The Trippertrots and the False-Face Man

Name: The Trippertrots and the False-Face Man
Author: Howard R. Garis

The story follows the Trippertrot children—Mary, Tommy, and Johnny—along with their pets, Ivy Vine the cat and Fido the dog, as they seek shelter from the rain with an old fisherman. They head to the house of the false-face man, a jolly character who creates colorful masks for Halloween. The false-face man, covered in paint from his work, welcomes them warmly and offers to make masks for the children and their pets. Each child chooses a unique mask: Tommy wants an Indian mask, Johnny desires one like Little Jack Horner, and Mary opts for an Old Mother Hubbard mask. The false-face man also makes a monkey mask for Fido and a wax doll mask for Ivy Vine. As they enjoy a party with their new masks, the children's nursemaid, Suzette, arrives, worried about their absence. The children explain they got lost due to runaway horses, but are now found. The false-face man gives Suzette a mask resembling a Chinese lady as a gift. The children, along with Suzette, return home, taking their masks and pets with them. Despite the adventure, the story hints at future escapades for the Trippertrots.

By Howard R. Garis · First published 1923 · Genre: Children's Literature, Fantasy, Adventure · 2,405 words

First lines

"Oh, my! It's raining harder than ever! " cried Mary Trippertrot, as she and her brothers and the old fisherman ran along. "Can't you please hold that umbrella over me better than that, Johnny? I'm getting all wet."

"Never mind," spoke the kind old fisherman, and he held the chair upside down over his head, so his whiskers wouldn't get full of water. "Never mind. We'll soon be in the false-face man's house, and we can get good and dry."

What this Textopian page supports

The Trippertrots and the False-Face Man is listed on Textopian as a short story by Howard R. Garis, dated 1923 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Short story
Author: Howard R. Garis
Date: 1923 CE
Language: English
Genres: Children's Literature, Fantasy, Adventure, Humor, Folklore
Length: 2,405 words
Structure: 1 section, 67 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for The Trippertrots and the False-Face Man by Howard R. Garis
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Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters

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Genres

Children's Literature — The narrative is crafted for young audiences with simple language, playful dialogue, and whimsical characters that engage a child's imagination.
Fantasy — The inclusion of magical elements such as a character who makes whimsical false-faces and anthropomorphic qualities in animals creates a fantasy setting.
Adventure — The plot involves journeying, running away, and getting lost, which are characteristic elements of an adventure narrative.
Humor — The story employs absurd situations, playful banter, and imaginative descriptions of characters that contribute to a humorous tone.