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The Day They Gave Babies Away
Based on a true story, this book tells the tale of a 12-year-old boy who, after the death of his parents, gives his five younger brothers and sisters away to carefully chosen families on Christmas Day.
93 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 1947
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
March 7, 2022
A tale of courage and strength from a more practical time. Not as melancholic as one might expect, the swift action and spare sentiment give one an all at once matter-of-fact feeling that while it may be a bitter pill to swallow, what must be, must be, and what's done is done. Based on a true story, it's a heart-wrenching yet true example of plainly moving forward with the stoic acceptance to face whatever comes your way.
January 7, 2014
Read this book, a gift from the author. I am a native of Clark county, where Mr. Eunson was born also. Because of my love of local history and of books I did a lot of research on the Eunson family and on the orphans (siblings to the author's father). The book is based on oral history and took "artistic license" also, so that the true story (that which can be learned at this late date by way of surviving records) is somewhat different and, of course, far more complex. I treasure the book and the experience of having researched the family and having been in contact with the author and his descendants and other relatives.
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April 30, 2008I generally do not read books with sad endings. It sounds like this should be a miserable book, but instead, it is full of heroism and goodness. It is a true story and I read it every year at Christmastime to my children. This book is also out of print and can be purchased through Alibris.com.
November 18, 2014
I read this book in my classroom year after year. It is also a family tradition being passed down to grandchildren. A true account of a large immigrant family that loses both parents near Christmas. Or mostly true, it was written by the son of the eldest son based on the verbal stories from his dad and done in a style so children could enjoy the story. It is an account of an event that really happened. The eldest son, at 13, is left to carry out his parents wishes and find new homes for himself and his 5 siblings. This book can help you take the focus off of our "want more" mentality and focus on family and what is really important. While it is set in the late 1800's it can be a nice springboard to talk to children about how today there are many families in our own neighborhoods struggling to find food for the table who are not going to have much for Christmas. Hopefully, many families will find ways to refocus those "want lists" to share lists after reading this book.
February 6, 2023
This was a different time. When a courageous boy could find 5 good homes for his 5 siblings after both parents die. And all but one turned out to be productive, good people who benefited greatly their society and those around them. My heart aches for Kirk, who was "the soft one," and didn't want to go away from his brothers. Thank you, Dale Eunson for sharing this story from your family. It is short and bittersweet, like the lives of the young parents, but shows there was love in the home, and the value of work and goodness were incorporated into their lives.
May 12, 2020
Wow. I really need a happy book now. Too many tough ones in a row. I ache for that mother who, on her deathbed, forced the promise from her eldest to find homes for all of his five siblings and then take care of himself. I cannot imagine this burden on a twelve year old boy. But he handled the giving away of his siblings powerfully and provided them all the opportunity to grow up loved and safe. This is one of those time when I wish it were fiction.
May 1, 2009
Simple, straightforward, loving in the hard, practical way love was dealt with in the 1800's. Great little book. I can see it as a Christmas tradition book. Out of print, tho, I think. Thank god for small budgeted libraries.
December 2, 2017
Saw the movie many years ago and found the book online back in 2015.
A touching tale which requires a few hankies to read.
A perfect annual tradition title to read at Christmas.
A touching tale which requires a few hankies to read.
A perfect annual tradition title to read at Christmas.
March 11, 2022
I recently watched the movie All Mine to Give and cried through the end. After mentioning the movie to my online book club, a friend told me that she was from that area and the movie was based on a book. This book is only 81 pages long and it's written very matter of factly, but have a Kleenex ready anyway.
July 12, 2018
Short and sweet, found at my library. It's a story of an immigrant family with six kids trying to survive in Wisconsin with the logging industry back in the 1860s. Definitely going to read outloud to my kids. I loved the Wisconsin history combined with the sweet, true story. It has sad elements, but overall a very hopeful and inspiring story.
December 21, 2018
This book is written with childlike forthrightness, but at its heart it's truly heart-wrenching. A family of six is orphaned, and the eldest (12-yrs-old) "gives away" his five siblings to loving families on Christmas Day. It is a quick read, and compelling, mostly because it's a true story.
August 16, 2021
The story is very moving and does contain some fairly accurate material - however, the producers of the film, used artistic license to 'simplify' matters.
An actual fact that is ignored, is that the Eunson family were NOT from mainland Scotland - this is a myth that has perpetuated for decades.
The truth is rather more remarkable - the Eunson family was from Shetland - try finding that on a map. The producers 'simplified' the family's place of origin, because they knew that everyone has heard of Scotland, but very few know about Shetland. A story about 'Scottish' immigrants would sell better than one relating to Shetlanders.
The Eunson family as depicted in the film, were 100% from Shetland; Robert Eunson was born in Dunrossness and his wife Jean was born in Sandwick. Sandwick and Dunrossness are both in Shetland. An internet search on 'Robert Eunson Dunrossness' will show this to be true.
An actual fact that is ignored, is that the Eunson family were NOT from mainland Scotland - this is a myth that has perpetuated for decades.
The truth is rather more remarkable - the Eunson family was from Shetland - try finding that on a map. The producers 'simplified' the family's place of origin, because they knew that everyone has heard of Scotland, but very few know about Shetland. A story about 'Scottish' immigrants would sell better than one relating to Shetlanders.
The Eunson family as depicted in the film, were 100% from Shetland; Robert Eunson was born in Dunrossness and his wife Jean was born in Sandwick. Sandwick and Dunrossness are both in Shetland. An internet search on 'Robert Eunson Dunrossness' will show this to be true.
December 20, 2023
Story of the Eunson orphans who lost their father, then their mother during a very hard year in Wisconsin shortly after the War between the States (1868). The oldest boy Robbie, twelve at the time promised his mother on her deathbed to take care of his 5 younger siblings and find good homes for each of them, a promise Robbie took very seriously. So on Christmas Day, Robbie bravely gave each of his younger siblings away to a local family. The book was sentimental but not treacly and was written by the son of the Robbie in the story. Robbie makes very careful choices for each of his siblings. There is so much love and courage in his and his sibling's response. My favorite scene was a fisticuffs battle with his next youngest brother over whether or not James was "cute". I loved that they both felt so much better in the midst of the sibling give away. Brimming with solid Scots presbyterian worldview.
December 17, 2019
"When I was a boy there was no television and no radio."
"He knew success, he knew poverty...It was a life of ups and downs, but in the downs he used to say, 'They can't lick a tough old nut like me.' They never did. Nobody ever did."
The above are the first and last lines of this story. After watching the movie adaptation, All Mine to Give, I was curious to learn more about the true story of Bob Eunson and what became of him and his siblings. It is a quick read, but an interesting, tragic story of family and courage. It is told in a simple yet poignant tone that will take readers back to times that were in some ways harsher and in other ways more simpler than today. I think this would make for a good family read-aloud.
"He knew success, he knew poverty...It was a life of ups and downs, but in the downs he used to say, 'They can't lick a tough old nut like me.' They never did. Nobody ever did."
The above are the first and last lines of this story. After watching the movie adaptation, All Mine to Give, I was curious to learn more about the true story of Bob Eunson and what became of him and his siblings. It is a quick read, but an interesting, tragic story of family and courage. It is told in a simple yet poignant tone that will take readers back to times that were in some ways harsher and in other ways more simpler than today. I think this would make for a good family read-aloud.
December 10, 2017
It's a story I've never heard of and poignant. 6 kids orphaned; oldest one 12 years old. Town is getting ready to do something about it so the kid rushes around giving away siblings to good (hopefully - they're not always vetted lengthily) families. Not really on board with the concept. Maybe the town would have done better than the 12-year old in determining who's a good family. Want to find out more and see how real the story is.
June 28, 2021
This book could be read by all ages, it's simple and short. I was hoping for something more in-depth regarding the times (1868 Wisconsin) and experience of diptheria, but the story didn't dwell much on the family either. The author, a family member, published it in 1947. I happened to see the sign about the Eunson family in Eureka, Wis., a few weeks ago, and had not read the book or seen the movie it's based on.
May 30, 2022
Book is told as a family story.
Heartbreaking
Robbie's parents have both died. On her death bed his mother tells him he must take care of the children - select good homes for them. On Christmas day he and another brother does just that.
Robbie goes on to join a logging camp.
But he checks in on them through the years.
Heartbreaking
Robbie's parents have both died. On her death bed his mother tells him he must take care of the children - select good homes for them. On Christmas day he and another brother does just that.
Robbie goes on to join a logging camp.
But he checks in on them through the years.
October 22, 2017
Will have to revisit this when "N" is a little older, she wasn't comprehending all of it. Eventually "N" is going to love this book.
September 25, 2019
This was both a sweet and sad story. It was a quick read, too. The fact that it is based on a true story broke my heart a little bit.
April 1, 2020
Fascinating!
Want to read
October 23, 2020This book was adapted to the screen as All Mine to Give.
Want to read
November 14, 2020Made into the 1957 film All Mine to Give with Glynis Johns.
And where is Glynis' auto/biography??
And where is Glynis' auto/biography??
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December 27, 2020Oh my. This is based on a true life story, which happened in Wisconsin. The people within the tale were made of much stronger stuff than I am. That is for sure.
April 20, 2020
This is an amazing little book. It is actually a short story that was originally published in "Cosmopolitan Magazine" in 1947.
The copy I have had on my shelves for 40+ years, without reading it, was given to my parents shortly after I turned two. The inscription on the inside cover says, "To Gloria, Ben & David from your Texas sister 1950." I THINK the "sister" is Ida Nutting. Dad {Ben} was stationed for Army training in Texas during WWII. Ida became the mother away from home for a bunch of the soldiers. Dad was very fond of Ida.
I doubt mom & dad ever read it to me. It is more of a history of the Eunson children rather than a story for children. Some child, probably me, has scribbled on several pages with a pencil. So it has sentimental value for me.
After the deaths of both of their parents, the six Eunson children were given out to neighbors. Aided by the second oldest boy, it was the task of the oldest boy, Robert, to see that all the kids went to good homes. That was done on Christmas day. His courage and the courage of his siblings is strong, almost inspiring.
The copy I have had on my shelves for 40+ years, without reading it, was given to my parents shortly after I turned two. The inscription on the inside cover says, "To Gloria, Ben & David from your Texas sister 1950." I THINK the "sister" is Ida Nutting. Dad {Ben} was stationed for Army training in Texas during WWII. Ida became the mother away from home for a bunch of the soldiers. Dad was very fond of Ida.
I doubt mom & dad ever read it to me. It is more of a history of the Eunson children rather than a story for children. Some child, probably me, has scribbled on several pages with a pencil. So it has sentimental value for me.
After the deaths of both of their parents, the six Eunson children were given out to neighbors. Aided by the second oldest boy, it was the task of the oldest boy, Robert, to see that all the kids went to good homes. That was done on Christmas day. His courage and the courage of his siblings is strong, almost inspiring.
February 23, 2024
This book, which tells a true story, takes place in the days around Christmas and therefore can be a nice read to do during the Christmas holidays. It is really a story from other times that brings the reader into the past.
September 7, 2008
I liked this book very much. Don't you just love it when you find a biography that you never heard about and enjoy it? This is about a Scottish couple who are immigrants and settle in Wisconsin. They have 6 children and in the 1850s tragedy strikes. Read and find out what the oldest child (Robbie) has to do. It is only 55 pages or so long so it will not take long to read. In the 1950s this book was made into a movie.
March 4, 2009
I needed to get this book back to the library so I quickly read it. It is a sweet and sad story. It made me cry, and it made me want to go and foster/adopt some more babies! :) I am so glad my kids were able to stay together.
I would recommend this sweet book. Have tissues near by. Oh and it is a true story.
I would recommend this sweet book. Have tissues near by. Oh and it is a true story.
October 14, 2015
Really great short tale. Starts as a family tale being told to a little one about her grandfather and the day he had to give his siblings away. The last request of their mother was that Robert make sure his siblings had good homes. She knew no one would take in all 6 of them. Really touching Christmas story.
October 12, 2014
A touching account of the struggles of a 19th century Wisconsin family. On December 23rd, Mamie Eunson summons young Robbie to her bedside and charges him with finding good homes for his five younger siblings. Early Christmas morning Robbie sets out and, with the help of his brothers, fulfills his promise. The story is a tender and well written must read.
December 20, 2016
This is a heart breaking story about immigrants arriving around 1830 and they're life -- ends up the oldest boy, maybe 12-years old is left in charge of giving is brothers and sisters away to families who can care for them, as both the parents had died. The determination, love of family is really great in this bio.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews