Little Folks (December 1884) / A Magazine for the Young

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

28007

Title

Little Folks (December 1884) / A Magazine for the Young

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A Victorian magazine for young readers featuring fairy tales, nature stories, puzzles, and serial fiction. This December 1884 issue includes heartwarming tales of family loyalty, educational games, and moral lessons, offering a wholesome blend of entertainment and instruction for children.

Summary up to 500 words

The December 1884 issue of *Little Folks: A Magazine for the Young* offers a rich tapestry of stories, educational content, and amusements designed to entertain and instruct its young readership. The centerpiece is the continuation of the serial story *A Little Too Clever*, which follows the Rivers family following the tragic death of Uncle Harry. Bertie assumes the role of head of the household, caring for his Aunt Amy and cousin Eddie. While Eddie reluctantly accepts a job in a timber yard to support them, Bertie endures harsh treatment from his uncle, Mr. Gregory, until the kind intervention of Mr. Murray secures better living arrangements and employment for the boys. Another significant narrative, *Their Road to Fortune*, explores the journey of two brothers, while a collection of fairy tales, including *A Race for a Cat* and *The Magic Music and its Message*, provides whimsical entertainment. The magazine also features *Faithful To Her Trust*, a true story highlighting loyalty and integrity. Beyond fiction, the issue is heavily committed to education and practical knowledge. The *Little Papers For Little Art Workers* section provides detailed instructions on ivory miniature painting and canvas painting, encouraging artistic development. The *Editor's Pocket-Book* serves as a compendium of general knowledge, covering topics ranging from famous railway trains and historical figures to animal anecdotes and geographical curiosities. Readers are engaged through various puzzles, acrostics, and competitions, such as the *Scylla and Charybdis* game, which challenges players to identify words hidden in syllables. The *Questions and Answers* section addresses practical inquiries from readers regarding pet care, cooking recipes like toffee, and crafts such as satin-painting and making an Aeolian harp. The issue concludes with the Editor's message outlining plans for the upcoming volume, promising new serials, art competitions, and continued features on nature and history. The tone throughout is one of moral instruction mixed with gentle amusement, aiming to foster virtues like patience, self-reliance, and kindness while expanding the young readers' horizons through diverse subjects from history and science to art and literature.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Children's Literature