Childhood books you wish you'd kept

Sharon, I'm so stoked! There's now only one degree of separation (or is it two?) between me and the late Ms. L'Engle! I'm so jealous that you got to meet her.

Good luck finding your childhood books someday!

Sharon -

I'll bet the fairy tale book's illustrations were by Arthur Rackham...very detailed (and even maybe a little bit scary).

I wish I had kept any of the books illustrated by Lois Lenski...
(thinking about these books makes me long for my neighborhood library, where I spent summers in the reading corner, where there
was a warm-hearted librarian and cool air conditioning, which we had neither of at home).

Yes, children's book illustrations from the old books I remember with great admiration! Today's are more for entertainment, but are far out-classed by the 20's - 50's books. They were suitable for professional framing!

I know what you mean about about Fairy book. My Grandparents gave me one called the Enchanted Book and it has some of the best illustrations I have ever seen. I am looking for several books that I read as a child The one that I remember by name was Gnome of Gnome's Hollow. Another one was about a young girl with a horse and the horse has a foal and dies at the end of the book. Anyone recognize this book?

Sharon, I found a book called "Rackham's Fairy Tale Illustrations in Full Color"--which looks like a great compilation of his illustrations. Here it is:

http://www.alibris.com/booksearch?qwork=17244582&author=Arthur+Rackham

I never heard of that one, Steve, but it sure has a great cover!

What age group is this book for?

Maybe try watching some episodes of the old TV series [Netflix]. I also listened to Richard Thomas' reading of Where the Red Fern Grows with my son, who later re-read the book. Both approaches can jump start young readers. Anat's comment about Arthur Rackham's illustrations also got me to thinking about choosing some classics with pictures from famous illustrators: Kidnapped, Robinson Crusoe or Swiss Family Robinson that were also made into movies or TV series.
------------------------
Shop my Alibris store: PrintsandthePaper
Alibris seller since 2004

Showing my age here, but who remembers reading Alfred Hitchcock's Haunted Houseful or Ghostly Gallery as a kid in the early 70's?

A quiet corner, some great soft pillows, a rainy day and you have the makings of a hardy boy afternoon. Thanks for the memories.
Emabythebay, Jan.22,2012

Great idea, Linda! My literary world was greatly expanded when I was young by listening to records (yes, I'm that old) of tales like Swiss Family Robinson. Oh, how I wish I still had all those old records! : )

Wow, Christopher, I haven't heard of any of those books!

"The Man Who Wouldn't Wash His Dishes"

The illustrated "Book of Knowledge"

A collected set of classics--In particular I remember mom's volumes of "The Works of Swift" and "The Works of Poe."

Comics: "The Silver Surfer," "The Fantastic Four," "SpiderMan," "Batman," "The Green Lantern," etc.

My brother's collection of underground comix: "Zap," "The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers," Wonder Wart Hog," etc.

David, your list brings back lots of memories! I didn't discover Poe until I was in middle school or early high school, I think.

Which classics were illustrated, CrankyPants? Sounds interesting!