Books like Belles on Their Toes (Cheaper by the Dozen #2) by Frank B. Gilbreth, Jr.

After Dad dies, mother takes over the family’s pioneering engineering business and must balance the needs of a rapidly expanding brood—now from two to eighteen children. The cousins, from youngest to oldest, each bring the resourcefulness and humor that keeps the island‑home together through everything from chicken pox to unwelcome suitors. The family faces everyday challenges—budget cuts, medical episodes, and high‑profile social events—yet they rise to each crisis with delight, shared laughter, and a firm belief that “good humor and good grace” are the best tools for survival. Among the light‑hearted anecdotes are stories of battling chicken pox, dismissing an unwelcome boyfriend, and the memorable encounter with the President, all woven with affection for family and community. *Belles on Their Toes* continues Gilbreth’s remarkable story, illustrating the enduring bonds that tie this remarkable family and their quiet brilliance in the field of engineering.

First publish date: 1984