The Adventures of Puss in Boots, Jr

In Short

This gentle, episodic children's fantasy follows the filial quest of Puss in Boots, Jr. Traversing a countryside populated by Mother Goose characters and fairy-tale icons, the little cat travels on foot, by circus horse, and atop Mother Goose's gander. Along the way, he assists strangers, makes fast friends with field animals, and rights small wrongs. David Cory's 1917 story has endured because of its lighthearted blend of traditional folklore and cozy domestic morality, offering early readers an inviting world where courtesy and helpfulness consistently open doors to new adventures.

The Story

The narrative opens as Puss in Boots, Jr., equipped with a feathered hat, a trusty walking staff, and striking red-topped boots, leaves his home garret to search for his famous father, the original Puss in Boots. His journeys quickly bring him into contact with familiar figures from song and fable. Early on, he stops at a woodland cabin where he rescues a young pig named Piggie from a fence and shares a polite meal with Mrs. Porker and her clean, well-behaved family.

Moving along dusty roads and broad highways, Puss, Jr., encounters Yankee Doodle Dandy just as the Man in the Moon plummets out of the sky before their horse. He pauses to play hobby-horse with a neighborhood child, sings wandering minstrel tunes, and catches a nap in a cottage where a family of mice marvels at his boots' royal craftsmanship. Later, three jolly Welshmen escort him to meet the Queen of Hearts. After crossing a fragile gingerbread bridge—where a friendly retainer warns him against a wicked forest witch—Puss visits the bustling shoe of the Old Woman and her innumerable children.

Seeking faster travel, Puss joins a passing circus. He delights crowd after crowd by effortlessly riding bareback on an Arabian horse named White Marvel, even while balancing in his high-topped boots. Yet his core mission remains finding his father, so he leaves the big top and continues his trek. A chance meeting with Mother Goose leads to a flight aboard her giant gander, carrying him straight into Mother Goose Land.

From there, Puss's exploits grow even more dynamic. He climbs Jack's famous beanstalk to rescue a tired, overworked hen forced to lay golden eggs for a greedy giant. Outsmarting the giant with the help of a little owl, Puss and Jack carry the hen safely down to Jack's mother. As he resumes his search on the ground, Puss encounters a pipe-smoking frog named Mr. Rowley out a-wooing, exchanges words with Old King Cole's rude fiddlers, converses with the jolly Miller of the Dee, and listens to the reflections of an old milk-horse named Naggetty Nogg.

After acquiring a fine gray horse of his own, Puss attends the forest wedding of Robin Redbreast and Jenny Wren, joining parson and woodland creatures alike to celebrate the couple. He spends his days shopping for a little girl's Easter gloves, chatting with gray donkeys and happy farmers, and chasing field mice. The book closes as Puss continues riding his gray steed across the countryside, ever hopeful of reaching the stately towers where his father resides.

How It Unfolds

The quest begins — Puss, Jr., dons his red-topped boots and walking staff, leaving his home garret to search for his famous father while helping a family of tidy pigs along the road.

Wandering through rhymes — Traveling through town and countryside, Puss plays with local children, meets the Man in the Moon, and gains an invitation to court from three jolly Welshmen.

Under the big top — Looking to cover ground quickly, Puss joins a traveling circus and becomes a star performer by standing on a galloping horse in his boots.

Into the sky — After meeting Mother Goose, Puss rides her gander into Mother Goose Land and subsequently climbs a giant beanstalk to rescue a golden-egg-laying hen from a sleeping giant.

The grand celebration — Riding a new gray steed, Puss travels to the wedding of Robin Redbreast and Jenny Wren, offering gifts alongside his fellow forest animals before riding onward toward his father's home.

The People

• Puss in Boots, Jr. — The cheerful, highly mannered protagonist. He desires above all else to locate his renowned father, though his generous nature frequently leads him to pause his journey to aid others, perform in a circus, or protect small creatures.
• Mrs. Porker & Piggie — A mother pig and her son. Piggie wants to explore despite his mother's rules, while Mrs. Porker strives to keep her home clean and teach her children obedience.
• The Giant — A booming, demanding host living atop the beanstalk. He wants a continuous supply of golden eggs, but his greed allows Puss and Jack to trick him and free his captive hen.
• Robin Redbreast & Jenny Wren — A courting pair of birds. Robin wants to pamper his bride with fine gold clothes, but Jenny prefers her modest russet gown, teaching Robin to appreciate her practical, sensible nature.

In Its Own Voice

"This makes a fine table I'd have you know," Laughed Puss to Fairy Little Tiptoe. "We might all dine here on fairy cake, Unless you fear the toadstool break."

Puss jokes with a fairy companion while taking a midday break on his travels.

"A wandering little cat am I, Seeking father cat, In my paw my trusty staff, On my head my hat With the magic plume the owl Gave to me one day."

Puss sings to himself as he walks down the road, reflecting on his ongoing search.

"He went by the south and burnt his mouth With eating cold pease porridge."

Puss recites a traditional rhyme to the Man in the Moon after he tumbles down to earth.

What It's Really About

Behind its lighthearted, episodic surface, the story explores themes of filial duty, polite manners, and contentment. Puss, Jr.,'s devotion to finding his father drives the plot, but his everyday actions demonstrate that how one travels matters just as much as reaching the destination. Cory contrasts greedy or boastful figures—like the giant demanding golden eggs or the rude fiddlers—with modest, hard-working characters such as the Miller of the Dee and Jenny Wren. The book suggests that true satisfaction comes from taking pride in one's work, treating animals and strangers with kindness, and remaining cheerful even when the road ahead is long.

Why Read It Today

The Adventures of Puss in Boots, Jr. offers a delightful nostalgic excursion into early twentieth-century children's literature. Readers who enjoy classic nursery rhymes, fairy tales, and gentle animal fables will appreciate how fluidly David Cory weaves familiar folklore into a single cohesive world. The prose moves at a brisk, comfortable pace, punctuated by short verse, rhymes, and charming dialogue that make it ideal for reading aloud to younger children.

While modern readers may notice the story's simple episodic structure and occasional repetition—traits typical of serial books from the era—its warmth remains entirely intact. The text presents no harsh period attitudes or difficult dialects, maintaining a clean, accessible tone throughout. What lingers after reading is the quiet charm of Puss, Jr., himself: a heroic little cat whose courteous bows, bright red boots, and unshakeable optimism turn every dusty road into a cozy adventure.