Cole's Funny Picture Book No. 1

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

30726

Title

Cole's Funny Picture Book No. 1

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A Victorian-era children's anthology by E.W. Cole blending moral instruction with whimsical rhymes and fairy tales. Featuring stories of mischievous cats, naughty girls, and brave boys, this book aims to delight young readers while teaching lessons on obedience, industry, and kindness.

Summary up to 500 words

Published in 1879 by Edward William Cole, 'Cole's Funny Picture Book No. 1' serves as both a family amuser and moral instructor for children. The volume opens with a vigorous defense of Australia as the world's premier nation, praising its climate, agriculture, and mineral wealth while urgently advocating for water conservation to support a future population of hundreds of millions. Cole argues that with scientific irrigation and soil management, Australia could become the most prosperous country on earth. The book's core content is divided into thematic sections tailored to different audiences. 'Girl Land' presents cautionary tales targeting vices such as laziness, vanity, disobedience, and playing with fire. Characters like 'Cry-Baby Belle,' 'The Sulky Girl,' and 'Vain Sarah' illustrate the consequences of bad behavior, while virtuous models like 'Grace Darling' offer positive examples. Conversely, 'Boy Land' features classic fables such as 'Tom Thumb's Alphabet' and 'Jack the Giant Killer,' alongside warnings against mischief and rudeness. The 'Dolly Land' section focuses on toys, using stories about dolls who break arms or get lost as metaphors for human relationships and the importance of care. A whimsical section titled 'Pussy Land' features Puss in Boots and a heartwarming story of a mouse living peacefully with a dog until a tom cat arrives, teaching lessons about friendship and protection. A significant portion of the text is dedicated to health education, specifically warning against the dangers of narcotics like tobacco, opium, alcohol, and hasheesh. Cole describes these substances as insidious destroyers of body and mind that ruin character and health. The book concludes with philosophical reflections on the Supreme Being. Citing ancient and modern thinkers, Cole argues for a universal God who designed the universe with infinite wisdom. He presents evidence from astronomy, biology, and nature to suggest an immortal Designer of infinite power and goodness. The text asserts that this belief in one God is shared by all peoples across history and geography, uniting humanity under a single divine authority.

LLM editorial rating

4.0/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/30726.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg30726.epub

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Downloaded at

2026-08-17 23:01 UTC

Categories

• Humor
• Australian Humor