
Bobby and Betty wander through a lively neighbourhood, discovering the people who keep everyday life moving. From the dependable milkman and his steady horse to the bustling iceman delivering cool blocks of ice, each vignette shows the siblings learning how these workers help their families. The gentle narratives capture simple chores, like pouring milk and fetching groceries, while inviting listeners to picture the bustling streets of a small town.
The book’s verses are short, rhythmic, and filled with playful repetition that encourages young listeners to join in. Interspersed questions invite children to count quarts, name the days of the week, or guess how many pints make a quart, turning each story into a quiet classroom activity. The charming illustrations of apple‑pie making, shoe‑shop visits, and market trips add a visual cue to the spoken word.
Designed for early readers and listeners, the collection blends everyday realism with imaginative rhyme, offering a warm glimpse into community work and the simple joys of childhood exploration.
Language
en
Duration
~1 hours (102K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Original publisher
United States: Rand McNally and Company, 1923.
Credits
Stephen Hutcheson, Lisa Corcoran and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2023-03-21
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1863–1944
A pioneering educator and writer, this American author turned early history and everyday work into lively stories for children. Her best-known books, including The Tree-Dwellers and The Early Cave-Men, helped generations of young readers imagine how people lived long ago.
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