The Child-Mother by George MacDonald
The Child-Mother is a novel by George MacDonald that tells the story of a young girl named Lina who becomes pregnant at an early age and must navigate the challenges of motherhood while still a child herself. The book explores themes of innocence, love, and sacrifice as Lina struggles to provide for her baby and protect him from harm.
By George MacDonald · First published 1854 · Genre: Children's Literature, Poetry, Fantasy · 1,293 words
First lines
Heavily slumbered noonday bright Upon the lone field, glory-dight, A burnished grassy sea: The child, in gorgeous golden hours, Through heaven-descended starry flowers, Went walking on the lea.
Velvety bees make busy hum; Green flies and striped wasps go and come; The butterflies gleam white; Blue-burning, vaporous, to and fro The dragon-flies like arrows go, Or hang in moveless flight: --
What this Textopian page supports
The Child-Mother is listed on Textopian as a novel by George MacDonald, dated 1854 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: George MacDonald
- Date: 1854 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Literature, Poetry, Fantasy, Adventure, Family
- Length: 1,293 words
- Structure: 1 section, 22 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Child-Mother by George MacDonald
- 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 The Child-Mother?
- How does this novel by George MacDonald fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Children's Literature first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Children's Literature — The narrative centers around a child protagonist and is written in a style accessible to young readers, focusing on themes of innocence and responsibility.
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse, employing rhyme and meter to convey its story and themes.
- Fantasy — The story includes elements of fantasy, such as the idyllic and almost mythical setting, reminiscent of fairy tales.
- Adventure — The plot involves a journey and challenges faced by the protagonist, creating a sense of adventure.
Tags
motherhood · childhood · fantasy · imagination · love · family · growth · innocence · adventure · relationships · nurturing · self-discovery