The Hollow Tree and Deep Woods Book

Hollow Tree Stories

by Albert Bigelow Paine

"In the House of Many Windows which stands in a large city and is sometimes called a "flat" by people who, because they are grown up, do not know any better, live the Little Lady and the Story Teller. The Little Lady is four years old, going on five, and is fond of stories. This makes her and the Story Teller good friends. They mostly sit in the firelight after supper, and while the Little Lady is being undressed they tell each other all that has happened since morning. Then the Little Lady looks into the fire and says:— "Now, tell me a story." Sometimes she wants a new story. Sometimes one of the old ones, which must be told always the same, because the Little Lady, like a good many grown up people, does not care for new and revised editions, but wants the old stories in the old words, that sound real and true. Sometimes the Story Teller forgets or improves on his plots, but the Little Lady never forgets and never fails to set the Story Teller right."

Genres: Classics, Fiction, Childrens

272 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1898

About the author

Albert Bigelow Paine was an American author and biographer best known for his work with Mark Twain. Paine was a member of the Pulitzer Prize Committee and wrote in several genres, including fiction, humour, and verse.
(Source: en.wikipedia.org)

Reviews

[J. Boo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Albert Bigelow Paine is nowadays known only as a friend and biographer of Mark Twain. A shame, as his Hollow Tree stories are outstanding. Loosely for children, the Old Black Crow, Mr. 'Possum, and Mr 'Coon all live in a Hollow Tree in the Big Deep Woods, and interact with their friends (Mr. Turtle, Mr. Jack Rabbit...), their enemies (principally Mr. Dog, whose friendship with Mr. Crow does not make him unwilling to eat the rest), and nature itself. The language is well above par for modern children's stories, and there's quite a lot unstated - which, if one has children notoriously unable to grasp subtleties, must occasionally be stated. ("See, Mr. Crow is talking about borrowing chickens from Mr. Man, but he's not really borrowing them. Crows like to take stuff.")

One of the best sections is when Mr Rabbit, Mr 'Possum, and Mr. 'Coon each tell contradictory stories about the origin of the Moon, and try to poke holes in the stories of the others. This worked fantastically well, and I can't think of any other children's book that has an episode quite like it.

I'm reading through this volume of short stories again with the kids - it had been quite a long time since our last visit with them. Today, at bedtime, DS1 (9) -- who was two or three the first time I read this to him -- laughed so hard he fell out of a chair. DD1 (7) and DS2(5) enjoy it, and ask for it, though I think generally the latter prefers the straightforwardness of Uncle Wiggily. I myself can grasp Uncle Wiggily's charms, but as a reader, this is a lot more fun.

July 2022 - Started it up again. Everyone still enjoys this collection, and requests stories from it, and even DS1 (11) is drifting by to listen. Just a few days ago, we all acted out the story where the 'Coon, 'Possum, and Old Black Crow go around the world or think they do, taking a trip with three right turns that leave them back where they started. Everyone was sad when it ended -- the ending is quite a final-seeming one -- but were surprised and delighted when I immediately started in on its successor, The Hollow Tree Snowed-In Book.

"Verweile doch! du bist so schön!"

[Elise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Last year, we visited the Deepwoods House in Salem. It was named that because the children of the household had a deep affection for these children stories about animal friends living in a hollow tree in the deep woods. So I tracked it down on Project Gutenberg.

The stories are gentle and the illustrations are fun. There are reminiscences of the Frog and Toad or Beatrix Potter stories.

[Challenger Monroe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This classic book was recommended to me by a friend after I mentioned how much I love the "Frog and Toad" series. It was an absolutely charming series of short stories about all of the animals who live in the deep woods that is perfectly presented in quaint, folkloric prose that is not so old-fashioned as to alienate today's young readers. It would be an excellent read-aloud for first or second grade, or for any adult feeling nostalgic for Arnold Lobel and A. A. Milne.

[Kat King · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some really lovely and funny stories here. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I was reading it to a child rather than to myself, but still an enjoyable read.