y separately published work icon Victorian Readers : Fourth Book anthology   poetry   prose  
Issue Details: First known date: 1930... 1930 Victorian Readers : Fourth Book
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Notes

  • Epigraph: "Such wondrous tales as childhood loves to hear." (Robert Southey)
  • Frontispiece: From a painting by Walter Withers, 'Travelling Sheep'.
  • Opposite page 1: a photo of the statue of Burke and Wills in Spring St., Melbourne
  • Illustrated by John Rowell (q.v.), Elsie J. McKissock, Tom V. Carter, Allan T. Bernaldo (q.v.), Miss E. H. Rix

Contents

* Contents derived from the Melbourne, Victoria,:Victoria Education Department , 1930 version. Please note that other versions/publications may contain different contents. See the Publication Details.
From the Sidingi"When the sun has been hot on the sand,", C. H. Souter , single work poetry (p. 1-2)
A Bird's Devotion, Donald MacDonald , single work prose children's (p. 2-4)
Mr. and Mrs. Platypus and Family, Constance Tisdall , single work children's fiction children's (p. 7-11)
How Mussels Were Brought to the Creeks How Mungghee, or Mussels Were Brought to the Creeks, K. Langloh Parker , single work prose Indigenous story (p. 13-17)
Note: With title: How Mussels Were Brought to the Creeks
Why the Crow Is Black, W. J. Thomas , single work prose Indigenous story (p. 22-25)
From 'The Aboriginals' The Aboriginals The Lost Tribesi"Never again from the night, the night that has taken,", Mary Gilmore , extract poetry (p. 25)
Where the Wattle Bloomsi"O, to be out in the wild fresh breezes,", Marion Miller Knowles , single work poetry (p. 52)
Lost In the Bush, B. W. Fairclough , single work children's fiction children's (p. 60-69)
The Bullock Drayi"Horns outspread and heads bent low,", Veronica Mason , single work poetry (p. 75)
The Kookaburrai"When the dawn creeps grey to the glad new year", E. S. Emerson , single work poetry (p. 92)
The Bushi"Give us from dawn to dark", James Lister Cuthbertson , single work poetry (p. 105)
Over the Rangei"Little bush maiden, wondering-eyed,", A. B. Paterson , single work poetry (p. 114-115)
The Magpie and the Children, J. T. Gilmour Wallace , single work children's fiction children's Indigenous story (p. 119-123)
How the Sun was Made, K. Langloh Parker , single work prose Indigenous story (p. 126-128)
The Lyre-Birds' Concert, Donald MacDonald , single work children's fiction children's (p. 128-135)
The Gift of Songi"Once a spirit of the hills", Donald MacDonald , single work poetry (p. 135-136)
Australia Fairi"Australia fair, I love thee", Maybanke Anderson , extract lyric/song children's (p. 157)
* Contents derived from the Melbourne, Victoria,: 1940 version. Please note that other versions/publications may contain different contents. See the Publication Details.
Hist!i"Hist!....Hark!", C. J. Dennis , single work poetry humour (p. 12-14)
Mr. and Mrs. Platypus and Family, Constance Tisdall , single work children's fiction children's (p. 55-59)
From the Sidingi"When the sun has been hot on the sand,", C. H. Souter , single work poetry (p. 60-61)
The Magpie and the Children, J. T. Gilmour Wallace , single work children's fiction children's Indigenous story (p. 75-80)
The Kookaburrai"When the dawn creeps grey to the glad new year", E. S. Emerson , single work poetry (p. 81)
How Mussels Were Brought to the Creeks How Mungghee, or Mussels Were Brought to the Creeks, K. Langloh Parker , single work prose Indigenous story (p. 82-86)
Why the Crow Is Black, W. J. Thomas , single work prose Indigenous story (p. 87-90)
From 'The Aboriginals' The Aboriginals The Lost Tribesi"Never again from the night, the night that has taken,", Mary Gilmore , extract poetry (p. 90)
How the Sun was Made, K. Langloh Parker , single work prose Indigenous story (p. 91-93)
The Lyre-Birds' Concert, Donald MacDonald , single work children's fiction children's (p. 93-100)
The Gift of Songi"Once a spirit of the hills", Donald MacDonald , single work poetry (p. 101)
The Bushi"Give us from dawn to dark", James Lister Cuthbertson , single work poetry (p. 107)
Lost In the Bush, B. W. Fairclough , single work children's fiction children's (p. 108-117)
Where the Wattle Bloomsi"O, to be out in the wild fresh breezes,", Marion Miller Knowles , single work poetry (p. 118)
Over the Rangei"Little bush maiden, wondering-eyed,", A. B. Paterson , single work poetry (p. 124-125)
The Bullock Drayi"Horns outspread and heads bent low,", Veronica Mason , single work poetry (p. 144-146)
A Bird's Devotion, Donald MacDonald , single work prose children's (p. 158-160)
Australia Fairi"Australia fair, I love thee,", Maybanke Anderson , F. Gluck (composer), single work lyric/song children's (p. 160)

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

    • Melbourne, Victoria,: Victoria Education Department , 1930 .
      Printed by H. J. Green
      Extent: 183p.
      Edition info: First edition
      Description: illus. (b & w)
      Note/s:
      • Only literary material by Australian authors individually indexed.

        Other material in this reader includes:

        Prose: 'The Australian Blacks' by Mary E. B. Howitt (q.v.) 6; 'Columbus and His Great Discovery', 47-51; 'A Brave Australian Girl', abridged from Stories of the Royal Humane Society by Frank Mundell, 85-88; 'Simpson and His Donkey', 106-109; 'The Story of General Gordon', 110-113.

        Fiction: 'Cornelia's Jewels' by teacher Grace Evelyn Starke, from American magazine Primary Education, 27-28; 'The Good Little Goblin' from Tiny Tots, 30-37; 'Master Jack Frost, Artist' from The Children's Encyclopaedia, 39-44; 'A New Year's Day Adventure in Australia', written for The School Magazine, New South Wales, 54-59; 'Arachne, or, The Origin of the Spider' from Nature Myths and Stories by Flora J. Cooke, 71-73; 'The Judge and the Poor Man' from The Fables of Aesop, 73-74; 'Black Diamond' from The Children's Encyclopaedia, 77-84; 'Why the Peacock's Tail Has a Hundred Eyes' from Nature Myths by Florence Holbrook, 90-92; 'Yoshi San and O Kiku' (unattributed) 94-97; 'Peter's Puzzle' by Helen Broadbent, in Blackie's Children's Annual; 'The Stone in the Road' (unattributed) 116-118; 'Tom and the Lobster' from The Water Babies by Charles Kingsley, illustration by Miss E. H. Rix, 143-146; 'Cinderella', retold by J. T. G. Wallace (q.v.) 150-157.

        Poetry: 'An Australian Cradle Song' by John Harrison Wagner, a journalist who resided for some time in Australia, 5; 'The Modest Violet' by Jane Taylor (co-author of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star) 12; 'A Lesson in Geography' by English writer Frances Wynne 18-21; 'My Shadow' by R. L. Stevenson (q.v.) 26; 'What Can a Little Chap Do?' by John Oxenham from Princess Mary's Gift Book, 29-30; 'The Four-leaved Shamrock' by writer and artist Samuel Lover, 38-39; 'The Seasons' (unattributed) 45-46; 'Bound to Win', 46; 'A Laugh' (unattributed) from Primary Education, 59; 'Talking in Their Sleep' by Enid M. Thomas, 70-71; 'Litter' (unattributed) from London Punch, 74; 'Riddle-Me-Ree In the Scuttle' (unattributed) 84; 'The Girl Who Smiles' by American writer M. A. Gillette, 89-90; 'A Riddle' (unattributed) 92; 'Where the Cabbages Grow' (unattributed) 98-99; 'The Fairy's House' (unattributed) 110; 'The Victor' by J.G. Whittier, 113; 'A Riddle (As I Was Going to St. Ives)' (unattributed) 123; 'Modereen Rue' (the Little Red Rogue - the Fox) by Katharine Tynan Hinkson (q.v.) 124-125; 'What the Birds Say' by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, 142; 'The Wreck of the Hesperus' by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 147-150.

        Drama: 'The Boy that Hated Cows'; 'Trying to Please Everybody', both adapted from Aesop, 137-141.

        Aphorisms: 'How to Work' by John Ruskin (q.v.), 118.

        Other material: Notes and exercises, 158-175; Spelling, 176-177; Language list, 179-183.

      Series: y separately published work icon Victorian Readers The Victorian Reading-Books Charles R. Long (editor), Victorian Department of Education (publisher), Melbourne : Victorian Department of Education , 1928-1930 Z1417172 1928-1930 series - publisher anthology

      Preface to Victorian Readers: Eighth Book (1929):

      As the need for a Primer and First Book of modern type and for the provision of more space in The School Paper for articles of current interest had been felt for some time, it was decided last year [1927] to proceed with the preparation of a series of reading books (eight in number) to be published by the Government Printer. The selection of matter and the obtaining of drawings from local artists to illustrate it were entrusted to committees of inspectors and teachers, with Mr. J. C. Lowry, B.A. (a senior inspector of schools), as chairman, and Mr. C. R. Long, M.A., as editor.

      This book - the most advanced of the projected series - is the first to be issued. The main aim of the committee that made the selections for it was to obtain such as possessed literary merit, were informative, were likely to arouse interest, and were suitable as regards the average standard of attainment of the grade or forms for which the book was intended. The young readers were to begin at home, to be taken in imagination to various parts of the Empire, to Europe, and to the United States of America, and thus to gain knowledge of their rich heritage and acquire a well-founded pride of race. The inculcation of sound morality was always to be kept in view, and support given to the creation of a feeling against international strife and to the implanting of a desire for world-wide toleration. The grouping of the selections (story, essay, poem etc.) in order to secure continuity of thought - one selection serving to reveal and support another - was to be aimed at throughout, so that the contents of the book might not be a mere collection of unrelated items, but approach as nearly as possible to a unity.

      The committee was of the opinion that notes and explanations to aid in the securing of intelligent reading would be advantageous, but that they should not be unduly elaborate or very numerous, and that they should form a section at the end of the book. It is hoped that those which have been provided will not only prove helpful in themselves, but will also suggest interesting lines of study (critical, etymological, biographical, historical, geographical, etc) that may be followed up to advantage by some of the young readers, if not by all.

      Though it was recognized that the local production of a series of reading-books to compare favourably with those issued by leading British publishers would not be easy of accomplishment, yet it was believed that the effect of the use of such a series in the schools and in the pupils' homes would make the effort well worth while.

      Number in series: 4
      Melbourne, Victoria,: 1940 .
      Printed by A. C. Brooks
      Extent: 181p.
      Edition info: Second edition.
      Description: illus. (b & w)
      Note/s:
      • Only literary material by Australian authors individually indexed.

        Other material in this reader includes:

        Prose: 'The Australian Blacks' by Mary E. B. Howitt (q.v.) 74; 'A Brave Australian Girl', abridged from Stories of the Royal Humane Society by Frank Mundell, 120-123; 'Simpson and his Donkey' (unattributed) 126-129; 'The Story of General Gordon' (unattributed) 131-134; 'Columbus and His Great Discovery' (unattributed) 134-139.

        Fiction: 'Cinderella', retold by J. T. G. Wallace (q.v.) 2-8; 'The Room with the Walls of Glass' (unattributed) 9-12; 'The Lad Who Went to the North Wind' (unattributed) 15-19; 'Stone Soup' (unattributed) 20-21; 'The House that Kak Built' (unattributed) 23-25; 'Yoshi San and O Kiku' (unattributed) 27-30; 'Taro and the Turtle' (unattributed) 31-33; 'The Good Little Goblin' from Tiny Tots, 35-42; 'Tom and the Lobster' from The Water Babies by Charles Kingsley, illustration by Miss E. H. Rix, 44-47; 'Arachne, or, The Origin of the Spider' from Nature Myths and Stories by Flora J. Cooke, 49-50; 'The Cunning Little Jackals' by Mary Frere; 'The Judge and the Poor Man' from The Fables of Aesop, 62-63; 'The Stone in the Road' (unattributed) 63-65; 'Cornelia's Jewels' by teacher Grace Evelyn Starke, from American magazine Primary Education, 71-72; 'A New Year's Day Adventure in Australia' (unattributed) written for The School Magazine, New South Wales, 102-107; 'Black Diamond' (unattributed) from The Children's Encyclopaedia, 146-153.

        Poetry: 'The Fairy's House' (unattributed) 1; 'A Riddle' (unattributed) 21; 'My Shadow' by R. L. Stevenson (q.v.) 22; 'The Modest Violet' by Jane Taylor (co-author of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star) 26; 'Where the Cabbages Grow' (unattributed) 34-35; 'The Pedlar's Caravan' (unattributed) 43 'What the Birds Say' by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, 48; 'Litter' (unattributed) from London Punch, 53; 'Talking in Their Sleep' by Enid M. Thomas, 54; 'Five Eyes' by Walter De La Mare (q.v.) 60; 'An Australian Cradle Song' by John Harrison Wagner, a journalist who resided for some time in Australia, 73-74; 'A Riddle (as I was going to St. Ives)' (unattributed) 80; 'What Can a Little Chap Do?' by John Oxenham from Princess Mary's Gift Book, 130-131; 'The Wreck of the Hesperus' by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 140-143; 'Riddle-Me-Ree In the Scuttle' (unattributed) 153; 'Modereen Rue' (the Little Red Rogue - the Fox) by Katharine Tynan Hinkson (q.v.) 154-155; 'The Seasons', 156-157.

        Drama: 'The Boy that Hated Cows'; 'Trying to Please Everybody', both adapted from Aesop, 66-70.

        Other material: Notes and exercises, 161-178; Spelling, 179-181

      Series: y separately published work icon Victorian Readers The Victorian Reading-Books Charles R. Long (editor), Victorian Department of Education (publisher), Melbourne : Victorian Department of Education , 1928-1930 Z1417172 1928-1930 series - publisher anthology

      Preface to Victorian Readers: Eighth Book (1929):

      As the need for a Primer and First Book of modern type and for the provision of more space in The School Paper for articles of current interest had been felt for some time, it was decided last year [1927] to proceed with the preparation of a series of reading books (eight in number) to be published by the Government Printer. The selection of matter and the obtaining of drawings from local artists to illustrate it were entrusted to committees of inspectors and teachers, with Mr. J. C. Lowry, B.A. (a senior inspector of schools), as chairman, and Mr. C. R. Long, M.A., as editor.

      This book - the most advanced of the projected series - is the first to be issued. The main aim of the committee that made the selections for it was to obtain such as possessed literary merit, were informative, were likely to arouse interest, and were suitable as regards the average standard of attainment of the grade or forms for which the book was intended. The young readers were to begin at home, to be taken in imagination to various parts of the Empire, to Europe, and to the United States of America, and thus to gain knowledge of their rich heritage and acquire a well-founded pride of race. The inculcation of sound morality was always to be kept in view, and support given to the creation of a feeling against international strife and to the implanting of a desire for world-wide toleration. The grouping of the selections (story, essay, poem etc.) in order to secure continuity of thought - one selection serving to reveal and support another - was to be aimed at throughout, so that the contents of the book might not be a mere collection of unrelated items, but approach as nearly as possible to a unity.

      The committee was of the opinion that notes and explanations to aid in the securing of intelligent reading would be advantageous, but that they should not be unduly elaborate or very numerous, and that they should form a section at the end of the book. It is hoped that those which have been provided will not only prove helpful in themselves, but will also suggest interesting lines of study (critical, etymological, biographical, historical, geographical, etc) that may be followed up to advantage by some of the young readers, if not by all.

      Though it was recognized that the local production of a series of reading-books to compare favourably with those issued by leading British publishers would not be easy of accomplishment, yet it was believed that the effect of the use of such a series in the schools and in the pupils' homes would make the effort well worth while.

      Number in series: 4
Last amended 2 Dec 2013 15:21:46
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