Interesting Neigors

INTERESTING NEIGHBORS - PREFACE - The stories that follow in this little book began with some that were prepared for a small group of children in whom the author was affectionately interested. The reason for the stories being written is that some meibers of this group resided elsewhere. Through these children the stories became known to a larger circle and there arose a desire on the part of the new acquaintances among them some teachers to have them compiled and published. Despite the efforts of those who have great faith in the educational value of a knowledge of nature, there still remains much to, be accomplished. Consequently, no one need apologize for an honest attempt, no matter how humble, to bring young children in contact with the wholesome intellectual stimulus and satisfying knowledge that comes from an acquaintance with the wonders of out of door life. One might well ask what principle should guide one in making a selection, from the grkat wealth of material that is available, when but a very few subjects can be presented in this form. The confession must be made, that no great principle has been conscious in the authors mind in the selection of subjects, unless that of taking up what is near v at hand, or more or less easily available and easily . understood, may be called a principle. Many other selections equally as good as those that follow might have been made. As may readily be seen, no attempt has been made to introduce what might be called the technical science of the objects treated. That valuable knowledge of nature can come to better advantage when the children are older and it will then be entered into with greater intelligence and zest by them if they have hadalready a happy experience and familiarity with the objects and phenomena all about them. It was thought best to use enough detail tomake a clear picture of some phase of the life of an object, and this has been attempted with the milkweed butterfly. If, in the opinion of some, this has been carried too far, the explanation is, that by giving a fuller account of the life of at least one of the butterflies the children would have a guide to the deeper study of these attractive creatures. The one chosen is widely distributed and the teacher can find excellent accounts of its life in many books. While this and the other little books to follow are termed readers, the author perhaps need not insist that the value of each lesson is greatly enhanced by having before the pupils when possible . the real object read about. It will be noted that the majority of the objects can be found in most parts of our country. A list of reference books has not been given, for tlic reason t hat at thc prcscnt time t1ler. e is sucli L large nurnbcr of excellent 11-orks on cntornology, zoology, botany and nature study, that any teacher vho viselyw ishes to be informed in regard to these and similar subjects can readily get the titles. This might be said to be a matter of common knowledge. The drawings are the work of Mr. W. S. Atkinson to whom acknowledgment is here made for his interest in the work and thc excellence of the illustrat. ions. OLIVER P. JENKINS. StulLfOrd Universily, CONTENTS THE MAGICH OUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . THEL EAF-CUTTEBRE E . . . . . . . . . . . THE CARPENTER-BE . E . . . . . . . . . . How THE TEACHE W R A S TAUGH . T . . . . . A CATERPILLARRE GIMEN . T . . . . . . . . MUSHROOM . S .. . . . . . . . . . . . . SOME T OAD ST ORIES A Homely Friend . . . . . . . . . . . . . Little Wilbur and His Toad Troubles . . . An Innocent Pet . . . . . . . . . . . ...