Bobby's Pocket by Carolyn Wells
A young boy, around six years old, delights in collecting various items in his pocket. One day, he decides to empty it and discovers an assortment of treasures, each corresponding to a letter of the alphabet. The items include a rosy apple, a bouncing rubber ball, a crispy cake, and a dancing donkey, among others. Each object is described with playful imagery, showcasing the boy's imaginative world. He finds a robin's egg, a fluffy feather, and a lively grasshopper, alongside more mundane items like a grimy handkerchief and a rusty nail. The collection also features a shiny knife, a wooden lion, and a colorful marble. As he continues, he uncovers an oil can, a saved penny, and a quilted ear-tab, culminating in a variety of objects that reflect his childhood curiosity and joy. The boy treasures each item, from a comic valentine to a piece of wax, and concludes with a jagged piece of zinc. This whimsical exploration of his pocket reveals not only the physical items but also the happiness and imagination they inspire in him, emphasizing the simple joys of childhood and the value of seemingly trivial possessions.
By Carolyn Wells · First published 1924 · Genre: Children's literature, Fantasy, Adventure · 475 words
First lines
Our Bobby is a little boy, of six years old, or so; And every kind of rubbish in his pocket he will stow.
One day he thought he'd empty it (so he again could stock it); And here's an alphabet of what was found in Bobby's pocket.
What this Textopian page supports
Bobby's Pocket is listed on Textopian as a short story by Carolyn Wells, dated 1924 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Carolyn Wells
- Date: 1924 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's literature, Fantasy, Adventure
- Length: 475 words
- Structure: 1 section, 16 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Bobby's Pocket by Carolyn Wells
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Bobby's Pocket?
- How does this short story by Carolyn Wells fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Children's literature first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Two Little Women And Treasure House by Carolyn Wells
- The Story Of The Treasure Seekers by Edith Nesbit
- The Treasure Seekers by Carmen Silva
- The Missing Tooth by Dallas Lore Sharp
- Billy Bunny And The Jail House by David Cory
- The Stolen Eggs by David Cory
Genres
- Children's literature — The story of Bobby's Pocket is primarily focused on the experiences of a young boy named Bobby. The manner in which the story unfolds and the simplicity of the language used are geared towards children readers.
- Fantasy — The book refers to the adventures Bobby has because of the magical powers of his pocket, a non-realistic event which belongs to the fantasy genre.
- Adventure — Bobby's life is surrounded by continuous adventures catalyzed by the extraordinary abilities of his pocket, thus falling into the adventure genre.
Tags
adventure · mystery · children's literature · friendship · imagination · family · coming of age · exploration · secrets · treasure · whimsy · humor