The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-04-05
0m Tho Literary World


by the author The Abbey Press
Publishers, New York, London, Mon
treal
This is a dainty little book which car
Ties within it's pages the open sesame
TO the hearts Of children and to the hearts
too of older folks who love the CHI
dren.
1t Is the second within two years from
the pen and brush of Miss Carter, who
Is a Raleigh girl, the daughter of Mr..
and Mrs. w. E. Carter.
Many of our people will recall her
"Gleanlngs From Nature" issued from
the same house that sends this out In
that the young authoress gave exquisite
bits from nature: A bird butterfly or
a flower, with its story each illustrated
by herself. That gave the promise which
this, her second effort verfies. Princess
Florina is a pretty little story, told in
clear, sweet and withal in forcible
style, with no waste of words or crowdng
of ideas.
II will be a delight to the bright child
and a stimulant to the dull one. The
writer, in the shape of Fairy Sharp Eyes,
takes the little ones by the hand and
trips merrily with them through Moth
or Natures halls. showing them the
good and the beautiful things that
flourish there.
1t is the most fascinating of the many
Mature books" which have recently
been pouring from the press for the
benefit of children. Miss Carter shows
that she has lived with Mother Nature,
that she knows her and loves her and
tn thp little
.1hat she must needs share with them
her knowledge and her pleasure. To
shows the purpose of the book the re-
viewer can not do better than reproduce
her own words:
This little book, while written in a
fanciful style that will appeal to the
Imagination Of the Child will at the same
time be an open portal through which
he NAV enter into the love of all those
gifts which Mother Nature laVshes upon
us. If we know where to seek them.
mo mere book of facts. unless it un-
folds an ideal, or an inspiration, VIII
furnish children with beautiful concep-
tons compatible with their age or awaken
them to the marvels of creation.
IF after reading this story, even
few of our girls and boys are inspired
to gain for their own secrets which before
were hid, or are led to make frlends
with the humbest creatures which cross
their path, when this work Will nave
fulfilled the purpose of
THE AUTHOR"
The first chapter shows us a lonely
little princess. weary of the devices of
money and longing for something to
IS,;r,, charm ENyac anDparS and
saws Mother Nature invites Florina to
a dance of the Wild Flowers, where each
one will tell her own story before the
music and the dance begin. On magic
wings the fairy and the princess reach
the forest glade where they find at nome
Mother Nature, sweet-faced, cheery
old lady. Then we are told:
when Princess Florina looked around
her. she noticed that unlike real every
day flowers, all the guests had bright
little faces She was able to see TINS
because her eyes had been touched by
Fairy Sharp Eyes magic wand
Florina did not know any of the wild
flowers and could not tell their names.
In fact. these were the first she had ever
seen.
"AlI the flowers are so pretty" she
said to Hyacinth do you know their
names"
Yes" replied Hyacnth, his face
hripbtening. 81 know all the wild
flowers. but they do not like me- Ihey
count me an intruder, for ! am the nor
lists pet But l was invited by FAIRY
Sharp Eyes and have as much right
here as ar-r of them.
would you tell me their names
asked Florina.
Certainly" replied the Hyacinth po-
Htelv. "You see that group of dainty
florists yonder, dressed in pale, grayisn
blue?'
with their faces gazing up to the
sky, as if they We're very good and
prim?" asked Florina.
Yes" said Hyaeinth. they are quaker
Ladies. Sometimes they are called
Bluets. Their home is a retired spot
along the brookside. They belong to the
Nader family
.'Then those modest looking ones,
dressed in purple, trying to hide behind
the round green leaves are violets. Peo-
ple love them because they come to the
woods so early in the Spring, sometimes
before rough old Winter has gone away
The flowers are afraid of winter. he is so
cruel but Spring is sweet and gentle.
When she calls they come at once
What is the name of that bold looking
flower all dressed in bright Yellow? ask
ed the Princess.
Her name is Black Eyed Susan, an
swered Hyacinth. She is a gypsy flow
er. She wanders over the fields and
meadows, laughing and dancing the
whole summer long. She is not particu-
lar about the company she keeps and
will make companions of the commonest
roadside weeds
''She is handsome. said Florina, but
| like best the little lady near her in
the pretty pink dress"
Every one likes her. replied Hya'
cinth. THAT is Miss Brier Rose
THE Hyacinth went on telling Florina
the names of the other guests, until
Mother Nature rose and with gesture
of her wand motioned them all to silence.
Fairy Sharp Eyes stood by her side.
Each flower in my service" said
yn.h