Customer Reviews

Sarah Ban Breathnach's Mrs. Sharp's Traditions: Reviving Victorian Family Celebrations Of Comfort & Joy

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought this book nearly eleven years ago when my first child was a toddler and have used it for every holiday ever since! Through this book we have learned so much about the history of holidays, as well as recipes, crafts, and activities. Even more importantly the author has helped our own family develop holiday traditions that are both fun and meaningful, even for that toddler turned teenager! Holiday traditions are comforting and bring families closer together, and this book is a tremendous help if you are looking for inspiration. After eleven years I still can sit down to look up a certain holiday and find myself still reading an hour later! It is definitely one of the most treasured books in my collection!

This is a wonderful book chock full of old victorian pictures and traditions. It is organized by the months, and has suggestions, stories and history appropriate for each month. There are recipes, crafts and stories to tell your children. A very nice resource for spending more meaningful time with your children. Or reminiscing about days gone by. If you are a Victorian buff, this is a lovely book that brings many or their traditions into our time.

It is Thanksgiving Day as I write. I have used this book extensively over the past week as I write down the activities we will do as a family this holiday season. We are a family with young children (8, 6, 3, baby), so we are only now starting our family traditions. It is VERY important to me that the children have family memories to keep them reminded of their happy childhood. This book has been a wonderful keepsake. I have already started purchasing it for others, as it is beautifully written and breathtakingly beautiful. Do not hesitate to buy this book. It will enhance your library like few others. I am wishing for another book like this one, but have not found it yet.

This book is wonderful to have and explore for those women and families with children who love to take time to enjoy simple, natural treasures and to observe old-fashioned family traditions. It is a wonderful source to find out WHY we celebrate some holidays in the ways we do and to take a trip down memory lane as you rediscover some of the older traditions you might remember your grandmothers or aunts or great-aunts observing. I am definitely adding it to my home collection to use with my own family. The only negative note I might have is that the persona the author writes with has some strange sayings "Dear Reader" this and "Dear Reader" that. A little annoying, but definitely not worth NOT getting the book!

A picture's worth a thousand words... Sarah Ban Breathnach has skillfully blended the wisdom of "Simple Abundance" and the charm of victorian art into a splendid keepsake and reference.

This book reminds me of the magic of discovering a new story book as a child. I peek into it and soon I lose myself in the wonderful world of tradition that Sarah Ban Breathnach has so gracefully created.

Whether you are new to Sarah Ban Breathnach's work or if you've been living "Simple Abundance" for years, you'll find this new work to be a charming reminder to simplify, beautify, and grace your life with the seasonal rhythm of the holidays.

I love the noble simplicity of the Victorian age. This book is an invitation to experience simple rituals in your daily life. I especialy enjoyed the beautiful art work and many pictures. This book takes the reader on a gilded journey through the entire year with wonderfull passages describing a myriad of traditions and daily rituals for living. If you cherish the victorian tradition then you simply must have this book. Buy it new or used, read it, experience it, and pen a review to spread the joy, this truly is home.

I found this book inspiring and full of practical and lovely ideas. Some of them are relatively easy to implement; others take a bit more effort/preparation. The holidays discussed are American. The book presents simple ways to make daily living special and to take note of holidays, seasons, and other occasions.

I'm a HUGE fan of Sarah's Books. Her books are so real, and even almost life-altering! (P.S. I REALLY love Simple Abundance) This book is so charming, with great ideas on how to celebrate just about every holiday! Beautiful illustrations! Live your life to its fullest with this book! A definite must for people with families and children.

Finally, it is back in print! Beautifully written, this book had me longing for some new traditions in our household, and since receiving a used copy about a year ago, I have started. Though my daughter is 15 years old, some of the things we can still do. An added plus: there is lots and lots of Victoriana history that I never knew. This book would make a great baby shower gift for the new mom. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Thank you Sarah! P.S. If you haven't already, buy her Simple Abundance Book - it has changed my life!

This book comes with beautiful illustrations and a plethora of ideas separated by month of the year. It includes crafts, recipes, games, and holidays I've never even heard of. Some of them are fairly elaborate, but most are simple and easy to implement.

I am especially impressed by her consistent message that gentle parenting is the best kind of parenting, and that family togetherness is precious. It even includes sections on what to do on those of days when children are simply impossible, how to comfort a sick child, and making travel with children fun.

It does remind me a bit of the Waldorf philosophy of education, since it incorporates an observance of the seasons, emphasizes creativity, and includes lots of fantasy play and fairy folklore.