Carney's House Party/Winona's Pony Cart: Two Deep Valley Books

I grew up just a few miles from "Deep Valley" (Mankato, Minnesota), the setting for these and the rest of Maud Hart Lovelace's "Betsy-Tacy" books and read the series over and over as a child and teenager. They are a fictionalized account of her childhood in Minnesota in the period from roughly 1905 until the US entered WW1 in 1917. While they shouldn't be read as history, they offer a fun and interesting insight into life for a middle-class girl growing up in the Midwest. When I had my own daughters, I bought the series for them, but couldn't find "Carney's House Party" or "Winona's Pony Cart" so I'm thrilled that they are back in print and that this edition retains the original illustrations by Vera Neville. Carney and Winona were supporting characters in most of the books and I always appreciated the fact that Mrs. Lovelace decided that they deserved their own stories. For me, the series ranks with other classics like Laura Ingalls Wilder's "The Little House" books.

This book is a hidden gem. A little known classic in the vein of Anne of Green Gables, Daddy Long Legs, and Little Women. What a delight! Don't we always wish there were more of these such books. Lovelace excellently develops characters and creates a warm old world with modern parallels. I did find the author's handling of God and theology interesting and representative of changing cultural sentiments of the era. I really enjoyed getting to see Carney's thought processes. Haven't we all been annoyed with friends or houseguests before? Carney is relatable and likable. This is a heartwarming, quintessential, sparkling little story that you won't want to miss.

Carney's House Party/Winona's Pony Cart are the first Maude Hart Lovelace books I have read, and I loved them. The characters are rendered fully with flaws, shortcomings, senses of humor and longings. I enjoyed the historical elements of the stories - the time and places in which they are set, along with the traditions, fads and styles of an earlier era. I will share these with other women in my family, and save them for my niece to read when she's old enough to enjoy them. The cover of the book and illustrations inside are lovely as well.

I read maud Hart Lovelace books as a child - - loved them. I am from a small town in Minnesota and know the setting, Mankato.

Perfect condition and a joy for people who love this series.

Pleased to find Maud Hart Lovelace books- she's been a favorite author of mine since childhood. Her books are beautifully written, are like old friends, and can appeal to adults, too!

I have read Carney's House Party at least once a year for 30 years and am not ashamed to admit it. I come from a family of avid (i.e., bury-these-books-when-I-die-with-me) Maud Hart Lovelace fans. We love the Betsy-Tacy books, but this one is special because its main character is one of Betsy's dear friends, Carney. Carney's no-nonsense perspective of life is extremely different than Betsy's dreamy, romantic point of view. It provides a delightful insight into what life was like in Minnesota in the early 1900's and is still relevant and fresh 100 years later. Carney "went" with Larry from childhood until the 10th grade when his family up and moved to California. Carney and Larry wrote letters to each other every week for four years, and in this book, Carney is home for summer vacation from Vassar, when Larry comes to visit to find out if they were truly meant for each other. Along with this story line, Carney has 3 guests (including Betsy) staying with her, bringing spark, amusement and a little bit of drama to the story. With a surprise ending, the book is a hot fudge sundae-you can't finish it fast enough, but you want to make it last. Winona's Pony Cart is adorable and written for the 6-10 beat.

I think I swoon every single time I read Carney's House Party! What an incredibly wonderful story. Our beloved Betsy Ray is a character here, but the practical, down-to-earth Carney is the romantic heroine of our dreams. Little does she know! A great read! And Winona's Pony Cart, a companion to the author's Betsy-Tacy books, is another winner, for younger girls who will enjoy the story of a daredevil girl who wants a pony for her birthday.