When we first published Jasper Tomkins’ whimsical picture book in 1981, Publisher’s Weekly said in its review: “Three mountains just sit, day and night, until a catalog arrives in their remote desert location. Studying the offerings, one mountain decides to order 43 giraffes; the second sends for 61 turtles; and the third decides on 52 bears. The animals arrive in due time, kicking off blithe happenings that grow out of the hosts’ ideas for making the company feel at home and the guests’ generous reciprocations of favors. The mountains order refrigerators full of food, decks of playing cards, records for dancing and (of course) a record player … Their gifts to the mountains are depicted in the last pages of Tomkins exhilarating flight of fancy, a love of a book with pictures so cleverly drawn that the author makes one eager to believe his tale.”

"The Truth About Easter Rabbits", which we published in 2005, was so attractive and so popular that we follow it up with this survey of snow men, snow women, snow children and snow animals. Like the Easter Rabbit book it uses a great variety of illustrative sources to provide a comprehensive view of how snow people are created, how they vary in personality and appearance, their recreational preferences, their family lives, and what happens to them after they melt. Most of us love snow people already, but after looking at this book one will enjoy them in a more profound way.

Sources drawn upon for this project include: old postcards, Victorian scraps, children’s readers, antique picture books, and magazine covers and illustrations.

"The Cats’ Pajamas" is another title from Frances Brundage, the illustrator of our popular shaped-book "The Three Bears". "The Cats’ Pajamas" is a truly delightful tale of a fashion-conscious cat and her two kittens. After receiving brand-new stylish pajamas, the small kittens promptly ruin them with reckless play but, as they discover, a mother’s love surpasses even beautiful pajamas.

This would make a wonderful gift for new parents building their classics collection or an avid young reader. The Cats’ Pajamas is die-cut around the cover image, an additional title in our shaped book series.

Alexandra Day’s bestselling ‘Good Dog, Carl’ series features a dog who takes his family’s child on various adventures, always managing to conceal this from the parents. Carl is an emblem of mischievous but responsible caretaking. Now with "The Fairy Dogfather" Alexandra Day has created another character that has a special relationship with a child, one that is outside of the parental realm. And this dog talks!

A young boy, Hector, has trouble differentiating the letters D and G. Thus when he writes a request to the universe that he needs a fairy godfather, well, the Fairy Dogfather arrives instead. The Fairy Dogfather is a big black, white and brown dog who wears a fedora and beautiful brown jacket, smokes a cigar, and isn’t at all what Hector had in mind. He uses a lot of big words, and instead of simply granting Hector’s wishes, like a regular fairy godmother, he is a rather demanding visitor. It’s understandable that a Fairy Dogfather would arrive hungry and need to check the weather report, but Hector needs a present for his Mom’s birthday right away. It looks like his benefactor isn’t going to be of much help. But in Day’s capable and witty hands the Fairy Dogfather turns out to be a forceful and enigmatic figure who manages, with subtle wit, to grant all of Hector’s wishes.

The tale of Aladdin, a poor boy who finds a magic lamp containing a genie and eventually marries a princess, is one of Scheherezade’s from One Thousand and One Nights, and one of the best known. It has been told many times, in many forms and settings including opera, film, and of course many children’s picture books. This one – from 1934 and illustrated by C.H. Lawrence – is a fine example.

The vivid imagery of Aladdin’s story is one reason it is so beloved over such a long period of time. The cave with its jeweled walls, the all powerful lamp, the genie’s sudden appearances, the Sultan’s court and the beautiful Princess – all these are wonderfully rendered by the artist C.H. Lawrence. Paired with a text that keeps the story’s potency, but simplifies it for younger readers – this is a wonderful Aladdin for parents and children to share.

Hansel and Gretel is one of the Grimm Brothers’ best-loved fairy tales. This shaped book tells the story of two siblings who brave a night in the dark woods and cleverly defeat a witch who lives in an appealing gingerbread house. Margaret Evans Price (1888-1973) was a prolific American illustrator of fairy tales and children’s stories. Her gentle and archetypal style achieves the right balance between the sweetness of the children and the scariness of the witch.

This is our sixth reproduction of a shaped children’s book, and our fourth illustrated by Margaret Evans Price. Price has certainly proven popular with our customers, and for good reason. Her illustrations are pretty and fanciful. She is especially gifted at depicting children in a stylized yet not cartoonish manner. In The Betty Fairy Book (1915) a little girl – Betty – inadvertently angers the fairies by wearing a fairy crown that she finds and dancing “on fairy ground.” The fairies decide to banish her to a boat, on which Betty bravely faces several hardships. Betty’s courage endears her to the fairies, who relent and take Betty to fairyland where she is cared for and given gifts. Betty comes away from her adventure with fairy souvenirs and new friends. This charming tale is richly illustrated and will appeal to both children and sentimental adults.

Originally published in 1945, this beautiful book is really three titles in one – a counting book, an alphabet book, and an object book. It is rendered in a naive style and primary colors, and the illustrator’s Scandinavian heritage shines through in the deceptively simple and charming illustrations. Inside the front cover is a little house under a rising sun, and inside the back cover the same house sits under a crescent moon. Within we find an enchanting world of a red-haired little boy in blue overalls named Peter, princesses with pigs ( for P of course) and a very fine tiger, among many other delights. The reader is taken through Peter’s day, and the frequent appearance of old-fashioned clocks will puzzle but delight the modern child.

Swedish illustrator Einar Nerman (1888 – 1983) had long career in both Europe and the United States. In the 1920′s and 1930′s he worked for fashionable magazines in London such as The Tatler and Eve. World War II brought him to New York and The Journal-American, as well as book illustration.

Edward Ernest was active from the 1940′s through the 1960′s as both an author and editor of children’s literature. His titles aside from "A Child’s First Book" include "Peter’s Birthday Party," "Among the Daisies," "The Animated Circus Book," "Hector the Old Clothes Collector," and "The Kate Greenaway Treasury."

This reproduction of an 1890 book features cats and kittens in an alphabetic parade of charming adventures. It tells the eccentric tale of a beautiful "A for Angora" cat who overcomes jealousy and buckets of water to find love and happiness and is beautifully illustrated with cats playing banjoes, getting married, singing in a choir, and many other whimsical activities. This tender love story is highlighted with verses such as: "T stands for Trouble now over and past, and The Triumph of True Tender hearts at The Last," and "V is the Vanity Fluffy display When on a Visit her kittens you praise." The Victorians’ love of cats is on full display in this fine addition to our popular series of shaped books

After taking her children to visit Shakespeare’s house, E. Nesbit – one of the greatest of children’s novelists – was faced with a conundrum:

“I can’t understand a word of it,” said Iris.

“And you said it was so beautiful,” Rosamund added, reproachfully. “What does it all mean?”

“Yes,” Iris went on, “you said it was a fairy tale, and we’ve read three pages, and there’s nothing
about fairies, not even a dwarf, or a fairy god mother.”

“And what does ‘misgraffed’ mean?”

“and ‘vantage,’ and ‘austerity,’ and ‘belike,’ and ‘edict,’ and—“

“stop, stop,” I cried; I will tell you the story.”

And she did, eventually publishing her retellings of 20 of Shakespeare’s plays.

The plays we include are:

As You Like It, Hamlet, Comedy of Errors, Twelfth Nigh, The Tempest, Taming of the Shrew, Romeo and Juliet, Much Ado About Nothing, Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Merchant of Venice.

We have selected for each play images from such great illustrators as Walter Crane, Charles Folkard, May Mulliner, Arthur Rackham, Lewis Rhead, Charles Robinson W. Heath Robinson, and Hugh Thomson.

"Good Dog, Carl" creator Alexandra Day’s dynamic duo Frank, a bear, and Ernest an elephant, are back, and this time must master the language of baseball during their stint as managers of the Elmville Mudcats- a minor league team.

The animal pals have their work cut our for them; the team is in the cellar (in last place in the league) and Frank and Ernest have to do everything- sell tickets, run batting practice, announce the game to the fans, and more! But once they learn the right language, it all seems easy…

Soon expressions like “fly hawk”- a skillful outfielder; “smoke artist”- a pitcher who throws lots of fastballs; and “can of corn”- a ball that’s been hit so high it can easily be caught- no longer sound strange to the animal friends. Readers will cheer for Frank and Ernest whose skill with the lingo makes for a great day at the ballpark!

First published in 1990, we welcome the opportunity to re-present this Alexandra Day book full of the secret language children love, as well as a story of cooperation, and friendship.

Nimby is a special cloud. Unable to quell his creative spirit and fit in with his
cloud family, he drifts away and meets a magical island. Together they have
wonderful adventures and form an artistic alliance. This charming and gentle tale
of two free spirits will enchant readers with its message of friendship and
acceptance. Tomkins’ witty visuals and delightful story are as fresh as they were
when this book was originally published in 1982.

We are pleased to present our delightful shaped and whimsically illustrated version of "A Child’s Garden of Verses" by Robert Louis Stevenson with illustrations by Fern Bisel Peat. The collection first appeared in 1885 and has proven popular with children and their parents over the past 100 + years. We were drawn to reprint this version especially, for the appeal and high quality of the illustrations and how well they fit with the poems chosen. The charming art is from the 1930’s.

This version is designed specifically with the very young reader in mind, hence the bold and colorful artwork and selective offering of poems. It includes: The Lamplighter, The Land of Counterpane, Bed in Summer, My Shadow, The Swing and more.

Our shaped book of The Three Bears has been so popular, we think, not only because it is beautifully illustrated, but also because it retells one of the handful of fairy tales which is an essential part of every child”s growing up. We wanted another shaped book of an equally elemental tale, and we think we have found it in this gentle version of the cautionary tale of Red Riding Hood, illustrated by Gladys Hall. It, like The Three Bears, dates from about 1910.

Ever since we published our happily received "Santa’s ABC Coloring Book" a few years back we have been watching for a fine old coloring book to add to our publications. Finally, in a Paris flea market, we found what we sought – "Album à Colorier." It brings French style to the coloring book, and now we bring it to you.

Originally published in 1942, "Album à Colorier" boasts excellent design, and is wonderfully evocative of a French child’s life in the mid-20th century. There are beautiful color pictures of children at home, at school and at play. We visit homes, parks and the seaside, and see the children cook, play storekeeper, ski and have a picnic. Black and white versions of most of these images allow the user to recreate the loveliness, while at the same time journeying to another place and time.

This wonderful, anonymous work was first published in the 1940′s. In 26 happy pictures a group of young cats celebrate Christmas, alphabetically. For a "C" a cat eats Candy, in "H" a holly wreath is carried and for "K" the kiss beneath the mistletoe is most charming. The Naive style and vintage appeal, paired with the small size and price point, adds up to a delicious holiday treat, suitable for all manner of gift giving needs.

First published in 1988 and now back by popular demand, "Good Dog, Carl" illustrator Alexandra Day’s "Frank and Ernest" is the entertaining tale of a bear and an elephant who learn to run a diner. The charming illustrations of the Deco-era diner and the novelty of its animal employees are very appealing, but the diner slang that Frank and Ernest learn adds a further layer of interest to this title. "Frank and Ernest" will reveal the meaning of “burn one, take it through the garden and pin a rose on it,” “a stack with Vermont and a blonde with sand,” as well as “guess water,” “balloon juice,” and “million on a platter.”

As in her popular Carl books Day excels at visual jokes and loving detail, but in "Frank and Ernest" the text is as delightful as the pictures.

First published in 1916, this beautifully illustrated and attractively shaped book tells the
story of a boy named Teddy who flies to the North Pole to see Santa. He gets to feed
the reindeer, help Santa in his workshop and also to help him pack his sleigh. After all
of Teddy’s adventures he is delivered safely home just in time for Christmas morning.
The illustrations are by Margaret Evans Price, whose charming work graces some of our
most popular publications. She was married to one of the founders of the Fisher Price
toy company, and her illustrations served as the basis for some of their early products.

My Resolutions is a reprint of a 1908 title by comic pioneer R.F. Outcault.  The comic strip featuring Buster Brown ran from 1902 until 1921 and inspired books and other products, including, of course, Buster Brown shoes.  Buster Brown is preternaturally modern in his style and outlook.  A beautifully dressed child of angelic mien he sailed through the first two decades of the twentieth century with his faithful dog Tige (the first talking pet in American comics).  Buster misbehaved constantly and was generally caught and punished, but like a modern sitcom child responds not with tears or remorse but a snappy comeback.  In Buster’s case this took the form of the resolutions that ended every Buster Brown strip.  The resolutions are little gems of comic writing, skewering parental piety at every opportunity. 
 
“RESOLVED: That if you are going to insist on being truthful, learn to hold your tongue.  The truth is a dangerous thing and must be handled by a master.  ‘Truth is mighty and will prevail’ it doesn’t need your assistance.  Just let it alone.  Tact will help you a great deal & extreme kindness will help you to keep unwelcome truths to yourself.  Don’t let anyone know you are honest.  They will think you are a ‘come on’ and will take advantage of you.”

Alphabet books are much loved by children, and so there have been many of them published over the years. Happily they pro-vide a stimulating challenge to artists and authors. This reprint, from 1908, features dog breeds. The poodle, greyhound and collie are familiar friends, but a few breeds, such as the harrier and the lurcher, show that even dogs change with time’s passage. the rhymes that accompany each letter are delightful and informative, for example:

N is for the Newfoundland
Who springs in the wave
And strives to his utmost
The drowning to save..

Other passages are more moralistic, as was common in children’s books of this era:

Q stands for the Quarrel,
It’s most sad to see
Both Puppies and Children
Who cannot agree.

Some of the dogs herein are less pampered than their more modern counterparts:

E stands for the dogs of the Eskimo
Who draws laden sleds for miles over snow.

Charming pictures of dogs leaping, swimming, playing and doing all manner of canine things take us from a to Z in this delightful alphabet book.

We at the Laughing Elephant have a weakness not just for elephants that laugh, but all animals. We have found a delightfully illustrated and funny book that does these various farm animals justice, in their full laughing glory.

Ha- Ha Farm is a faithful reproductions of the 1944 original by Thirma & Carlyle Leech. It is a mechanical book, for a small child, which tells the simple story of the farm, in a pleasing rhyming format. The mechanical movements invite the child to help the animals laugh. A perfect gift for any child who like their fancies tickled.

Combining a vintage aesthetic with modern party needs, parents can throw a fun, different children’s party with the help of this title. The occasions included are New Year’s Eve, Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and, of course, Birthdays. The book features ideas for invitations, decorations for both the rooms and tables, menus and games to
play. And though the material that inspired and illustrates Children’s Party Book is from the past, the ideas are fresh and stylish and sure to appeal to today’s party givers.

This old Mother Goose rhyme (which is here in its authentic version) is, as many of these poems are, curiously evocative and unforgettable. It tells the simple story of kittens who lose their mittens, and momentarily their mother’s approval, but find their mittens and achieve a happy resolution. Milo Winter, an insufficiently praised artist, provides the fine illustrations. He is the illustrator for one of our other shaped books, the very popular Three Little Pigs.

Little Elephants Christmas is a faithful reproduction of the original 1944 edition, written by Heluiz Washburne and Illustrated by Jean McConnell. Little Elephant is the very entertaining story of a young elephant and his anticipation and adventures one Christmas day. The illustrations are stylishly vintage and funny, capturing this elephant family and their holiday perfectly.

We follow Little Elephants story beginning a few days before Christmas. Little Elephant carefully chooses gifts for his family, watches with great excitement and mounting anticipation as the mailman delivers packages to their house, makes a Christmas cake with his mother, helps pick out and decorate the tree and of course, hangs his stocking on the fireplace before bed on Christmas Eve. Christmas morning at last arrives and with a trumpet blast of joy, familiar to all parents on Christmas morning, trunk or not, to wake his parents up very early for the big day. Presents are opened, toys are played with and enjoyed, taffy is pulled in the kitchen and Christmas dinner is even more wonderful than could have been hoped for. This is a story children will want to read year after year in preparation for the good things of the holiday season.

An addition to our very successful series of shaped children’s books, reprinted from antique editions.

Puss-In-Boots, a persistently recurring folk story given perfect form by Charles Perrault, tells the tale of a clever cat who leads his human to fame and fortune. It is delightfully illustrated here by C.H. Lawrence, a lesser known but masterful illustrator, who gives the tale of pluck and tenacity the liveliness it demands.

The shaped children’s book has been popular since its invention in the early-20th century. Breaking the bounds of the rectangle has timeless appeal, a fact that we don’t fully understand but will happily exploit. We shall continue to choose gems for reproduction from our large collection of ball, cat, dog, bird, etc. shaped books as long as our customers demand that we do so.

The enduring popularity of Robert Louis Stevenson’s "A Child’s Garden of Verses" (1885) is
testament to the poet’s uncanny ability to evoke the child’s viewpoint so truly that it has
flourished for more than a century. We have paired the poems with Charles Robinson’s 1896
illustrations, which reflect not only the Art Nouveau aesthetic of that time, but also Robinson’s
masterful draftsmanship.

Charles Robinson (1870-1937) was born into a family of artists, and he and his brothers T. Heath
and W. Heath carried on this fine tradition. During his long and distinguished career Charles
Robinson illustrated over 100 books, mostly for children, and was equally adept at line drawing
and watercolors. His black and white illustrations are no less exciting or vibrant than their color
counterparts – such is Robinson’s genius. He was among the first to recognize the importance of
book design and champion the book as a work of art in and of itself. Though clearly influenced
by the Art Nouveau and Arts and Crafts movements of his day, Charles Robinson was a true
original and titan of children’s illustration.

"The Boy’s Book of Signs and Symbols" is a facsimile reproduction of c. 1920 guide to over 500 signs and symbols. It includes signs of the zodiac, ancient and totemic signs, alphabet and arithmetic signs, trail signs, and much more. The author, White Fox (a.k.a. John Hargrave), dedicates his work to the mysterious Little Elk (medicine man to the northern clans) and tells him that his work stands for that which a mechanical and industrially frantic commercialism has all but wiped out. He also reminds Little Elk that "Even now you shall find the boy as primitive as ever." White Elk wrote these words from his Caravan Camp in 1920, and they are as true now as they were when White Fox collected and illustrated this rich assembly of signs both ancient and modern. The desire to carve arcane symbols into canoe paddles may not be as relevant today as in 1920, but the symbols in this book remain fascinating.

This is a reprint of a small set of three books originally published in the 1930s. Each of them tells the story of that bear’s particular place in the family.

Baby Bear came to live with Father Bear and Mother Bear when he was just one minute old. Mother Bear wanted a little Baby Bear with brown eyes and little pink heels. Father Bear had a garden, too. He planted turnips for Mother Bear, spinach and little red beets for Baby Bear, and corn and cabbage for himself.

These bears are an inseparable family, sold only in sets and packaged in a plastic envelope. The text invites the reader to color a few of the illustrations that are black and white, most are in full-color already.

This is an old English folktale, and like many folktales, it contrasts good and evil, and stresses the perils of existence and the need for intelligence and ingenuity as tools of survival. The wily wolf outwits two of the pig brothers, but the third brother triumphs through his cleverness and hard work in this shaped children’s book

The illustrations for this version are by the American illustrator Milo Winter. Winter was a prolific and extremely skilled illustrator who has not received, in our opinion, the critical and historical recognition he deserves, because he worked for unrecognized publishers who issued inexpensive editions. Winter’s dressed animals are uniquely winning and thoroughly convincing.

A box of 3 booklets of puzzles and other challenging entertainments for children — Fun-Time Puzzles, Fun-Time Games, and Fun-Time Drawing.

These delightful entertainments were created by George Carlson, who is best known as an illustrator of the Uncle Wiggily stories. These puzzles, mazes and other pictorial challenges are ones a child can accomplish alone, leaarning and enjoying at the same time.

Fun-Time Library is superior to most books of this ilk because of the high-quality art, the ingenuity of the exercises and the infectious good humor which informs the whole.

Another in our popular series of shaped books telling the still pertinent story of two ways of life.

Good stories never lose their power. Aesop, an ancient Greek, first wrote this tale of a country mouse who samples the life of her city cousin, and finds the simple peace of the country far preferable.

Ethel Hayes, the illustrator, has changed the cousins from male to female so that she can indulge her talent for rendering beautifully dressed mouse ladies. Even the country mouse’s Sunday best is outshone by the city mouse’s complex and fashionable wardrobe.

A book of simple crafts for children six and older.

We believe that modern life requires of us too little creativity; that living in a world where everything is done and made for you has disadvantages aw well as advantages. Most of us are deprived of the deep satisfactions which come from making things with our hands.

This book is a compilation of simple craft projects drawn from old books and magazines. None of them require special equipment (just yarn, cardboard, etc.), and are within the capabilities of most children.

Projects include: a clown riding on the back of a giraffe, a tiny merry-go-round, a paper May basket, a little house with cardboard inhabitants, handmade greeting cards and many more.

"The Truth About Santa Claus" is our fourth title in our series on mythic figures, using old pictures to perhaps discover something new of their natures.

We have had great success with this book’s predecessors – "The Truth About Easter Rabbits," "Snow-People," and "Jack-o-Lanterns." We now turn to the most elusive and ancient of them all, Santa Claus. We have assembled from our library hundreds of pictures of Santa, and then deduced from this material much about him.

Such subjects as Santa’s dress, character, home life, marriage, and work habits are explored. We look at his relations to his helpers, his reindeer, the children he sometimes meets on his miraculous journeys and even his activities outside of the Christmas season.

Every assertion is supported by pictorial evidence, all in splendid color.

This is a rich anthology of poems written for children with a variety of relevant illustrations culled from old children’s books. Among the many poets included are: Robert Louis Stevenson, Eugene Field, Katharine Pyle, Willam Blake, Edward Lear, Jane Taylor, Hugh Lofting, Joyce Kilmer, Langston Hughes and Lewis Carroll. A few of the many artists included are: N.C. Wyeth, Oliver Herford, Charles Robinson, Gertrude Kay, Willy Pogany, Keith Ward, Jessie Willcox Smith, Willam Nicholson, Honor Appleton and Peter Newell.

This die-cut shaped children’s book is a thoroughly charming introduction to the Mother Goose rhymes. This facsimile of a 1917 edition is great to give or read to a young child. Another in our popular series of shaped books.

Margaret Evans Price has a great appeal to young readers. Her illustrations are just right, and her brief selection of rhymes is judicious. Some of the rhymes included are: Little Bo-Peep, Mary, Mary Quite Contrary, Jack and Jill, Goosey Gander and Simple Simon.

This title describes the many Easter Rabbits that live all around the world, their family life, the decorating of eggs in preparation for Easter and the methods they use to deliver them as gifts to the world’s children. Illustrated with a rich abundance of imagery from old children’s picture books and Easter postcards, "The Truth About Easter Rabbits" is sure to delight all children and the any adults who appreciate the simple pleasures and customs of the Easter season.

"The Three Bears", originally published in 1928 and illustrated by Frances Brundage is a grand choice for reproduction. It is a classic story, undertaken by many illustrators drawn to its suspenseful elements and narrative thrust. Brundage is, like most American illustrators of her era, rather unappreciated, but her work in "The Three Bears" is lovely and gentle. The bears are essentially sweet, rather than menacing, while Goldilocks is more a charming imp than destructive. The bears’ home is appropriately lovely, as is its unwelcome human visitor. Despite the havoc Goldilocks wreaks, one does not sense that any serious damage has been done. Our version is another in our popular series of children’s shaped books.