The Girl who Owned a Bear

Name: The Girl who Owned a Bear
Author: L. Frank Baum

This story revolves around a young girl who lives with her father and mother in a small cottage on the edge of a forest. She possesses a magical bear that she has raised from infancy, and it is fiercely loyal to her. The family's life changes when the mother falls ill and dies. The father remarries, but his new wife is cruel and abusive towards the girl and her bear. As tensions rise, the girl and her bear escape into the forest, where they encounter various obstacles and challenges. Along the way, the girl learns valuable lessons about courage, loyalty, and the importance of standing up for oneself. Ultimately, the girl's determination and resourcefulness help her overcome the difficulties she faces, and she finds a new sense of purpose and belonging in the world.

By L. Frank Baum · First published 1905 · Genre: Children's Literature, Fantasy, Adventure · 3,037 words

First lines

Mamma had gone down-town to shop. She had asked Nora to look after Jane Gladys, and Nora promised she would. But it was her afternoon for polishing the silver, so she stayed in the pantry and left Jane Gladys to amuse herself alone in the big sitting-room upstairs.

The little girl did not mind being alone, for she was working on her first piece of embroidery-a sofa pillow for papa's birthday present. So she crept into the big bay window and curled herself up on the broad sill while she bent her brown head over her work.

What this Textopian page supports

The Girl who Owned a Bear is listed on Textopian as a short story by L. Frank Baum, dated 1905 CE.

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

Work type: Short story
Author: L. Frank Baum
Date: 1905 CE
Language: English
Genres: Children's Literature, Fantasy, Adventure, Humor, Fiction
Length: 3,037 words
Structure: 1 section, 96 paragraphs
Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)

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Work identity for The Girl who Owned a Bear by L. Frank Baum
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Children's Literature — The story is aimed at a young audience, featuring a child protagonist and whimsical elements that appeal to children.
Fantasy — The narrative includes magical elements, such as characters coming to life from a book, which is a hallmark of fantasy literature.
Adventure — The plot involves a series of unexpected events and encounters, creating a sense of adventure as the protagonist navigates her unusual situation.
Humor — The dialogue and interactions between characters, particularly the animals, contain humorous elements that contribute to the lighthearted tone of the story.