Author
Carl Sandburg
1878-1967
Carl Sandburg (1878-1967) is a public-domain author available on Rivro. Read free books, explore subjects, and discover related classics.
WikipediaBooks by Carl Sandburg
Rootabaga Stories
"Rootabaga Stories" by Carl Sandburg is a children's book published in 1922. Originally created for Sandburg's own daughters, these whimsical and sometimes melancholy tales reimagine fairy tales for American childhood. Set in the fictionalized "Rootabaga country" of the Midwest, the stories blend fantastical elements like corn fairies with everyday features of American life—farms, trains, sidewalks, and skyscrapers. Many tales are narrated by the Potato Face Blind Man, a mysterious storyteller whose impossible firsthand knowledge adds to the book's enchanting, dreamlike quality.
Rootabaga pigeons
"Rootabaga Pigeons" by Carl Sandburg is a whimsical collection of children's stories written in the early 20th century. The narrative features charming characters like the Potato Face Blind Man and various animals, including six pigeons and flamboyant figures like Hatrack the Horse. Sandburg's prose is imaginative and playful, embodying a sense of wonder that invites readers into the fantastical world of Rootabaga, where the ordinary becomes extraordinary. The opening of the collection introduces readers to the Potato Face Blind Man who shares fantastical stories with a little girl named Blixie Bimber. The first tale features a green rat with rheumatism that shares experiences about a skyscraper being constructed to connect to the moon, and the struggles of workers trying to stop the moon from moving. In another vignette, we see Slipfoot, a character whose misadventures and slip-ups lead to humorous situations, showing a whimsical take on failure and persistence. The stories are rich with imaginative details, capturing the essence of childhood curiosity and the power of storytelling.