Children's Literature Trivia Quiz

Answer: Doggy Woggy

There are many version to this story, but basically the plot involves a gullible chicken who believes the sky is falling when an acorn falls and hits her on the head. She decides this is important news and starts off to tell the king about it. On the way, she meets other barnyard birds including Henny Penny, Cocky Lockey, Drakey Lakey and Turkey Lurkey, besides those mentioned already.

She tells them of her discovery and they also decide to accompany her. Finally they all meet Foxy Loxy who tries to lure them to his den.

In some versions, he succeeds in eating the silly fowls and in other versions, some or all escape. There is no dog in any version of this story, though.

Answer: a cow

Jack and his poor widowed mother fall on hard times. In desperation, Jack's mother tells him to take their only cow to market and sell it to get money. On the way, Jack meets with a swindler who trades Jack supposedly magic beans for the cow. The beans grow into a huge vine which enables Jack to climb skyward where he discovers a giant's home containing many treasures. Of course, Jack helps himself to some of the riches, enough to live comfortably ever after.

Answer: The Prisoner of Zenda

"The Prisoner of Zenda" was written by Anthony Hope. Other novels by Stevenson include "The Hair Trunk", "The Master of Ballantrae", "The Wrong Box" and "The Wrecker". Several of his later novels he co-wrote with Lloyd Osbourne. Stevenson also wrote short-stories and poetry.

Answer: Louisa May Alcott

Alcott used this poignant sentence in her novel "Little Men" which was published first in 1871. An alternate title is "Life at Plumfield with Jo's Boys". The story follows the character of Jo from Alcott's story "Little Women" and her experiences running Plumfield School with the help of her husband.

Answer: Astrid Lindgren

Pippi is a red-headed, pigtailed, adventurous little girl with super-human strength. The character has been depicted in several TV series and movies.

Answer: 4

Dorothy Straight was only four years old when she wrote this story for her grandmother in 1962. Her family thought it was good enough to be published and they were correct.

Answer: a whale

Joshua is a stubborn little whale who doesn't listen to his parent's good advice and ends up in trouble. Dennis was only six years old when he created this story and even won an award for it.

Answer: linguistics professors

Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm were serious professors of linguistics, but their collections of folk tales eventually eclipsed their more serious works. Their life story was depicted in several entertainment productions including the 1962 movie "The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm" and a 1977 TV musical, "Once Upon a Brothers Grimm".

Answer: Mark Twain

Mark Twain (a.k.a. Sam Clemens) was a prolific writer of novels, short stories and even many non-fiction pieces. Although a clever author, he had no talent for business and went heavily into debt after making several bad investments. He had to keep writing stories and make speaking tours to pay off his creditors.

Answer: Springer spaniel

"Millie's Book" (1990) was supposedly dictated stories that Mrs. Bush wrote down for her Springer spaniel, Millie. It was on the best-seller list for 29 weeks.