Way Back When-sday: Visting Maud's Home

My daughters and I are busy planning a special trip this summer. We're going to travel to Mankato, Minnesota, to the home of one of our favorite literary characters, Betsy Ray (a.k.a. Maud Hart Lovelace).

Maud Hart Lovelace's Home (Betsy's House)

Mankato is about a three hour drive from our home. We plan to drive there early in the morning, go to Betsy's House and then cross the street and go to Tacy's house. Tacy was Betsy's best friend.

Frances "Bick" Kenney's Home (Tacy's House)

I've asked the girls what they want to do while we're in Mankato and their answers surprised me! They said they want to do what Betsy did. They want to play in her yard, go to the library and walk up the Big Hill and sit on the bench where Betsy used to sit. I told them we'll have to find somewhere to eat, and one of my daughter's eyes lit up. She said: "Let's take a picnic up to the bench, just like Betsy did!"

I told her it is a splendid idea! We soon discovered what Betsy brought on her picnics. She brought a sandwich, a boiled egg and a piece of chocolate cake--so that's what we'll bring.

The Mankato Carnegie Library

After we tour the homes, eat lunch on the bench, and go to the library, we'll use the self-guided driving tour to see other homes and places mentioned in the Betsy-Tacy books.

I can't wait to bring this story, and history, to life for my daughters. What better way to cement these books in their minds and hearts? I set out to read the Betsy-Tacy series to my daughters because it's my favorite series. But the rewards have been unexpected. The greatest reward so far is watching my daughters grow in their own friendship as they share a common interest. I also love how reading these books has strengthened my bond with them. It's the highlight of our day. It's also fun to find times throughout the day to say: "What would Betsy and Tacy have done?" or "Do you think Betsy and Tacy would have fought like that?"

One of my greatest dreams is to see my girls become best friends. I can't wait to bring them to Mankato and watch their friendship continue to grow through the wonderful life of Maud Hart Lovelace. It reminds me how important books are for all of us.

What about you? What fun plans are you making this summer? What books impacted you as a child?

Minnesota Monday: Author Maud Hart Lovelace

Maud Hart Lovelace

For Christmas I gave my daughters the first four books in the Betsy-Tacy series by Maud Hart Lovelace. Betsy-Tacy, Betsy-Tacy and Tib, Betsy and Tacy Go Over the Big Hill and Betsy and Tacy Go Downtown. Each night I like to read one chapter from the books to my girls.

There is a long list of authors who have impacted my writing, and life, but I would have to say Maud Hart Lovelace is at the top. Her books are based off her real life growing up in Mankato, Minnesota just after the turn of the Twentieth Century.

I discovered the Betsy-Tacy books while in high school. The first four books in the series are about Maud's younger years and the last six are about her high school years and beyond to college, world travels and marriage. They are reminiscent of the Little House on the Prairie Series, another of my favorites.

One of the reasons I love Maud's writing is because she and I share so many values. We both love Minnesota, we both love our hometowns and we both love writing. I only hope I can capture my passion for all of those things in my own books.

Yes, I did bring my husband to Mankato years ago, and yes, we did a driving tour around town to look at the things Maud wrote about in her books. I had a blast, too. :) If you'd like to learn more about Maud, and her books, go here.

Maud's Childhood Home in Mankato, Minnesota

If you have young children, I highly recommend reading the first four books in the Betsy-Tacy series to them, and I encourage your to read the last six for your own pleasure. Maud's stories capture an era, and an innocence, I wish we could all return to.

What about you? What author has impacted your writing? Any good suggestions for young girls to read?