The Art of Book Design: The Renewal of Life, How and When to Tell the Story to the Young

Margaret Warner Morley, The Renewal of Life, How and When to Tell the Story to the Young, Chicago, A.C. McClurg & co., 1906.

This book notes in its introduction that any child old enough to ask a question is old enough to know the answer, the real answer, which I find enlightened for the period. Ms. Morley notes that parents only do their children harm by withholding truthful information and that it is best to give geared to age responses that the parent may elaborate on as the child matures.

via: The Internet Archive

The Art of Book Design: The Birthday Party

Various Authors. The Birthday Party and Other Stories, A Book for Girls. Boston, T. B. Noonan, 1885.

February is my busy month for birthdays. Today’s birthday belongs to my friend Janet with whom I travelled to Mexico. Today is also the day she closes the sale of her house here. Double congratulations, Janet, dinner’s on me tonight, kiddo. Oh wait, you’re older than me again. Ahem, dinner’s on me tonight, Grandma.

via: The Library of Congress

The Art of Book Design: The Little House in the Fairy Wood

Ethel Cook Eliot. The Little House in the Fairy Wood. Illustrations by Mabel Hatt. New York, Frederick A. Stokes, 1918.

This is another short children’s storybook with delightful artwork. There are only 3 colour illustrations in the book, but I’ve included them below the fold. I love the picture of the fairies dancing. They look so free and full of joy. I hope you enjoy this book as well. [Read more…]