Nora Archibald Smith facts for kids

From the cover of Nora Archibald Smith's book Boys and Girls of Bookland (1923), illustrated by Jessie Willcox Smith

Nora Archibald Smith (1859–1934) was an American writer who wrote many books for children. She lived in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Nora was the sister of Kate Douglas Wiggin, who wrote Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm.

Nora and Kate worked together on many children's books. They also helped start the kindergarten movement in the United States. This movement focused on teaching young children in a fun and active way. They really liked the ideas of Friedrich Fröbel, who believed in learning through play.

About Nora Archibald Smith

Her Early Life

Nora Archibald Smith was born in Philadelphia. Her sister was Kate Douglas Wiggin. Their father passed away when Nora was very young. After this, their mother moved the family to Portland, Maine.

Later, their mother remarried Dr. Albion Bradbury. The family then moved to his farmhouse in Hollis, Maine. This house was called "Quillcote." Both Nora and Kate grew up there. They also returned to live there when they were older.

Working in California

In 1873, Nora's family moved to California. Her sister Kate opened the first free kindergarten in the western United States. This kindergarten was on Silver Street in San Francisco. At the same time, Nora was teaching in public schools in Tucson, Arizona.

Nora earned a degree from Santa Barbara College in 1877. In 1880, Nora and Kate started the California Kindergarten Training School together. Nora received her certificate from this school in 1881.

Later, Nora became the leader of the free kindergarten on Silver Street. She then took over running the California Kindergarten Training School in 1889. Nora was also a leader in many groups that supported early childhood education. She worked with her sister to write or edit fifteen books. Nora also wrote many stories and articles about teaching young children.

Books by Nora Archibald Smith

Books Nora Wrote Herself

• The Children of the Future (1898)
• The Kindergarten in a Nutshell: a handbook for the home (1899)
• Under the Cactus Flag: a story of life in Mexico (1899)
• The Message of Froebel and Other Essays (1900)
• Three Little Marys (1902)
• Nelson the Adventurer: a story for boys (1906)
• The Adventures of a Doll (1907)
• The Home-Made Kindergarten (1912)
• Old, Old Tales from the Old, Old Book (1916) – These are Bible stories.
• Plays, Pantomimes, and Tableaux for Children (1917)
• The Christmas Child (1920)
• Boys and Girls of Bookland (1923)
• Action Poems and Plays for Children (1923)
• Children of the Lighthouse (1924)
• Kate Douglas Wiggin as Her Sister Knew Her (1925)
• A Truly Little Girl (1927)
• The Home-Made Kindergarten, revised and enlarged (1928)
• Bee of the Cactus Country (1932)

Books Nora Wrote with Kate Douglas Wiggin

• The Story Hour: A book for the home and kindergarten (1890)
• Children's Rights: A Book of Nursery Logic (1892)
• The Republic of Childhood, 3 volumes (1895, 1896)
• Golden Numbers: a book of verse for youth (1902)
• The Posy Ring: a book of verse for children (1903)
• The Fairy Ring (1906)
• Magic Casements: A Second Fairy Book (1907)
• Pinafore Palace: a book of rhymes for the nursery (1907)
• Tales of Laughter: A Third Fairy Book (1908)
• The Arabian Nights: their best-known tales (1909)
• Tales of Wonder: A Fourth Fairy Book (1909)
• The Talking Beasts: A Book of Fable Wisdom (1911)
• An Hour with the Fairies (1911)
• Twilight Stories: More tales for the story hour (1925)
• A Thanksgiving Retrospect; or, Simplicity of Life in Old New England (1928)