Frederick Richardson's Book for Children

In this, Frederick Richardson's last book -- Book for Children -- his illustrations vividly showcase 10 best-loved children's stories. These stories appeal to all ages, but they have become known as children's stories because they introduce young minds to the thrill of romance and adventure.


The author writes:

In these simple folk tales that have been loved by so many boys and girls you will find happy stories. Just as you like best those days through which you feel like singing and laughing, so too, you like best jovial tales. All these stories seem to be part of the cheerfulness of long ago.


Such stories, which have been told and retold in many countries and in many languages throughout the ages since story-telling began, we find to be the tales which have always delighted young people. Although their appeal is to all ages, they have become known as children’s stories because it is through them that the very young are introduced to the wonderland of romance and high adventure. The chronicles of this enchanted land teach truths that rise above the annals of recorded history. They take their places in the child’s memory and, directly or indirectly, teach him lessons which however blurred they become with time, are never forgotten.


This carefully selected group of children’s stories brings to us the realization that the story teller is confined by no narrowing frontier lines of nationality, race or creed. The world is his country and everyone, young or old, is sure of a hearty welcome in this Land-of-Let’s-Pretend, just so long as he can forget that he is anything but a story teller.


In collecting these fairy stories, which in one form or another we have all read or heard in childhood, and which we have repeated to our own children, we find that successive generations have granted and renewed this freedom to the story teller. An interesting and a colorful company they form, too, when brought together in this grand pageant for children.


These are stories that are loved because of the wonderful humor in them. The characters are happy and active and they all have something in them which will make the children chuckle inside. These stories all happened “once upon a time,” in that “happy land of story.” The happenings in this land are not as serious or as solemn as those in our everyday world. Fun happens where it is least expected. Those who pass away in the stories come to life right after the story is told. Animals always talk in storyland and when animals speak the way these do, the stories are sure to be full of fun.


Frederick Richardson, a famous artist and author, knew and understood these people from the Land-of-Let’s-Pretend. With his paints and brushes he drew them as he saw them; and in this beautiful book he presents his last collection of their pictures and stories to you for your enjoyment.