The Library of Work and Play: Mechanics, Indoors and Out

"The Library of Work and Play: Mechanics, Indoors and Out" by Fred T. Hodgson is a manual from the early 1900s that teaches the basics of mechanics through building projects designed for kids. The book encourages kids to learn by doing, using activities and construction to teach real-world skills. The story starts with the Gregg kids, Fred, Jessie, and George, who are excited to fix up their new riverside property. Jessie wants their dad to buy the land, and they start planning things like a cement path, a boathouse, and even a motorboat. Their dad includes them in making these building dreams a reality and assigns them tasks that require simple mechanical knowledge, such as using teamwork and leverage. This sets up an interesting story about learning mechanics through building projects that matter to the main characters.