Aunt Jane's Nieces on the Ranch facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | L. Frank Baum (as "Edith Van Dyne") |
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| Illustrator | Emile A. Nelson |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | Aunt Jane's Nieces |
| Genre | Young adult fiction |
| Publisher | Reilly & Britton |
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Publication date
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1913 |
| Media type | Print (hardcover) |
| Pages | 276 pp. |
| Preceded by | Aunt Jane's Nieces on Vacation |
| Followed by | Aunt Jane's Nieces Out West |
Aunt Jane's Nieces on the Ranch is a novel written in 1913 by L. Frank Baum. He used the pen name "Edith Van Dyne" for this book. It is part of the popular Aunt Jane's Nieces series.
The story takes place on a large ranch in California. This ranch belongs to Arthur and Louise Weldon. They have a baby girl named Jane, who they call "Toodlums." The Weldons have hired a governess named Inez, who is from Mexico, to help care for their baby.
A New Governess Arrives
Louise's uncle, John Merrick, visits the ranch. He is not happy with the choice of Inez as the baby's main caregiver. He decides to bring a new nurse, Mildred Travers, from New York. Mildred is meant to be the baby's governess.
The Weldons agree to let Mildred be the main governess. Inez then becomes her assistant. The Weldons value Inez's help very much. However, Inez feels very strongly about caring for baby Jane. She becomes very protective of the baby. This creates some disagreements between the two caregivers.
Secrets of the Ranch House
The ranch house itself is quite old and interesting. A Spanish lord built it many years ago. It has secret passages hidden inside some of its walls. Inez and some other people who work on the ranch believe the house is haunted. They hear strange sounds.
The Weldons, though, think the sounds are just rats. But there is a real mystery to the house. Mildred Travers has a special connection to it. Her father was a friend of the person who owned the house before the Weldons. This former owner showed Mildred's father the secret entrances to these passages. No one else seems to know about them.
