
Transcriber's Note:
TALES OF THE TOYS, - Told by Themselves. - BY - FRANCES FREELING BRODERIP.
CHAPTER I.—INTRODUCTORY. - THE TURNING OUT OF THE TOY CUPBOARD.
CHAPTER II. - THE HISTORY OF THE BALL; WITH THE STORY OF THE POOR OLD WIDOW WHO MADE IT.
CHAPTER III. - THE HOOP'S ROUND OF ADVENTURES.
CHAPTER IV. - THE FATE OF THE LEADEN TEA-THINGS.
CHAPTER V. - THE MAKING OF THE KITE BY THE HOME CIRCLE.
CHAPTER VI. - THE DOLL AND ALL HER MISTRESSES.
CHAPTER VII. - THE TOY KITCHEN; AND ITS MAKER.
CHAPTER VIII. - THE FATE OF THE SHUTTLECOCK.
In this charming collection, the toys themselves step out of the cupboard to recount their own adventures. From a mischievous wooden horse to a bright little kite, each chapter gives a voice to an everyday plaything, sharing the history and hopes that linger in a child's summer day. The opening scene bursts with the excitement of a family planning a trip to Sandbay, and even the toys cannot help but join the anticipation.
As the children’s plans unfold, the narrator toys reflect on their past lives—how a simple ball was crafted by a widowed seamstress, how a hoop rolled through countless games, and how a lead tea set found its fate. The stories blend gentle moral lessons with vivid Victorian detail, inviting listeners to see the world from an unexpected perspective. Warm, witty, and sprinkled with sweet nostalgia, the tales make a perfect companion for a cozy listening hour.
Language
en
Duration
~4 hours (238K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Chris Curnow, Harry Lamé 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
Aug 7, 2010
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
1830–1878
A Victorian writer best remembered for stories and verses for children, she came from a literary family and also helped preserve her father Thomas Hood’s legacy. Her work mixes warmth, moral feeling, and the lively, domestic tone that made 19th-century children’s books so popular.
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