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The History of Little Goody Two-Shoes
The fable tells of Goody Two-Shoes, the nickname of a poor orphan girl named Margery Meanwell, who goes through life with only one shoe. When a rich gentleman gives her a complete pair, she is so happy that she tells everyone that she has "two shoes". Later, Margery becomes a teacher and marries a rich widower. This serves as proof that her virtue has been rewarded and her wealth earned, a popular theme in children's literature of the era
112 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1765
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About the author
Oliver Goldsmith
3,531 books152 followersLiterary reputation of Irish-born British writer Oliver Goldsmith rests on his novel
The Vicar of Wakefield
(1766), the pastoral poem
The Deserted Village
(1770), and the dramatic comedy
She Stoops to Conquer
(1773).
This Anglo-Irish poet, dramatist, novelist, and essayist wrote, translated, or compiled more than forty volumes. Good sense, moderation, balance, order, and intellectual honesty mark the works for which people remember him.
This Anglo-Irish poet, dramatist, novelist, and essayist wrote, translated, or compiled more than forty volumes. Good sense, moderation, balance, order, and intellectual honesty mark the works for which people remember him.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
October 2, 2019
Yes, there really is such a book, and you can buy the Kindle version at Amazon for .99 and review it here! It was cute and the illustrations looked all right on my Kindle, but would you believe for such a short story I found typos? Sigh. At least it's available and a nice experience.
Thanks for reading.
Thanks for reading.
May 26, 2020
When Margery and Tommy Meanwell are orphaned, after their father is driven off his farm by the greedy landlord, Sir Timothy Gripe, the two young people find themselves in a terrible situation. Their wealthy relatives won't take them in, and although a well-meaning clergyman attempts to help Margery, after her brother goes to sea, Sir Timothy and Farmer Graspall (what an aptronym that is!) force him to abandon her. Despite her poverty, Margery has the two shoes given to her by the kind Mr. Smith - something for which she rejoices, leading to her nickname "Margery Two Shoes" - and she sets out to improve herself, teaching herself to read. When she warns Sir William Dove and Sir Timothy about a plot against them, the former establishes her as a teacher in a little country school. Here she adopts many teaching methods that were new and progressive for that time (the 18th century), incorporating movement into her lessons, and emphasizing the importance of kindness to our animal friends. Becoming something of a moral authority in the locale, Margery is accused of witchcraft because of her many animal companions, but she is championed by Sir William. Eventually she marries Sir Charles Jones, is reunited with her brother Tommy, and becomes a benevolent force in her area...
First published by John Newbery in 1765, The History of Little Goody Two Shoes; Otherwise Called Mrs. Margery Two-Shoes was a ground-breaking work, in the history of Anglophone children's literature, and although many contemporary readers might find it overly didactic, it actually had considerably more levity and entertainment value than the children's books - many of them produced by the Puritans, and other religious figures - that preceded it. It is not the source of the term "little goody two shoes," which we today understand to be a person who is nauseatingly rule-driven and "good," but it certainly popularized it. What's fascinating about this, is that the word "goody" is actually an abbreviated form of the English honorific "Goodwife," which was used to address women of a social status lower than "mistress" (i.e.: the mistress of a house), and didn't have the same connotation of overwhelming and obnoxious virtue that it currently does. Perhaps when the original meaning of "Goody" was lost, people assumed it meant "good," and came to think that "little goody two shoes" had a mocking ring to it.
However that may be, the story here was engaging, and had many fascinating elements. The author begins with a discussion of land leasing and its injustice, which opens a window into the social issues of the day. The educational methods used by Margery were also interesting, and the focus on humane treatment of animals eye-opening. This latter is a theme one sees often in 18th-century children's literature. Sir William's comments on the stupidity of witchcraft accusations - "a Woman must be very poor, very old, and live in a Neighborhood, where the People are very stupid, before she can possibly pass for a Witch" - were both apt and entertaining. Finally, the social rise of Margery is of note - she starts out as the orphaned daughter of a poor farmer, and winds up a wealthy, titled lady - as the 18th century sees the very beginning of the breakdown of the nobility as the primary authority in England. The authorship of this book is contested - like all of Newbery's books, it was published anonymously, although some attribute it to Oliver Goldsmith - but whoever created it certainly did something different! Recommended to all readers with an interest in 18th-century English children's books, or in the titles published by John Newbery.
First published by John Newbery in 1765, The History of Little Goody Two Shoes; Otherwise Called Mrs. Margery Two-Shoes was a ground-breaking work, in the history of Anglophone children's literature, and although many contemporary readers might find it overly didactic, it actually had considerably more levity and entertainment value than the children's books - many of them produced by the Puritans, and other religious figures - that preceded it. It is not the source of the term "little goody two shoes," which we today understand to be a person who is nauseatingly rule-driven and "good," but it certainly popularized it. What's fascinating about this, is that the word "goody" is actually an abbreviated form of the English honorific "Goodwife," which was used to address women of a social status lower than "mistress" (i.e.: the mistress of a house), and didn't have the same connotation of overwhelming and obnoxious virtue that it currently does. Perhaps when the original meaning of "Goody" was lost, people assumed it meant "good," and came to think that "little goody two shoes" had a mocking ring to it.
However that may be, the story here was engaging, and had many fascinating elements. The author begins with a discussion of land leasing and its injustice, which opens a window into the social issues of the day. The educational methods used by Margery were also interesting, and the focus on humane treatment of animals eye-opening. This latter is a theme one sees often in 18th-century children's literature. Sir William's comments on the stupidity of witchcraft accusations - "a Woman must be very poor, very old, and live in a Neighborhood, where the People are very stupid, before she can possibly pass for a Witch" - were both apt and entertaining. Finally, the social rise of Margery is of note - she starts out as the orphaned daughter of a poor farmer, and winds up a wealthy, titled lady - as the 18th century sees the very beginning of the breakdown of the nobility as the primary authority in England. The authorship of this book is contested - like all of Newbery's books, it was published anonymously, although some attribute it to Oliver Goldsmith - but whoever created it certainly did something different! Recommended to all readers with an interest in 18th-century English children's books, or in the titles published by John Newbery.
July 8, 2022
Wowee! This was the most accidentally hallucinatory book I've ever read!
It kicks off with a rambling essay which ponders the authorship of the book. The leading suspects are horror writer Oliver Goldsmith, editor John Newbery, or a team of ghost writers working for Newbery. After reading this hysterial mishmash of a book, I am convinced that it was heavily rewritten by John Newbery, and possibly by his ghost writers as well. There's a reason it was published as an anonymous work- it has no true author, just Newbery's committee of scribblers.
The introduction of the book concerns a trenchant, political exposition on the justice system and farm leasing system of the English countryside. Really.
Next, the book veers into the story of Margery, the eponymous heroine. She is really, really good, and she rises through society with a rapidity that would make Horatio Alger Jr. blush. My favorite part was when she invented a hay-harvesting device that revolutionized the local agriculture. Really.
***SPOILERS AHOY***
Of course, the thing that makes this book accidentally postmodern is the bizarre, inexplicable tangents. I was okay with reprinting the alphabet three times because, hey, this is a children's book. I was even okay with just reprinting several pages of whatever aphorisms came into Newbery's head. I was, however, surprised when the author decided to rewrite Psalm 23 as cloying Mother Goose doggerel, or expounded (twice!) on animal cruelty. And I still can't believe what I read in the pirate scene. Is this a children's book, John Newbery?
I was also stunned by the surprisingly modern, shamelessly crass use of product placement. Books and quack medicines available from John Newbery's bookstore are discussed and praised by the characters. Go buy them now!
The whole kaleidoscope of weirdness winds to a close with a story about an intoxicated dog and a list of quack medicines available for purchase from John Newbery. For a good time, google "Dr. Hooper's female pills."
***End of spoilers- you missed a lot!***
I recommend this book to readers interested in the history of children's literature and to people who read bad books on purpose. As one of the latter, I loved it.
This review pertains to the 1766 edition. Beware of later, less weird editions!
It kicks off with a rambling essay which ponders the authorship of the book. The leading suspects are horror writer Oliver Goldsmith, editor John Newbery, or a team of ghost writers working for Newbery. After reading this hysterial mishmash of a book, I am convinced that it was heavily rewritten by John Newbery, and possibly by his ghost writers as well. There's a reason it was published as an anonymous work- it has no true author, just Newbery's committee of scribblers.
The introduction of the book concerns a trenchant, political exposition on the justice system and farm leasing system of the English countryside. Really.
Next, the book veers into the story of Margery, the eponymous heroine. She is really, really good, and she rises through society with a rapidity that would make Horatio Alger Jr. blush. My favorite part was when she invented a hay-harvesting device that revolutionized the local agriculture. Really.
***SPOILERS AHOY***
Of course, the thing that makes this book accidentally postmodern is the bizarre, inexplicable tangents. I was okay with reprinting the alphabet three times because, hey, this is a children's book. I was even okay with just reprinting several pages of whatever aphorisms came into Newbery's head. I was, however, surprised when the author decided to rewrite Psalm 23 as cloying Mother Goose doggerel, or expounded (twice!) on animal cruelty. And I still can't believe what I read in the pirate scene. Is this a children's book, John Newbery?
I was also stunned by the surprisingly modern, shamelessly crass use of product placement. Books and quack medicines available from John Newbery's bookstore are discussed and praised by the characters. Go buy them now!
The whole kaleidoscope of weirdness winds to a close with a story about an intoxicated dog and a list of quack medicines available for purchase from John Newbery. For a good time, google "Dr. Hooper's female pills."
***End of spoilers- you missed a lot!***
I recommend this book to readers interested in the history of children's literature and to people who read bad books on purpose. As one of the latter, I loved it.
This review pertains to the 1766 edition. Beware of later, less weird editions!
November 18, 2020
دو و نیم ستاره.
این یه داستان خیلی کوتاه و خیلیتر قدیمیه، برای بچهها. مال قرن ۱۸. گویا ترجمهش موجود نیست، یا لاقل من ندیدم. به هر حال تکستش هم سادهتر از این حرفاست که ترجمهلازم باشه. داستان بانمکیه و این سبک قدیمیطورش قشنگه آدم خوشش میاد، مثلا به دونستن و آموزش سواد و الفبا در تمام طول داستان به عنوان یه چیز خفن و قهرمانانه نگاه میشه که خیلی باحاله :))) کلا وقتی با یه فاصله زمانی قابل توجه، از قدیم یچیزی میخونی این حسی که انگار داری از یه دنیای دیگه میخونی جالبه. ایلاستریشن داستان هم خیلی قشنگ بود، دوست داشتم.
خب اینا که همه خوب شد پس حالا شاید بگید دو ستارهت چی میگه؟ که باید بگم اوکی یه داستان بچهگونهی کیوت بود در سطح و زمان خودش بد هم نبوده، ولی انقددددر غیرمنطقی و غیرواقعگرایانه طراحی شده خط سیر این داستان که -_- هرگز حاضر نیستم چنین داستانیو برای هیچ بچهای بخونم. بچهها درسته کوچیکن اما ابله که نیستن. و اگه قصد الگوبرداری و آموزش خوبی و اخلاق حسنه و فلان و بهمانه :)) این داستانهای تا این حد غیرواقعی و پر از اغراق بیمورد هیچ کمکی نمیکنن.
داستان این مدلیه که طی اتفاقاتی یه خواهر و برادر، مارگری و تامی، یتیم میشن و پسره میره رو دریا کار کنه و داستان راجع به ادامهی زندگی دخترهست، که از اول تا آخر داستان این یک دختربچه و بعد هم یک آدم بزرگیه که تکتک کارهاشو بدون نقص انجام میده، بهترین تصمیمها رو میگیره، قهرمان بیبدیل تمام صحنههاست و کلا بندهی ممتاز خداست =))) تا حدی که آدم حرصش میگیره دیگه واقعا.
من که اگه بچه بودم اینو برام میخوندن بیشتر حرصم میگرفت تا تحت تاثیر قرار بگیرم -.- مخصوصا که خط داستانی کتاب هم انگار فقط اصرار و عجله داره برا ذکر خوبیای این مارگری بندهخدا.
و الحق که لفظ goody two shoes براش مناسبه :)))
و البته جالب هم است که بدونید این اصطلاح goody two shoes، از همین داستان اومده اولین بار و تا امروز استفاده میشه. دلیلش هم یه پارت از داستانه که یه فرد ثروتمندی یک جفت کفش به مارگری میده این بنده خدا هم که یک دونه کفش بیشتر نداره هر کیو میدیده فریاد شادی سر میداده که دو تا کفش دارم دو تااااا ! :))**
و البته از اون به بعد لفظ goody two shoes به آدمایی با ویژگیای مارگری اتلاق میشه، بچه مثبت و انقد پرفکت که رو مخ میرن.
اندازهی نصف خود داستان براش ریویو نوشتم خدایا منو از شر بیخوابی نجات بده :)))).
آبان ۹۹.
این یه داستان خیلی کوتاه و خیلیتر قدیمیه، برای بچهها. مال قرن ۱۸. گویا ترجمهش موجود نیست، یا لاقل من ندیدم. به هر حال تکستش هم سادهتر از این حرفاست که ترجمهلازم باشه. داستان بانمکیه و این سبک قدیمیطورش قشنگه آدم خوشش میاد، مثلا به دونستن و آموزش سواد و الفبا در تمام طول داستان به عنوان یه چیز خفن و قهرمانانه نگاه میشه که خیلی باحاله :))) کلا وقتی با یه فاصله زمانی قابل توجه، از قدیم یچیزی میخونی این حسی که انگار داری از یه دنیای دیگه میخونی جالبه. ایلاستریشن داستان هم خیلی قشنگ بود، دوست داشتم.
خب اینا که همه خوب شد پس حالا شاید بگید دو ستارهت چی میگه؟ که باید بگم اوکی یه داستان بچهگونهی کیوت بود در سطح و زمان خودش بد هم نبوده، ولی انقددددر غیرمنطقی و غیرواقعگرایانه طراحی شده خط سیر این داستان که -_- هرگز حاضر نیستم چنین داستانیو برای هیچ بچهای بخونم. بچهها درسته کوچیکن اما ابله که نیستن. و اگه قصد الگوبرداری و آموزش خوبی و اخلاق حسنه و فلان و بهمانه :)) این داستانهای تا این حد غیرواقعی و پر از اغراق بیمورد هیچ کمکی نمیکنن.
داستان این مدلیه که طی اتفاقاتی یه خواهر و برادر، مارگری و تامی، یتیم میشن و پسره میره رو دریا کار کنه و داستان راجع به ادامهی زندگی دخترهست، که از اول تا آخر داستان این یک دختربچه و بعد هم یک آدم بزرگیه که تکتک کارهاشو بدون نقص انجام میده، بهترین تصمیمها رو میگیره، قهرمان بیبدیل تمام صحنههاست و کلا بندهی ممتاز خداست =))) تا حدی که آدم حرصش میگیره دیگه واقعا.
من که اگه بچه بودم اینو برام میخوندن بیشتر حرصم میگرفت تا تحت تاثیر قرار بگیرم -.- مخصوصا که خط داستانی کتاب هم انگار فقط اصرار و عجله داره برا ذکر خوبیای این مارگری بندهخدا.
و الحق که لفظ goody two shoes براش مناسبه :)))
و البته جالب هم است که بدونید این اصطلاح goody two shoes، از همین داستان اومده اولین بار و تا امروز استفاده میشه. دلیلش هم یه پارت از داستانه که یه فرد ثروتمندی یک جفت کفش به مارگری میده این بنده خدا هم که یک دونه کفش بیشتر نداره هر کیو میدیده فریاد شادی سر میداده که دو تا کفش دارم دو تااااا ! :))**
و البته از اون به بعد لفظ goody two shoes به آدمایی با ویژگیای مارگری اتلاق میشه، بچه مثبت و انقد پرفکت که رو مخ میرن.
اندازهی نصف خود داستان براش ریویو نوشتم خدایا منو از شر بیخوابی نجات بده :)))).
آبان ۹۹.
November 26, 2018
Thanks to Gutenberg for this classic (as in 18th century) didactic tale of sorts. It made me laugh on a sleepless night. Plot? Surely you jest. Character development? There is none. Story? Not so much.
Little Goody Two Shoes is an orphan who somehow teaches herself to read. And her animals. And the neighbouring kids. All with some wooden letters she cuts herself, out of wood, in order to (according to the author) "learn" other people to read. (Those trained birds, though.) She sets up what must be a "dame school", saves the local gentry from being robbed and murdered, and ends up marrying the local lord who is miles older than herself in order to end the story with suitable (for the times) éclat.
Point? I guess that a sweet maid can be both good AND clever--a surprising attitude for the time. That must be why she is accused of being a witch at one point.
Nice to see where the expression came from, but that's about it.
Little Goody Two Shoes is an orphan who somehow teaches herself to read. And her animals. And the neighbouring kids. All with some wooden letters she cuts herself, out of wood, in order to (according to the author) "learn" other people to read. (Those trained birds, though.) She sets up what must be a "dame school", saves the local gentry from being robbed and murdered, and ends up marrying the local lord who is miles older than herself in order to end the story with suitable (for the times) éclat.
Point? I guess that a sweet maid can be both good AND clever--a surprising attitude for the time. That must be why she is accused of being a witch at one point.
Nice to see where the expression came from, but that's about it.
November 20, 2016
Very short children's book that serves as source of the phrase.
Available via Project Gutenberg (with the original wood cut illustrations), and in a later (1888) edition with more vibrant pictures on the Internet Archive: https://archive.org/details/goodytwos...
Available via Project Gutenberg (with the original wood cut illustrations), and in a later (1888) edition with more vibrant pictures on the Internet Archive: https://archive.org/details/goodytwos...
October 18, 2023
It is not good
May 10, 2011
So this is how the expression "Goody Two Shoes" became popularized?!?
I came across this children's tale through the Project Gutenberg Internet Archive and I decided I wanted to read a bedtime story before falling asleep last night so I decided on this one. Originally published by John Newberry in 1765, this is a simple, moralistic tale about the characteristics of what society deemed the idealistically virtuous person at that time. I chuckled at the obviously allegorical names used by the anonymous storyteller - Margery Meanwell, Sir Thomas Gripe and Farmer Graspall (the very greedy one of course!).
...But of course, this is a period piece as the reward of the virtuous person was a popular theme in children's literature when it was written. Fun to read this blast from the past!
I came across this children's tale through the Project Gutenberg Internet Archive and I decided I wanted to read a bedtime story before falling asleep last night so I decided on this one. Originally published by John Newberry in 1765, this is a simple, moralistic tale about the characteristics of what society deemed the idealistically virtuous person at that time. I chuckled at the obviously allegorical names used by the anonymous storyteller - Margery Meanwell, Sir Thomas Gripe and Farmer Graspall (the very greedy one of course!).
...But of course, this is a period piece as the reward of the virtuous person was a popular theme in children's literature when it was written. Fun to read this blast from the past!
January 15, 2021
Read this for a Children’s literature module. Margery was such a sweet and kind girl who looked out for everyone. She appeared older because of her ability to teach the other kids to read and write. It was a nice story though some of the things were questionable. Among other things the introduction, the product placement of the authors own products, and the fact that Newbery stole stories from others and published them in his own name. Not sure if he stole parts from this or if he wrote it himself.
The version I got for my kindle was badly formatted and had several gaps where they tried to fill in with seemingly random letters. The last name of one of the characters changed several times on one page (Meanwell, Meanxvell, Mearnvell). The illustrations was placed in bulk and did not follow the natural course of the story. This ruined the reading experience a bit for me.
The version I got for my kindle was badly formatted and had several gaps where they tried to fill in with seemingly random letters. The last name of one of the characters changed several times on one page (Meanwell, Meanxvell, Mearnvell). The illustrations was placed in bulk and did not follow the natural course of the story. This ruined the reading experience a bit for me.
March 13, 2021
Sweet Short story of a girl who would have faced atrocities but handle her situation well and became a School-mistress by education herself and other illiterate children. This shows the focus one must have towards making a life bigger.
Read
July 3, 2025Takeaways:
-Ghosts aren’t real
-Follow God
-Fight crime
-The rich are keeping the poor man down
-Learn your alphabet
-Ghosts aren’t real
-Follow God
-Fight crime
-The rich are keeping the poor man down
-Learn your alphabet
July 18, 2023
Goody Two-Shoes is a short children's story with a simple narrative and a message about the benefits of being virtuous. This message was not conveyed in a particularly engaging way and for such a well known phrase, the story from which it likely originated was not very memorable. Also annoyingly, my edition of the text had a couple of pages in the wrong order, which certainly did not help matters.
Rating - 2/5
★★
There is also a link to this review on my blog here!
Rating - 2/5
★★
There is also a link to this review on my blog here!
November 20, 2016
Unrealistic but engaging, only one mention of Heavenly Father, the message that, if you do both well and good you will improve your lot, is universal and true (though generally not to quite the degree portrayed). I love the Dickensian names such as Farmer Graspall. Thank you J.Boo for the link to the 'updated' illustrated version. The facsimile of the 1766 edition, avl on Project Gutenberg, is almost unreadable, and of interest only to scholars.
February 22, 2019
First sentence: It will be readily understood by our young readers, that the real name of the little girl who is the heroine of this story was not Goody Two Shoes, but Margery Meanwell.
Premise/plot: Margery Meanwell and her brother, Tommy, are ophans. These two are pitied by a rich friend passing through town. Tommy he will take to make a sailor of him. And he will give new shoes--and perhaps new clothes--to Margery. She's so thrilled to have shoes that she goes about the village announcing the fact that she has one, two GOOD shoes. Over the course of her childhood, she learns to read and write and then she teaches anyone and everyone how to do the same. Even some animals. Not everyone loves Goody Two Shoes or Mrs. Margery as she comes to be called when she receives a teaching position of her very own. But plenty do--including a rich widower, Sir Charles Jones who actually proposes to her. Of course this happily ever after morality tale wouldn't be complete without her grown-up-and-now-successful brother returning just in time to see her wed.
My thoughts: I was happily going along with this one until all the animals started entering in. She teaches two birds to spell using wooden alphabet blocks. Another pet bird "awakens" her pupils in the morning. Another pet, a lamb, "teaches" her pupils when to go to bed. Another pet, a dog, acts as guard or porter. He "saves" the children--and their teacher--by dragging them out of the building minutes before the roof collapses. These animals are her companions.
Mrs. Margery, who was always doing good, contrived an instrument to tell when the weather was to continue favourable or unfavourable; by which means she told the farmers when to mow the arrass and gather in the hay with safety. Several persons, who suffered in their crops by not consulting Margery, were so angry at their losses, that they accused her of being a witch and sent Gaffer Goosecap, a silly old meddling fool, to obtain evidence against her.
This old fellow entered the school as Margery was walking about, having the raven on one shoulder, the pigeon on the other, the lark on her hand, and the lamb and dog at her side, and he was so frightened, that he cried. "A witch! a witch!"
Margery exclaimed, smiling, "A conjurer! a conjurer!" and he ran off; but soon after a warrant was issued against her, and she was carried before a meeting of the justices, followed by all the neighbours.
Was it necessary to introduce this dramatic accusation of witchcraft into the story? I vote no. I mean this morality tale was doing just fine and dandy on its own. But I suppose if it wasn't there would Charles Jones have been compelled to stand up and defend her? Still there's a silliness to this one.
Premise/plot: Margery Meanwell and her brother, Tommy, are ophans. These two are pitied by a rich friend passing through town. Tommy he will take to make a sailor of him. And he will give new shoes--and perhaps new clothes--to Margery. She's so thrilled to have shoes that she goes about the village announcing the fact that she has one, two GOOD shoes. Over the course of her childhood, she learns to read and write and then she teaches anyone and everyone how to do the same. Even some animals. Not everyone loves Goody Two Shoes or Mrs. Margery as she comes to be called when she receives a teaching position of her very own. But plenty do--including a rich widower, Sir Charles Jones who actually proposes to her. Of course this happily ever after morality tale wouldn't be complete without her grown-up-and-now-successful brother returning just in time to see her wed.
My thoughts: I was happily going along with this one until all the animals started entering in. She teaches two birds to spell using wooden alphabet blocks. Another pet bird "awakens" her pupils in the morning. Another pet, a lamb, "teaches" her pupils when to go to bed. Another pet, a dog, acts as guard or porter. He "saves" the children--and their teacher--by dragging them out of the building minutes before the roof collapses. These animals are her companions.
Mrs. Margery, who was always doing good, contrived an instrument to tell when the weather was to continue favourable or unfavourable; by which means she told the farmers when to mow the arrass and gather in the hay with safety. Several persons, who suffered in their crops by not consulting Margery, were so angry at their losses, that they accused her of being a witch and sent Gaffer Goosecap, a silly old meddling fool, to obtain evidence against her.
This old fellow entered the school as Margery was walking about, having the raven on one shoulder, the pigeon on the other, the lark on her hand, and the lamb and dog at her side, and he was so frightened, that he cried. "A witch! a witch!"
Margery exclaimed, smiling, "A conjurer! a conjurer!" and he ran off; but soon after a warrant was issued against her, and she was carried before a meeting of the justices, followed by all the neighbours.
Was it necessary to introduce this dramatic accusation of witchcraft into the story? I vote no. I mean this morality tale was doing just fine and dandy on its own. But I suppose if it wasn't there would Charles Jones have been compelled to stand up and defend her? Still there's a silliness to this one.
November 2, 2023
I saw an article recently about the tale of Goody Two Shoes, written in the 18th century. Since we had a copy of the original at my library, I was curious. It’s a tiny book - only about 2 inches by 3 inches and full of woodcut illustrations. Goody Two Shoes and her brother are left orphaned after their parents are first swindled and then dead. Goody Two Shoes’s name is Margaret, but she gets the name Goody Two Shoes when she is SO thrilled to be given a pair of two shoes. That’s how poor she and her brother were after their parents’s death.
It’s a charming story, and GTS is not at all the annoying character you might expect from the way the expression is used today. Goody in the period was a shortening of Goodwife and a common form of address.
And that’s my TED Talk in Goody Two Shoes. There are lots of free digital copies of the original text if anyone’s interested in reading it.
It’s a charming story, and GTS is not at all the annoying character you might expect from the way the expression is used today. Goody in the period was a shortening of Goodwife and a common form of address.
And that’s my TED Talk in Goody Two Shoes. There are lots of free digital copies of the original text if anyone’s interested in reading it.
November 18, 2021
What a fabulous way to introduce children to literature (historically speaking)! I loved that the book was pocket sized (perfect for little hands) and that it had pictures periodically and that the author spoke directly to the children for introspection and attention grabbing. Brilliantly done - it's no wonder that Newbery was then the title of awards (and honors) given to children's books each year. I'd love to have on my tombstone what Mrs. Margery had on hers.
November 12, 2023
Since the authorship of this anonymously published children's book is still somewhat in dispute (and, as I understand it, Goldsmith isn't necessarily in the running any longer), I'm not thrilled to see a definite attribution here. The book itself is more readable than many "improving" children's books of the period and still a decent read. This 1924 edition is adorable.
January 11, 2024
Betul ke ini buku cerita kanak-kanak? Penceritaan awal agak berat. Tiba-tiba ibu bapa mati akibat kemiskinan. Hmmm...... Mungkin jalan cerita buku kanak-kanak zaman 1920-an kebanyakannya agak "dark".
Agak suka dengan watak Margery (dipanggil sebagai Goody Two Shoes), yang tidak lokek ilmu dengan kanak-kanak lain. Dia ajarkan mereka cara mengeja perkataan. Cuma jalan ceritanya macam hmm......
Agak suka dengan watak Margery (dipanggil sebagai Goody Two Shoes), yang tidak lokek ilmu dengan kanak-kanak lain. Dia ajarkan mereka cara mengeja perkataan. Cuma jalan ceritanya macam hmm......
October 21, 2024
Cute simple child’s story from 1765. My copy was from 1930s. Wonderful story of a young gal called “goody two shoes” life. Wish more books for kids were written like this today.
August 6, 2010
While it's strange to say this, I think that this ancient little children's tale turned out to be much more engaging than I thought it would be. While it was very religiously based, strong on all moral messages, and certainly had some educational goal with the inclusion of several alphabets, the story somehow managed to still be moderately entertaining, although unrealistic. While riches and good fortune do not somehow find all of those who are good and dutiful, the characters still manage to have interesting adventures with the introduction of many tame animals and the mention of far off places and shipwrecks and pirates. Additionally, there is an element of suspense as circumstances for the protagonists often become bad before unexpectedly improving. There are also elements of reality in this title, as not all good people are rewarded on earth and are instead assumed to have achieved a heavenly reward.
July 13, 2018
Hmmm, wow. Usually I think people are a little too quick to judge older children's books for being too didactic, but this one--yeah.
It's not really the fact that the heroine is so overwhelmingly good--it's more that the whole book reads like a list of all the good and clever things she does (and the bad things that other people do to her) without any actual plot to speak of. And some of the incidents just seem completely random and pointless. (What on earth was the significance of her being shut up in the church? Unless it was just because we had to include a scary and mysterious scene?) Plot holes and happy coincidences and "where was this warm friend the last time she needed someone"s abound, and sadly, it's easy to see how the title became an insult.
Nothing against "good" characters in general or Margery (the original "Goody Two Shoes") in particular, but the book was not my cup of tea.
Content--girl falsely accused of being a witch; fear of ghosts
It's not really the fact that the heroine is so overwhelmingly good--it's more that the whole book reads like a list of all the good and clever things she does (and the bad things that other people do to her) without any actual plot to speak of. And some of the incidents just seem completely random and pointless. (What on earth was the significance of her being shut up in the church? Unless it was just because we had to include a scary and mysterious scene?) Plot holes and happy coincidences and "where was this warm friend the last time she needed someone"s abound, and sadly, it's easy to see how the title became an insult.
Nothing against "good" characters in general or Margery (the original "Goody Two Shoes") in particular, but the book was not my cup of tea.
Content--girl falsely accused of being a witch; fear of ghosts
November 25, 2007
I'd always heard the phrase "little goody two-shoes", and thought it just meant someone who was sickeningly nice and overly eager to be good. I was surprised when I read the story to find out that she had had only one shoe, and the two shoes signified her financially coming up in the world (via her good works). This is one of the first true children's books in English.
November 9, 2015
not boring
February 18, 2016
Surprisingly eclectic 18th-century novel for children.
February 12, 2021
Hi,
I hope all is progressing well.
Goody Two-Shoes by John Newbery is mainly about an orphan girl's developments into a prominent woman through education, good deeds, and helpful people. The book highlights benefits of living and pursuing a good life. As much as it seems like a book for children, the content seems mature. I don't know if there are different versions of the story. I recommend looking around for as near to the original copy as one can purchase. My copy looks like it's a put together rough draft though is clear enough to read, to me. Now, I better understand the term Goody-Two-Shoes and find it to be more honorable than disrespectful.
Onward and Upward,
Kevin Dufresne
www.Piatures.com
IG: @Dufreshest
I hope all is progressing well.
Goody Two-Shoes by John Newbery is mainly about an orphan girl's developments into a prominent woman through education, good deeds, and helpful people. The book highlights benefits of living and pursuing a good life. As much as it seems like a book for children, the content seems mature. I don't know if there are different versions of the story. I recommend looking around for as near to the original copy as one can purchase. My copy looks like it's a put together rough draft though is clear enough to read, to me. Now, I better understand the term Goody-Two-Shoes and find it to be more honorable than disrespectful.
Onward and Upward,
Kevin Dufresne
www.Piatures.com
IG: @Dufreshest
May 31, 2022
Wonderful heart-warming tale of poor little Margery, who is orphaned due to appalling villainy, left rather pitifully with only one shoe(!) but goes on not only to possess TWO shoes, but This is written not so much as a children's story, but rather artfully (probably by either/both Goldsmith/Newbery) as a more comic adult work, with the crude woodcut illustrations in the gutenberg version enhancing/perfecting this feel. A gem.
Read
September 30, 2025It feels somehow unfair to rate book intended primarily for children of the 18th-19th century. This is part of a facsimile collection of children’s books of those eras and having grown up with “Goody Two-Shoes” as an insult I was curious to read the original. I have to say its heavy-handed Christian pedagogy seemed extremely of its time but interesting to see how children of that time were encouraged to be kind, generous, and helpful (good teaching at any time) as good Christians. Boy has that message been lost in today’s mega-churches! In any case, maybe the message is Germaine to the big churches: this book doesn’t promise BUT gives examples among the main characters to say that God is with you when things are rough but if you stick with him you’ll end up rich and titled. Ha!
April 2, 2021
I grew up hearing people called "Goody Two-Shoes", but never thought of the origin. Well, now I have read the children's story, penned in 1765. Wow, talk about being good. The title character, Margary Mindwell, is so good, she makes Mother Teresa look wicked and awful. Clearly, the story was to inspire children to behave better but did so by setting a standard that cannot even be approached, let alone achieved.
December 9, 2019
This ebook is screen shots of an actual old book. Fine, but the pages are out of order and each physical page in the real book translates to two split pages in the ebook which are out of order - not side by side or sequential. Confusing and difficult to read. This book needs to be taken down, properly ordered, and republished once it is correct. Give the reader a fighting chance, huh?
October 12, 2025
I loved the story, the social commentary, and the many moral lessons. This was surprisingly relatable for a book published in London in 1765.
My favorite quote was, “We brag of liberty, and boast of our laws, but the blessings of the one, and the protection of the other seldom fall to the lot of the poor, and especially when a rich man is their adversary.”
My favorite quote was, “We brag of liberty, and boast of our laws, but the blessings of the one, and the protection of the other seldom fall to the lot of the poor, and especially when a rich man is their adversary.”
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