One of our tricks at the library is to seek out books with frayed covers and yellowing pages--the kind that always seem to find their way to the discard pile. As you literature buffs undoubtedly know, these books are often out-of-print beauties well worth delving into.
During our most recent library visit, we discovered two old treasures:
"The Kate Greenaway Treasury," with introduction by Ruth Hill Viguers, is a thick volume including a biography of the famous artist, her letters and photographs, and vibrant facsimile copies of all her works. The book is so breathtaking that I am contemplating offering a bribe to the librarian to see if she will let me keep it. Kate Greenaway, like Beatrix Potter, was primarily home educated, something I did not know before. Her good humor and creativity are evident on every page, and I am that much more appreciative of her art work now that I know she insisted on using live models dressed in the quaint and curious costumes popular a century before--most of which she handmade or prepared herself for historical accuracy. She had an undeniable knack with children, managing to find infinite ways to absorb and entertain them during their lengthy sessions of posing. Sharing her merry verse and incomparable illustrations with my own children has been a joy.
Another uncommon find from this week's treasure hunt was "Wings from the Wind," an anthology of poems selected and illustrated by Tasha Tudor. We met Tasha Tudor at a birthday party held in her honor two years ago, so the children perceive her as their personal friend. Her poetry selections are especially appealing in that they are just slightly unexpected, with novel works we have not seen in other collections for children. Her illustrations are black and white line drawings, making them a bit more accessible to young nature journalers. I anticipate that some of these works will be copied in pencil by my girls. As charmed as we are by the book itself, perhaps my favorite aspect is the rather young looking photo of Tasha Tudor on the dust jacket. Taken in 1964, she looks as if she is still in her forties.
This week's teatimes will be that much more more delightful with Kate Greenaway and Tasha Tudor at our table.
When I was younger -- the PL was a block from our house and one of our favorites "haunts". If there was more than one edition of a book on the shelf I always looked for the oldest with a certain smell -- the pages were soft as butter and I just knew it would be a good one! Then they started recovering these and I got EXPERT at finding the newly recovered, but still perfect smelling books. I can still see the Jane Eyre book I devoured more than once during my teen age angst years.....
Posted by: Mary G in Greenville | March 01, 2006 at 01:19 PM
My library doesn't have it but I found a copy at Amazon for $5 bucks. As I was fixing to place an order, I included it on your recommendation.
Glad to see I'm not the only one tempted to offer bribes to the librarians. ; )
Posted by: Cay | March 01, 2006 at 01:59 PM
Mary, my father was a great lover of old books, and we spent many hours scoping out used bookstores. I think his enthusiasm definitely rubbed off on me! Agnes always chooses the oldest copy of any book at the library--she just prefers to hold an old book in her hands.
Cay, thank you for the Amazon tip. I just ordered the Kate Greenaway book for $5. (Just think of the bribe money I'm saving!) Now I won't be sad to return it when we visit the library this afternoon.
Posted by: Alice Gunther | March 02, 2006 at 07:40 AM
>>(Just think of the bribe money I'm saving!) >>
LOL! Love your reasoning. : )
Posted by: Cay | March 02, 2006 at 09:27 AM