Grandmother Dear: A Book for Boys and Girls

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

20963

Title

Grandmother Dear: A Book for Boys and Girls

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Mrs. Molesworth's charming tale follows three siblings—Ralph, Sylvia, and Molly—as they visit their beloved grandmother in France. Blending whimsical fairy-godmother fantasies with a poignant story of a broken china cup and a lost dog, the book explores themes of honesty, family bonds, and the transition to adulthood. With Walter Crane's illustrations and a gentle, nostalgic tone, it offers timeless comfort for young readers.

Summary up to 500 words

In *Grandmother Dear: A Book for Boys and Girls*, Mrs. Molesworth weaves a tender narrative centered on three children—Ralph, Sylvia, and Molly—who spend their holidays with their grandmother in the south of France following their mother's death and their father's impending departure for India. The story opens with the children playfully debating their grandmother's nature, contrasting her gentle reality with their imaginative fears of her being a fairy godmother who might turn them into toads. This domestic warmth is deepened by a significant flashback told by the grandmother's granddaughter, Nelly. Nelly recounts a childhood incident where she breaks a valuable china cup. Driven by guilt and a desire to restore her grandmother's happiness, she uses her birthday money to purchase a matching replacement. However, upon returning, she realizes that her attempt to conceal the mistake compromises her honesty. Her internal struggle highlights the book's central moral theme: that truth and candor are more valuable than material replacements or the avoidance of disappointment. The narrative expands beyond this domestic drama to include adventures at Alderwood Grange. The children investigate mysterious noises in the house, which are revealed to be caused by a loyal dog named Captain seeking his old quarters. This subplot underscores the family's connection to their past and the comforting nature of their extended network, including an uncle who eventually inherits the Grange. The book concludes with the children's heartfelt wishes for their grandmother's long life and a meta-narrative where they suggest she write a book of their stories. Mrs. Molesworth accepts this suggestion, framing the text as a gift to other children. Characterized by gentle humor and vivid depictions of family affection, the work seamlessly integrates ethical instruction within a cozy, atmospheric setting, standing as a quintessential example of late Victorian children's literature.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/20963.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg20963.epub

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Categories

• Fiction
• Family Life