The Boxcar Children Fully Illustrated Edition

Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny are on their own. Their parents are dead, and the only relative they know about is a grandfather. They are sure he is old and grouchy and mean. So the children decide they must make their own way in the world and not let anyone know who they are. They have a few dollars and buy some bread, but they realize they need a protected place to stay. Jessie finds an abandoned boxcar on unused railroad tracks in the woods. The children make it their home. Henry goes into town to find work and immediately finds it doing yard work for the town doctor, earning enough to support his little family. But will they ever meet their grandfather and become a real family?

Author Gertrude Chandler Warner created these stories long ago, and that is how they read — as very innocent and nostalgic. This compilation of the books from the 1940s seems a little out of place in today’s world, but for very young middle-grade readers, they will be welcome for their innocence. This oversized book with muted illustrations in shades of brown and red is perfect for reading aloud and for young independent readers.