Teaching Life's Lessons

Samuel Willard (1775-1859)
The Franklin Primer, Containing a New and Useful Selection of Moral Lessons. . .
Boston: John M Dunham, 1803
Rare Book & Special Collection Division (102B.6)

The History of Little Goody Twoshoes.
Worcester, Massachusetts: Isaiah Thomas, 1787
Rare Book & Special Collection Division (103B.4)

Learning one's ABCs and moral instruction went hand-in- hand in early America. The Franklin Primer contains the alphabet, basic letter sounds, and stories. It's reading lessons include the catechism of the Episcopal Church, Bible stories, and songs including one entitled "Against Lying." Little Goody Two-Shoes, now a derisive term for the self-righteous, was the small heroine in a very popular book designed to instill gratitude and humility in children. She got her name early in the story, when, after being orphaned and impoverished and wearing only one shoe, was given a new pair. "Two-shoes, two-shoes!"she cried throughout the town.