Storieta
English
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About this book

Child‑Land is a collection of short, picture‑page scenes that capture everyday moments in the lives of children and their families. The book opens with a series of vignette‑like titles, Albert’s Horse, Waiting for the Rain, Breakfast for Mama, each introducing a simple episode that is narrated in gentle, matter‑of‑fact prose. The opening passages describe familiar domestic scenes: a child caring for a sick mother, siblings watching a pudding being made, a parrot named Poll answering a greeting, and various playful or moral moments such as a quarrel over dolls or a diligent schoolboy’s study. The text moves from one miniature story to the next, offering a snapshot of rural or small‑town life, with recurring themes of kindness, responsibility, and the small joys of childhood.

The voice is straightforward and didactic, reflecting the late‑19th‑ to early‑20th‑century style of moral‑instructional children’s literature. The language is plain yet warm, with occasional moral commentary that gently guides the reader. Readers who enjoy gentle, illustrated tales of everyday childhood, particularly those who appreciate historic picture books and stories that emphasize simple virtues, will find this volume charming and approachable.

Characters in Child-Land

  • AlbertYoung boy, about eight, short dark hair, simple linen shirt and knickers, wooden hobby horse at his side, barefoot on a rustic floor
  • HarrietGirl of ten, chestnut hair in a braid, modest dark dress with apron, carrying a steaming cup, gentle expression, standing beside a sick mother
  • EthelLittle girl, five, golden curls, pinafore dress, clinging to her mother, wide eyes, soft smile, hair pinned with a ribbon

The opening · free to read

BREAKFAST FOR MAMA.

Mama is not well this morning, for she took cold yesterday going over the wet fields to visit the poor man who is dying. So she is not up so early as usual, and Harriet is taking her a cup of hot coffee. Harriet will not let the servant wait on her mama when she is ill, because she can herself pay her more attention. She is walking on tip-toe to avoid making a noise, as sick persons like to be quiet.

"MAMA, I DO LOVE YOU SO."

Ethel is a loving little girl, and is always clinging about her mama. Mama wishes to do some knitting just now, but Ethel is clinging to her, and is saying, "Mama, I do love you so." I am afraid mama will not be able to do much knitting while Ethel interrupts her in this manner.

MAKING A PUDDING.

Mama is busy this morning making a pudding, and the children are watching the process with great interest. Richard is asking her whether she is going to use all that great loaf of lump sugar in making it. Tom seems to know better, and is telling him if she were to put all that in the pudding it would be so sweet that they would not like to eat it.

"HOW DO YOU DO, POLL?"

"Poll" is a fine parrot, and seems very happy and contented, swinging there on his perch. He likes to be talked to, and can answer very plain. If you say to him, "How do you do, Poll?" he will answer you, "Quite well, thank you, and how are you?" Poll is quite a companion, he is so intelligent.

JOHN'S NEW TOY.

John is in high glee, for his aunt has bought him a new toy. It is a figure made of paste-board, and it throws out its legs and arms.

THE SECRET.

Emma seems whispering something in her sister's ear as if it was a secret. I do not know why she should whisper, for no one seems near to overhear them. I suppose it is something about their dolls, else about little Fan, who is lying beside them on the floor, and who seems to be very tired.

ELLEN'S DREAM.

Ellen is very fond of animals, and likes to read about them. Papa has just bought her a pretty book, in which she has been reading a good deal about sheep and shepherds. I suppose it is owing to this that she dreamed last night she was a shepherdess, with a crook in her hand, and her sheep lying in the fields around her, just as our artist has drawn in the picture.

QUARRELLING.

This is a sad scene. The two little sisters are quarrelling over their playthings, and I am afraid the dolls will get damaged in their angry strife. The little lamb lies upset on the chair, the little dolly is sprawling on the floor, and the dress of the bigger one will certainly be torn. It is a pity the two sisters should quarrel in this manner, and about such trifles too.

DILIGENT CHARLES.

Charles is one of the most diligent boys in his school. He does not dislike a good game in the playground, but, when you see him there, you may be sure his lessons have all been learned first. The diligent schoolboy generally becomes a successful man, but a dunce seldom gets on in after-life.

TIRED OF IT.

Arthur Jones has been writing some exercises in grammar this morning. He has not done much, but he is quite tired of it already. He wishes the clock would strike twelve, that he might leave off, and spin the top at his side. Shame on you, lazy Arthur!

THE SULKY GIRL.

Here is a little party of children, playing in the wood-yard this afternoon. They have been having some merry games, and had just arranged to meet again next half-holiday. Suddenly one of the little girls took offence at something, and walked away, and would not play any more. It is a pity she is sulky, and so apt to take offence. I dare say her little friends did not intend to offend her.

THE SICK DOLLS.

The two little sisters are making a great fuss just now about their sick dolls. They have been making something warm for them, and are now about to put them to bed in the cradle. One of them is being hushed to sleep. They are taking pains to have the mattress smooth and well shaken up, so that the dolls may have a soft bed. But I am afraid the cradle is not quite big enough for both of them, and if so they will not be very comfortable.

"WHAT SHALL WE DO?"

The poor children have just accidentally broken their pitcher. No wonder they are so sad.

AN AFTERNOON NAP.

Lucy has just been asleep in the great arm-chair. She little thinks what pussy is about.

THE PUMP.

The children are up early this morning getting some water at the pump. The geese are watching them, as if they were longing to have a little of it. Perhaps the little girl will give them some when she has filled her jar, for she is very thoughtful for dumb animals, and they all like her very much, and follow her about. It is a good sign when children are kind to animals.

THE PLAYTHINGS.

Little Ellen seems ill at ease just now. She has got a nice doll, a chest of drawers, and a doll's cradle. But she is coveting her little brother's playthings besides, and seems cross because she cannot have his horse and stable, and little cart. This is very wrong. We should be content with what we have, and not covet what belongs to others.

GRANDMAMA.

Mama has brought the children to see grandmama this afternoon. She is so glad to see them. One of them is handing her some tea.

HELPING COOK.

The children are spending an hour in the kitchen with cook. It is fine fun for them.

IN THE SUMMER-HOUSE.

Baby is hugging and kissing his sister in the summer-house. It is a nice cool place to play in.

THE EMPTY POCKET.

The children are buying some fruit at the fruit stall. Poor little Richard and his sister are walking sadly away, for they have no money.

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