I have loved this simple story since I was a child, and this week I was finally able to share it with my children. Sharing my childhood favorites tends to be somewhat risky with these superhero, cartoon, and video obsessed little people, but this story proved to be timeless. I read it aloud and reveled in every giggle and every delighted smile. I wanted to take a photo of our copy with them to share with you, but I’m fairly certain my four year old has secreted it somewhere she deems safe from sibling discovery.
You see, Anna and Caleb just want a mother who sings. And Sarah is the perfect fit, if only she doesn’t miss her beloved sea too much to stay. Like most children, they see what others do not, and as they watch Sarah try to adjust to prairie life they alternate between worrying and dancing with excitement. They fill Sarah’s days with little ordinary moments, like making waves in the cow pond or turning a haystack into a prairie dune.
No matter how many times I read this book, I wait with Anna and Caleb, almost holding my breath, to learn if their love is enough to hold Sarah’s heart and complete their family. I feel as if I am standing with them on the front porch, watching for a cloud of dust and a yellow bonnet. Sarah, Plain and Tall captures the essence of love and family, in simple yet poignant language that reaches young and old alike. I have a feeling it will continue to be a favorite in my family for many years to come.
The Word Worker 