Dick and Dolly

First published in 1909 ‘Dick and Dolly’ by Carolyn Wells is a short children’s story about young twins Dick and Dolly. Orphaned when they were still infants, the pair lived happily with their Grandma and Aunt Helen. But now circumstances are changing, and the twins find themselves being sent to live with distant relations in Connecticut, where they must adjust to a new way of life.

Carolyn Wells (1862-1942) was a prolific American novelist and poet, best known for her children’s literature, mystery novels and humorous verse. Following school in New Jersey, Wells worked as a librarian, where she developed her love of reading. It was during 1896 that Wells' first book ‘At the Sign of the Sphinx’ was published. From 1900 she dedicated herself to her literary career, writing over 170 novels in total across a range of genres. Some of her most loved works include the ‘Patty Fairfield’ and ‘Marjorie Maynard’ series for girls, as well as the ‘Fleming Stone’ mystery series for adults. Wells is also well-known for her humorous nonsense verse, and was a frequent contributor of verse to magazines. She published an autobiography ‘The Rest of my Life’ in 1937. Wells died in New York City in 1942.