Maida's Little Shop

"Maida's Little Shop" by Inez Haynes Gillmore is a children's novel written in the early 20th century. The story centers around a little girl named Maida Westabrook, who has recently undergone surgery that has allowed her to walk, although she still experiences fatigue. Now determined to lead a fulfilling life, she dreams of running her own shop. The narrative explores her adventures and challenges as she endeavors to create a lively little corner store, guided by her love for her new venture and the support of her friends and family. The opening of the book introduces us to Maida as she travels with her father, a family friend, and a companion, reflecting on her beautiful but restrained life. We learn about her delicate health and the concern that her father and doctor have regarding her lack of interests. After expressing her desire to run a shop, Maida’s father agrees, setting the stage for her to embark on a journey filled with hard work and joy. The scene unfolds as they stop at an old store, sparking Maida’s fascination and leading to her father’s promise to purchase the shop for her. The subsequent chapters detail Maida's preparations to open her shop and hint at the charming community interactions she will have as she brings her dreams to life. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Inez Haynes Irwin was an American feminist author, journalist, member of the National Women's Party, and president of the Authors Guild. Many of her works were published under her former name Inez Haynes Gillmore. She wrote over 40 books and was active in the suffragist movement in the early 1900s. Irwin was a "rebellious and daring woman", but referred to herself as "the most timid of created beings". She died at the age of 97.