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Evelyn Sharp’s short story The Wonderful Toymaker is part of a collection of fairy tales in the book “All the Way to Fairyland: Fairy Stores.” The Cambridge University Press originally published the anthology in 1897. An EBook version was made available through Project Gutenberg on November 3rd 2009

Plot

The tale of The Wonderful Toymaker begins with spoiled Princess Petulant, an eight-year-old girl who cannot be pleased at any cost. The King, her father, gathers his council together to help find a toy for the Princess that will surpass all others. The Prime Minister volunteers his son Martin to find the princess a special toy. Martin talks with Princess Petulant and promises to return in four weeks with this illicit toy. At the onset of Martin’s journey he encounters Bobolink, the Purple Enchanter, and hopes that Bobolink will help him find his way to the Wonderful Toymaker. Bobolink, who knows all, is clearly annoyed of giving information to everyone and although he is reluctant to assist Martin, Martin’s lack of flattery serves as a refreshing change for Bobolink who soon becomes eager to help him. Bobolink tells Martin that his next step is to reach the pine dwarfs, and warns him to avoid conversation with the creatures to avoid being stuck in the country of conversation forever. Martin almost makes it through the country of conversation but becomes distracted and engages in conversation with fish. Martin’s error forces him to become conversation, and he becomes trapped, with no way out. The princess waits very patiently and eventually becomes very upset that Martin has not returned with her toy. The council becomes worried as well and contemplates where Martin could have gone. The Princess, alone and sobbing, is confronted by a pine dwarf who promises to bring her to the waterfall and show her the way to Martin. The Princess stuffs her ears with cotton and begins her journey. Princess Petulant finally makes it to Martin and they are both able to escape, as she did not speak the entire way. The two run as fast as they can to the toyshop. The Toymaker, so pleased to see them, wishes that they stay and play with him forever. Martin and Princess Petulant play with the best toys they have ever seen, finally satisfying the Princess’ desire for a new toy. Martin and Princess Petulant tell the Toymaker that they are unable to stay and although he is sad, he assists them in their journey home. Upon their return they tell the entire story to a Royal Historian who records it all in the very book in which this story is contained.

Author

(This summary is based off of an article on The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography)

Evelyn Sharp (suffragist) (August 4th 1869- June 17th 1955) was a British suffragette and Children’s writer born in Denmark Hill, London. She was prevented from receiving a formal education by her family for quite some time, but later entered school and attended Collège de France. Sharp began writing novels and short stories that reflected her understanding of children’s perspectives, as well as her evolving perspectives on life, social issues, and women’s rights. In 1906, after becoming inspired by a speech by suffragette Elizabeth Robins, (link) she became active and devoted to the women’s suffrage movement. Sharp married Henry Nevinson (link) in 1933, who passed away just a few short years later in 1941. Sharp fell into a depression and eventually became blind. Sharp passed away in London in 1955.

Other Works

"From 1903 she was a journalist, writing primarily for The Daily Herald," The Manchester Guardian, Pall Mall Gazette, and The Morning Leader. Sharp's "first short stories appeared in The Yellow Book, and her first novel, At The Relton Arms (1895)."

illustrator

Mrs. Percy Dearmer produced all of the illustrations for Evelyn Sharp’s anthology of short stories “All the Way to Fairyland: Fairy Stories.” www.glutenberg.org/files/30400/30400-h/30400-h.htm