Biographical Stories (From: "True Stories of History and Biography")

"Biographical Stories" by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a collection of stories crafted for young readers in the 1800s. It tells the early life stories of important people from history, like artists and leaders, in a way that teaches kids good values and helps them learn about the past. At first, we meet Edward Temple, a young boy who can't see for a while and finds comfort in the stories his dad, Mr. Temple, tells him. These stories show how important it is to be strong, use your imagination, and care for your family. The first story is about Benjamin West, a painter from America, and how he started painting as a kid even though he didn't have an easy life. Edward learns about people from the past and starts to love art, which gives him hope while he deals with his own problems. It shows that anyone can do great things, no matter what.