Little Britches: Father And I Were Ranchers (1991) - Plot & Excerpts
It is 1906, and eight-year-old Ralph Moody’s family is getting ready to move. They live in East Rochester, NH, and Ralph’s father Charles works in the woolen mills, but it isn’t good for his lungs. Cousin Phil, who lives in Denver, CO, visits and convinces Father that ranching in Colorado would be better for his health. So Father, Mother, Grace, Muriel, Philip, Hal, and Ralph rent a ranch on the Fort Logan-Morrison road, near Littleton, CO, not far from Denver. This autobiographical book chronicles their first year which involves settling on the ranch, meeting neighbors, planting crops, raising animals, going to school, experiencing a huge wind storm,and fighting over irrigation rights. Ralph, who becomes known as “Little Britches,” learns how to be a cowboy and even participates in a rodeo, but will the ranch be successful? Will the family even survive?This series of books has long been recommended by homeschoolers as the “Little House for Boys.” First, there are some negatives, one of which is language issues. One source says, “Be aware, however, that there is some inappropriate language used – no doubt in keeping with the actual verbiage of rugged cowboys and characters of the time.” Another source says, “an excellent read-aloud selection (which will allow you to filter out the smattering of ‘cuss’ words that occur, and which Moody himself wasn’t allowed to use as a lad).” And still another source says, “A customer pointed out that there are a few undesirable words used to watch out for.” Also, several who have read the entire series have noted that the later books, especially after Ralph goes to live with his grandfather in The Fields of Home, are not as good as the earlier ones which detail his childhood because they are more “dark” with lots of bad attitudes which are displayed over and over.However, there are also some strong positives. Little Britches is rich in the values of family unity, honesty, inventiveness, earning others’ trust, and satisfaction in a job well done. And there is great emphasis on character development. Ralph gets in several predicaments and doesn’t always make the right choices, but he learns to do better by heeding hisfather’s wise advice, who said, “Any man who says the world owes him a living is dishonest. The same God that made you and me made this earth. And He planned it so that it would yield every single thing that the people on it need. But He was careful to plan it so that it would only yield up its wealth in exchange for the labor of man. Any man who tries to share in that wealth without contributing the work of his brain or his hands is dishonest.” Amen! What an important lesson that is so needed today! The seven sequels are Man of the Family, The Home Ranch, Mary Emma and Company, The Fields of Home, Shaking the Nickel Bush, The Dry Divide, and Horse of a Different Color.
A review by a Middle School Class at Meridian Center for Classical Learning:Little Britches by Ralph Moody is riveting story set in the rolling hills of Colorado, where the horse you're riding is your best friend. This book is a sad but true story of Ralph Moody's childhood life. From moving to a little shack on the frontier to watching his horse die, Moody tells a very descriptive tale. Ralph and his family work from sun up to sun down; there's no need for a clock. Ralph is the kind of eight-year-old that loves to be in charge, to be the man of the family. He learns many life lessons as he grows up, and becomes the man his father wanted him to be. I was surprised that I actually enjoyed this book, as I've never been a fan of historical westerns, or westerns in general. As Ralph grows up and becomes a good and helpful person, it influences children to be more like him, riding horses and breaking nine of your toes and daredevil riding to almost break your neck. Overall, the story was good, storyline as well, it has a powerful moral. One of my favorite quotes was “A man's character is like his house. If he tears boards off his house and burns them to keep himself warm and comfortable, his house soon becomes a ruin. If he tells lies to be able to do the things he shouldn't do but wants to, his character will soon become a ruin. A man with a ruined character is a shame on the face of the earth.” The book tells the story of the old west in an original, and, surprisingly, entertaining way. In the beginning this book was really boring, because I don't really enjoy reading about hard times in life. However, the more I read, the more I enjoyed it. I liked this book better than Across Five Aprils. Most books I have read about ranches were boring. Little Britches explained the way people lived at the turn of the century. Some good life lessons include: "Son, there are times a man has to do things he doesn't like to, in order to protect his family." I think all middle school teachers should make their students read this book as mine did!!!! The lessons Ralph's father teaches a little boy are great. My favorite is, "There are only two types of men in this world, honest and dishonest men." I must say is was quite helpful and moving, helping influence children to not be dishonest to anyone. As Ralph grows up and becomes a good and helpful person, it influences children like me to be more like him. Overall, the story was good, storyline as well, it has a powerful moral. "The best boss is the one that bosses the least, whether it's cattle, horses, or men. And the least government is the best government."
What do You think about Little Britches: Father And I Were Ranchers (1991)?
In 1966 I was in the first grade, and suffering because my newly minted teacher did not believe in children who could read without having completed all the Phonics lessons in the workbook first. My reading tastes were catholic *in the sense of universal* and included National Geographic Magazines form the '20's and '30's, my Great grandfather's Oklahoma grade school textbooks, The Farmer Stockman, The Reader's Digest, any newspaper, cereal box, or other printed matter I could find, and a hand full of little Golden Books, carefully gleaned from many trips to the grocery store and good behavior. My father read many things aloud, but he had the discouraging habit of skipping long sections as he got interested and read silently. He would never go back either! Noting my discouragement at school, he handed me a copy of Little Britches, and I read my first novel. WOW-- it was a life changing experience. For a week or so, I lived, breathed, ate, and slept in Colorado (I'd been there, but at first I didn't realize that the long word: COLORADO actually corresponded to the place. I was in too big a hurry to stop and sound it out! I laughed, cried, suffered, hoped, and grew along with Ralph, Grace, Phillip and Muriel, Father and Mother, King, and of course, Fanny and Two Dogs. I almost cried myself sick when the Flood came. And when the book was done, I cried and cried and cried. When my mother asked me if it was a sad book, I said "No~but it's over!. Thankfully, it was not over, because I have read it at least once a year since then, along with the rest of Mr. Moody's memoirs. I also have read it to a class or two, loaned it to a special student who would appreciate it, and best of all, read it with my own son. This is a treasure`
—Susan
"You know, Son, sometimes a fellow has to take a licking for doing the right thing. A licking only lasts a short while, even if it's a hard one, but failing to do the right thing will often make a mark on a man that will last forever."This was an amazing and wonderful little story about an 8 year old boy and his adventures on the Colorado frontier. The book is set back in 1908 and is TRUE! Ralph moved with his family to Colorado when he was 8 and has so many wonderful memories that he retells with vivid pictures and outstanding detail. Ralph really grows in to a man during the book. He learns so much from his father and his great neighbors that he has no choice but to grow up and be an honest man. This book is the perfect book to read to your 8 year old son at night. The adventures are right on track for any boy who explores the wild out doors. Be aware, this book ends with tears.I loved, loved, loved reading this feel good book. There are 7 other books in the series and I think it would be worth it to pick them all up and have the entire collection. If you are looking for something to read that is short and quick and meaningful, this book is for you!
—Julie
My favorite quotes from the book: "Always remember, Son, the best boss is the one who bosses the least. Whether it's cattle, or horses, or men; the least government is the best government (80)." "Son, there are times a man has to do things he doesn't like to, in order to protect his family (120)." "There are only two kinds of men in this world: Honest men and dishonest men. ...Any man who says the world owes him a living is dishonest. The same God that made you and me made this earth. And He planned it so that it would yield every single thing that the people on it need. But He was careful to plan it so that it would only yield up its wealth in exchange for the labor of man. Any man who tries to share in that wealth without contributing the work of his brain or his hands is dishonest (177).""A man's character is like his house. If he tears boards off his house and burns them to keep himself warm and comfortable, his house soon becomes a ruin. If he tells lies to be able to do the things he shouldn't do but wants to, his character will soon become a ruin. A man with a ruined character is a shame on the face of the earth."
—Ryan
