Sparkle and Spin
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
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Book twin!x
Hello Carol! Clearly you have exceptional taste in children’s literature (and everything else). x
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!
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
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…..
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
I’m nearly done ordering these books, I just need to lift myself from the couch to get my credit card, sigh…
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.
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.
How cool is the name Wanda Gag!
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.
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
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!