Belles on Their Toes

Belles on Their Toes is the 1950 sequel to Cheaper by the Dozen, continuing the story of the Gilbreth family after the death of efficiency expert Frank Gilbreth Sr. Lillian Gilbreth steps into the role of sole provider for her eleven children while pursuing her career as an industrial engineer during the 1920s. The book chronicles the family's experiences as they navigate financial challenges and daily life, with the older children helping to manage the household. Mother Lillian travels for work assignments while maintaining her commitment to her children's education and development according to the efficiency systems she and her late husband designed. The narrative follows the Gilbreth children through their teenage years and early adulthood as they attend college, begin careers, and deal with changes in their family structure. Mrs. Gilbreth faces obstacles in her professional path during a time when female engineers were rare. This memoir stands as a testament to family adaptation and resilience, while documenting an early example of work-life balance for professional women. The book presents themes of innovation in family management and the evolution of traditional gender roles in the workplace and home.

Readers describe this sequel to Cheaper by the Dozen as heartwarming and funny, though many note it has a more serious tone than the first book. The focus on Mrs. Gilbreth's determination to continue the family's work after her husband's death resonates with many readers. Likes: - Details about how the family adapted and stayed together - Mrs. Gilbreth's accomplishments as a single mother and professional - Continued humor despite dealing with loss - Educational value for young readers Dislikes: - Less comedic than Cheaper by the Dozen - Some find the pacing slower - Several readers mention confusion about which child is which Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (7,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (450+ ratings) "Shows the strength of family bonds," notes one Amazon reviewer. A Goodreads reader comments: "The mother's story of perseverance is the real heart of this book."

Cheaper by the Dozen by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey The prequel to Belles on Their Toes follows the same Gilbreth family through their father's life as he applies efficiency methods to raise twelve children.

Life Among the Savages by Shirley Jackson A mother documents the chaos and humor of raising her four children in rural Vermont during the 1940s.

All-of-a-Kind Family by Sydney Taylor Five sisters navigate life in New York City's Lower East Side at the turn of the century with their tight-knit Jewish family.

Eight Cousins by Louisa May Alcott An orphaned girl finds herself surrounded by seven male cousins and learns to adapt to life in a bustling, unconventional family.

The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall Four sisters spend a summer having adventures on a Massachusetts estate while their widowed father works as a botanist.

🔖 This memoir is a sequel to "Cheaper by the Dozen," continuing the story of the remarkable Gilbreth family after the death of efficiency expert Frank Gilbreth Sr. in 1924. 🏫 All twelve Gilbreth children went on to earn college degrees, which was highly unusual for that era, especially for the girls. Their mother Lillian was determined to fulfill their father's wish for all children to receive higher education. 👩‍🔬 Lillian Gilbreth, who features prominently in the book, became known as "America's First Lady of Engineering" and was the first woman elected to the National Academy of Engineering. 📚 The book's title comes from an old saying about keeping young ladies' heels together while walking - a reference to the fact that the family included six daughters who were coming of age during the story. 🎬 Like its predecessor, "Belles on Their Toes" was adapted into a film in 1952, starring Myrna Loy and Jeanne Crain, though it took some creative liberties with the original story.