Sarah, Plain and Tall Audio Collection

By: Patricia MacLachlan

Narrated by: Glenn Close

Length: 4 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

"Did Mama sing every day?" Caleb asks his sister Anna.

"Every-single-day", she answers. "Papa sang, too."

The Newbery Medal-winning Sarah, Plain and Tall is the first of five books in Patricia MacLachlan's chapter book series about the Witting family. Set in the late 19th century and told from young Anna's point of view, Sarah, Plain and Tall tells the story of how Sarah Elisabeth Wheaton comes from Maine to the prairie to answer Papa's advertisement for a wife and mother. Before Sarah arrives, Anna and her younger brother Caleb wait and wonder. Will Sarah be nice? Will she sing? Will she stay?

This children's literature classic is perfect for fans of Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House on the Prairie books, historical fiction, and timeless stories using rich and beautiful language. Sarah, Plain and Tall gently explores themes of abandonment, loss and love.

This collection includes the first three books in the series: Sarah, Plain and Tall; Skylark; and Caleb's Story.

Supports the Common Core State Standards

Don't miss the next story about life on the Witting family farm. Make More Perfect Than the Moon your next listen.

©1985, 1994, 2001 Patricia MacLachlan (P)2003 HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.

Critic reviews

Newbery Medal Winner, 1986

An All-Time Favorite

Before now, my only exposure to these stories has been the ‘Hallmark Hall of Fame’ movies on television. In the past I’ve watched ‘Sarah, Plain and Tall’ and ‘Skylark’ many times. A few years ago I became visually impaired, so I bought the books on audio to continue my enjoyment of them.

It’s been many years since my last viewing of ‘Winter’s End’, but if my memory is correct, the movie is from Cassie’s POV. I much prefer the book ‘Caleb’s Story’ to the film version. It seems more poignant somehow. I love that the thread tying the 3rd book to its predecessors is Anna handing down the writing tradition to Caleb; he is now the Witting family chronicler.

I have immense love for the world MacLachlan has created and the characters that inhabit it. I foresee many repeat listens in my future.

One production note: the first book, ‘Sarah Plain and Tall’, has a constant noticeable background buzz to it. I listened to the sample for the stand-alone audio of Book 1 and it has the same buzzing sound. The other 2 books were fine.

Glenn Close is an acting goddess. Her voice-acting performance of these books equals the outstanding writing by MacLachlan.

Highly recommended. 5++ stars.

Wonderful

Better than I remembered.
I never knew there was a series!
My children loved it.

Just lovely

This collection of three stories is delightful; I didn't know anything about 'Skylark' and 'Caleb's Story' so these were bonus treats for me. Lovely performance by Glenn Close.

Wonderful story and performance

A story of family of a different time in history. A story of love, blended families , relationships and the importance of forgiveness. Recommend for any age.

My favorite audio book,because it appeals to all ages.A lovely story of brave people who work and enjoy each other..Its narrated

It's beautifully narrated by Glen Close and a love story that shows h ow one family survives when the odds are against them.

great story

This is in the vain of Little House on the Prairie but more grown up. There were real emotions shared with the characters

the joy of the sheer simplicity of a loving family

The whole series was discovering the extreme importance of a together loving family. Not just Sarah and Jacob's family but they're relatives and their friends families as well. Fighting through the hardships and staying together and reaping the reward of that

Sweet book, good listen

Any additional comments?

I have always loved Glenn Close and she fleshed out what was a bit of a plain (three way pun intended) story. I remember reading the first of these books when I was just starting on chapter books and I was a but underwhelmed even then. My young niece and I listened to about half of the selection on our way to and from her summer day camp but I was so captivated by GC's story telling that I finished the rest of it myself after the trips had ceased.

Awesome

Loved it. It was a great audible book. It reminded me of the movies. Thank you.

Sarah plain and tall

I love this story i can't believe Sarah never touched a sheep!🐑 but i never touched a seal!☺