These two illustrations show children playing at a number of activities. In the upper image boys are playing cricket and fly their kites, while a group of girls play blindman's buff and other games. The lower image illustrates the story of the following pages about a boy who chooses to help a sheep injured by a large dog, and by doing so misses school and the chance to earn a book for his reading skills. Later, however, he is given one for his kindness to the injured animal.

The children in the book are rewarded for their diligence in learning and their politeness to each other and to their elders. While moralistic the book remained popular: it was first published in 1783, re-issued in 1828 and again in 1831. Noted children's author Charlotte Yonge, writing in 1869, refers to this and companion books in the series with affection, both for the stories and the quality of the illustration. (Quoted in Moon pp.100-1)

Children's amusements in the early nineteenth century

Victoria and Albert Museum: Museum of Childhood. Children's lives

State Library of South Australia: Mortlock Wing exhibitions. To be a child August 2004-