I thought that CJ had blogged about this some time ago but it appears to have been a passing reference in a post on books of childhood. Anyway when achieving something members of our family invariably say “ ‘I did it, I jumped the fence!’ cried Trotty”. This was from a book entitled Farm Babies. I for one loved the Trotty story and the one about the duckling but most of all I loved the illustrations. I still do!
Even the inside covers were brilliantly illustrated.
I agree, loving that artwork, Graham. It looks so familiar to me. I might even have it somewhere on one of my shelves. I have a collection (not a large one) of some of the older books. I just love the quiet simplicity of the art...
ReplyDeleteI have that book! I can see it in the bookshelf to my left as I type. Battered and scarred, I'm sure it was a hand-me-down from another family.
ReplyDeleteYou were right - I did blog about it -
ReplyDeleteFarm babies
That's bizarre because when I did a serach on your blog it only produced the cursory mention in another posting. At least on this occasion my memory really didn't fail me.
ReplyDeleteI was going to say, too, that it's quite amazing that a book produced in London all those years ago should surface in New Zealand (possibly more understandable given the UK emigration) and the US all these years later.
ReplyDeleteI've just looked through my copy and now realise it may have been bought new and over ead by someone else before it came my way. The original,pencil wriiten, price in Pounds, Shillings and Pence has an added decimal price of 50 cents. NZ went decimal in 1967 when I was two.My copy's battered and pages-falling-out state is how I remember it from way back when.
ReplyDeleteAnnoyingly it has no date of publication, however it strongly states that it was "Printed In Great Britain".
I know - Proof Read!!!
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about why such books never appeared in my childhood. There were always books but I think perhaps my Aussie parents and grandparents were more concerned about preparing us for the harsh realities of life in the Aust. bush. I don't remember any books that were typically English, they were all typically Australian.
ReplyDeleteI'd really enjoy your books now that I believe in fairies, I think.
Childhood memories are indubitably linked to childhood books.
ReplyDeletePS Isn't that a great word?!