📖 Overview
Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. was an American journalist and author best known for co-writing "Cheaper by the Dozen" (1948) and its sequel "Belles on Their Toes" (1950) with his sister Ernestine Gilbreth Carey. These autobiographical books chronicled his life growing up in a family of twelve children, whose parents were the pioneering efficiency experts Frank Gilbreth Sr. and Lillian Moller Gilbreth.
Born in 1911 in Plainfield, New Jersey, Gilbreth Jr. worked as a reporter for various newspapers including the New York Daily Mirror and served as a correspondent for the Associated Press. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Navy, reaching the rank of Lieutenant Commander.
Beyond his famous family memoirs, Gilbreth Jr. authored several other books, including "Time Out for Happiness" (1971) and "Innside Nantucket" (1954). His writing often drew from his personal experiences and family history, maintaining a focus on themes of family life and New England culture.
The success of "Cheaper by the Dozen" led to multiple film adaptations, with the original 1950 version starring Clifton Webb and Myrna Loy achieving significant popularity. Gilbreth Jr. passed away in 2001, leaving behind a literary legacy that provided a unique window into early 20th-century American family life and the principles of efficiency management pioneered by his parents.
👀 Reviews
Readers consistently praise Gilbreth Jr.'s warm, humorous writing style in portraying his unique family experiences. "Cheaper by the Dozen" receives particular appreciation for its balance of humor and heart in describing family dynamics.
What readers liked:
- Authentic portrayal of family relationships
- Historical insights into early 1900s American life
- Clear, engaging writing style
- Family-friendly content suitable for all ages
- Mix of funny anecdotes with touching moments
What readers disliked:
- Some found the efficiency management details tedious
- Older writing style can feel dated to modern readers
- Later works didn't match the appeal of his early books
Ratings:
- Goodreads: "Cheaper by the Dozen" 4.2/5 (86,000+ ratings)
- Amazon: "Cheaper by the Dozen" 4.7/5 (2,000+ reviews)
Reader quote: "The stories are timeless... manages to be both hilarious and poignant without ever becoming sentimental" - Goodreads reviewer
Later books like "Time Out for Happiness" receive fewer reviews but maintain positive ratings around 4/5 stars.
📚 Books by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr.
Cheaper by the Dozen (1948)
An autobiographical account of growing up in a family with twelve children under the management of efficiency-expert parents in the early 1900s.
Belles on Their Toes (1950) The sequel to Cheaper by the Dozen, chronicling how the Gilbreth family adapted after their father's death, with their mother continuing his work while raising the children.
Innside Nantucket (1954) A collection of observations and stories about life on Nantucket Island, drawing from the author's experiences as a resident.
Time Out for Happiness (1971) A biography of the author's mother, Lillian Moller Gilbreth, detailing her life as an industrial engineer and her influence on modern business practices.
Belles on Their Toes (1950) The sequel to Cheaper by the Dozen, chronicling how the Gilbreth family adapted after their father's death, with their mother continuing his work while raising the children.
Innside Nantucket (1954) A collection of observations and stories about life on Nantucket Island, drawing from the author's experiences as a resident.
Time Out for Happiness (1971) A biography of the author's mother, Lillian Moller Gilbreth, detailing her life as an industrial engineer and her influence on modern business practices.
👥 Similar authors
Jean Kerr wrote family-centered memoirs like "Please Don't Eat the Daisies" about raising her children in suburban New York. Her writing style combines domestic humor with wit in a way similar to Gilbreth's approach to family storytelling.
Betty MacDonald chronicled her life experiences in works like "The Egg and I" and "Anybody Can Do Anything" during the same era as Gilbreth. She shares his talent for finding humor in daily family life while providing historical context of mid-20th century America.
Robert Kimmel Smith wrote "Jelly Belly" and other books that capture family dynamics from a child's perspective. His work focuses on large family interactions and childhood experiences in ways that echo themes from "Cheaper by the Dozen."
Beverly Cleary created the Henry Huggins and Ramona series based on real childhood experiences in Portland, Oregon. Her realistic portrayal of family life and childhood adventures shares similarities with Gilbreth's authentic depiction of his large family.
Ruth McKenney wrote "My Sister Eileen" about growing up with her sibling in Ohio and their adventures in New York City. Her collaborative writing with her sister parallels Gilbreth's work with his sister Ernestine, both capturing family relationships through shared authorship.
Betty MacDonald chronicled her life experiences in works like "The Egg and I" and "Anybody Can Do Anything" during the same era as Gilbreth. She shares his talent for finding humor in daily family life while providing historical context of mid-20th century America.
Robert Kimmel Smith wrote "Jelly Belly" and other books that capture family dynamics from a child's perspective. His work focuses on large family interactions and childhood experiences in ways that echo themes from "Cheaper by the Dozen."
Beverly Cleary created the Henry Huggins and Ramona series based on real childhood experiences in Portland, Oregon. Her realistic portrayal of family life and childhood adventures shares similarities with Gilbreth's authentic depiction of his large family.
Ruth McKenney wrote "My Sister Eileen" about growing up with her sibling in Ohio and their adventures in New York City. Her collaborative writing with her sister parallels Gilbreth's work with his sister Ernestine, both capturing family relationships through shared authorship.