Brief, festive fun from the reliable Dickens. Snicker-worthy commentary by predictably charming Victorian British moppets. Nothing earth-shattering, but makes a quick, enjoyable read on a cold night.

Though the story itself lacks depth and character growth, it was quite entertaining to read these stories “written” by little kids. Dickens did a wonderful job bringing to life the childish and innocent imaginations of 2 little boys and 2 little girls. It reminded me of my own childhood dreams; I was smiling all throughout the book!

Charming and entertaining. I would have given 4 stars, but the 4th story (Nettie) was a bit tedious.

A cute book consisting of four stories written by small children. It shows their imagination at work and most likely allowed Dickens to have fun at his writing table.

S quick, but worthwhile, read.

Admittedly gave it 4 stars because it reads exactly as you’d predict - nothing more, nothing less. Charming, humorous stories that offer a reminder of childhood imagination.

Charles Dickens really captures the voice of the child her though I think it would be quite hard for a 21st Century child to read. A charming story.

Charles Dickens-Holiday romance
"-We will pretend-said Alice-that we are children; not that we are those grown-up people who won't help us out as they ought,and who understand us so badly."

Utterly charming short stories "written" by four children. The language and humour is so utterly Dickens, but the way in which they're written truly seem as if by children. The stories reflect the social standings of the day, wherein the boys have adventure and the girls have romance, but the boys also have romance in their own way, and the girls also have adventure in their own way. I often forgot they were not actually written by children at all.


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Tel

Nobody told me that Dickens is fun.

Holiday Romance is a collection of 4 stories written from the point of view of the 4 main characters, who are 4 children aged between 6 and 9 years old. Each one of them writes one of the stories and they imagine themselves in different situations in a kind of “upside down world” in which children have the power and adults have to obey them.

The first story is that of William Tinkling, who narrates his romantic adventures with Nettie Ashford and marrying her, while his friend Robin Redforth is engaged to Alice Rainbird. In addition, William and Robin had to rescue their girlfriends who were imprisoned. They finally decide that they will wait until they are 90 years old so the adults won't bother them. I loved it because it is told with great humor and innocence.

The second story is that of Alice Rainbird, a princess who is given a gift by the fairy Grandmarina consisting of a magic fishbone that she can use only once to fulfill a wish, but only if she does it at the right time.

The third story is written by Robin Redforth, who fancies himself a pirate, chases his grammar teacher and engages in adventures and battles with other pirates. His crew is made up of his friends.

The fourth story is the one I enjoyed the most. It is narrated by Nettie Ashford, who imagines herself living in a world where adults are obliged to obey children, go to school and cook rich desserts for the children.

These stories are far from the best stories Charles Dickens ever wrote, but I think it's worth reading this book. I found it very amusing and I found the way and the innocence with which each child tells his/her story very adorable. It really seems as if they were written by children not only because of the fantastic and imaginary ideas they have but also because of the style and the way they express them.

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/809

Opening: This beginning-part is not made out of anybody’s head, you know. It’s real. You must believe this beginning-part more than what comes after, else you won’t understand how what comes after came to be written. You must believe it all; but you must believe this most, please. I am the editor of it. Bob Redforth (he’s my cousin, and shaking the table on purpose) wanted to be the editor of it; but I said he shouldn’t because he couldn’t. He has no idea of being an editor.



Just the titular story, which is written by four young people from their position in a joint role playing game:

William Tinkling Esq. - Aged 8
Miss Alice Rainbird - Aged 7
Lieut.-Col Robin Redforth - Aged 9
Miss Nettie Ashford - Aged half-past six

I can't see today's youngsters buying into this and there is little by way of a hidden stream to keep adults interested, yet it does hold a certain charm.

Could not be confused with Angria.