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If you were a fan of “poky little puppy” and “mother goose” growing up, you might be curious about the story behind these sweet children’s books.
You are reading: Which of these little golden books was published first
The beloved titles were part of a line called Little Golden Books created in 1942 through a partnership between New York publisher Simon & schuster, the writers and artists guild and western printing and lithography company, according to penguin random house, which currently publishes the books.
making children’s books more affordable
In the early 1940s, children’s books typically sold for $2 to $3, too high a price for many families with young children.
But George Duplaix, who led the Artists and Writers Guild at the time, wanted to make reading more accessible to children. He set out to develop lavishly illustrated and sturdy children’s books that would be affordable to most families.
Initially, the golden books were only $0.25. the first little golden books were published in september 1942 with memorable titles such as “the three kittens”, “the little red hen” and “the alphabet from a to z”.
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Like Duplaix, the Scripps Howard Foundation believes all children deserve the opportunity to learn to love reading. it has launched a literacy campaign called “If You Give a Child a Book.” The foundation raises money and, in a partnership with Scholastic Books, purchases and provides books to children in need through local nonprofit organizations. To date, the Scripps Howard Foundation has donated more than 500,00 books to children in need. You can help by donating online or texting “BOOK” to 345345.
books “changed publishing history”
This new series reflected a shift in thinking about how, where and what children should read, according to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, which hosted an exhibit on the Little Golden Books in 2013 and 2014.
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“when the little golden books were released in 1942 at 25 cents each, they changed publishing history,” according to penguin random house. “For the first time, children’s books were of high quality and low price. they were available to almost all children, not just the privileged few.”
The books were designed to be sold in places where kids and families already shopped, like department stores and pharmacies, not just bookstores. five months after the line’s launch, the publisher had printed 1.5 million copies.
the enduring success of the little golden books
“the poky little puppy” is an all-time classic, selling over 15 million copies worldwide in dozens of languages. it is also the title of the best-selling little golden books.
these books were so successful that simon & Schuster decided to launch a new division called the Sandpiper Press. The company selected Duplaix to be the leader of the new division.
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The cost of Little Golden Book titles increased over the years, selling for $0.29 in 1962, $0.39 in 1968, and $0.59 in 1977.
In the 1980s, the cost rose to $0.89 in 1982 and $0.99 in 1986.
Today, the books are still affordable if you buy a new copy, hovering around $4.99 each. you can find them for around $5 and up on amazon.
There is also a lucrative seller’s market for first editions and other rare versions. This 1943 copy of “Animated Bunny” was selling for $150 at a rare children’s book dealer in 2017:
And a 1942 version of “Mother Goose” with the original dust jacket was for sale for $1,375.
Did you read Little Golden books when you were growing up? Do you read them to your own children now?
The simplest: in partnership with our audiences, our parent company, e.w. The Scripps Company and The Scripps Howard Foundation are helping put books into the hands of children who need them most as part of the 2021 “If You Give a Child a Book…” campaign. To give, you can make a donation here or text “book” to 345345. To date, the scripps howard foundation has donated more than 500,000 books to children in need.
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