
In the quiet hours of a bustling department store, the toys on the shelves stir to life. Led by a courageous tin soldier, they gather for a midnight drill, marching across the counter while a calico clown, a candy rabbit, and a rag doll watch with wide‑eyed curiosity. Their playful chatter reveals a hidden world where wooden dolls, hopping jack‑in‑the‑boxes, and even a monkey on a stick share stories of past owners and dream of new homes.
The narrative unfolds with gentle humor and vivid imagination, inviting listeners to hear the secret conversations of toys that only awaken when no human eyes are watching. As the tin soldier commands his tiny regiment, the characters demonstrate friendship, bravery, and the simple joy of a shared adventure. This charming tale offers a warm, nostalgic escape that will delight listeners of all ages.
Language
en
Duration
~1 hours (84K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Curtis A. Weyant, Charles Franks and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team.
Release date
2004-08-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

Best known as the name behind the Bobbsey Twins, this pen name introduced generations of young readers to cheerful, fast-moving adventures. It was one of the house pseudonyms used by the Stratemeyer Syndicate, the book-packaging powerhouse behind many classic children's series.
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