
The Dumpy Books for Children - Selected by E. V. Lucas
Mrs. Turner's Cautionary Stories - LONDON: GRANT RICHARDS - 1897
Introduction
Bad Boys and Good
THE WINDOW-BREAKER
A GUNPOWDER PLOT
PETER IMITATES THE CLOWN
BEN'S HEAVY PUNISHMENT
THE CHIMNEY-SWEEPER
THE FIGHTING WICKET-KEEPER
A lively anthology of nineteenth‑century moral verses, this collection gathers sixty‑nine cautionary tales that once graced the shelves of nurseries across Britain. Written in crisp rhyme and a rhythm that invites a child to tap a foot along, each story pairs a mischievous deed with a clear, sometimes humorous, consequence. The opening pieces, such as the stone‑throwing youngster who shatters a lady’s window, set a tone that is both instructive and entertaining without ever feeling heavy‑handed.
The assortment alternates between “bad boys” and “good girls,” offering snapshots of everyday mischief—from broken panes and reckless play to the perils of lying—each resolved with a tidy moral lesson. The verses are easy to follow, making them perfect for a short listening session that holds a child’s attention while gently reinforcing virtues like honesty, kindness, and prudence. Listeners will enjoy the sing‑song quality and the timeless charm of stories that once taught generations the value of good behavior.
Language
en
Duration
~46 minutes (44K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by David Edwards and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net. (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive.)
Release date
2010-05-25
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
d. 1846
Best known for lively moral tales in verse, this early nineteenth-century English children’s writer helped shape the kind of poems and stories many young readers first encountered at home. Her flower-titled books mix gentle humor, cautionary lessons, and a clear sense of everyday childhood.
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