Mouldy's Orphan

by Gillian Avery

A story set in Victorian times, of Mouldy, so called because her hair was like mouldy hay, who was dreamer and who thought how marvellous it would be if she could find a poor little orphan , so that she could take him home and mum could look after him. Her opportunity came on a school outing to a pantomime in Oxford, where she noticed a ragged boy outside the theatre and managed to smuggle him onto the train home and when she got home her mother was horrified. To bring home an orphan boy meant another mouth to feed and for Mouldy's family, where there was not much money, this was bound to cause trouble.

79 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

Gillian Elise Avery was a British children's novelist, and a historian of childhood education and children's literature. She won the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize in 1972 for A Likely Lad. It was adapted for television in 1990.

Reviews

[Hilary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick read with some nice illustrations and an interesting storyline. Mouldy lives with her family in a small cottage, they are not well off but they are aware they are lucky enough not to be as poor as many. Mouldy is a keen reader and dreamer, a rare treat of a pantomime visit with her school gives her the chance to carry out an act she has long dreamt of. After reading a book about rescuing an orphan she is keen to find one of her own. Her parents have enough mouths to feed already so when one is produced they are not quite as keen on the idea as she is.

This would make a good early reader, as story to read aloud it felt lacking, too much action packed in with not enough detail. I really liked Mouldy's romantic ideas of making a home for Benjy in the deserted cottage and it was sad this didn't get the chance to happen. There were lots of things I wanted to hear more about but this was a whistle stop tour of a girl rehoming an orphan.

[Nader Nate · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read with some good illustrations and an interesting storyline, I liked the atmosphere of the book in the harsh winter, But the story lacked some plot and also details that could have attached you with more intrigue to the characters.
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(6/10)

[Coffeepot · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was the singally most awful book I have ever encountered. I was forced to read it in Grade 2 and the plot holes were wide enough for me to see then.

I don't recommend it and can't belive there is no option to give it negative stars.