Inspired by the 1960s
In 1964 Peter and Jane made their debut in the long-running Key Words scheme series published by Ladybird Books. In the same year, Peter and Jane in the garden was published by Golden Pleasure Books. Written and illustrated by Gwyneth Mamlok, this book shows some clear similarities with her series of Candy books, which followed a year later.... Continue Reading →
In 2013 I wrote about my love of Gwyneth Mamlok's series of Candy picture books. These were the stories I enjoyed most as a young girl growing up in the 1960s. In my original post I left out pictures of the third book in the series, Candy and the Golden Eagle, which was published by Thomas Nelson... Continue Reading →
This is M. Sasek is a whistle-stop tour through the life and work of Czech illustrator and artist Miroslav Sasek. He was the creator of the much loved This is... series of children's travel guides, which were first published between 1959 and 1974. The half-title page of This is M. Sasek reads 'In Memories, Documents and Pictures'... Continue Reading →
The Taft Hotel loves vintage children's books, but Waxie-Daxie is a bit different from the cute animal-related titles featured elsewhere on this site. This book, written by Samuel Marshak and translated by Dorian Rottenberg, is really more of a pamphlet. It was produced by the Foreign Languages Publishing House in Moscow in 1960 and printed in... Continue Reading →
Of all the children's books featured on this blog so far, Noggin and the Moon mouse ranks as perhaps my all-time favourite childhood story. It was written by Oliver Postgate and illustrated by Peter Firmin, who went on to create Bagpuss. Decades before Game of Thrones hit our screens, the men of the Northlands were... Continue Reading →
Recently unearthed from the Big Box of Things My Mother Hasn't Thrown Away is this vintage set of Snap! cards by Abbatt Toys. The box is looking a bit faded and is in a 'played with' condition, though you can still just about make out where Mum has inscribed my name in the top left... Continue Reading →
Dick Bruna, who died in 2017, is best known as the creator of the Miffy books. But there are many other gems from his huge back catalogue, including The little bird, which was first published in Holland in 1959. My copy of The little bird is an early Methuen edition. It was given to me in 1967,... Continue Reading →
Four years ago I wrote that I had ruined my vintage copy of Topsy and Tim's Snowy Day by scrawling over it in pen. In a lovely Christmas surprise, I've just unearthed the book and discovered that it's only the front cover that has been spoiled. Fortunately, the back cover image is identical (see above).... Continue Reading →
The Taft Hotel 