e.g., about how a pansy's petals tell the story of how a wicked queen mistreats her stepdaughters, with no positive (much less fairytale) ending, nothing remotely uplifting, no moral, etc. DEFINITELY not the type of thing you'd print to give with a pressed flower pansy, or other form of the flower. The recipes are equally impractical, since few people use suet in desserts these days.
And all the stories in the voice of the mythical Mrs. Sharp just seemed stupid and contrived. Although the premise was excellent, the book just didn't follow through.

Rating:
Summary: Old-fashioned family treasure!
Review: This book is wonderful to have and explore for those women and families with children who love to take time to enjoy simple, natural treasures and to observe old-fashioned family traditions. It is a wonderful source to find out WHY we celebrate some holidays in the ways we do and to take a trip down memory lane as you rediscover some of the older traditions you might remember your grandmothers or aunts or great-aunts observing. I am definitely adding it to my home collection to use with my own family. The only negative note I might have is that the persona the author writes with has some strange sayings "Dear Reader" this and "Dear Reader" that. A little annoying, but definitely not worth NOT getting the book!

Rating:
Summary: Very Nice-
Review: This is a wonderful book chock full of old victorian pictures and traditions. It is organized by the months, and has suggestions, stories and history appropriate for each month. There are recipes, crafts and stories to tell your children. A very nice resource for spending more meaningful time with your children. Or reminiscing about days gone by. If you are a Victorian buff, this is a lovely book that brings many or their traditions into our time.

Rating:
Summary: Very Nice-
Review: This is a wonderful book chock full of old victorian pictures and traditions. It is organized by the months, and has suggestions, stories and history appropriate for each month. There are recipes, crafts and stories to tell your children. A very nice resource for spending more meaningful time with your children. Or reminiscing about days gone by. If you are a Victorian buff, this is a lovely book that brings many or their traditions into our time.