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- "Robinson Crusoe," 1864 - Die-cut shape books are not like traditional rectangular books -- they take on the outline of a person, object, or other form. Boston printmaker and publisher Louis Prang claimed the idea originated with him in the early 1860s. This issue of Robinson Crusoe, published in 1864, was one of his first shape books. Lydia Very adapted the 18th-century Daniel Defoe novel and designed the book.
- 1864
- Collections - Artifact
"Robinson Crusoe," 1864
Die-cut shape books are not like traditional rectangular books -- they take on the outline of a person, object, or other form. Boston printmaker and publisher Louis Prang claimed the idea originated with him in the early 1860s. This issue of Robinson Crusoe, published in 1864, was one of his first shape books. Lydia Very adapted the 18th-century Daniel Defoe novel and designed the book.
- Children's Pop-Up Book, "Santa's Busy Day," 1953 - <em>Santa's Busy Day</em> follows jolly St. Nick as he looks for Blitzen, a lost reindeer. The book asks children to help Santa with his search. Readers turn pages to discover images that move and pop up; or find things to do--move cutouts of Santa's reindeer or color a picture of Blitzen. Books like this entertained young kids and encouraged them to enjoy reading.
- 1953
- Collections - Artifact
Children's Pop-Up Book, "Santa's Busy Day," 1953
Santa's Busy Day follows jolly St. Nick as he looks for Blitzen, a lost reindeer. The book asks children to help Santa with his search. Readers turn pages to discover images that move and pop up; or find things to do--move cutouts of Santa's reindeer or color a picture of Blitzen. Books like this entertained young kids and encouraged them to enjoy reading.
- Children's Pop-Up Book, "Santa's Cuckoo Clock," 1954 - <em>Santa's Cuckoo Clock</em> follows St. Nick as he searches for someone to fix a broken cuckoo clock. Santa finally learns that his elf Tickey-Tock can repair this special Christmas present. Readers turn pages to discover images that move and pop up; or find things to do--paint animals or learn how to tell time. Books like this entertained young kids and encouraged them to enjoy reading.
- 1954
- Collections - Artifact
Children's Pop-Up Book, "Santa's Cuckoo Clock," 1954
Santa's Cuckoo Clock follows St. Nick as he searches for someone to fix a broken cuckoo clock. Santa finally learns that his elf Tickey-Tock can repair this special Christmas present. Readers turn pages to discover images that move and pop up; or find things to do--paint animals or learn how to tell time. Books like this entertained young kids and encouraged them to enjoy reading.
- "A Day in Mary Carrow's School," 1848 -
- 1848
- Collections - Artifact
"A Day in Mary Carrow's School," 1848
- "The Story of the Charmed Fawn," 1850-1858 - As a teenager, John McLoughlin, Jr. (1827-1905) learned wood engraving and printing at his father's New York publishing firm. Around 1850, he took over the business and capitalized on an emerging children's market with "toy books" like this one. Its cover image is hand-colored, but McLoughlin would soon become well-known for his skillful use of new color printing techniques.
- 1850-1858
- Collections - Artifact
"The Story of the Charmed Fawn," 1850-1858
As a teenager, John McLoughlin, Jr. (1827-1905) learned wood engraving and printing at his father's New York publishing firm. Around 1850, he took over the business and capitalized on an emerging children's market with "toy books" like this one. Its cover image is hand-colored, but McLoughlin would soon become well-known for his skillful use of new color printing techniques.
- Childrens Pop-Up Book, "Doll House," 1946 - <em>Doll House</em>, published soon after World War II, let children--mainly young middle-class girls--pretend to be homemakers just like their moms. The pages fold out to create different rooms of a house. Punchout paper dolls, furniture, and other household objects fill the remaining pages. Girls could decorate rooms, pretend to plan parties, and imagine what it was like to run a home.
- 1946
- Collections - Artifact
Childrens Pop-Up Book, "Doll House," 1946
Doll House, published soon after World War II, let children--mainly young middle-class girls--pretend to be homemakers just like their moms. The pages fold out to create different rooms of a house. Punchout paper dolls, furniture, and other household objects fill the remaining pages. Girls could decorate rooms, pretend to plan parties, and imagine what it was like to run a home.
- "A Charlie Brown Christmas" Sound Recording and Book, 1977 - The television special "A Charlie Brown Christmas" first aired on December 9, 1965. It was one of the most watched shows on TV up until that time and one of the top-rated Christmas specials of all time. This 1977 set, including a read-along storybook and play-along 45 rpm record, was designed to give children a head start in reading.
- 1977
- Collections - Artifact
"A Charlie Brown Christmas" Sound Recording and Book, 1977
The television special "A Charlie Brown Christmas" first aired on December 9, 1965. It was one of the most watched shows on TV up until that time and one of the top-rated Christmas specials of all time. This 1977 set, including a read-along storybook and play-along 45 rpm record, was designed to give children a head start in reading.
- "The Lion's Paw," 1959 - Little Golden Books transformed children's reading habits. Unlike earlier children's books that were large and costly, Little Golden Books were small, inexpensive (initially selling for 25 cents), and readily available to all. First released in 1942, the brightly colored books became a mainstay on children's bookshelves throughout the mid-20th century and beyond.
- 1959
- Collections - Artifact
"The Lion's Paw," 1959
Little Golden Books transformed children's reading habits. Unlike earlier children's books that were large and costly, Little Golden Books were small, inexpensive (initially selling for 25 cents), and readily available to all. First released in 1942, the brightly colored books became a mainstay on children's bookshelves throughout the mid-20th century and beyond.
- "The Lorax," 1971 - Famed children's author Dr. Seuss, who held a PhD in library science, used playful prose, catchy phrases and rhymes to tell important stories. While some questioned it, Seuss believed children had as much potential to solve apparently insurmountable challenges -- like environmental degradation -- as adults. This is evident in <em>The Lorax</em>, when a boy holds the last seed of the extinct "Truffula tree."
- 1971
- Collections - Artifact
"The Lorax," 1971
Famed children's author Dr. Seuss, who held a PhD in library science, used playful prose, catchy phrases and rhymes to tell important stories. While some questioned it, Seuss believed children had as much potential to solve apparently insurmountable challenges -- like environmental degradation -- as adults. This is evident in The Lorax, when a boy holds the last seed of the extinct "Truffula tree."
- Children's Book, "My Automobile Book," 1924 - Little Willie and Uncle George visit an automobile show in this 1924 children's book. Willie is excited about all the cars he sees (each with a colorful illustration) and Uncle George explains the different features. And like most little boys (and girls) after visiting an auto show, he falls asleep and dreams of the cars he would have when he grows up.
- 1924
- Collections - Artifact
Children's Book, "My Automobile Book," 1924
Little Willie and Uncle George visit an automobile show in this 1924 children's book. Willie is excited about all the cars he sees (each with a colorful illustration) and Uncle George explains the different features. And like most little boys (and girls) after visiting an auto show, he falls asleep and dreams of the cars he would have when he grows up.