The Play-day Book: New Stories for Little Folks by Fanny Fern

(14 User reviews)   6492
By Jacob Brown Posted on Dec 22, 2025
In Category - Space Opera
Fern, Fanny, 1811-1872 Fern, Fanny, 1811-1872
English
Ever wish you could time-travel back to a simpler childhood? That's what reading 'The Play-day Book' feels like. Forget modern screens and schedules—this collection from 1859 whisks you away to a world where kids find magic in everyday adventures. The 'conflict' here isn't a villain, but the gentle struggle between youthful imagination and the grown-up rules of the world. Through stories about mischievous kittens, secret garden hideouts, and lessons learned the hard way, Fanny Fern captures that universal ache of wanting freedom while learning responsibility. It's a sweet, funny, and surprisingly poignant look at what childhood felt like over 150 years ago.
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amusement, you should happen to find instruction, so much the better. FANNY FERN. CONTENTS. PAGE A RAINY DAY 7 THE BOY WHO WANTED TO SEE THE WORLD 25 THE JOURNEY 35 A PEEP OUT OF MY WINDOW 61 THE CIRCUS 64 WHAT EVERY LITTLE CHILD MAY SEE 70 A STORY FOR BOYS 72 KATY’S FIRST GRIEF 76 OUR NEW DOG DASH 87 FUN AND FOLLY 89 HISTORY OF A FAMILY OF CATS 96 THE POOR-RICH CHILD 102 THE HOD-CARRIER 107 THE TOM-BOY 120 THE LITTLE MUSICIAN 124 LIONS 128 THE CRIPPLE 133 BESSIE AND HER MOTHER 145 RED-HEADED ANDY 150 LITTLE NAPKIN 155 THE SPOILED BOY 160 PUSS AND I 166 LUCY’S FAULT 169 UNTIDY MARY 176 A LUCKY IRISH BOY 183 THE CHILD PRINCE AND THE CHILD PEASANT 191 THE WILD ROSE 194 JENNY AND THE BUTCHER 204 THE TWO BABES 212 THE LITTLE SISTERS 215 OURS; OR, A LOOK BACKWARD 220 CHILDREN’S TROUBLES 224 THE VACANT LOT 230 “FOOLISH NED” 233 GREENWOOD 235 BED-TIME 242 SOLILOQUY OF OVERGROWN FIFTEEN 248 A TEMPERANCE STORY 250 ALL ABOUT HORACE 256 A WALK I TOOK 269 SUSY FOSTER 273 “FEED MY LAMBS” 276 TWO LIVE PICTURES 280 A RIDDLE 282 THANKSGIVING 284 A RAINY DAY, AND WHAT CAME OF IT. “Oh, dear, I knew it would rain to-day, just because I didn’t want to have it; every thing is so dark, and cold, and gloomy; drip—drip—drip—oh, dear! had I made the world, mother, I never would have made a drop of rain.” “What would the cattle have had to drink, then?” “I am sure I don’t know; I don’t see why they need drink. I could drink milk, you know, mother.” “But if it didn’t rain the grass would all dry up, and then the cows would give no milk.” “Well, I don’t know any thing about that. I know I don’t like rain, any how; do you like a rainy day, mother?” “Yes, very much: it gives me such a nice chance to work; I have nobody to interrupt me. I can do a great deal on a rainy day.” “But I have no work, mother.” “Ah, that is just the trouble: time lies heavy on idle hands; suppose you wind these skeins of silk into nice little balls for my work-basket?” “So I will; won’t you talk to me while I am doing it? tell me something about yourself, when you was a little girl—little like me; tell me the very first thing you can ever remember when you was a tiny little girl.” “Bless me, that was so long ago that you will have to give me time to think. Can you keep your chattering tongue still five minutes, while I do it?” Susy nodded her head, and fixed her eye very resolutely on a nail in the wall. A long pause. “Hum—hum,” muttered Susy pointing to her lips, as her mamma moved in her chair. “Yes, you can speak now.” “Have you thought of it, mother?” “Yes.” “Well, that’s nice; let me get another card to wind that skein on, when I have done this; I hope it is a long story, I hope it is funny, I hope there ain’t any ‘moral’ in it. Katy Smith’s mother always puts a moral in; I don’t like morals, do you, mother?” Susy’s mother laughed, and said that she didn’t like them when she was her age. “There now—there—I’m ready, now begin; but don’t say ‘Once on a time,’ I hate ‘Once on a time;’ I always know it is going to be a hateful story when it begins...

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Let's be clear: this isn't a novel with one big plot. 'The Play-day Book' is a collection of short stories and sketches, each a little window into 19th-century American childhood. We follow different children as they navigate their small worlds. One story might be about a boy learning honesty after a fib, another about sisters sharing (or fighting over!) a special doll. The settings are cozy and familiar—a sunny kitchen, a leafy backyard, a bustling main street on market day. The drama is in the small moments: a prized possession broken, a secret discovered, a kind deed that goes surprisingly right.

Why You Should Read It

I picked this up for the historical charm, but I stayed for Fanny Fern's voice. She writes about kids with such warmth and wit, never talking down to them. You can feel her belief that children's feelings—their joys, embarrassments, and frustrations—are deeply important. Reading it, you'll smile at how some things never change (sibling squabbles, love for pets) and marvel at the differences (the formality, the old-fashioned pastimes). It's a quiet book that makes you think about your own childhood and the timeless heart of growing up.

Final Verdict

Perfect for parents, teachers, or anyone who loves social history seen through everyday life. It's a gentle read, ideal for a lazy afternoon. If you're a fan of authors like Louisa May Alcott but want something less sprawling than 'Little Women,' this is your next stop. Just be ready for a wave of nostalgia for a time you never actually lived in.



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This is a copyright-free edition. Access is open to everyone around the world.

Margaret Perez
1 year ago

Thanks for the recommendation.

Margaret Martinez
1 year ago

I have to admit, the author's voice is distinct and makes complex topics easy to digest. Exceeded all my expectations.

Barbara Smith
1 year ago

Without a doubt, it creates a vivid world that you simply do not want to leave. Absolutely essential reading.

Dorothy Lopez
9 months ago

I came across this while browsing and it creates a vivid world that you simply do not want to leave. I couldn't put it down.

4.5
4.5 out of 5 (14 User reviews )

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