Lucy Fitch Perkins (July 12, 1865 – March 18, 1937) was an American illustrator and writer of children’s books, known best for Dutch Twins (1911) and its sequels, the Twins series.
Through the eyes of Kit and Kat, 5 year-old twins, we catch a glimpse of life in Holland a century ago. We follow them as they go fishing with grandfather, join their father on market day, help their mother around the house, drive the milk cart, and get new skates. The story draws to a close on St. Nicholas Day when St. Nicholas himself pays them a visit.
Once you take out the obvious girl vs boy prejudice, the story is fine. Interesting that so very many were written in this series. It is easy to see how women were put at a lesser level starting in a children’s book should not be all that shocking for 1911. Still makes me nauseous.
