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Dainty Series #2
Charles Dickens' Children Stories
With twelve full-page illustrations.
82 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1900
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1089 people want to read
About the author
Charles Dickens
10.2k books31.5k followersCharles John Huffam Dickens (1812-1870) was a writer and social critic who created some of the world's best-known fictional characters and is regarded as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. His works enjoyed unprecedented popularity during his lifetime, and by the twentieth century critics and scholars had recognised him as a literary genius. His novels and short stories enjoy lasting popularity.
Dickens left school to work in a factory when his father was incarcerated in a debtors' prison. Despite his lack of formal education, he edited a weekly journal for 20 years, wrote 15 novels, five novellas, hundreds of short stories and non-fiction articles, lectured and performed extensively, was an indefatigable letter writer, and campaigned vigorously for children's rights, education, and other social reforms.
Dickens was regarded as the literary colossus of his age. His 1843 novella, A Christmas Carol, remains popular and continues to inspire adaptations in every artistic genre. Oliver Twist and Great Expectations are also frequently adapted, and, like many of his novels, evoke images of early Victorian London. His 1859 novel, A Tale of Two Cities, set in London and Paris, is his best-known work of historical fiction. Dickens's creative genius has been praised by fellow writers—from Leo Tolstoy to George Orwell and G. K. Chesterton—for its realism, comedy, prose style, unique characterisations, and social criticism. On the other hand, Oscar Wilde, Henry James, and Virginia Woolf complained of a lack of psychological depth, loose writing, and a vein of saccharine sentimentalism. The term Dickensian is used to describe something that is reminiscent of Dickens and his writings, such as poor social conditions or comically repulsive characters.
On 8 June 1870, Dickens suffered another stroke at his home after a full day's work on Edwin Drood. He never regained consciousness, and the next day he died at Gad's Hill Place. Contrary to his wish to be buried at Rochester Cathedral "in an inexpensive, unostentatious, and strictly private manner," he was laid to rest in the Poets' Corner of Westminster Abbey. A printed epitaph circulated at the time of the funeral reads: "To the Memory of Charles Dickens (England's most popular author) who died at his residence, Higham, near Rochester, Kent, 9 June 1870, aged 58 years. He was a sympathiser with the poor, the suffering, and the oppressed; and by his death, one of England's greatest writers is lost to the world." His last words were: "On the ground", in response to his sister-in-law Georgina's request that he lie down.
(from Wikipedia)
Dickens left school to work in a factory when his father was incarcerated in a debtors' prison. Despite his lack of formal education, he edited a weekly journal for 20 years, wrote 15 novels, five novellas, hundreds of short stories and non-fiction articles, lectured and performed extensively, was an indefatigable letter writer, and campaigned vigorously for children's rights, education, and other social reforms.
Dickens was regarded as the literary colossus of his age. His 1843 novella, A Christmas Carol, remains popular and continues to inspire adaptations in every artistic genre. Oliver Twist and Great Expectations are also frequently adapted, and, like many of his novels, evoke images of early Victorian London. His 1859 novel, A Tale of Two Cities, set in London and Paris, is his best-known work of historical fiction. Dickens's creative genius has been praised by fellow writers—from Leo Tolstoy to George Orwell and G. K. Chesterton—for its realism, comedy, prose style, unique characterisations, and social criticism. On the other hand, Oscar Wilde, Henry James, and Virginia Woolf complained of a lack of psychological depth, loose writing, and a vein of saccharine sentimentalism. The term Dickensian is used to describe something that is reminiscent of Dickens and his writings, such as poor social conditions or comically repulsive characters.
On 8 June 1870, Dickens suffered another stroke at his home after a full day's work on Edwin Drood. He never regained consciousness, and the next day he died at Gad's Hill Place. Contrary to his wish to be buried at Rochester Cathedral "in an inexpensive, unostentatious, and strictly private manner," he was laid to rest in the Poets' Corner of Westminster Abbey. A printed epitaph circulated at the time of the funeral reads: "To the Memory of Charles Dickens (England's most popular author) who died at his residence, Higham, near Rochester, Kent, 9 June 1870, aged 58 years. He was a sympathiser with the poor, the suffering, and the oppressed; and by his death, one of England's greatest writers is lost to the world." His last words were: "On the ground", in response to his sister-in-law Georgina's request that he lie down.
(from Wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
July 5, 2025
I received Charles Dickens' Children Stories as a birthday gift from my father in 1993—a slender, golden-spined book that felt like a treasure chest in my little hands. I was just beginning to fall in love with stories, and this book opened a door I’ve never quite closed since. It was my first introduction to Dickens—not through the sprawling fog of Bleak House or the social thunder of Hard Times, but through simpler, distilled retellings of the master’s greatest works: Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, Little Nell, Tiny Tim—each story scaled for younger hearts, yet soaked in all the emotion, grit, and moral depth that defined Dickens.
What struck me even then, perhaps before I had the language to articulate it, was how deeply Dickens cared. He didn't just write about children—he believed in them. Their pain mattered. Their laughter echoed louder. Their losses hit harder. In Oliver Twist, I remember shivering at the word "workhouse", even though I didn’t fully understand what it meant. It sounded cold, cruel. And when Oliver dared to ask, "Please, sir, I want some more", I felt an electric jolt. That moment became, in some way, my first understanding of courage.
Every story in that little volume felt like it was stitched with purpose—lessons on kindness, on justice, on the quiet strength of those who suffer with dignity. But they never felt preachy. They were human. Little Nell's frailty, David’s longing for love, Pip’s yearning to belong—even in these retold versions, Dickens’s emotional architecture remained intact. The prose may have been simpler, but the heartbreak was not.
And perhaps more than anything, what made the book unforgettable was the sense that my father—by giving it to me—was handing me a set of keys. Not just to Victorian England, but to moral imagination itself. That little book taught me that fiction wasn’t just entertainment; it was empathy training. That a writer’s greatest gift is to make you feel the pain of someone far removed from you, and then compel you to care.
To this day, Charles Dickens' Children Stories sits on my shelf, its binding a little frayed, its pages slightly foxed—but it’s still glowing. It reminds me where my love for literature began: in a birthday gift, a father’s hand, and the first time I realized that stories could change how I saw the world.
What struck me even then, perhaps before I had the language to articulate it, was how deeply Dickens cared. He didn't just write about children—he believed in them. Their pain mattered. Their laughter echoed louder. Their losses hit harder. In Oliver Twist, I remember shivering at the word "workhouse", even though I didn’t fully understand what it meant. It sounded cold, cruel. And when Oliver dared to ask, "Please, sir, I want some more", I felt an electric jolt. That moment became, in some way, my first understanding of courage.
Every story in that little volume felt like it was stitched with purpose—lessons on kindness, on justice, on the quiet strength of those who suffer with dignity. But they never felt preachy. They were human. Little Nell's frailty, David’s longing for love, Pip’s yearning to belong—even in these retold versions, Dickens’s emotional architecture remained intact. The prose may have been simpler, but the heartbreak was not.
And perhaps more than anything, what made the book unforgettable was the sense that my father—by giving it to me—was handing me a set of keys. Not just to Victorian England, but to moral imagination itself. That little book taught me that fiction wasn’t just entertainment; it was empathy training. That a writer’s greatest gift is to make you feel the pain of someone far removed from you, and then compel you to care.
To this day, Charles Dickens' Children Stories sits on my shelf, its binding a little frayed, its pages slightly foxed—but it’s still glowing. It reminds me where my love for literature began: in a birthday gift, a father’s hand, and the first time I realized that stories could change how I saw the world.
March 23, 2019
Powerful short versions of Dickens’ Novels
This is definitely NOT a book for little children to read.
Charles Dickens wrote stories that reflected life in the Victorian era - it was not pretty, or easy, for the poor.
Many, if not all, the stories are abbreviated versions of many of his books, or extracts from them, e.g., David Copperfield and A Christmas Carol (Scrooge).
I would, however, recommend that children, over the age of 12 years, be encouraged to read them so they find out what life was like in Dickens’ time.
It might make them more appreciative of their own lives.
See my review also at:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...
This is definitely NOT a book for little children to read.
Charles Dickens wrote stories that reflected life in the Victorian era - it was not pretty, or easy, for the poor.
Many, if not all, the stories are abbreviated versions of many of his books, or extracts from them, e.g., David Copperfield and A Christmas Carol (Scrooge).
I would, however, recommend that children, over the age of 12 years, be encouraged to read them so they find out what life was like in Dickens’ time.
It might make them more appreciative of their own lives.
See my review also at:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...
December 18, 2019
I nice little collection featuring the children that are in Dickens' adult works. It acts as a great introduction to the rest of his work, and having read a few of them, it had characters that I was both familiar and unfamiliar with. This will prompt me to explore the novels I haven't read yet.
I might make Dickens my author to concentrate on for next year, it's only by reading this that I've rediscovered my love for his writing style.
I might make Dickens my author to concentrate on for next year, it's only by reading this that I've rediscovered my love for his writing style.
September 8, 2020
This is a collection of short stories written by the granddaughter of Charles Dickens based on his works but retelling them through the eyes of some of the child characters.
I didn't find this very satisfying, I have to say. The stories were abridged in odd ways at times and for anyone who isn't familiar with the original texts, they contain definite spoiler alerts which could mostly have been avoided.
I didn't find this very satisfying, I have to say. The stories were abridged in odd ways at times and for anyone who isn't familiar with the original texts, they contain definite spoiler alerts which could mostly have been avoided.
October 29, 2020
I hate to give any Dickens a three star rating, but this is the wildest collection of stories! Maybe these would be instructive on how stories can be adapted for a different audience? Almost all of the stories were a little strange and how they were adapted from the originals was awkward. If you are looking for Dickens for young people I don't think this is it.
August 15, 2018
Beautiful
Lovely little stories which I knew well but, made into short easy to read at bedtime tales. Quite sad when the book ended, wanted more!
Lovely little stories which I knew well but, made into short easy to read at bedtime tales. Quite sad when the book ended, wanted more!
August 20, 2020
Short story versions of some of Dicken’s novels. An easier, shorter read than the novels but not really for children now as there is a considerable amount of death.
October 21, 2020
Warning: stories about children, not for children. So depressing, death is a welcome blessing. It's part sampler and part synopses of his novels.
February 26, 2023
Always love this classic, must read for families!
December 19, 2023
Incredible
August 25, 2024
Great stories, lovely written
Short stories with all the emotions that Dickens can write beautifully. There is a desire to go to the full novels to learn more of those characters.
Short stories with all the emotions that Dickens can write beautifully. There is a desire to go to the full novels to learn more of those characters.
December 27, 2016
Had the eBook downloaded so I thought it give it a go; I've been picking at it, alongside my other book, for the last couple of weeks. I was expecting different children's stories, rather than abridged copies of his other stories; but that being said it's inspired me to have a go at some of his bigger works, so that's something.
November 30, 2015
Children's versions of some of Dickens' heroes
Simple synopses of several of Dickens' novels, including David Copperfield, Great Expectations, and Bleak House. For either children or adults.
Simple synopses of several of Dickens' novels, including David Copperfield, Great Expectations, and Bleak House. For either children or adults.
August 18, 2016
Not as good as I was hoping and expecting. I've known some of Dickens classic stories but never really read his book. It was quite depressing to see so much loss in the stories but I suppose that was more realistic for the time. Some of the stories I would like to read the full length versions of.
August 12, 2012
Not really a book of short stories,more a group of notes for proper stories but a nice addition to my Dicken's collection
December 4, 2012
These stories are actually synoses or excerpts of Dickens novels, which was disappointing.
January 15, 2013
Apparently these are just small bits of longer novels. Quite depressing read as stories for children! Maybe the title is intended as stories about children.
June 6, 2014
Good
Good
this was a very good book that is why I give it 4/5 stars. I like how it has all different stories
Good
this was a very good book that is why I give it 4/5 stars. I like how it has all different stories
April 4, 2016
Very morbid, especially for kids.
March 26, 2019
I really thought I'd like Charles Dickens more than that. I'm a tad disappointed actually.
May 22, 2019
It was totally worth the time, as i personally am a huge fan of classics and Charles Dickens. i particularly like David Copperfield. you should totally get this book!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews