
A porcelain doll narrates her own small‑world adventures, beginning with her discovery in a bustling Soho bazaar and swift adoption by a three‑year‑old girl named Lucy. Wrapped in delicate muslin and merino dresses, she experiences the gentle routine of daily washing, fashionable outings to see the Queen, and an accidental tumble out a carriage window onto burdock leaves. Rescued by a kindly German raspberry picker, the doll finds herself cared for in a rustic country out‑building, where simple meals of water‑cress and cheese become part of her new life.
Soon the doll is passed to a lively five‑year‑old named Emma, who introduces her to a mischievous companion, Ellen Green, whose constant spills and tumbles keep the household on its toes. As May Day approaches, the doll is dressed in a pristine white frock with a pink sash, preparing for a festive celebration that promises both delight and the inevitable chaos of childhood play. The narrative captures the charm of 19th‑century country living through the eyes of a beloved plaything, inviting listeners to share in her innocent curiosity and tender observations.
Language
en
Duration
~53 minutes (51K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Charlene Taylor, Val Wooff and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
Release date
2020-12-27
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
b. 1840
Best known for a remarkable children's book published in 1853, this young American writer turned a doll's-eye view of everyday life into a lively story for her sisters. Her work survives as a rare glimpse of nineteenth-century childhood and imagination.
View all books