Four in a Tub

A powerful, unforgettable memoir of love, loss, faith, and the unbreakable strength of family. Four in a Tub is the extraordinary true story of the Phillips family—twenty children, three sets of twins, a mother whose faith guided every breath, and a father whose determination held the family together through heartbreak and hope. Told with warmth, honesty, and vivid detail, Marie Phillips Kilkenny takes readers back to the 1920s, 30s, and 40s—into a bustling Brooklyn home where laughter, chaos, and devotion filled every room. From bathing four children at a time to surviving personal tragedy, overcoming poverty, and relying on faith through life’s darkest hours, this memoir paints a rich portrait of resilience. Through stories of sibling humor, mischief, church traditions, sacrifice, and the powerful love that shaped them, Marie brings to life a world where family meant everything—and where even hardship became a lesson in strength. A timeless celebration of motherhood, heritage, and the spirit of growing up in a large family, Four in a Tub is an inspiring reminder that love is the greatest legacy of all.