Book details
Toto's Merry Winter
Description
Talking tea kettles and raccoons and bears and a boy named Toto. It's all so much fun in the woods at home with family. Even in Winter...especially with Granny's stories! "ONCE upon a time, long ago and long ago, there lived in Pekin, which, as you all know, is the chief city of the Chinese Empire, a boy whose name was Chop-Chin. He was the son of Ly-Chee, a sweeper of the Imperial court-yard, whose duty it was to keep the pavement of the court-yard always absolutely clean, in case His Celestial Majesty, the Emperor, should feel inclined to put his celestial and majestic nose out-of-doors." Laura Elizabeth Howe Richards wrote over 90 books, including children's, biographies, poetry, and others. Laura's mother, Julia Ward Howe, was famous for writing the words to The Battle Hymn of the Republic. Laura won a Pulitzer Prize for Julia Ward Howe, a biography, which she co-authored with her sister, Maud Howe Elliott. Her children's book Tirra Lirra won the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award.
Age
13-18
Text complexity
intermediate
Length
128 pages
Why to read
- Engaging Storytelling: 'Toto's Merry Winter' by Laura Elizabeth Howe Richards offers a charming and engaging narrative that captures the essence of childhood wonder and adventure, making it a delightful read for both children and adults.
- Historical Insight: Reading this book provides a glimpse into the late 19th-century American life, offering historical insights through the lens of children's literature and showcasing the cultural norms and values of the time.
- Moral Lessons: The story is imbued with moral lessons and positive values such as kindness, friendship, and the importance of family, which are as relevant today as they were when the book was first published.
- Literary Appreciation: Laura Elizabeth Howe Richards was a prolific writer and a recipient of the Pulitzer Prize for Biography. Reading 'Toto's Merry Winter' allows readers to appreciate the work of a significant figure in American literature and to enjoy the literary style of the period.