The All-Holidays Book of Jane and John

Copyright 1929

By Marshall Jones Company, Inc.

I really have to stop going to the thrift store.  Because I really don’t need any more old books.  But then again, if I hadn’t gone today, I may have missed this little gem.  Sixteen different holidays are explained, all in verse, in a clear and interesting way for young children.  What’s so great about this book is the rebus form.  Even the youngest child can gain confidence and reading skills by helping to read this book using the picture symbols.  What a fun book for an adult and child to read together.  

It begins with a letter to a little Book-lover:

            I walked miles to look,

            Through all of the shops, to find just the right book,

            And at last I found this one of Janey and John,

            Of their plays, the adventures they started upon,

            Of their parties and friends, of the dear funny ways

            They planned celebrations for gay holidays! 

            I am sure you will love it, but best of all, too

            There’s a book at the back to be made just by you!

 

What makes this book even more special is that personalized section at the back. 

 

A child can record their own holiday memories in word and picture.  I’m a little disappointed, though, that this book was never written in.  A book plate pasted at the front of the book reads “Elizabeth Anne Frew 1946”.  I would have loved to hear how little Elizabeth spent her holidays that year!  

Andersen’s Fairy Tales

Illustrated by Arthur Szyk

Copyright 1945

This book, containing twenty-nine of Hans Christian Anderson’s Fairy Tales, is in beautiful condition for its age.  Apparently it has spent much of its existence in the box with the companion book of Grimm’s Fairy Tales.  Andersen’s tales were written for children, yet contain lessons and morals more suitable for the deeper thought processes of adults.  Just to name a few: The Ugly Duckling, The Nightingale, The Steadfast Tin Soldier, and The Princess and the Pea.

One tale I remember reading as a child is The Emperor’s New Clothes. I recall thinking what a silly man that emperor was to not see that he was being swindled.  How could he not see the truth - that the so-called clothes he was given were actually non-existent? The picture in my head of the emperor walking through the town naked was just funny.  And how come only one small child had the nerve to speak the truth?  

What do I think about this tale now?

Each of the emperor’s advisors, all the wise and learned men, and all the townspeople except that one very honest child, were unwilling to form their own opinions.  They were afraid that questioning authority would cause them to appear foolish, when actually, if they had questioned, the truth could have been discovered before it was too late.  

What has this story taught me?

I should not be afraid to have my own opinion – to question authority. If I don’t understand something, l’ll look deeper.  Blindly going along with the crowd is never a good idea.  The truly wise don’t have all the answers – they just have more questions.

The World of…

Reference Library Books from B.P.C. Publishing

Copyright dates between 1968 and 1972

I must have been about eight or nine when I received these books.  I remember quite clearly the day they were purchased.  I had taken a ride to the College of DuPage with my Mother so she could purchase school books for the college classes she was registered for.  I was allowed, or rather encouraged, to browse through the children’s books in the college bookstore.  I’m sure these six little paperbacks here were on the sale table.  After all, my Mom was a college student, and everyone knows that college students don’t have extra money lying around! 

While I do remember referring to these books during my grade school years, I really haven’t used them at all since then.  Still, they have somehow survived the many times I’ve weeded my book collection to make space for more.  

I think I know why I haven’t been able to let them go.  Whenever I look at them, I remember that trip to the college bookstore.  These books remind me of one of the most important life lessons ever.  It is one that I learned while watching my Mother take class after class all throughout my own grade school, high school, and even college years.  

Never stop learning new things.  It can mean taking a class, reading a book on a new subject, watching a documentary, talking to someone who’s an expert in an unfamiliar field, exploring a museum, or trying a new craft or skill.  Never, ever stop learning!

Colors Are Nice

By Adelaide Holl

Pictures by Leonard Shortall

Copyright 1962

This Golden Tiny Book is another fond memory of mine.  Colors Are Nice.  The simple verses and vibrant illustrations convey the beauty of the world around us while also teaching children basic colors.

”Red, of course, is fine for roses,

And moles look nice with pinkish noses.

White is nice for clouds and snow;

Black for feathers on a crow.”

After a road trip last weekend through the cornfields of Illinois to the gently rolling hills of Missouri, I felt inspired to write some color verses of my own based on our visit to the Myers’ home.

 

Blue is nice for a soft comfy chair;

Brown and white for Trudi’s hair.

 
Striped tiger tails of yellow and black are

also the colors of a chocolate snack.

The Sugar Maple leaves turned bright shades of red

Like the brilliant amaranth flower head.

Multi-colored foods at a tail gate party

Make a meal very hearty.

With gray for dust in Robert’s face

Isn’t Columbia a beautiful place?

Yes, colors are nice – and so are friendly visits!