The Gardener and our boys had fun during their childhood collecting Horatio Alger Jr. books
and reading them together. It was something to look for in junk shops or
garage sales, and a find was always celebrated.
One of the most prolific children's authors, Alger wrote almost the same story line with each book.
A poor boy rises to success through hard work, honesty and bravery.
The books took place in the 19th century and always involved a villan and then
a wealthy benefactor who noticed the boy for his character, and helped him get
established in life. Our boys had fun guessing just how the plot would come about.
a wealthy benefactor who noticed the boy for his character, and helped him get
established in life. Our boys had fun guessing just how the plot would come about.
I like to think the boys learned a bit about good character through the books.
But was it so much the stories they enjoyed? Or snuggling in close to their "papa," as they
called their dad, and hearing his voice reading to them. I'm not sure, but I know I loved
listening to the reading and their lively discussions while I cooked supper in the kitchen.
called their dad, and hearing his voice reading to them. I'm not sure, but I know I loved
listening to the reading and their lively discussions while I cooked supper in the kitchen.
The collection remains in our aged "secretary," a favorite piece of
furniture found long ago in a crumbling antique shop.
What a lovely collection. I have only a few...less than ten...that belonged to my grandmother a gal who loved those stories. I've never read one, perhaps I should. Currently, I'm scouting about for ones with a particular name. I have one with "Sam" in the title and someday I'll find the one I'm looking for perhaps. I have the word out at Abe books.
ReplyDeleteYes, I am certain that your boys enjoyed listening to the stories that their papa was reading. What a dear heritage!
So cool! I'll have to keep my eye out for some for C! J and C are really enjoying the Hardy Boys right now :)
ReplyDeletePerfect...
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ReplyDeleteI LOVE everything about this, but most especially that gorgeous secretary!!!
Your secretary full of books is really beautiful. I've never heard of these books but I bet they were in the old family home's bookcases back in the day. The books not only make a lovely display but their topic would definitely encourage young boys today. I'm sure your sons benefited from their Papa reading them to them. Have an enjoyable weekend!
ReplyDeleteDon't you just love books as keepsakes? Yours look great in that secretary.
ReplyDeleteMemories wound around books and family are among the best, aren't they? When my son was young it was the story All Creatures Great and Small - read over and over again, aloud at bedtime.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful collection... of books... of memories... of life lessons... of loving moments. {{sigh}} Treasures. blessings ~ tanna
ReplyDeleteGracious, what a lip-smacking collection! We have several, and some Henty's but nowhere near as many as you. Riches indeed. :)
ReplyDeletePodso,
ReplyDeleteWhat precious memories! What lovely stories to pass to your grandchildren!!! As a child, I wasn't read aloud to. I read to our sons as babes all through their High School years. The later was usually "sports news"...but still I read! One of my most precious memories is of our son during his Middle School years, clan in "Mr. Ed's" red plaid housecoat, lying on our bed reading to all of us..."T'was the Night Before Christmas"...grinning ear ~ to ~ ear!!!
Fondly,
Pat
So nice to have the memories of days gone by.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on a new little one in March.
Carolyn
I love antique books and your secretary is beautiful! It would cost a fortune to buy a new one and it wouldn't ahve the same character.
ReplyDeleteWe always read to our children at bedtime --it was always such a cozy time.
Such fond memories, and books with a lesson to learn. I have not heard of them but with girls we did have many of the Nancy Drew series in our home.
ReplyDeleteJudith
What treasures...but then they were just the beginning of wonderful memories...
ReplyDeleteYou have a lovely collection of books and memories. That is so wonderful.
ReplyDeleteSmiles, Dottie
You have a precious collection there, of memories and books. I love remembering the times spent reading to our children, either me or their father. So many of those books come up in conversation even now, years later.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to have memories like that to look back on. I love old books! That's a very pretty secretary.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Cindy
These books are just lovely..especially all grouped together
ReplyDeleteWhat treasured memories. Love that collection - and something to pass along to future readers!
ReplyDeleteLeann
A lovely story and pictures. I'm sure every time you pass those books you think of those days when the children were small enough to read to. I know I loved reading to mine even when they were teenagers and they seemed to like it, especially Christmas stories. Now singing to them, that was a different matter. "Please, Mama, don't sing!"
ReplyDeleteYour memories and the story of how these books were collected over the years and read aloud is wonderful. I haven't heard of this series but will keep an eye out now that I know about them. How lucky you were to have found that beautiful antique secretary!
ReplyDeleteI love your post....we also collected these books for many years when our son was growing up. They are in a box on the closet shelf and I hope someday....he will find them of value. We used to read books aloud also....the 'Honeybunch' series....and Elsie Dinsmore series. And a few of Gene Stratton-Porter books got read aloud. What character builders. Now I am enjoying a 'Lamplighter' book now and again. Amazon has a number of them that are free...if you search by book title or author. Ex. 'Teddys Button' by Amy Le Feuvre. Such a tender story about a small boy whose Father fought in the war and died. And all that was given to the boy of the Father was a button from his uniform. And the storyline follows ...about the button. Perhaps you've read it? It touched my heart.
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