Books in Tall Shape Board Books series

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.

The delightful tale of five kitty cats–one is gray, one is gold, one is white, one is striped and one is (now would you believe it) pink–and their feline adventures. These happy cats engage is such domestic pursuits as beekeeping, washing their faces and gardening. They are (unlike, I am sorry to report, real cats) kind to birds and love to slide on trees. These fashionable felines wear different adorable outfits on nearly every page. This charming book, a reproduction of a mid-century publication, is sure to be enjoyed by little girls and cat-fanciers of all ages.

Another in our popular series of shaped books tellling 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 Hays, the illustrator, has changed the cousins from male to femaile 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.

With such enthusiastic response to our reproductions of die-cut antiquarian children's books, we have been in search of more titles that our discerning customers would enjoy. The Cats' Pajamas (1932) is another title from Frances Brundage, the illustrator of our popular 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. It is die-cut around the cover image, the newest in our ""shape"" book series.

Our most popular title, this version of the elemental tale of a little girl, her grandmother and a scary wolf is illustrated by Gladys Hall and dates from around 1910. It is rendered in bright primary colors, and the little girl – Rosie – is utterly adorable in her gingham dress and red cloak. The wolf is vanquished, Rosie is saved, and all ends well in this most gentle of Red Riding Hoods.

We have more than fifty versions of this wonderful poem in our library; this is one of our favorites. Margaret Evans Price has a gentle talent. The Santa Claus on the cover, and throughout, is one of the kindest Santas ever imagined. This is a Santa who is appealingly earth bound. This is a facsimile of the 1917 edition. We have die-cut it, as in the original, and the shaped / rounded top makes it especially appealing. This is an ideal first "Night Before Christmas" for a young child.

This shaped picture book uses vintage illustrations from Laughing Elephant’s treasure trove to explore Halloween from a child’s perspective. Essential Halloween activities such as selecting a costume, pumpkin carving, parties, trick-or-treating and apple bobbing are all depicted. A simple text links the images, and together they weave an evocative spell of nostalgic Halloween magic.