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Girls of the Good Day Orphanage
Good Charlotte
When a mysterious girl with blue hair shows up at the Good Day Orphanage one day, Tatty believes that the girl must be a princess. Reissue.
109 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1969
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 15, 2017
This super-fast read set in a girls' orphanage has an intended audience a little bit younger than the children's books I enjoy most, but it was sweet, and had an unexpected fantasy element.
March 30, 2018
Charlotte, usually called Tatty, is generally not known around Good Day Orphanage as being good at anything. When Miss Lavender and Miss Plum go away for a few days, however, Mrs. Singlittle comes to take their place, and she takes a strong liking to Charlotte right away. She gives her the nickname of Good Charlotte during their very first meeting, and despite Charlotte's feeling that it's a misnomer, it sticks. That very same day, a mysterious girl with blue hair arrives at the orphanage. Her name is Esmerelda, and she claims to be a princess who has been enchanted by goblins and must remain that way until the first snowfall of the year. Like Mrs. Singlittle, Esmerelda also takes a liking to Charlotte and chooses her to be her special friend.
This short and sweet chapter book has much in common with other school stories, but adds a supernatural twist. I spent a lot of the story trying to figure out whether Esmerelda was a real princess, an imaginary friend, or a real girl masquerading as a princess, and my opinion is that it never becomes clear, but that it doesn't really matter. The larger focus of the story - Charlotte seeing herself in a new light after a few unexpected kindnesses - comes across just as strongly whether Esmerelda is magical or not. The situations in the story, and the relationships among the girls are what you might expect from a typical school story, but the supernatural element and Charlotte's very relatable flaws and mistakes help it to stand out a bit from others.
Fans of cozy stories about orphanages and boarding schools, as well as those who like a touch of magical realism in these types of stories will love this sweet book. It reminded me of a cross between the Orphelines series and Dory Fantasmagory. This book is also apparently the inspiration for the name of the rock band, Good Charlotte. The Internet says the band hadn't read the book, though, so they really just liked the name, not the character herself.
This review also appears on my blog, Read-at-Home Mom.
This short and sweet chapter book has much in common with other school stories, but adds a supernatural twist. I spent a lot of the story trying to figure out whether Esmerelda was a real princess, an imaginary friend, or a real girl masquerading as a princess, and my opinion is that it never becomes clear, but that it doesn't really matter. The larger focus of the story - Charlotte seeing herself in a new light after a few unexpected kindnesses - comes across just as strongly whether Esmerelda is magical or not. The situations in the story, and the relationships among the girls are what you might expect from a typical school story, but the supernatural element and Charlotte's very relatable flaws and mistakes help it to stand out a bit from others.
Fans of cozy stories about orphanages and boarding schools, as well as those who like a touch of magical realism in these types of stories will love this sweet book. It reminded me of a cross between the Orphelines series and Dory Fantasmagory. This book is also apparently the inspiration for the name of the rock band, Good Charlotte. The Internet says the band hadn't read the book, though, so they really just liked the name, not the character herself.
This review also appears on my blog, Read-at-Home Mom.
July 5, 2017
I read this only because I like the band that named themselves after the book. It's adorable; sweet, quirky, and imaginative. I wish I'd had a copy of this when I was small!
January 30, 2018
A school-type story with quite a few twists from the usual.
August 31, 2023
An orphanage story focusing on one girl learning what she can be capable of, plus an invisible cursed princess. Odd mix, neither story developed satisfactorily. I do see now that it is part of a series taking place at the [nice] orphanage; I'll have to consider more if I can find them.
I do like that the substitute house mother was the first to realize that expectations matter, and that if she recognized Good Charlotte instead of careless Tatty, the girl would improve herself. The blue-haired princess had no influence or role at all that I could see, however.
I do like that the substitute house mother was the first to realize that expectations matter, and that if she recognized Good Charlotte instead of careless Tatty, the girl would improve herself. The blue-haired princess had no influence or role at all that I could see, however.
September 6, 2023
A sweet story taking place at the Good Day Orphanage. Tatty, newly called 'Good Charlotte' by Miss. Singlittle, befriends a supposed princess taking refuge at the Good Day. This has to be the nicest orphanage in all of literature. Really, who would want to leave it?
July 4, 2020
I used to LOVE this book as a kid! Thought it was so cool.
October 24, 2020
*3.5 stars.
July 17, 2015
I got this book as a present from my 2nd Grade teacher for Christmas. I absolutely loved this book, and it was (I think) the first time somebody had ever given me a book for Christmas. I did not know I was going to like this book, but I was pleasantly surprised at the time. I re-read it many times, and this book had the habit of calming me down when I felt nervous or sick as a child. I love this book.
September 12, 2008
This was a favorite when I was young and I found it today in the curriculum lab. It is about a young girl in an orphanage who befriends a blue-haired, satin slipper-wearing enchanted princess.
September 18, 2008
I thought this book was a awesome book!!
April 29, 2009
I loved the orphanage, and how scruffy Charlotte was - nicknamed 'Tatty'! This is a charming book, a dear favourite from when I was very young.
June 17, 2016
These books have a simple magic to them. My daughter and I both love them.
November 22, 2016
PLEASE, I WOULD TO READ THAT BOOK,
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews