Books by Charles Edward Carryl

Charles Edward Carryl (1841-1920) worked as a director of a number of railway companies until he took a position in the New York Stock Exchange, which he held from 1874 to 1908. He married Mary Wetmore in 1869, with whom he had two children, Guy Wetmore Carryl (who later became a poet and humorist), and Constance Carryl (to whom "The Admiral's Caravan" was dedicated). Previously, in 1891, Carryl published another children's book, "Davy and the Goblin". "The Admiral's Caravan" appeared first in serialized form in the children's periodical "St Nicholas" beginning in 1891; it was published in book form first in 1892 and remained in print for many years. "The Admiral's Caravan" is one of the last important works of nineteenth-century American children's fantasy published before "The Wizard of Oz" appeared in 1900. The story takes place -- as such stories often do -- on Christmas Eve when young Dorothy embarks on an adventure with the Admiral, the Highlander, and Sir Walter Rosettes, three wooden statues who come alive on that magic evening...

"Davy and the Goblin" appeared first in serialized form in the children's periodical "St Nicholas" beginning in 1884; it was published in book form first in 1885 and remained in print for over 40 years. In 1891 Carryl published another children's book, "The Admiral's Caravan".The story begins on Christmas Eve when eight-year-old Davy drowses by the fireplace reading Lewis Carroll's classic novel Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Soon he meets a Goblin who transforms the family longcase clock into a boat, beginning Davy on a "believing voyage" where he meets the Butterscotchmen, Mother Hubbard, the Giant Badorful, Robin Hood (and his daughter Little Red Riding), Robinson Crusoe, and other charming characters. "Davy and the Goblin"'s use of nonsense and punning places it firmly amongst those works influenced by Lewis Carroll's Wonderland; its fast-paced, kaleidoscopic narrative gives it an American flavour which foreshadows much fantastic literature of the twentieth century.