The Little Book by Eloise Wilkin

I wanted this book for a long while, but it is a little hard to find. I discovered it at our local book warehouse--all books for $1. 95% of the books are self help books from the 1990's, but there are a few good ones mixed in. 

This is a Little Golden Book I had to see after seeing an illustration in Everything I needed to Know I Learned from a Little Golden Book. I love that book. Well mostly, I love the illustrations, but it is a good book. I really thought I have written about that book but apparently I haven't. Keep tuned, folks!

Eloise Wilkin is just such a... well she just IS Little Golden Books to me. 

And this book is all about little things. 

I adore little things. So I am pre-disposed to love this book!

I love this kid sitting there waiting for something, ANYthing to happen.

No one draws 1960's kids better than Eloise Wilkin. Feel free to prove me wrong. Because anyone who does it better is really worth seeing! 

Raincoats and hats. Those dogs!

Wilkins was keen on nature and kids. I am particularly keen on that combination myself. 

This picture is what elevated this book to a must see! I can totally picture all of the little two or three year old girls I have known in my life absolutely loving the privilige of eating a cookie in a 55 gallon drum. Because who wouldn't? 

Me. But never mind that. 

(Because what if someone came and pushed it and I had to roll over and over and..... I would be seasick-ish. And out of control. I really hate both of those things.)

Did I ever mention I am a fuddy dud?

Hollyhocks! Cute sun suits! Chubby hands waving Adieu! Shaggy, adoring puppies! 

EEP!

So much cuteness!

The Happy Family by Nicole & Illus by Corinne Malvern

This book is so incredibly retro. It is a Golden book. (zing!) It is illustrated by Corinne Malvern (zing!) It is about a father, mother, son, daughter family. (zing!) It is idyllic and only vaugely associated with real life. (zing! zing! zing!) 

(Not sure why zing is indicative of retroness, but there it is.)

I love retro things. Which is why I bought this book. Look at them, with their cat and dog gamboling about as they walk past rose covered fences! Why aren't there rose covered fences in my life?

Everything is awesome! Everything is cool when you're part of the team! Everything is awesome!-- when you're living the dream.

                                  

                                                        --the Lego Movie Song

Despite this picture being completely posed and unrealistic, there is a part of me that uses 1950's illustrations (This book was reissued with new illustrations in the '50's.)  as the basis for how life should be. I want to look out the window to see my daughter carrying in a basket of flowers while my husband mows the lawn in fancy clothes and my son gambols about. 

Clearly gambol is the word today. And, if things continue on their trajectory paths, I fear for Tony's feet. Because his dad is paying no attention to which way the mower is going while he is smugly thinking he has got it all together.  

Oh kitty! 

This picture is in All I ever needed to know I learned in a Little Golden Book and it intrigued me enough to buy the book. I mean, who washes the dishes as a family and smiles all the while? 

Sigh. Not us. 

Daddy reads four fairy tales while mother is knitting before the magic hour of eight--bedtime prep. 

Matching beds, matching blankets, tender, patient Mummy saying goodnight a bajillion times. 

Morning routines.

Mother, working away at housework.

As they walk along, Mother thinks: "Now let's see, what do I have to buy today?"

Poor mother. Never a thought outside her duties and family. 

This is pretty much what I try to live up to. No mess, no evident fuss, delighted children and friends, and a pergola covered in flowers.

And then they ride their new bikes (for Peggy's birthday) to the beach. While Peggy attempts to run down passer-bys. 

Life was much easier in a 1940's Little Golden Book.