Stories about Animals

Rover, the author's childhood dog, runs ahead on the way to school and returns to accompany him home. That remembered companionship sets the tone for Francis C. Woodworth's collection of animal anecdotes, written for young readers. Dogs receive particular attention for their intelligence and affection, while the contents range across horses, elephants, bears, cats, squirrels and other animals. Woodworth draws on his own observations, accounts from acquaintances, newspapers and books of natural history.

The stories mix amusement with lessons about sympathy and responsibility. A tame bear becomes an unexpected playmate for three children, while a recollection of trained animals leads the author to question the suffering behind their performances. His preface also connects attention to nature with religious belief. Readers interested in older children's writing can find here a conversational approach to animal behavior, shaped by storytelling and moral reflection.