LITTLE ONES.
The books in the following list are what have been read to children from five or six to eight years old and proved to be interesting to them. Their eyes and attention soon show whether the book is liked. And, though it may hardly be believed, it is more difficult to write a story suited to them than to any other class, since it must be perfectly easy and simple, and yet have some interest in it, such as they can understand. Stories that are in fact a study of children with peculiar ways and odd sayings are of no use. The tale must take the child’s point of view, yet without obviously writing down to its level, and any moral must be pointed as tersely and briefly as possible. Unluckily several of those I have found most successful have gone out of print—namely, ‘The White Kitten,’ and ‘Out in the Dark,’ in early packets of the books Mr. Burns used to publish, and ‘Little Lucy’ and ‘A Tale of a Tail’ (S.P.C.K.). I have looked over multitudes of tiny books, but only a few have the special charm that will keep a whole class devouring the reader with their eyes, and be welcomed even if read over and over again. I have not here mentioned Mrs. Ewing’s beautiful series of verse-books for children, with their charming illustrations, because they are really studies of childhood, and more fit for the drawing-room than the cottage or school. The same may be said of the very pretty Everyday Fables, the letterpress of which is quite beyond little children. The best thing for the youngest class of four, five, or six years old, is the ‘Child’s own Picture Paper’ (Dean), Aunt Louisa’s books (Warne), and the ‘Child’s Illustrated Scripture History’ (S.P.C.K.), 4 parts, price 1s. each. Or, if the class be too large for showing them pictures in a book, detached ones on an easel are useful. One or two sacred ones, well explained, are enough, and a few secular ones may follow. Let me hint that undraped figures, shown to poor children, are undesirable, and that if there is a mistake in the accessories, by some fatality, they are sure to admire it. Cassell’s ‘Little Pet’s Posy,’ 1s. 6d., or ‘Little Chimes,’ 1s. 6d., will give amusing bits to read to the tiny children, but lending is of no use unless they are ill. A complete set of pictures illustrating the Gospels, or the lessons for nearly every Sunday in the Christian year, can be arranged from the stores of the S.P.C.K., the R.T.S., and Cassell’s ‘Child’s Bible and Life of Christ,’ 7s. 6d.
1. Children’s Album. (Cassell) 1s. 6d.
2. Baby’s Album. (Cassell)
3. Miss Angelina. (S.P.C.K.) 1d.
A doll, lost by a young lady, and prized by a poor little cripple till the owner is discovered, and there is a great struggle of honesty on the one hand, generosity on the other.
4. Tales for Me to read to Myself. (Masters) 2s. 6d.
The little boy who has to take a donkey cart to market for the first time, and is teased by rude companions, excites unfailing interest.
5. Langley Little Ones. By C. M. Yonge. (Walter Smith) 2s.
This contains several short tales mentioned below: ‘Fanny’s Doll,’ ‘Bully Brindle,’ ‘Snowdrop’s Eggs,’ &c.
6. Our Ethel. (S.P.C.K.) 6d.
Should be read to small children apt to be put in charge of smaller ones.
7. Little Men and Little Women. (Walter Smith) 2d.
Rather disjointed, but fit for the tinies.
8. Quack, Quack. By C. M. Yonge. (Walter Smith) 3d.
Inculcating the penny savings bank.
9. Patz and Putz, or the Story of Two Bears. (S.P.C.K.) 1s.
Interests a little class.
10. Tumble-down Dick. (S.P.C.K.) 1d.
Birds’-nesting. A wholesome lesson.
11. A Miller, a Mollar, a Ten o’Clock Scholar. By C. M. Yonge. 3d.
On playing truant.
12. Fanny’s Doll. By C. M. Yonge. (Walter Smith) 3d.
For small children.
13. Idle Harry. (Walter Smith) 3d.
14. Leonard the Lion Heart. By C. M. Yonge. (Walter Smith) 9d.
On boasting.
15. The Apple Tree. (Walter Smith) 1d.
A naughty and a good little boy under temptation. I have known of an impression made by it.
16. Playing with Fire. (Walter Smith) 1d.
A wholesome warning.
17. Little Susy’s Six Birthdays. By Mrs. Prentice. (Nelson) 2s.
Popularity proved. Circumstantial enough to be delightful to little children.
18. Fanny Sylvester. By Mrs. Cupples. (Nelson) 9d.
A lonely town child transplanted into the country.
19. Bully Brindle. By C. M. Yonge. (Walter Smith) 3d.
Two small children sent out in the dark to fetch help after an accident.
