The Family from One End Street facts for kids
First edition
|
|
| Author | Eve Garnett |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Garnett |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Series | One End Street |
| Genre | Children's realist novel |
| Publisher | Frederick Muller |
|
Publication date
|
1937 |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 212 pp (first edition) |
| OCLC | 153872836 |
| LC Class | PZ7.G1843 Fam |
| Followed by | Further Adventures of the Family from One End Street |
The Family from One End Street is a classic English children's book. It was written and illustrated by Eve Garnett and first published in 1937. The story is about a large, happy family living in a small town in Sussex, England.
This book was special because it showed the daily life of a working-class family. At the time, most children's books were about middle-class children. This made The Family from One End Street very new and important.
In 1938, Eve Garnett won the Carnegie Medal for her book. This award is given to the best children's book by a British subject each year. The book is still popular today and is considered a classic. It has been reissued many times, most recently in 2014.
There are also two sequel books that continue the family's adventures: Further Adventures of the Family from One End Street (1956) and Holiday at the Dew Drop Inn (1962). Together, these three books are known as the "One End Street" series.
Contents
Meet the Ruggles Family
The Ruggles family lives at Number 1, One End Street. Their home is in the middle of a fictional town called Otwell-on-the-Ouse. This town is much like Lewes, a real town in Sussex where the author, Eve Garnett, lived.
Mr. Josiah Ruggles works for the Otwell council as a dustman, collecting rubbish. His wife, Rosie, earns money by doing laundry for other people. They have seven children, so life can be tough, but they are a very happy family.
Family Adventures
The book tells many short stories about the adventures of each Ruggles child.
Lily Rose's Ironing Day
Lily Rose is the oldest child. One day, she tries to help her mother with the ironing. Accidentally, she ruins a green petticoat. Lily Rose is very sorry and apologizes to the owner, Mrs. Beaseley. Luckily, Mrs. Beaseley is kind and forgives her.
Kate's New School Clothes
Kate is the second oldest child. Mrs. Beaseley gives Kate some old clothes from her niece for her new school. This helps the family because government money for school clothes is paid later. Kate loses her new school hat and tries to sell mushrooms to buy a new one. But in the end, the original hat is found!
Jim's Big Trip
Jim is one of the Ruggles twins. He is very adventurous. He joins a local group called the Black Hands. One Saturday, a hailstorm starts. Jim follows a dog into a large drain pipe near a wharf. The pipe is then loaded onto a barge. Jim hides inside and is carried down the river all the way to the seaport of Salthaven. He is still in the pipe when it's loaded onto a ship! A man on the ship helps him get back to land. Other dock workers help him find his way home.
John's Unexpected Ride
John is Jim's twin brother. He loves cars and often visits the car park at Otwell Castle. One day, a rich couple, the Lawrences, let him watch their car. The same hailstorm that caught Jim also catches John. He climbs into the Lawrences' car for shelter. When they return, they drive off without checking the back seat. John wakes up miles away! Instead of taking him straight home, the Lawrences invite him to their son's birthday party. They send a telegram to his family to let them know he is safe.
William's Baby Show
William is the youngest Ruggles child. He is entered into the Annual Baby Show. The family is worried because he is a "late teether," meaning his teeth are coming in slowly. William wins his age group (6–12 months). However, an older baby wins the main prize because William has no teeth yet. When the Ruggles family gets home, they discover William has finally grown a tooth!
Jo's Cinema Secret
Jo Ruggles junior is the fifth child. He loves Mickey Mouse cartoons. One Saturday morning, he sneaks into the empty cinema building. He hides in the orchestra pit to watch the first color Mickey Mouse film. He soon falls asleep. Hours later, some cinema musicians find him. Jo explains why he snuck in. The men give him sixpence for the show and warn him not to do it again.
A Trip to London
Mr. Ruggles finds some lost money and returns it. He receives a reward of £2. He uses this money to take his whole family to London. They go to the Cart Horse Parade in Regent's Park. Mr. Ruggles' brother has entered his horse, named Bernard Shaw, in the competition. Bernard Shaw wins first place! The Ruggles family climbs into the cart and joins the parade. Afterward, they visit a fancy tea shop. They have so much fun that they almost miss their train home!
