Betsy and the Great World by Maud Hart Lovelace

But I suspect Delos might have flattered Maud as Joe did Betsy: Although Lovelace based him on her husband, Delos, the two were not high school sweethearts. Interestingly, Joe is the least true-to-life figure in the series, which can trace almost every character to a counterpart in Lovelace's native Mankato, Minn. Theirs is a great love story, filled with the fits and starts that make its conclusion, in the just reissued 'Betsy's Wedding,' so satisfying. From the moment Betsy first sees him, eating an apple and reading 'The Three Musketeers,' she is smitten. These are the books true fans prize, perhaps because of the introduction of Joe Willard, a handsome classmate.

When Betsy enters high school, the series changes abruptly: The stories lengthen to almost 300 pages, while Vera Neville provides more flattering illustrations of Betsy and her friends. The first four books were written for younger readers and illustrated with Lois Lenski's angular drawings. So she said quickly, 'Heaven's awful nice.' ' My heart belongs to Deep Valley, Minn., and the Big Hill, where Betsy and Tacy picnic when the weather turns fair. Let other women cry over Beth's death scene, let the Japanese flock to Prince Edward Island in search of all things Anne. Lovelace's work is superior to that of Louisa May Alcott and L.M. I place Lovelace's books alongside 'Little Women,' 'Anne of Green Gables' and Laura Ingalls Wilder's 'Little House' series. Lovelace's Betsy-Tacy series has never attained the classic status it deserves, which is why the Pratt felt free to sell 'Winona's Ponycart' and 'Emily of Deep Valley' in the first place. I pounced quickly, but couldn't rejoice at my singular good fortune, indicative as it was of a literary injustice.

In tip-top condition, these books can fetch upwards of $100 the Pratt wanted $2 each. Three years ago, I discovered two rare children's books by Maud Hart Lovelace at the Enoch Pratt sale. Betsy-Tacy Books: Insightful, accessible, progressive work outshines Louisa May Alcott and L.M.

Betsy and the Great World by Maud Hart Lovelace