
A lively, tongue‑in‑cheek meditation on childhood opens this modest volume, where the author trades the usual solemn preface for a candid confession of his love‑hate relationship with introductions. He gathers stray observations, humorous sketches, and little “pickings” he’s collected over decades—snippets of playground chatter, quirky anecdotes, and musings on how children unknowingly shape the world around them. The prose swings between witty self‑deprecation and surprisingly deep philosophy, inviting listeners to reconsider the everyday moments that often pass unnoticed.
Interwoven with these reflections are brief, gently crafted fairy‑tale‑like vignettes that aim to entertain without resorting to exaggerated fantasy. Each story feels like a fire‑side chat, offering both amusement and subtle moral insight, while staying grounded in the simple realities of youthful imagination. Listeners will find a charming mix of humor, nostalgia, and thoughtful observation that celebrates the small, often overlooked wonders of childhood.
Language
en
Duration
~3 hours (216K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by David Edwards, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from scans of public domain material produced by Microsoft for their Live Search Books site.)
Release date
2011-01-07
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1793–1876
A restless early American writer and critic, this Portland, Maine, original wrote novels, essays, poetry, and reviews with unusual energy and bold opinions. He is often remembered for helping push American literature toward its own voice while also speaking out for women's rights and against slavery and racial prejudice.
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