THE CHILDREN OF THE OLD HOUSE

Too much sweetness and an abundance of loveliness dominate this record of a family with four children. The excitement of the children and the parents over moving to a run down house does not come across to the reader; all events seem trite, dull, and artificial. Germany is the setting, but the reader only knows because he is told. Much of the material is dated; for example, the enthusiasm about having a jumble sale to raise money for ""mummy's"" curtains would seem silly to young children today. Stilted dialogue combined with flowery writing and sentimentalism characterize a story which is monotonous.