Dr. Johnson. Recorded by Mrs. Piozzi.
Stevenson.
Lady Hollyhock and Her Friends.
Baker. 1.25
Suggestions for making charming dollies from fruits, vegetables, and flowers. The illustrations, many in color, are attractive and explanatory, but the text must be read to the children, as it is somewhat advanced for them.
Stevenson.
The Seven Little Sisters Who Live on the Round Ball That
Floats in the Air.
Ginn. .50
These simple stories, written for the girls and boys of a generation ago, have taken their place among the charming and vivid descriptions of child-life in different lands.
Thomas Wentworth Higginson.
Thackeray.
Aladdin.
Lane. .25
These richly colored Eastern pictures will give even little children a suggestion of the splendor of the Orient. Let us hope that they will never be too ready to answer the call of "New lamps for old ones."
Gleeson White.
Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. Lane. .25
It seems hardly right to omit this edition of so celebrated a tale pictured by so celebrated an artist, yet Mr. Crane's work breathes mystery and Oriental cunning from every page, and should be given to our youngsters only after examination, as a highly-strung child might be frightened by it. The picture of the resourceful Morgiana filling the oil-jars, while a dreadful robber with saucer-like eyes peers from one of them, is awful indeed.
Beauty and the Beast. Lane. .25
Charming illustrations accompany this prose version of the ancient favorite which will long endure because of the great truth underlying the grotesque tale.
Cinderella. Lane. .25
May every little girl find the fairy prince of her imagination!
The Frog Prince.
Lane. .25
The story of the frog who was transformed into the handsome prince is as immortal as childhood. May we all remember the King's command to his daughter: "He who helped you in the time of your trouble must not now be despised."
Jack and the Bean-Stalk.
Lane. .25
Ogre-like indeed is the giant, and we breathe a sigh of relief when verses as well as pictures make it quite certain that Jack has escaped for the third time with his golden treasure. The beans of King Alfred's day seem to have closely resembled the wild oats of our own.
The Sleeping Beauty.
Lane. .25
"So sweet a face, so fair--was never
beauty such as this;
He stands--he stoops to gaze--he kneels--
he wakes her with a kiss.
He leads her forth; the magic sleep
of all the Court is o'er--
They wake, they move, they talk, they laugh,
just as they did of yore
A hundred years ago."
Miss Rigby. 1844.
*The Diverting History of John Gilpin.
Illustrated by Randolph Caldecott.
Warne. .25
A spirited delineation of the never-to-be-forgotten ride.
*The Brownies: Their Book.
Illustrated by the Author.
Century. 1.50
Every child should know Mr. Cox's prankish, helpful Brownies. The verses are accompanied by many delightful pictures.
Three Years with the Poets.
Houghton. .50
While these selections are intended for memorization by children, and are arranged by months for the school year, the collection is so good as to fill a useful place in the home library. At the end of the book are a few pages of wisely chosen little selections of poetry and prose, truly called Helps for the Day's Work.
Old Songs for Young America.
Music arranged by Clarence Forsyth.
Doubleday. 2.00
The familiar songs, set to the music of the old tunes, and charmingly illustrated,--the costumes those of olden days. Some of the pictures are in color and some in black and white. The Monkey's Wedding, Bobby Shafto, and Old Dan Tucker, are included in the contents.
Harper. 1.25
This carefully chosen collection--in which American poets are well represented--although made over thirty years ago, still holds its own as a standard. One of the divisions is devoted to hymns.
Little Ann, and Other Poems.
Illustrated by Kate Greenaway.
Warne. 1.00
It is a good thing for children to learn from these quaint verses, with their charming illustrations, the sort of reading which pleased the small folks of long ago. The Taylors seldom struck so happy a vein as in the poem called The Field Daisy, which begins:
"I'm a pretty little thing, Always coming with the Spring; In the meadows green I'm found, Peeping just above the ground, And my stalk is covered flat With a white and yellow hat."
I prefer the little girls and boys ... that come as you call them, fair or dark, in green ribbons or blue. I like making cowslip fields grow and apple-trees bloom at a moment's notice. That is what it is, you see, to have gone through life with an enchanted land ever beside you.--Kate Greenaway to Ruskin.
Francis Thompson.
Century. 1.50
This careful chronological arrangement of Bible history, from the King James version, is very satisfactory. The book is a large one, with full-page illustrations from the Old Masters.
W. A. Jones. 1844.
A Boy on a Farm.
Edited by Clifton Johnson.
From Rollo at Work and Rollo at Play.
Introduction by Dr. Lyman Abbott.
American Book. .45
Few books axe remembered with greater affection by persons who were children in the middle of the last century than those written by Jacob Abbott.... The educational effect of Jacob Abbott's stories, both mental and moral, was very great.... The insistence, however, with which these virtues were proclaimed and emphasized, constitutes a weakness in the books as we view them now.--Preface.
Thomas Wentworth Higginson.
Goody Two Shoes.
Lane. .25
The text of this famous tale, attributed to Oliver Goldsmith, is perhaps somewhat beyond the easy comprehension of children of six years, but they will enjoy the interesting pictures of Margery and her animal friends.
The Children's Book.
Houghton. 2.50
If a child could have but one story-book, a better choice could scarcely be made than this storehouse of fables, wonder tales, myths, songs, and ballads. Selections from Andersen, The Arabian Nights, Gulliver, and Munchausen, are included. There are many illustrations.
The History of the Robins.
Edited by E. E. Hale.
Heath. .20
Small people like to hear about this father and mother robin and their four babies.
Mrs. Sarah Trimmer ... was a woman of more than the average education and accomplishment of her day, and enjoyed the friendship of Dr. Samuel Johnson, Sir Joshua Reynolds, and nearly all of the more celebrated English authors and painters of that time. She wrote a great many books.... They are now nearly all of them dead and forgotten; but one of them at least has lived, and has been the delight of thousands of children for over three-quarters of a century.--Introduction.
The Story Hour.
Houghton. 1.00
These fourteen little stories include some about children and some about animals. They are just the sort of narratives that small folks love, and are designed for retelling in the kindergarten and home. There are, in addition, three adaptations of well-known tales: Moufflou, Benjy in Beastland, and The Porcelain Stove, and a poem by Mrs. Wiggin.
Stevenson.
Keats.
The Child's Rainy Day Book.
Doubleday. 1.00
This fully illustrated little volume gives clear directions for making simple toys and games, weaving baskets, working with beads, clay, et cetera. There is a good chapter on Gifts and How to Make Them.
Stevenson.
Each and All.
Ginn. .50
A companion volume to The Seven Little Sisters, telling more of these happy children and their common bond of loving friendship.
Shakspere.
Granny's Wonderful Chair and Its Tales of Fairy Times.
Dutton. .35
A series of delightful wonder stories, through which runs a vein of true wisdom. Miss Browne was blind from infancy, and her writings stand as the accomplishment of a brave and unselfish woman.
The Book of Nature Myths.
Illustrated by E. Boyd Smith.
Houghton. .65
The subject-matter is of permanent value, culled from the folk-lore of the primitive races.--Preface.
We are told The Story of the Earth and the Sky, Why the Bear has a Short Tail, Why the Cat Always Falls upon Her Feet, and many other mythical reasons for natural wonders.
Just So Stories.
Illustrated by the Author.
Doubleday. 1.20
"I keep six honest serving-men;
(They taught me all I knew)
Their names are What and Where and When
And How and Where and Who.
I send them over land and sea,
I send them east and west;
But after they have worked for me,
I give them all a rest.
. . . . . . . . .
But different folk have different views;
I know a person small--
She keeps ten million serving-men,
Who get no rest at all!
She sends 'em abroad on her own affairs,
From the second she opens her eyes--
One million Hows, two million Wheres,
And seven million Whys!"
To this small person, Best Beloved, these twelve remarkable tales were related. We learn how the elephant got his trunk, how the first letter came to be written, and so forth. There are two editions of the book at the same price. Most children will prefer the one in large octavo.
Flower Legends for Children.
Illustrated by J. S. Eland.
Longmans. 2.00
Mothers may find the text somewhat advanced for children of seven years, but the full-page colored pictures are sure to be enjoyed. The volume is a large oblong one.
Heart of Oak Books. Volume II.
Fables and Nursery Tales.
Heath. .35
The next step is easy, to the short stories which have been told since the world was young; old fables in which the teachings of long experience are embodied, legends, fairy tales, which form the traditional common stock of the fancies and sentiment of the race.--Preface.
The Book of Legends.
Houghton. .50
Famous tales, such as King Cophetua, The Wandering Jew, St. Christopher, and The Seven Sleepers of Ephesus, retold for the children.
Myths of the Red Children.
Ginn. .45
The stories are true examples of Indian folk-lore and are very old.... Care has been taken to make the drawings archæologically correct for each tribe.--Foreword.
These traditions of various tribes were gathered from the best sources, and are here related in simple language. There is a supplement giving directions for making different articles: a tent, Indian dress, a bow and arrow, a stone axe, et cetera.
Channing.
*The Animals at the Fair.
Russell. 1.40
Mr. Blaisdell's attractive and amusing illustrations may well serve as a substitute for the ordinary comic pictures of the newspapers.
Child-Life.
Houghton. 1.50
Although thirty-seven years have passed since Child-Life was compiled, it stands now, as then, far ahead of most collections of poetry for American children. Our own poets are well represented.
Charles Wesley.
Stories from the Old Testament for Children.
Duffield. 2.00
These Bible tales are simply told, and follow closely the lines of the Old Testament, a considerable portion of the narratives being in the language of Scripture.
Children's Series of the Modern Reader's Bible.
Bible Stories. New Testament.
Macmillan. .50
The stories are in the language of Scripture, altered only by omissions.... The Revised Version is used, with the frequent substitution of the marginal renderings.... In the introductions and notes I have carefully avoided any wording which might insinuate doctrinal instruction.--Preface.
Children's Series of the Modern Reader's Bible.
Bible Stories. Old Testament.
Macmillan. .50
The stories which make the text are in the language of Scripture, altered only by omissions.... The volume is arranged according to the natural divisions of Bible history.... Each period is represented by its most important stories; the purpose of the introduction and notes to each section is to weave all together by indicating briefly the bearing of each story on the general history.--Preface.
Jean Ingelow.
The Stories Mother Nature Told Her Children.
Ginn. .50
Prentice And Power.
Samuel Osgood.
The Sandman: His Ship Stories.
Page. 1.50
Simple descriptions of the building of the good ship Industry and her voyages to the far-away countries in the days long gone.
The Story of a Donkey.
Heath. .20
A translation from the Comtesse de Ségur's Memoirs of a Donkey. Neddy's account of his own life--and he was a good and faithful beastie who had many adventures--has been a favorite with children for years.
Milly and Olly.
Doubleday. 1.20
This charming story, written many years ago and now revised, tells of childish holidays spent in the Windemere region. Aunt Emma--a really, truly old lady, who owns a fascinating parrot--proves a sort of modern fairy-godmother to the little brother and sister. The atmosphere is not too pronouncedly English to interfere in the least with our children's enjoyment.
A Little Girl of Long Ago.
Houghton. 1.00
The experiences of a little New England girl of eighty years ago, telling of her return voyage from Scotland, and of her happy life in Boston and Springfield.
When Molly was Six.
Houghton. 1.00
A pleasant sunny story of the simple happenings in the every-day life of a small girl.
Blake.
Goldsmith.
Dutton. 2.50
Indoor and outdoor games, tricks and puzzles, the making of various articles, and the care of home pets, are some of the subjects treated in this volume of old and new pastimes.
Emerson.
Joan of Arc.
Illustrated by the Author.
Century. 3.00
In these truly remarkable pictures, instinct with spirit, dignity, and pathos, the peasant girl of Domrémy, martyr and patron saint, lives for children. The book is a large oblong one with full-page illustrations in color. While the text is somewhat advanced for children of eight years, the pictures really tell, the story.
Stories of Great Americans for Little Americans.
American Book. .40
A collection of many noted tales with which all of our children should be familiar. It includes Franklin's Whistle, Putnam and the Wolf, and Daniel Boone and his Grapevine Swing.
Montrose J. Moses.
Edited by W. T. Stead.
Review. .05
There is no entirely satisfactory edition, for children, of this classic. The language of one edited by Jacobs seems to the compiler of this list somewhat unsuited to small people, and E. L. Smythe in her version substitutes an entirely different ending for that of the original. This very inexpensive little book has more than a hundred interesting small pictures, and children will love to read of bad Reynard, who is told about in diverting fashion.
The Fables of Æsop.
Edited by Joseph Jacobs.
Illustrated by Richard Heighway.
Macmillan. 1.50
It is difficult to say what are and what are not the Fables of Æsop.... In the struggle for existence among all these a certain number stand out as being the most effective and the most familiar. I have attempted to bring most of these into the following pages.--Preface.
Thomas Fuller.
The Book of Saints and Friendly Beasts.
Houghton. 1.25
These sweet tales of the saints of long ago and their little brothers the beasts have a gentle influence. The stories include that of Saint Bridget and the King's Wolf, Saint Fronto's Camels, Saint Rigobert's Dinner, and Saint Francis of Assisi.
In the Days of Giants.
Illustrated by E. Boyd Smith.
Houghton. 1.10
The old Norse myths acceptably told.
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.
Illustrated by John Tenniel.
Macmillan. 1.00
First told in 1862 to the little Liddell girls. It was written out for Alice Liddell, was published, and the first copy given to her in 1865.
The illustrations are those which appeared in the original issue. Many artists have tried their hand in making pictures for "Alice," but none have succeeded in displacing those of John Tenniel.
Extract from the diary of C. L. Dodgson: July 4, 1862.--I made an expedition up the river to Godstow with the three Liddells; we had tea on the bank there, and did not reach Christ Church till half-past eight.... On which occasion I told them the fairy tale of Alice's Adventures Underground, which I undertook to write out for Alice.
"Alice! a childish story take,
And with a gentle hand
Lay it where Childhood's dreams are twined
In Memory's mystic band,
Like pilgrim's withered wreath of flowers
Plucked in a far-off land."
Alice in Wonderland.
Illustrated by Arthur Rackham.
Doubleday. 1.40
Those wishing to depart from John Tenniel's illustrations will find these pictures of Arthur Rackham very interesting. We are given delightful black and white work, though most of the full-page pictures are in color.
Austin Dobson.
Through the Looking-Glass.
Illustrated by John Tenniel.
Macmillan. 1.00
The sequel to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. The illustrations are the same as those that appeared in the original edition.
"To the Looking-Glass world it was Alice that said,
'I've a sceptre in hand, I've a crown on my head.
Let the Looking-Glass creatures, whatever they be,
Come and dine with the Red Queen, the White Queen, and me!'"
Pinocchio, The Adventures of a Marionette.
Illustrated by Charles Copeland.
Ginn. .40
Of all the fairy stories of Italian literature this is the best known and the best loved.... The Florentines call it a literary jewel, and as such it should be known to all young readers.--Preface.
Though children can but dimly comprehend this charming allegory, they will recognize its truth. Pinocchio, the wayward and mischievous marionette, through his kindly actions grows to be a real little boy, with an unselfish loving heart. There are many attractive drawings.
The Cruikshank Fairy Book.
Putnam. 2.00
Puss in Boots, Jack and the Bean-Stalk, Hop-o'-my-Thumb, and Cinderella, are the four famous fairy tales pictured by this famous illustrator.
Wigwam Stories.
Ginn. .75
The book is divided into three parts: Sketches of Various Tribes of North American Indians; Traditions and Myths; and Stories Recently Told of Hiawatha and Other Heroes. It is interesting and informing. There are three sketches by Angel de Cora, and many illustrations from photographs.
La Fontaine's Fables.
Translated by Edward Shirley.
Illustrated by C.M. Park and Rene Bull.
Nelson. 1.50
An acceptable selection in verse. There are illustrations in color as well as in black and white.
"These fables are much more than they appear--
The simplest animals are teachers here.
The bare dull moral weariness soon brings;
The story serves to give it life and wings."
The Blue Fairy Book.
Longmans. 2.00
This first volume of Andrew Lang's colored fairy books contains the better known tales from the folk-lore of many nations, and is, like the others of this series, attractively illustrated.
St. John Lucas.
The Adventures of a Brownie.
Harper. .60
"Only I think, if I could be a little child again, I should exceedingly like a Brownie to play with me. Should not you?"
We should all say yes, after reading this charming modern fairy story.