Frances Jenkins Olcott
Good stories for great birthdays
arranged for story-telling and reading aloud and for the children's own reading
"Good Stories for Great Birthdays" by Frances Jenkins Olcott is a collection of historical short stories written in the early 20th century. This work celebrates the birthdays of notable figures in American history, making it engaging for children and young readers, as it highlights the strong personalities and valuable lessons derived from their lives rather than mere facts and dates. At the start of the book, the author introduces the foreword, outlining the purpose and educational value of the stories. It emphasizes storytelling as a means to bring history to life for children, highlighting over 200 stories dedicated to 23 significant birthdays of American patriots and figures from both North and South America. The opening portion also mentions that the tales focus on the human aspects of these characters, such as their perseverance, adventures, and struggles, thereby aiming to foster a sense of American unity and pride among young readers as they learn about their nation's history.