Sparkle and Spin
February 3rd, 2010
As Courtney mentioned I’m a bit of a nut when it comes to children’s books, and Sparkle and Spin
Paul Rand is known as one of America’s greatest graphic designers having designed logos for IBM, UPS and ABC. He teamed up with his wife, Ann, in the 1950s and ’60s to produce some children’s books. Rather then stories, their books explain things like how words are used (as in Sparkle and Spin) or what ‘knowing’ is (in ‘I Know a Lot of Things‘, which I have on order) or being alone in ‘Little 1‘ (also on order!).
I’m just hoping that the final of the 4 books they collaborated on ‘Listen, Listen’ is put back into print soon (as it is out of my price range in the used-book stores!).
-Mo
Entry Filed under: Books & Paper, Reading, Shopping
13 Comments Add your own
1. Carol | February 3rd, 2010 at 10:43 am
Book twin!x
2. Mo | February 3rd, 2010 at 1:32 pm
Hello Carol! Clearly you have exceptional taste in children’s literature (and everything else). x
3. Tina | February 3rd, 2010 at 2:41 pm
It seems as if we have the very same obsession with children’s books! I order them by the truckload and I have piles saved up in my closet. I give them to my tot a few at a time. I have “Sparkle and Spin” and “Little One” as well. I think “Little One” is my favorite of the two. It is a DARLING book about numbers. Do you have “A Balloon for Blunderbuss”? I am also loving “Polkabats and Octopus Slacks”. I could chat about books for kiddos all day!
4. Mo | February 3rd, 2010 at 5:19 pm
Tina – you are clearly a lady after my own heart – I love your suggestions – Have ordered them both and “What Colour is Your World?” also by Bob Gill, which looks divine. I now have ‘Little One’ and ‘I Know a Lot of Things’ – both are great. Still keeping my eye out for a reasonably priced ‘Listen Listen’ second hand – you’ll hear a lot more from me on Babyccino talking about books, I’ll be posting something on my vintage obsession soon. Thanks for your comment. Mo. x
5. Tina | February 3rd, 2010 at 7:03 pm
I feel a little confused sometimes about what “vintage” means but at the risk of sounding like a real dummy….there is also a book that is out of print. I managed to find an old library copy on Amazon. It is called “The Little House” and it is one of my tot’s favorites. It is the most adorable story…..
6. Mo | February 3rd, 2010 at 8:12 pm
in my books (excuse the pun there) vintage is anything out of print or even a bit old (I’m sure I’m not using the term correctly either). I love old library books or books that have pages with kids colouring or writing on – I love that the books belonged to someone else and were loved by children in a different era. I have a book called The Jolly Book for Children (which is kind of like an annual with activities and stories for children) and it is inscribed \To June for Christmas from Father\, Christmas 1948 – wonderful! I of course know The Little House, we love Virginia Lee Burton (I’m guessing it is that one?). Mo. x
7. Esther | February 3rd, 2010 at 9:19 pm
I’m nearly done ordering these books, I just need to lift myself from the couch to get my credit card, sigh…
8. Christine | February 3rd, 2010 at 9:47 pm
if you like vintage, you might also enjoy the angus series (angus lost, angus and the ducks, angus and the cat) by marjorie flack and millions of cats by wanda gag.
9. Mo | February 4th, 2010 at 9:32 am
Seriously ladies I’m not sure you realise how serious my addiction to books is …. I’ve now just had to order these gorgeous Angus books as well as Tina’s suggestions yesterday – they all look so great. Millions of Cats looks right up my street too! Thanks Christine.
10. Mo | February 4th, 2010 at 9:35 am
How cool is the name Wanda Gag!
11. Christine | February 4th, 2010 at 4:39 pm
It’s lovely to *meet* another bibliophile. My father in law likes to tease that we have more books than toys. It’s totally true. But I always loved reading and my girls love listening and looking at pictures and I find that many of the older/vintagee books have language structure that’s just fun to read. Look forward to hearing more of your recommendations in the future! I’m off to order Listen Listen now.
12. Mo | February 5th, 2010 at 6:19 pm
I totally agree Christine – on the language and structure of older stories – I especially love it if you find one that’s a bit un-PC, like the book I have “the Man Who didn’t Wash the Dishes” – it starts (something along the lines of) “Once upon a time there was a man who didn’t have a wife so he had to wash his own dishes” – I love it! Actually made me laugh out loud. You can really tell the book comes from another era and another time where saying that would not be laughed at. There will surely be more from me on the book front. Mo. x
13. Dina | February 5th, 2010 at 1:57 am
just ordered up a bunch of your suggestions on amazon. They all look incredible. Thank you so much and pls keep posting on kids books. Love your suggestions!
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