Mother Carey's Chickens

By: Kate Douglas Wiggin

Narrated by: Anne Hancock

Length: 7 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

From the pen of Kate Douglas Wiggin (Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm) comes this heartwarming story of Margaret Carey and her four children - or "chickens" as the author often refers to them.

The sudden death of the father of the family results in the drastic reduction of the Careys' income and they must leave their comfortable home in Boston. Nancy Carey, the eldest, recalls a vacation in Maine when they all picnicked in the garden of a big, vacant house that her father loved. She discovers that the house is available, the rent is cheap, and persuades her mother that life in The Yellow House in Beulah, Maine is the perfect place to begin their new life.

Mother Carey is a model of strength and wisdom (think Marmee from Little Women) but her children exhibit all the growing pains: Nancy is brimming with enthusiastic and not always practical plans; Gilbert resents moving to a small town and having his dream of college disappear; Kitty is overly sensitive; and coddled young Peter has to learn to do things for himself. Add to that, prim and snotty cousin Julia and visits from acerbic, critical cousin Ann, and Mother Carey has her hands full!

Soon The Yellow House becomes a welcoming oasis for Beulah's quirky inhabitants. A window into the joys and travails of country life of a century ago, Mother Carey's Chickens delighted everyone including Walt Disney, who adapted it for his 1963 movie Summer Magic starring Hayley Mills as Nancy.

Public Domain (P)2016 Anne Hancock

The book was better than Rebecca of Sunny Brook Farm

I enjoyed it from page one through out the entirety. I expected to.be bored towords the end but I was not. And the narrator! Oh my! So many voices, even in singing she stayed true to character. Be prepared to have a wonderful book in your possession.

Wonderful book

Great Job. I love it so much. Great Reader. 💗💖💔🌸🌹🌼🌻. Stupendous, lovely, sweet.GOOD JOB. Yay.

So much fun and laughter.

I love Nancy’s imagination and great ideas. I also loved how took
What they had and and made it Beautiful.

Innocents and relationship

Awesome story for those who want to escape from our noisy internet world. It’s a story for those who believe in genuine relationship and regard for others.

If you enjoyed the Disney movie “ Magic Summer” then you must read the book. It entertaining to observe how Disney gently twisted the narrative.

best book ever!

This book was fantastic. When I finished it I found myself surprised it was over. It was so enthralling I couldn't put it down!

Masterfully Written, Masterfully Read!

4th time through listening to this incredible story. I've tried in vain not to bust out laughing in the night & wake the household. I've been amused, amazed, encouraged. I've also come out a better person at the end of this book. Narrator captures ea personality perfectly, w separate & distinctly different voices 4 ea character in this story. Children will love this clean & enthralling story as will adults catch on to all the clever banter going back & forth..its a wonderful book & hilarious all the same!

Wholesome

While some values are outdated, particularly in regard to gender roles, this book provides a peek into life in about 1911. It's the story of an upper-middle class family finding themselves in reduced circumstances, but bearing it cheerfully and exerting a positive influence on those around them. It's not a life changing sort of book, but a good choice for when you want a break from grim realism. Anne Hancock has just the right tone as narrator, and that’s what made listening to this book an enjoyable experience.

New favorite!!

A literary delight, a charming story, and heart stirring family values. We will listen to this over and over!!

Mother Carey's Chickens

Mother Carey's Chickens
: Kate Douglas Wiggin


This book first published in 1911 features a newly widowed mother that is raising her four children in poverty. Mother Carey takes in her niece as well as helping neighbor children and starting a summer school. She teachs her children to care for others and sets good examples for them.


The narration was well done.The characters were well portrayed. Anne Hancock was pleasant to hear voice this book.



"I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator."

Excellent Performance!

The reading (NOT narration) by Anne Hancock is among the best I have heard on Audible. I listened to this book once on a multi-day road trip and began to listen again immediately after finishing it. Now if only Audible would stop saying "narration" when they mean "reading," the world of audio books would be a much better place!