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Children's stories Books
Best books
Lewis Carroll
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
An improved version is available at #28885.
Lewis Carroll
Through the Looking-Glass
"Through the Looking-Glass" by Lewis Carroll is a novel published in 1871. When Alice climbs through a mirror into a fantastical world, she discovers everything is reversed—including logic itself. In this chess-themed realm, running keeps you stationary, walking away brings you closer, and nursery-rhyme characters come alive. Alice encounters peculiar beings including the severe Red Queen, quarrelsome twins Tweedledum and Tweedledee, and the opinionated Humpty Dumpty. Like its beloved predecessor, this sequel blends absurdist adventure with unforgettable imagery and phrases that remain part of our language today.
Lewis Carroll
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
"Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll is a classic novel written during the Victorian era. This fantastical tale follows a young girl named Alice who embarks on an extraordinary journey through a whimsical world full of peculiar characters and absurd situations. The book explores themes of identity, curiosity, and the fluidity of reality, making it a timeless piece that continues to captivate readers of all ages. The story begins when Alice, bored and sleepy while sitting by her sister, follows a hurried White Rabbit into a magical rabbit hole, leading her into Wonderland. Throughout her adventures, she encounters a series of odd characters, including the cynical Caterpillar, the grinning Cheshire Cat, and the nonsensical Mad Hatter at a chaotic tea party. As Alice navigates through various challenges and whimsical situations, her size constantly changes due to magical foods and drinks, reflecting her feelings of confusion and identity. Ultimately, her travels culminate in a ridiculous trial over a stolen tart, where Alice asserts herself against the nonsensical authority of the Queen of Hearts. The whimsical nature of this narrative invites readers to embrace imagination and explore the complexities of growing up and self-discovery.
Andrew Lang
The Arabian Nights Entertainments
"The Arabian Nights Entertainments" by Andrew Lang is a collection of fairy tales and folk stories compiled during the late 19th century. This work serves as an English translation of the classic tales of "The Arabian Nights," showcasing a variety of enchanting narratives that often involve themes of adventure, love, and moral lessons. The opening chapters introduce significant characters such as Sultan Schahriar and his clever wife, Scheherazade, who narrates the stories to survive the Sultan's deadly decree against women. The opening of the book sets the stage for the intriguing framework of Scheherazade's storytelling as a means of saving her own life and the lives of other women. As she volunteers to marry Sultan Schahriar, who has been executing his brides each day, she devises a clever plan to postpone her fate. Each night, she captivates the Sultan’s attention with an incomplete tale, leaving him curious for more. The first story she tells involves a merchant and a vengeful genius, unfolding into a sequence of stories that eventually weave into a larger narrative tapestry, each revealing the complexity of human nature and the whimsicality of fate.
George MacDonald
The Princess and the Goblin
"The Princess and the Goblin" by George MacDonald is a children's fantasy novel published in 1872. Eight-year-old Princess Irene lives isolated in a mountain castle, unaware that vengeful goblins inhabit the mines below, plotting against the kingdom. When she discovers a mysterious great-great-grandmother in the castle tower and befriends a brave young miner named Curdie, she finds herself drawn into a dangerous conflict. With magical guidance and unexpected courage, they must face an ancient threat emerging from beneath the earth.
Unknown
Cinderella : $b or, The little glass slipper
No description available.
Lewis Carroll
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland Illustrated by Arthur Rackham. With a Proem by Austin Dobson
"Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll is a children's novel published in 1865. When a curious girl named Alice follows a White Rabbit down a rabbit hole, she tumbles into a fantastical world populated by peculiar anthropomorphic creatures. This celebrated work of literary nonsense plays with logic and language, offering absurd adventures that delight both children and adults. With its imaginative characters and whimsical imagery, the novel helped transform children's literature from moral instruction to pure entertainment.
Helen Bannerman
The Story of Little Black Sambo, and The Story of Little Black Mingo
"The Story of Little Black Sambo, and The Story of Little Black Mingo" by Helen Bannerman is a children's book written and illustrated in 1899. When young Sambo encounters four hungry tigers during a walk, he must surrender his colorful new clothes and umbrella to save himself. But the vain tigers' argument leads to an unexpected transformation. Once celebrated as featuring one of the first Black heroes in children's literature, the book later became controversial due to racial stereotypes in its illustrations and character names, prompting numerous revised editions.
Unknown
Childhood's Favorites and Fairy Stories The Young Folks Treasury, Volume 1
"Childhood's Favorites and Fairy Stories" by Hamilton Wright Mabie, Edward Everett Hale, and William Byron Forbush is a collection of children's stories and fairy tales compiled in the early 20th century. The anthology aims to capture the timeless essence of childhood storytelling, bringing together beloved fairy tales, nursery rhymes, and poems that have enchanted children for generations. The opening of this collection features a prelude that emphasizes the importance of providing children with rich literary experiences as part of their upbringing. It highlights the editors' commitment to nurturing children's imaginations through carefully curated stories, nursery rhymes, and poems. Following this introduction, the anthology begins with classic Mother Goose rhymes, celebrating the rhythm and simplicity that make these tales enjoyable for young readers. The editors further introduce familiar nursery stories, including beloved characters and morals, laying the groundwork for the diverse array of enchanting tales that will unfold throughout the volumes.
Anna Alice Chapin
The true story of Humpty Dumpty : $b how he was rescued by three mortal children in Make Believe Land
No description available.
Louisa May Alcott
The Louisa Alcott Reader: a Supplementary Reader for the Fourth Year of School
"The Louisa Alcott Reader: A Supplementary Reader for the Fourth Year of School" by Louisa M. Alcott is a collection of children's stories written during the late 19th century. This work features various tales aimed at young readers, often infused with themes of compassion, imagination, and moral lessons. The stories introduce characters, such as Effie, who learns the joys of selflessness and appreciation of Christmas, gradually unfolding life lessons that engage the minds of children. The opening of the book presents the story "A Christmas Dream," where we meet a discontented little girl named Effie, who laments her feelings of boredom regarding the repetitive nature of Christmas celebrations. As she struggles with her dissatisfaction, Effie comes across the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, stirring her interest. This sets the stage for her transformation, which begins through a magical dream facilitated by a Christmas spirit. Her dream takes her to a wondrous Christmas world where she witnesses the joy of giving and the happiness it brings to those less fortunate. Effie’s adventure unfolds as she explores the spirit of Christmas, revealing her desires to foster joy and happiness for others, culminating in a meaningful family surprise that embodies the true essence of the holiday. This enchanting beginning teases young readers with the promise of imaginative storytelling steeped in valuable life lessons.
Unknown
Aladdin and the Magic Lamp
"Aladdin and the Magic Lamp" by Unknown is a Middle Eastern folk tale added to One Thousand and One Nights by French translator Antoine Galland in 1710. A poor young man in China encounters a sorcerer who tricks him into retrieving a magical lamp from an enchanted cave. Trapped but aided by a magic ring, Aladdin escapes with the lamp and discovers it contains a powerful genie. He gains wealth, marries a princess, and builds a magnificent palace—but the vengeful sorcerer returns to reclaim the lamp and steal everything Aladdin has won.
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