Careless: A Story For Little Folks
Careless: A Story for Little Folks is a children’s book written by Oliver Optic in 1867. It tells the story of a young boy named Careless, who is always getting into trouble. He is constantly being scolded by his parents and teachers for his carelessness and lack of attention to detail. One day, Careless is sent to the store to buy some supplies for his family. He is given a list of items to purchase, but he fails to pay attention to the list and instead buys items that he likes. When he returns home, his parents are angry and disappointed in him. The next day, Careless is sent to the store again, but this time he is determined to do better. He pays close attention to the list and makes sure to buy all the items on it. When he returns home, his parents are pleased with his effort and reward him with a new toy. Careless learns an important lesson about paying attention to detail and being responsible. He also learns that it is important to listen to his parents and teachers and to take their advice seriously.
By Oliver Optic · First published 1889 · Genre: Children's Fiction, Adventure, Fantasy · 5 chapters · 6,728 words
First lines
"Kate!" said Mrs. Lamb to her daughter, who was playing in the garden, in front of the house.
"What do you want, mother?" replied the little girl, without even lifting her eyes from the ground, in which she was planting a marigold.
What this Textopian page supports
Careless: A Story For Little Folks is listed on Textopian as a novella by Oliver Optic, dated 1889 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novella
- Author: Oliver Optic
- Date: 1889 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Fiction, Adventure, Fantasy, Romance
- Length: 6,728 words
- Structure: 5 chapters, 206 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Careless: A Story For Little Folks by Oliver Optic
- 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 Careless: A Story For Little Folks?
- How does this novella by Oliver Optic fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Children's Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- Dolly And I A Story For Little Folks by Oliver Optic
- Minnie Brown by Daniel Wise
- Mountain Laurel And Maidenhair by Louisa May Alcott
- Edithas Burglar A Story For Children by Frances Hodgson Burnett
- The Hickory Limb by Parker Fillmore
Genres
- Children's Fiction — The title of the book, 'Careless: A Story For Little Folks', suggests that it is a work of fiction intended for a young audience.
- Adventure — The author, Oliver Optic, is known for writing adventure stories, so it is likely that this book contains elements of adventure.
- Fantasy — Optic's works often contain elements of fantasy, so it is possible that this book contains some fantasy elements.
- Romance — Optic's works often contain elements of romance, so it is possible that this book contains some romantic elements.
Tags
Conduct of life · Girls · Honesty · Juvenile fiction · careless · children · could · fanny · father · felt · girl · go
Contents
- Chapter 1
- Chapter 2
- Chapter 3
- Chapter 4
- NOTHING TO DO