Golden Star Books

1944-1967

 

Everyone needs a place they can call their own – however humble and small.  That is what comes to mind when I see these little books.  The troll hole was my place.  You know the area under the stairs that is not very convenient for most people to access?  It was just right for me.  There was a platform there, which at one time, long past, had been a train table for the brothers. I then claimed it as my own.  Some quilts, pillows, a curtain hung for privacy.  A light, some books for reading, some paper for writing.  It was named the troll hole by my friend Karen and me because my older siblings’ troll dolls and troll houses were  stored there.  

 

On a makeshift shelf in the troll hole were some of these tiny books – also at one time belonging to an older sibling – now claimed as my own.  Adventure Tales, by K. and B. Jackson, Illustrated by Gustaf Tenggren is a collection of very short stories of pirates, ships, sailors, and of cowboys and Indians.  Sitting in my troll hole, I could go on an adventure – then perhaps write my own adventure story – away from any prying eyes.  

The other Golden Star Books pictured here I purchased much later to make a small collection.  They were irresistible to me, perhaps because they evoke the feeling of security I felt sitting in the troll hole.  

A place to just be – away from external expectations or any possibility of judgment – is a necessity. 

Nature Quests and Quizzes

A Nature Seeker’s Handbook

By Raymond T. Fuller

Copyright 1948

I’m sitting by my window, trying to work at my computer, yet I’ve been distracted by a couple of birds building a nest in the climbing rose just outside.

Signs of Spring are finally revealing themselves and my mind turns again to nature.  I love this little book I found at a thrift store recently and wish I had a copy when my children were young.  They would have enjoyed the treasure hunt and the check list format.  The first section presents 100 nature quests, each given a numerical score based on the challenge level.  For instance, “building a collection of minerals and stones, labeled” is worth 5 points, “knowing 5 spiders and their webs” is worth 10 points while “hearing a skunk or possum utter a noise” is worth 20.  For inspiration and encouragement, tips and fun facts are given for each challenge.

The second part of the book is a hundred question quiz.  The author encourages the reader to continue to explore the outdoors, searching for answers to these questions. 

“If and eggshell is porous, why doesn’t it leak?”

“How do chameleons change color?”

 

“What is fox fire and is it warm?”

The point he makes is that there is so much to know about the natural world and that finding the answers should be fun, yet takes a true inquiring mind and a lifetime of searching.  

So here I am, sitting by my window, watching a couple of birds build a nest (5 points for me) in the climbing rose outside, trying to not be distracted by work on my computer.

Nutshell Library

By Maurice Sendak

Copyright 1962

 

I loved this little set of books as a child.  I had my very own tiny boxed set of four of Sendak’s clever, beautifully illustrated rhyming books.  They had slipped from my memory until I saw a photo of a very well-read set in a tweet from Forgotten Bookmarks. The website, Forgotten Bookmarks is owned by a used book seller who highlights interesting inscriptions and ephemera found in the books that travel through the shop.

 

I imagine my personal set was in even worse shape - perhaps from my own children’s tiny hands - or I wouldn’t have disposed of it.  Fortunately, I was able to find a replacement for a bargain price and have since enjoyed becoming reacquainted with these charming books. 

Alligators All Around is an “alligator jamboree with all the letters A to Z”. 

One Was Johnny is a counting book in which Johnny counts forward to 10 and back down to 1 when an assortment of unusual guests enter his home.

Pierre is a cautionary tale with the moral message that apathy and stubbornness can be dangerous - “a story with a moral air about Pierre, who learned to care”. 

I think my favorite is Chicken Soup with Rice – a book of months.  

In March the wind blows down the door

And spills my soup upon the floor.

It laps in up and roars for more.

Blowing once

Blowing twice

Blowing chicken soup with rice.

That blowing March wind is getting tiresome, so I’ll read ahead to July.

In July I’ll take a peep

Into the cool and fishy deep

Where chicken soup is selling cheap.

Selling once

Selling twice

Selling chicken soup with rice.

All four books are both fun and educational for young children, interesting enough for adults to read to them, just the right size for sharing while sitting close together, and the little box makes the books seem like the treasure that they are.

Seventeen

Young America’s Favorite Magazine

April 1976  .75 cents

I don’t think I ever read Seventeen Magazine when I was 17 years old.  I pored over the pages of my older sister’s copies as a 10 year old.  I know that because when I found this vintage issue, I actually remembered some of the articles.  Likewise, when my own children were teens, I always read their copies.  It is interesting to compare today’s content with that of 38 years ago.  

The first difference that I noticed is the advertisements in the 1976 Seventeen Magazine that are directed towards engagement rings, hope chests, silver patterns, and even a crock pot.  These references toward marriage are completely omitted from today’s Seventeen. 

Fashion photographs abound in both the modern and vintage issues.  Besides the obvious difference in styles, the vintage magazine contains many photos of clothing you can make yourself – with a pattern and a sewing machine!

In 1976, Columbia House had a two-page ad, showing all the recordings you can choose from if you join the Selection of the Month club.  You even had the choice of record album or 8-track!  I still remember falling asleep listening to music from my sister’s 8-track player.  I think I remember hearing Neil Diamond singing with that quality of sound you can only get from an 8-track.  I still listen to a few Neil Diamond songs, but the I-pod gives him a much different sound.    

 

The Seventeen of years ago contains quite a few references towards losing weight.  There are ads for camps for overweight girls and an ad for a weight reducing candy.  If you send in your order for the candy, you’ll get free, fun decals with such inspiring messages as “A slip of the lip pads the hip” or “only a dummy has too much tummy”.  Wow! Fortunately, today’s Seventeen focuses more on healthy body image, nutrition, and exercise.  

Reading the articles, letters to the editor, and advice columns, I can see that while the magazine’s content may have changed slightly, fashion and hair styles are quite different, and teen culture has evolved, a 17 year old from 1976 has more in common with today's 17 year old than you might think.  They are still struggling to be accepted – they are still searching for their place in the world – they still want to fit in yet maintain their individuality.  If only we would let them.