Up in the garret

"Up in the Garret" by Robin Ranger is a children's story written in the early 1860s. This charming book follows the playful adventures of the Bondy children—Alice, Maggie, and James—as they explore the various treasures and old toys stored in their home’s garret during a rainy day. The narrative captures the essence of childhood, depicting how young imagination can transform even the most mundane spaces into realms of joy and creativity. The story unfolds with descriptions of the Bondy household, emphasizing the warmth and happiness brought by the children. When a planned outing is canceled due to rain, the siblings make the most of their day by playing in the garret, discovering old toys, and indulging in imaginative play. Mr. Bondy, their father, joins them and shares a delightful story about swallows, tying in important lessons about kindness and helping those in need. Through their playful interactions and Mr. Bondy’s storytelling, the book illustrates the bond of family and the importance of appreciating the comforts of home, while also encouraging empathy toward the less fortunate. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

James Midwinter Freeman (1827–1900) was an American clergyman and writer. He was born in New York City and was educated at Wesleyan University and at Mount Union College (Ohio). He entered the Methodist ministry and in 1872 became assistant editor of various Sunday-school and tract publications of the Methodist Episcopal church. Under the pseudonym of "Robin Ranger," Freeman wrote several books for children. His other works include:Use of Illustration in Sunday School Teaching (1867) Handbook of Bible Manners and Customs (1874) A Story History of the English Bible (1879)This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Gilman, D. C.; Peck, H. T.; Colby, F. M., eds. (1905). New International Encyclopedia (1st ed.). New York: Dodd, Mead.