Mother Carey's Chickens is a novel by Kate Douglas Wiggin published in 1911 by Houghton Mifflin.The book tells the story of a poor but happy family of four children who, in spite of being fatherless, make the lives of others better. Their home life becomes complicated when Julia, a snobbish cousin, comes to live with them. The Carey children suffer many disappointments (Gilbert must forgo college, for example), but Julia is transformed when she realizes happiness has little to do with wealth.The story was dramatized in 1917, and later adapted to film. The 1938 RKO film version stars Anne Shirley and Fay Bainter as Nancy and Mother Carey respectively, and the 1963 Disney musical version (Summer Magic) stars Hayley Mills and Dorothy McGuire.1911. Another heartwarming tale from the author of Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm. In this story the reader follows a strong-willed widow, Nancy Carey, as she struggles for the future of her beautiful daughters Nancy and Kitty and her beloved son Peter. Good humor and folksy grit help Mother Carey keep poverty and the wrong fellows for her daughters at bay Kate Douglas Wiggin (September 28, 1856 - August 24, 1923) was an American educator and author of children's stories, most notably the classic children's novel Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm. "Mother Carey's Chickens" is the book that the Haley Mills film "Summer Magic" is based on, and one of the few novels still available from the lovely Kate Douglas Wiggin. Best known for "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm" (a shimmering little masterpeice in its own right), Wiggin is slipping into undserved obscurity, and for those of you looking for a sweet, gentle way to pass the time, please consider buying this lesser-known title. The book chronicles the adventures of the Careys, a fatherless family headed by wise, kind Mother Carey. My own Mom always said she tried to behave exactly like Mrs. Carey, and the old-fashioned way Mrs. Carey goes about raising her "chicks" is indeed a comforting throw-back to a warmer time. As the family grows up in the quaint hills of rural Maine, we get adventure (the move to the Yellow House), suspense (the arrival of annoying relatives, AKA The Pink of Perfection), and even a little romance (the unexpected, initially feared Mr. Hamilton & Company). It is all sentimental and borderline mushy, and I loved it. Stressed out? Tired of the frantic pace and harsh edges of novels today? Grab a blankie, a cup of tea and "Mother Carey's Chickens". They don't, they can't, make them like this anymore.