I found it at a library sale in the early ’80s and it’s long since lost. Hardcover, no jacket, a drawing of two beaver kids against a dark green background (if memory serves). A chapter book, maybe 100 pages. Pulp paper. Pub date could have been 1900 to 1940; I would be shocked if it’s any more recent.
The two things I remember:
1. The little beaver sister, Crackie, earned her name because she constantly cracks or breaks things. In one chapter she drops an ice cream cone and the tip breaks off.
2. The last sentence of every chapter contains a non sequitur in this form: “And as long as I have time to bring Mrs. Gaffney the blueberry pies for her pet cat, I’ll tell you the next part of the story.” (There is no reference to Mrs. Gaffney, pies, or a cat anywhere else in the book.) I remember the ones in the book being truly amazing and weird.
Thanking you all in advance
Howard R. Garis, the author of the famous Uncle Wiggily stories, wrote a series of animal story books in 1910 – 1920 called the Bed Time Series. Each story book had about 30 stories featuring different animal children. The 1919 book Toodle and Noodle Flat-Tail (The Jolly Beaver Boys) also contained the character Crackie Flat-Tail. I think this must be it! Sadly, it’s out of print. You can find a list of Howard Garis’ works here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_R._Garis
Toodle and Noodle Flat-Tail is indeed the book! I’m awestruck. Thank you so much!
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