Books with author Gertrude Warner

Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny are orphans. The only way they can stay together as a family is to make it on their own. So when the children find an abandoned boxcar in the woods, they decide to call it home—and become the Boxcar Children! This set includes Gertrude Chandler Warner’s classic chapter book in paperback as well as the animated movie adaptation featuring Martin Sheen, JK Simmons, Joey King, Jadon Sand, Mackenzie Foy, and Zachary Gordon.

The Boxcar Children tells the story of the four Alden children: Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny, who are orphans. One night, they take shelter in a bakery after buying some bread with the little cash they have. In exchange for allowing them to spend the night, they agree to help around the bakery. However, when they overhear the baker's plans to keep the older three siblings but to take Benny to an orphanage because he is too young, they flee.Finding an abandoned boxcar, they start a new life of independence. Henry ends up working various odd jobs in a nearby city for a young doctor, Dr. Moore, in order to earn money for food. He also does gardening for the doctor's mother, Mrs. Moore. In one case, Mrs. Moore let him take home some parsnips and carrots he had picked because they were too small. The children's lives are pleasant and full of hard work until Violet becomes ill and they go to Dr. Moore for assistance.Earlier in the novel, Dr. Moore read in the newspaper that a man named James Henry Alden was offering a $5,000 reward for anyone who located his four lost grandchildren. The children had run away because they thought their grandfather was cruel. After Dr. Moore takes the sick Violet and the other children to his house, he finally contacts James Alden. James arrives at Moore's house. Not wanting to frighten the children into running away again, their grandfather referred to himself as Mr. Henry. Not knowing that the man was their "cruel" grandfather, the children warm to his kindness and are surprised but delighted when Dr. Moore reveals to them that he is their grandfather. After moving in with their grandfather, James moves the boxcar to his backyard for their enjoyment.

The Boxcar Children have long been known for being creative and resourceful. This hardcover book is filled with fun how-to guides for everyday adventures. It includes tips and tricks for mystery solving (how to make invisible ink and create secret codes), travel (how to pack a suitcase; how to take great snapshots), and enjoying the great outdoors. Each of the four Boxcar Children has their own section―practical advice from Jessie, a “roughing it” guide from Henry, crafts and art projects from Violet, and recipes from Benny! A great gift for Boxcar fans.