Everyone loves a good story about children who have gotten rid of the grown-ups. With their widowed father out of town, Malcolm, Molly, and Theobold (the Toad) are left alone when the housekeeper, Mrs. Coverlet, must go help her adult daughter who has broken her leg. They lead her to believe they will arrange for… Read more While Mrs. Coverlet Was Away (1958)
Like many stories more famous for the movie than the original book, this one’s not quite what you might think. The 1961 animated movie is actually quite faithful to the plot, though of course streamlined and cute-ified. (Briefly: A young dalmatian couple have a litter of fifteen puppies, and Cruella de Vil, an old school-mate… Read more The Hundred and One Dalmatians (1956)
Here’s a rare find that I came across: an absolutely wonderful book that has fallen into obscurity for no good reason. Nine-year-old Prinda goes out on the snowy streets of 1920’s New York, on New Years Eve night, to find a miracle for her sick uncle. She discovers a pawnshop, featuring signs saying “A Small… Read more The Magic Pawnshop (1927)
Hello! I’m here to write about old kids’ books, especially the strange or forgotten ones. As both a mother and closet kids-book-reader, I’m always on the hunt, which has led me down some quite unexpected pathways. This blog is to share what I’ve found. (I’m also a professor, so I can access rare books. Some… Read more Welcome!