Minor Morals for Young People facts for kids
 |
|
| Author | John Bowring |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | George Cruikshank, William Heath |
| Published | 1834 |
Minor Morals for Young People is a special book series written by John Bowring. It was published in three parts between 1834 and 1839. This series is a type of Children's literature, meaning it was made especially for young readers. Famous artists like George Cruikshank and William Heath created the pictures for the books.
Contents
About the Author and the Book
Sir John Bowring (1792–1872) was an interesting person from England. He was a writer, a traveler, and could speak many languages. He even became the Governor of Hong Kong later in his life.
Bowring wrote Minor Morals for Young People to teach important lessons while also being fun to read. People who reviewed the book back then said it helped young minds learn good principles. The third book in the series, published in 1839, focused on "Oriental History" and cool stories from different cultures, like folklore.
Meet the Howard Family
The Minor Morals books are all about the Howard family. There's Mr. Howard, who is a very wise father and loves to tell stories. His wife, Mrs. Howard, is also part of their adventures. They have three children: Arthur, George, and Edith. Mr. Howard shares many different lessons and exciting tales with his kids throughout the books.
Lessons for Life: Volumes I and II
The first two volumes of Minor Morals teach children about important life skills and good behavior. Mr. Howard tells stories that help his children understand things like:
- How to control anger
- Being brave and courageous
- Being generous to others
- Showing kindness to animals
- Always telling the truth
- Using time wisely
- Being patient and good-natured
- Understanding justice
These stories help the Howard children learn how to be good people and make smart choices. They also learn about the world around them, like the uses of animals and the beauty of flowers.
Adventures and Folklore: Volume III
The third volume is full of exciting stories about travel and folklore from "the East." Mr. Howard wants to make these faraway places interesting for his children. He shares real folk tales just as he heard them.
Travels and New Cultures
The Howard children dream of visiting distant lands. Mr. Howard starts by sharing his own travel stories. He tells them about his visit to Russia and how meeting people from different places helps you understand the world better. He explains that travel can "destroy petty prejudices," meaning it helps you get rid of small, unfair ideas about others.
Mysteries and Creatures
Mr. Howard also shares tales of mysterious creatures and beliefs from other cultures:
- Peris: He tells a magical story about a tailor who falls in love with a Peri. Peris are beautiful, fairy-like beings from Persian folklore.
- Djins: He talks about Djins, also known as genies, which are spirits that sometimes haunt houses in Middle Eastern stories.
- Vampires: Mr. Howard even describes vampires, which are creatures from folklore that torment the living. He explains how vampire hunters in stories use a stake through the heart to defeat them.
Treasure Hunts and Lessons
One exciting story Mr. Howard tells is about a treasure hunt in a place called the Levant. The treasure hunters find a chest of treasure, but it's tricky to get. They try to stop it from sinking into the earth, but they fail. This story teaches a lesson about the dangers and difficulties of seeking quick riches.
The Minor Morals series is a fun way to learn about good behavior, different cultures, and exciting stories from around the world!
