special thanks are due to doctor j. lynn barnard of the philadelphia school of pedagogy, for valuable suggestions and helpful criticism in the making of this reader; also to miss isabel jean galbraith, a demonstration teacher of the philadelphia school of pedagogy, for assistance in preparing the questions on the lessons.

for kind permission to use stories and other material, thanks are due to the following: the ohio humane society for “little lost pup,” by arthur guiterman; mrs. huntington smith, president animal rescue league of boston, for “the grocer’s horse,” and to her publishers, ginn and company; mary craige yarrow for “poor little jocko”; houghton mifflin company for “baking the johnny-cake”; the american humane education society for selection by george t. angell; and to the red cross magazine for several photographs.

it may be said that a child’s life and experience move forward in ever widening circles, beginning with the closest intimate home relations, and broadening out into knowledge of community, of city, and finally of national life.

a glance at the above diagram will show the working plan of the young american readers. this plan follows the natural growth and development of the child’s mind, and aims by teaching the civic virtues and simplest community relations to lay the foundations of good citizenship. see outline of work on page 231.