Nell the Nibbler by Gelett Burgess
Nell the Nibbler is a children's book written by Gelett Burgess and published in 1905. The story follows a young girl named Nell who has an insatiable appetite for nibbling on everything she sees, including her own clothes. Despite her parents' attempts to curb her habit, Nell continues to nibble until one day she accidentally swallows a button and must be taken to the hospital. The book is intended to teach children about the consequences of overindulgence and the importance of moderation.
By Gelett Burgess · First published 1906 · Genre: Children's Literature, Humor, Poetry · 117 words
First lines
She ate some chocolate drops at 1, At 2, she thought she'd take A little jelly and a bun; At 3, some frosted cake.
At 4, she nibbled at a roll; At 5, a doughnut spied, And ate it (all except the hole), And then some cookies tried.
At 6, she didn't feel quite right, And didn't care for dinner.
She said she had no appetite, With so much Goop-food in her!
What this Textopian page supports
Nell the Nibbler is listed on Textopian as a short story by Gelett Burgess, dated 1906 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Gelett Burgess
- Date: 1906 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Literature, Humor, Poetry, Moral Tale
- Length: 117 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Nell the Nibbler by Gelett Burgess
- 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 Nell the Nibbler?
- How does this short story by Gelett Burgess fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Children's Literature first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Wet Feet by Gelett Burgess
- Willy by Gelett Burgess
- Billy Bunny And The Organ Grinder by David Cory
- The Grandiloquent Goat by Carolyn Wells
- Billy Bunny And The Policeman Cat by David Cory
- Half Past Alligator by Donald Colvin
Genres
- Children's Literature — The simple language, rhyming structure, and focus on a child's eating habits are characteristic of children's literature.
- Humor — The playful tone and humorous depiction of a child's excessive snacking align with the humor genre.
- Poetry — The use of rhyme and meter throughout the text is indicative of poetic form.
- Moral Tale — The narrative implicitly conveys a moral lesson about moderation and the consequences of overindulgence.
Tags
children's literature · humor · fantasy · animals · adventure · imagination · whimsical · illustrated · narrative · playful · friendship · curiosity