The Cuckoo Clock

A pleasant, old-fashioned story from the days when children were seen but not heard, did exactly what they were told, and were expected to keep to their station in life. This tale of lonely Griselda, who is befriended by a caring, didactic cuckoo, encapsulates the flavour of the Victorian children's story which was considered acceptable for young minds. It is written in the same vein as The Railway Children or the poem 'Matilda told such dreadful lies' and is full of advice e.g. 'Grumbling ... does not always do good, furthermore an ill-tempered child is not ... likely to be loved as much as a good-tempered one.' Mature readers, top juniors upwards (especially girls) might read this. I'd buy a copy for the school library but then I have a penchant for things old-fashioned!