Books in Shape Books series

In this lovely book, originally published in 1916, illustrator Margaret Evans Price and author Isabel C. Byrum beautifully tell the Christmas story, from the baby in the manger, surrounded by animals, to the arrival of the three wise men. The story, from the point of view of a child, is sweet and sincere and the accompanying illustrations exquisite. The narrator, Ethel opens the story: “In Bethlehem, I’ve heard them say, Upon a Christmas morn, Within a stable rough and rude, a tiny babe was born.” We continue in this vein as Ethel reflects upon the feelings of Mary and Joseph, the shepherds awakened by angels, the Wise Men following their star and of course Baby Jesus. The style of the interiors and clothing is more 1910s than Biblical, but so lovely and stylish that we are indifferent to the anachronism. A Child’s Christmas Story is a tender introduction to the nativity story for any early reader, and a perfect holiday gift.

The new Shape Books series brings the ancient world to three-dimensional life and reveals the most interesting topics from some of the world's most important empires. Each title is a self-boxed 3-D board book that replicates an iconic structure from an ancient civilization. Page-filling color illustrations and concise text take young readers back in time, where they discover how people lived and what their world looked like. Engaging, interactive and informative, Shape Books are sure to be a hit with curious readers. This book describes the three most important pre-Columbian civilizations in Mesoamerica and how, despite advanced knowledge of mathematics, astronomy and architecture, they eventually disappeared. Topics include language, personal decoration, diet, architecture, city life, sacrificial rites, weaponry, the Maya and Aztec calendars, religion and decorative arts.

This clearly written and beautifully illustrated book, first published in the 1950s, introduces the young dancer to the basic concepts of ballet. It defines the art form, shows the five positions, the seven movements, the carriage of the arms, the pliés, the role of the composer and choreographer and more. A Child’s Book of Ballet includes a glossary of ballet terms and throughout the text the terms are highlighted, so the young reader can more easily remember them.A Child’s Book of Ballet also features a brief history of ballet, its costumes and the world of ballet shoes. Woven throughout the text are lovely illustrations of boys and girls at practice and in performance.

"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.

Beaches hold a powerful appeal for children. It is for them a place where they are free to play, build, and discover. The place where land and sea meet enfolds them, and there they seem to blossom in a timeless paradise. The combination of dramatic natural beauty and childhood joy is one that holds great appeal to children’s book illustrators, resulting in a wealth of images of children enjoying the pleasures of sand and sea. We have assembled from our library of vintage children’s books the images for this simple shaped book, and paired them with a text, which celebrates – from the point of view of a child – the many appeals of life on the beach. Artists include: Pelagie Doane, Henriette Willebeek Le Mair, Millicent Sowerby, Susan Beatrice Pearse and Jessie Willcox Smith.

This lovely die-cut Mother Goose is a thoroughly charming introduction to give or read to a young child. 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.

We are pleased to present our delightful shaped 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. 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.