The Quilt that Jack Built; How He Won the Bicycle

"The Quilt that Jack Built; How He Won the Bicycle" by Annie F. Johnston is a children's story originally published in the early 20th century. This book falls within the category of juvenile fiction and reflects themes of hard work, honesty, and the importance of keeping one’s promises. The narrative captures the spirit of childhood ambitions and the moral lessons inherent in personal endeavors. The storyline revolves around a young boy named Johnny Marshall, who, eager to buy a rifle, decides to piece together a quilt to earn the necessary money. His determination leads to the involvement of his friends, as he forms a secret society to help him in his task. When he unexpectedly finishes ahead of schedule, he realizes that much of the quilt was created by others, challenging his sense of pride and accomplishment. In a parallel narrative, another boy, Todd Walters, aspires for a bicycle and learns to embody the virtues of diligence and faithfulness through a contest prompted by a kind judge. The stories intertwine as they reveal important lessons about integrity, the emotional value of work, and the significance of a good name over material possessions. Ultimately, both boys experience growth and personal triumphs through their hard work and commitment to their values. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Annie Fellows Johnston was an American author of children's fiction who wrote the popular The Little Colonel series, which was the basis for the 1935 Shirley Temple film The Little Colonel; many of the books were illustrated by photographer Kate Matthews. She was born and grew up in McCutchanville, Indiana, a small unincorporated town near Evansville, Indiana.