Don’t wake me with your noise.
For I’m as tired,—as tired, I guess,
As many girls and boys.
A WORD TO THE TEACHER
When a new school Reader comes to the hands of the primary teacher, she naturally asks: “Will this book give to my class of boys and girls a healthy stimulus of thought and pleasure? Will they receive through it valuable instruction and assistance in the mechanics of reading? Is the book sufficiently literary in style and artistic in form to command the respect and love of the children? Is it suggestive, dramatic, and ethically healthful? In a word, is it worth the precious time of the schoolroom?”
To the inquiring teacher who may examine this little book, which is devoted entirely to the frolics and fancies of kittens and cats, the following remarks may reveal a definite educational purpose and value in it.
Following the example of Mother Goose, the wise and classic rhymester of the nursery, we have taken a subject dear to the heart of childhood and have given it life and personality in the simple and unsophisticated manner of the child.
Many of the happiest playtime experiences of children are associated with their kittens. They delight to dress the frolicsome yet docile little creatures in doll gowns and jackets, and give them long rides in doll carriages, and make them sit at tiny tables and share in tea parties, then put them to bed and perhaps give them water medicine for an imaginary ill. Can there be a more normal and healthy pastime for a little child than this?