 |
| Some of my favorite books from my childhood |
When I was a little girl, back in the 1950s, my Grandma and Aunt Betty would give me and my sister LITTLE GOLDEN BOOKS every year for birthday and Christmas presents --- and sometimes for no reason at all, just because they loved us. These books were inexpensive, could be purchased at the local five-and-dime, and were always welcome additions to our growing home library. I still have many of mine, inscribed on the inside cover with the name of the loving giver.
I was so surprised to see they are still publishing many of these same titles now, and they can be bought at places like Walmart. Talk about books standing the test of time! Below are reviews for a selection of those well-worn books that I loved so much, read countless times, and helped me become the eager reader I am today:
LASSIE AND THE LOST EXPLORER
by Leon Lazarus
While Lassie's at the vet's for a checkup, Timmy goes off to pick berries by himself. He finds a lost baby raccoon, and then he gets lost trying to find its mother. Of course, good old Lassie saves the day! The book was published in 1958 and only cost a quarter back then!
My only criticism lies with the fact that raccoons, while cute as they can be, are NOT cuddly creatures! They're wild animals that can carry rabies. Kids, please don't try this at home! Even a baby raccoon will go berserk and bite you if you pick it up and play with it like little Timmy did.
DENNIS THE MENACE WAITS FOR SANTA CLAUS
by Carl Memling
For four days and nights before Christmas, Dennis Mitchell is so wound up he can barely stand it. He hides some of his toys, so Santa won't think he has too many already. He tries to fix up some of them to give to poor children. He bugs his parents to decorate the tree and tries to find the presents they've hidden around the house. It'll be a miracle if the family makes it to Christmas Day.
COUNTING RHYMES
by Corinne Malvern
This book has old-fashioned illustrations to go along with favorite, short counting poems of childhood.
HI HO! THREE IN A ROW
by Louise Woodcock
With charming illustrations of children by Eloise Wilkin, this book teaches the concept of the number THREE. This was a favorite of mine.
THE MAGIC COMPASS
based on the character "Mary Poppins" by P. L. Travers
I never warmed up to Jane and Michael's nanny, Mary Poppins. She just didn't look very friendly. But the three of them had magical adventures around the world when Michael found a magic compass.
HOW TO TELL TIME
by Jane Werner Watson
This book had a "real" clock built into the cover, but after so many readings, the two hands broke off. It was a great way to learn how to tell time though.
DAVY CROCKETT
By Irwin Shapiro
This was definitely a favorite storybook, based on the Walt Disney movie Davy Crockett: King of the Wild Frontier, starring Fess Parker. I knew the theme song by heart. And when I was in kindergarten, I recognized Fess Parker riding in a southern California parade. He wasn't in his famous buckskins and coonskin cap. He was riding a plain horse, in plain cowboy clothes, and looked like just a regular guy, so people hardly noticed him. But I started shouting, "Davy Crockett! Davy Crockett!" and he rode over to where I was standing to say hello! Thrill of my young life!
BEN & ME
by Robert Lawson
This was also an adaptation of the Walt Disney film that tells the story of the life of Benjamin Franklin as seen through the eyes of a little mouse character named Amos.
No comments:
Post a Comment