If you’re hunting for a bedtime book that feels like a cozy hug from a bygone era, laced with just enough magic and mischief to spark young imaginations without veering into nightmare territory, Abbie Phillips Walker’s Told by the Sandman: Stories for Bedtime (also sometimes titled The Sandman’s Hour in editions—more on that curiosity later) is a hidden gem from 1916 that’s aged like fine fairy dust.
This collection of 25 short tales is pure, unadulterated whimsy: think talking animals with life lessons, fairies meddling in flower affairs, and everyday objects coming alive in the quiet hours. Walker’s prose is simple yet enchanting, perfect for reading aloud in a hushed voice as eyelids start to droop. It’s not your modern flashy kids’ lit— no superheroes or CGI vibes here—but that’s its charm. It’s like stepping into a sepia-toned dream where morals sneak in through giggles and wonder.
What makes this book “cool” in a library?
It’s got that vintage vibe that feels rebellious in today’s screen-saturated world. These stories aren’t preachy; they’re playful parables that teach without trying too hard, wrapped in folklore-inspired adventures. The illustrations by Rhoda C. Chase (in original editions) add a soft, dreamy artistry—think delicate line drawings of possums in predicaments or mermaids in mirrors. If you’re a parent, teacher, or just a nostalgia junkie, this one’s a portal to simpler times, ideal for ages 4-8, but honestly, adults will smirk at the clever twists too.
Walker packs in a ton of variety—animals, mythical beings, and inanimate objects all get their spotlight. Here’s the complete list from the table of contents, with my original mini-summaries based on the tales’ essence (no spoilers, but enough to tease the magic). I’ve kept them fresh and fun: Step into a world where the gentle dusk brings the whisper of the Sandman, sprinkling dream dust and carrying children off to realms spun from golden tales. Told by Sandman is a timeless collection of bedtime stories—originally penned and lovingly illustrated in the 1920s—that captures the pure magic of yesteryear’s storytelling craft.
Abbie Phillips Walker’s masterful storytelling is both whimsical and warm, weaving together a variety of enchanting characters: fairies that steal away to secret riversides, mischievous goblins with eyes wide open, and mysterious river youths that emerge from foamy beds of moonlit water. Each story feels like a lullaby, softly inviting young minds to drift into dreams filled with adventure, kindness, and a sprinkle of old-world charm.
The structure of the book is a delightful tapestry of imaginative stories like How the Pussy-Willow Grew, or What The Sparrow Saw, and many more. These tales do not merely entertain; they also embody gentle morals, nurturing wonder while easing children into the soft embrace of sleep.
What’s captivating is the vivid imagery conjured by Walker’s prose—simple yet evocative enough to paint pictures in the night air, transporting the reader to mystical gardens where lilies tower majestically and the playful whispers of flowers tell secrets. Beyond the enchantment, there lies an echo of an earlier era, reminding readers of the slower pace of life and the cherished ritual of bedtime stories shared with loved ones.
This 1920 edition reflects the golden age of children’s literature, marked by delicate illustrations and a poetic simplicity that today’s highly commercialized storytelling often lacks. Walker’s stories showcase the era’s fascination with nature spirits, mythical creatures, and the interplay between the real and the magical, a common theme in early 20th-century folklore-inspired literature. The timelessness of these stories has allowed them to endure nearly a century, continuing to inspire awe and wonder, illustrating the power of narrative to transcend generations. Some tales subtly present gentle lessons about curiosity, honesty, and kindness, wrapped in the guise of fairy tales and bedtime adventures, making the book both entertaining and educational.
Told by Sandman 1920 Edition value can stand like at 1000,00 $ , it’s worth of it.
Abbie Phillips Walker (1867-1951) was a prolific American writer from Minnesota, churning out over 60 books, mostly for kids. She drew from folklore and everyday observations, often infusing morals subtly. Curiously, she wasn’t just a storyteller; she dabbled in journalism and was known for her animal-centric tales, perhaps inspired by rural life. Her works fell into obscurity post-WWII until nowadays.
