Groovy Mother Goose

I have a soft spot for vintage children's books. Okay, okay it's a big honking love. I am especially drawn to books from the 1950s and 60s. And there's just something about Mother Goose books that I like but what that something is, I couldn't tell you. Maybe nostalgia since most of us grow up with Jack, Jill, Little Boy Blue and Miss Muffet? Maybe the game of trying to figure out if there is any reason behind the rhyme? Seriously, most of it just reads like gibberish. Can't remember where I found this 1977 edition of "Dean's Mother Goose Book of Rhymes." The outside looks rough but the inside is just fine. I kept it intending to use it for craft projects but I just can't make myself tear it up. I mean, look at these crazy good illustrations by sisters Janet and Anne Grahame Johnstone. Apparently a good copy can fetch quite the price so be on the look out.

  

 

 

  

  

 



This is probably my favorite rhyme in the book.

What's your favorite Mother Goose?

Friday finds

If the boys are with me on the thrift store rounds, I am limited to walking by the furniture directly to the toys with a quick stop by the books on the way out. I was only able to notice this jacket — purple corduroy? in my size?! — because it was on the rack nearest the toys. If you are a thrift store regular, you are familiar with the color discounts. Each week or day has a different color 50 to 75 percent off. (Or maybe that is just our stores?) Excellent way to keep the store inventory fresh. So while the jacket was $6.99, that day's color was orange making it 75 percent off. I did a little happy dance out the door with my new $1.75 jacket. 

I only got to one thrift store during the annual summer trip to Memphis. (Maybe next summer, Mom and I can take a day to really explore. Seems most of the thrift stores are located on Summer Avenue.) This vintage orange clutch was marked $9.99. Again, it matched the color tag on sale, making it 50 percent off. Still a bit pricey but I kept it in my hand as I walked around. At the register, I was told it was not on sale BUT it sure shouldn't be marked 9.99 either. I may not buy a clutch for $5 but I sure will take it home for $1. And the clerk went ahead and gave me the 50 percent discount. Score!

So now me, my purple jacket and orange clutch need a fun place to go this fall. 

Find anything good recently? Doesn't have to be a thrift store find — maybe you fell in love with a book or movie? A new restaurant in your town? Please share!

Apple did not fall far from the tree

Here's Chris, aka daddy, in 1973, age 2.

Now for Joseph in 2012, same outfit, same hair, same sweet smile, age 3.

I know, right? They could be identical!!!

Fabulous Friday — Book jackpot

My Mother's Day was quite nice. I was woken up quite early by my two lovely boys, one of whom was very excited to share the present he made at school (a beautiful votive decorated with flowers). We took a nice hike a Ruffner Mountain. Joseph immediately fell asleep on the ride home so I suggested a short detour to a couple of thrift stores I had never visited. Chris was ready to go home but, since it was Mother's Day, he pointed the van in the right direction. Good call because I found a lot of great books!

Six Richard Scarry books! We heart Scarry! I'm loving "The Early Bird" from 1968. The early bird gets the worm ... and invites him home for dinner and a sleepover. Very cute!

I pretty much pick up any book published by Parents' Magazine Press. While I wonder if bringing home older nature books might have information that is no longer scientifically valid, these illustrations from the 70s are so worth a little misinformation. "Wonders of Nature," 1974.

Edward Gorey! Score!

(also from Parents' Magazine Press, 1971)

Maurice Sendak! Score!

The drawings are not "busy" but packed with so much detail. The book dates to 1955 but Sendak recolored the illustrations in 1997. I love the dedication in the front ... "for fun." Yes, Sendak certainly gave us all a lot of fun!

What fun treasures have you found lately?

"What a piece of junk!"

(I'm way behind on the posting, please allow me to catch up.)

We scored big (BIG!) at this year's AUMC PDO yard sale. Held the first weekend in March, the sale is the school's big fundraiser. We, the parents, spend all week sorting, pricing, talking and keeping an eye out for the things we want. It's a lot of work but for a great cause — our kids! Given that I've been helping since Will attended, this was at least my fifth year, maybe even sixth, to participate.

I came home with some nice goodies — a green purse, a huge square basket, odds and ends for the kitchen. But the find of the day went to Will — the Millennium Falcon Lego set #4504. It's rare. It's retired. At 985 pieces, it's the biggest lego set we've ever bought. Priced at $10, I doubled it because I knew what a steal it was and hey, all the money is for the kids.

Here's the best part — the box was open but all the pieces were there! Even the minifigs! Double wow! It took forever to build (mostly because we had to work when Joseph was not around) and is a little fragile so not really for play, but so, so cool.

*Psst ... headline comes from the movie. Not a comment on the set.

Books!!!

No, we don't need any more. The shelves are fully loaded, groaning with each added book. But I still want more and the boys don't complain. Thank goodness for library book sales. This weekend was one of my favorites at Emmet O'Neal. I always find awesome titles and a few vintage gems. A couple of these are going on eBay (or Etsy? I don't know. What do you think?). I've got to pay for this hobby somehow!*

I don't pick these books willy-nilly. My book sale strategy (of course I have a strategy!) is to first pull any book that looks interesting. I usually have quite a tall stack. Then I sit, have a look at each one, decide what I want and put the rest back.

Here are the highlights, from the top:

The only book officially for momma, "Lost in a Good Book" is the second title in the Thursday Next series by Jasper Fforde. I highly recommend. Especially if you miss Douglas Adams.

"Rain Makes Applesauce" ... reviewed here. So I wasn't going to leave it there.

"The Princess Book" ... is not your average princess book. The introduction tells us "many princesses are pink and pretty and protected." But the princesses in this book are "energetic, resourceful, funny — princesses who can run fast, think quick and look beautiful all the while. Princesses who will speak to girls of today." It almost makes me wish for a girl of my own to share it with. Because whether it's 1974, the book's copyright, or 2012, girls need strong role models.

"The First Book of Gardening" ... by Virginia Kirkus, 1956. This might be the book to get the boys and I playing in the dirt. It's written clearly and covers the basics. Best of all, the illustrations by Helene Carter are fantastic — black and white pencil drawings with the addition of light green accents throughout. Simple yet elegant. 

"The Daddy Book" ... Chris is getting this for Father's Day. You can find pictures of it here. It's far-out groovy.

"A Book of Christmas" ... This could possibly be the best find of the day. Copyright 1979, it's a 

3-D book with gorgeous illustrations by Tasha Tudor. In just about perfect condition too. Worth way more than the $2 paid for it. It's a very nice addition to the Christmas book stash.

Not pictured is an illustrated history book "Alabama Mounds to Missiles" from 1962. We've been enjoying it already. It should get a post all of its own.

Looks like the rest of the day will be spent trying to find a place for all these "new to us" reads.

Previous years' hauls can be seen here and here. 

*See a book you're interested in? Send me an e-mail.

File under L for Lego

You know we love the legos around here. What I don't love so much is trying to keep the instruction booklets intact. And away from little hands. So I've been looking for a solution.

I found it recently at the local thrift store in the form of a vintage metal filing box. It works great! I threw in some file folders and Will can easily find what he wants, when he wants (without mommy's help too).

Of course, I wanted to research this item before telling you about it. Writing on the locking mechanism says it's the Porta-File by the makers of the famous Skotch Kooler. Made by the Hamilton-Skotch Corp. of Hamilton, Ohio. Vintage Skotch Koolers look to be a popular item on eBay. Designed by Petra Cabot in 1952, she set out to "make the best-looking bucket anybody ever saw." You probably have seen one before. If you saw it in your grandmother's kitchen, best get your hands on it quick.

Back to my Porta-File, it's selling on eBay and Etsy from $10-30 ... so paying $3 was quite the bargain for me. Not sure what's better — having the Lego instructions all in one place or the thrill of finding something is worth more than I paid. 

Thrifty goodness

Lately, I've had some luck at the local thrift store ...

I hadn't heard of this book before but with the names Margaret Wise Brown + Leonard Weisgard, I took it home without looking at it first. (That I managed to look at anything was amazing because Joseph was asleep in my arms!) I'm glad I did. What a gem for $1.

Still holding Joseph, I spied some real treasure. Apparently, these preschool books were included free when you bought your Encyclopedia Britannica. Dated 1966. The set originally numbered 13, but only seven of the books found their way to the thrift. Yes, I feel the urge to track down the other six. I bet I won't find them for 59 cents like the ones pictured above!

From "Understanding Numbers"

What is it about circa 1960s illustrations that make my heart happy?! 

I want to jump into this picture! 

And the fabric that I used as the background? A new skirt I'm looking forward to wearing in the spring after a winter of gray and black.

What treasures have you found at the thrift store lately?

It's a keeper

I found this wonderful 1952 copy of Winnie-the-Pooh at a recent garage sale. I walked out with 10 books for $2.00. Figured I could make some pocket change on eBay. But instead, I'm keeping it for now. I was just about to hit "list your item" on eBay but each time I handled the book, it just felt wrong to let it go. 

The map of the "100 Aker Wood" tells you exactly where the bee tree is and where the woozle wasnt (sic). I actually have never read the book but I'm very familiar with the characters thanks to Disney. Looking forward to sharing this chapter book and its charming decorations by Ernest H. Shepard with the boys.

Now I did list this book, "Nicholas Needlefoot," published in 1944, on eBay. Which is actually where I got it in the first place. It is in great shape for being 67 years old. I love the black, blue, yellow color scheme used throughout the book. Not sure if it's a children's book or is hiding a message related to the big war going on at the time. Can't find much information about the book or the author on the Web. 

Christmas in July

Do you love vintage Christmas ornaments? Me too! 

I would love to decorate a tree with just these beauties!

(This is just a small sample of the awesomeness found in the attic of my aunt's mother-in-law. I've been recruited as the "expert" on antique toys and books and got to spend a recent afternoon cataloging the goods with the digital camera. I'm not an expert but I can use the internet to research fair market values.) 

Book crazy, part two

Yes, that's a big box. Yes, it's full of books. 

No, we didn't need more books BUT of course we need more books!

Before I went to the downtown library book sale, I purchased a grab bag of sorts on eBay. A lot of 72 vintage children's books of various sizes and styles. While there were a few pictures, I didn't really know what I was getting. I had a fun time opening the box and seeing the contents. Turns out, I got quite a few gems. All for about 34 cents a book. Not bad! 

If you are a "Corduroy" fan, this name is familiar. But maybe you are like me and didn't know until recently how many other books Don Freeman has written and illustrated. This sweet family story is from 1957. Sid and Midge are two pigeons in San Francisco who find the perfect spot for their nest. Put it on your check-out-from-the-library list.

This one made me laugh out loud.

An interesting book with moving flaps/parts from a 1976 Folger's promotion. All the parts work which is the first thing I consider about vintage books with moving parts. But it is definitely going back on eBay. The clown on page 9 is rather disturbing and I don't even have a thing against clowns. 

One of the first board books? Copyright 1964.

Digging the illustrations! 

My favorite story has to be "The Husband Who Tried to Keep House." Anyone want to guess how well it went? Here's a hint: The wife had no problems out in the fields.

Groovy coloring books. Joseph will especially love these. 

Amazing collection of "little" books. 

This is the oldest book in the collection. Copyright 1944. Nothing to indicate that it is not a first edition. Could be worth more than all the other books combined. 

What I didn't consider when buying so many books, is where would I put them?! The shelves here are officially full so that's all the books I'll be purchasing for awhile.*

*Fingers crossed

Fabulous Friday — I love children's books!

Just some of our vintage books on display in the nursery. All toys from my childhood.

It is no secret to regular readers that I love children's books of all shapes, sizes and vintage. It didn't take me long to find some like-minded folks. I don't want to copy exactly what they are doing, but do look for more book-themed posts here and there. 

Silly Eagle Books —  You'll find books, books and more books and crafts, crafts and more crafts. The perfect combination if you ask me.

Vintage Kids' Books My Kid Loves — Reviews of vintage books and every Monday, a book giveaway. One of these days, I'm going to win!

Bird and Little Bird — Books are not the main focus of this blog but she does review children's books on Library Mondays. I'm including her here because Annie has just launched a quarterly e-magazine Alphabet Glue full of "activities and inspiration for kids who love books (and their grown-ups)." I file it under why didn't I think of that.

Think I can wear them anyway?

The big fundraiser for Will's school is the annual spring garage sale. It is huge and takes us parents all week to set up. As a thank you, we can attend a pre-sale the night before. Of course I usually spend the week taking note of all the things I want. This year I brought home a Cole Haan purse in the most wonderful light green for spring ($2, I prefer to think it is not a fake), a huge Hot Wheels track set for the boys ($3), several strands of vintage costume pearls ($6) and some Born sandals in my size ($1.50).

I love Born sandals and usually buy a pair every other summer. They are so comfortable and quality-made; worth the price in my opinion. So I was super excited to snag a pair that looked barely worn. There was just one problem that I didn't notice until I got home ...

Can you spot the problem? Since the shoes that did not sell were still at school, I checked today to find the missing mates but no luck. My theory is someone out there is going to realize soon that they grabbed the wrong shoes to donate. 

Did I mention how comfortable they are? I'm so wearing them anyway ... at least around the house ... and maybe to the store ...