author
Aunt Friendly
Best known for writing warm, moral tales for children, this 19th-century American author published under the pen name “Aunt Friendly.” Her books often mix everyday family life with gentle lessons meant to encourage kindness, courage, and faith.
1 Audiobook
Hatty and Marcus or, First Steps in the Better Path
by Aunt Friendly
About the author
Sarah Schoonmaker Baker was an American writer born in 1824 and died in 1906, and “Aunt Friendly” was one of the names she used in print. She is associated especially with children’s books and story collections, including works such as Aunt Friendly’s Picture Book and Aunt Friendly’s Gift.
Her writing belongs to the tradition of Victorian children’s literature: simple storytelling, family scenes, and a clear wish to teach as well as entertain. Many of her books were written for young readers, with an emphasis on character, good habits, and everyday feeling rather than adventure alone.
Although she is not widely known today, her work has remained visible through reprints and digital archives, which suggests that her stories continued to appeal to later readers interested in classic children’s books.