There's just something about vintage children's books that brighten my day. The innocence of the children in the drawings and the bright colors used in the books make me smile.
Here are a few of the children's books in my collection.
Not Quite Three written by Helen Wolf and illustrated by Martha Castagnoli. Copyright 1954 Whitman Publishing Company.
Sorry to say there is no real story here, but is basically a bunch of one or two page stories about some kids that are almost three years old.
They talk about having a picnic,
going to Grandma's and Grandpa's,
playing dress up at a tea party
and what their third birthday party will be like.
This book is Christopher John's Fuzzy Blanket written by Dorothy Haas and illustrated by Florence Sarah Winship. Copyright 1959 Whitman Publishing Company.
It is a story about a boy that has lots and lots of toys,
but his favorite thing to play with is his blanket.
The thing that fascinated me about this book as a kid was that his blanket was fuzzy. The book actually had fuzzy stuff on the drawing of the blanket! How cool is that!
Peter Pat and The Policeman written by Catherine Stahlmann and illustrated by Dorothy Grider. Copyright 1958 Rand McNally & Company.
It is the story about a five year old boy who thinks since he is old enough to go to Kindergarten that he is old enough to explore his neighborhood all by himself.
And of course, that doesn't end up well and he eventually gets lost.
But Mr. Policeman helps Peter Pat get back home.
Don't you wish we still lived in the innocent world depicted in these books? Then again, maybe it never really was that way.
I guess during the 50's and 60's you had to deal with the threat of nuclear war, underground shelters and duck and cover drills.
And then in the 30's and 40's you had Hitler and WWII, so yeah, maybe it wasn't all that it was cracked up to be.
But I so love the illustrations!
If you like this type of thing, I have a few other vintage illustration printables for you - Vintage Dog Illustrations and Vintage Animal Illustrations
Country Dreaming
Your speaking my language here. i love, love,
love children's books. Teaching doesn't help either because I HAVE to have certain books you know.
Great pictures of times gone bye.
Melinda
Jeanne
Hi Pam, I dearly love the books you have shared. I think if there was a time to be innocent and happy was in the fifties. I was a teen then and I can tell you life was a picnic and a beach. The fun times were without stress and worry. Maybe my own memory was a reflection of the happy childhood we had. Parents who loved us and a life of no worries. Your books are treasures. Thank you for sharing them today and in such a wonderful way.
Hugs, Jeanne
The Blackwood Cottage
Thanks for sharing...I love the colors of yesterday!
Machelle
Postcardy
I love the illustrations in those books. They remind me of my early school books.
I actually had a blanket that I called "Fuzzy," but it was actually a baby blanket.
Debbie
I think they made childrens books so much nicer back then too. It really encouraged reading with all the colorful pictures and happy little faces.
AshTreeCottage
I love those sweet illustrations! Thank you for sharing them with us.
Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo
Okie Chic
I love all the colors in vintage childrens books they are so vivid.
Janet,
I love vintage children's books! I used to collect Little Golden Books and I have so many. I love yours, the illustrations are so cute. At Christmas, I get out my Christmas ones and display them.
Mrs. Cozy Home
These are spectacular!! Love the colors and wholesome images...
Erin@likegrandmas
You know what I like best about them? All the stories have dogs. Who doesn't like dogs, and children and simpler times? Thanks for sharing Pam!
Cat Nap Inn Primitives
I have one of those Rand McNalley books..it is Mailman Mike..my husbands name is Mike..:)
GardenofDaisies
Love these vintage childrens illustrations! I had a rocking horse on springs just like that! And I do have to say that my childhood was pretty idyllic! Not a care or a worry in the world. I guess my parents did a pretty good job of protecting me from anything scary out there.
La
Hi Pam!
I think I remember reading Fuzzy Blanket as a child. It was definitely a simpler, more naive time.
Jordan and I are off to that state up north tomorrow. Have a great weekend! La
Maureen
I love old books, especially the illustrations in children's books. The blanket brought back memories of making 'forts' with my sister when we were kids. It would keep us amused for hours.
* French Farmhouse 425 *
~*Books back then had the sweetest most charming images! Thanks for sharing..:)Rachle~*
Coloradolady
Pam, I agree with you...children's books are so sweet, especially vintage ones. The books today just do not have the charm as the older ones. Have a great VTT!