Books published by publisher Laughing Elephant

This very simple series of baby animal portraits is an addition to our popular series of shaped books for children. It was originally published in 1940, and illustrated by George Trimmer, whose little animals are cute but not cloying, which seems appropriate for farm animals. He captures the sweet innocence and beauty of the animals, including puppies, lambs, colts, ducklings, bunnies, piglets, kittens, chicks, a baby donkey, goslings and a calf. Each picture includes a brief sentence describing the scene.

Our book, Fairies, and our fairy notecards have been so popular that we delight in publishing an address book with 21 full-color images, and a large number of black and white images and devices. These fairies are mainly from old children's books. None of them are reproduced in our line of notecards, nor do they occur in our book. The treasures of fairy illustration are so many that there is no diminution of quality in this gathering. There are tabbed alphabetical sections - each letter divider bearing a large full-color image on one side, a line drawing on the other, and plenty of room to keep track of friends and family.

The Green Tiger's Illustrated Book of Fairy Tales is the fourth publication in Laughing Elephant's heralded series of illustrated anthologies. From the folk and fairytale tradition the editors have chosen a selection of the most beloved and well-known fairytales. From amongst the many hundreds of illustrated editions the editors have chosen illustrators who best embody the tale; a veritable all-star team of illustrators. The Green Tiger's Illustrated Book of Fairy Tales will be a desirable addition to libraries, both public and private. Librarians will prize it for its historical significance. Parents and grandparents will recognize its timeless excellence, and children will enjoy wonderful fairytales richly illustrated. Included are Hans Christian Andersen's "The Ugly Duckling" illustrated by the Caldecott Medal winning husband and wife team of Berta and Elmer Hader, as well as the Charles Perrault version of Sleeping Beauty illustrated, appropriately, by the great French illustrator, Edmund Dulac.

Arthur Rackham’s long and distinguished career left a legacy of over 60 treasured picture books. Among them are many classic fairy tales but Sleeping Beauty is unique (along with Cinderella [1919])in using a silhouette technique to tell the familiar story, along with a few full-color illustrations. One might think that silhouettes could be dull, or stark, but in Rackham’s masterful hands this is far from the case. The level of detail and mood achieved in these illustrations is remarkable. The witch at the christening is menacing, the prince leaning over the sleeping Briar-Rose tender, the sleeping castle is eerily hushed, and all without faces. For this beautiful new edition, the distinguished illustrator Michael Hague has written a lovely introduction. Rackham believed strongly in working closely with authors, and it is clear he and C.S. Evans collaborated well in rendering Perrault’s basic elements. It is a version of its time (Edwardian) and place (Great Britain) and softens some of the story’s more brutal elements. Where Evans truly excels is in detail, and as the story has been expanded to over 11,000 words he has plenty of room to describe the feast of the christening, the outrage of the town over the ban on spinning wheels, the remains of unsuccessful princes stuck in the briars surrounding the sleeping castle, and the glorious gifts the princess received for her birthdays as she grew up in royal splendor. Laughing Elephant has long enjoyed bringing the great illustrators out of the past and into the present. In their new Illustrated Classics series they hope to revive these treasures with grace and intelligence and delight a whole new generation of children and adults.

Unique in its approach and scope Wings and the Child teaches adults how to work with children to play and imagine with the mind of a child. Wings and the Child is a work of non-fiction by the pioneering children's author E. Nesbit written in 1913. It is a passionate argument for the need to encourage simple, creative play in children. Nesbit gives concrete suggestions and fresh ways to engage children's imaginations so they can exercise this wonderful skill fully and for the rest of their lives. Illustrated with photographs of amazing constructed magic cities, this book can’t fail to awaken the sleeping dreamer in us all.

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 as 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, 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.

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.

Some years ago we published An Anniversary Blessing. It sold only modestly, because the book was intended for one spouse to give to another on their anniversary, which limited its use. We have gone back to Mr. Poltarnees and requested the book frequently suggested by our customers - a book for a family member or friend to give to a married couple on the occasion of their anniversary. It celebrates the making of the home, the proffered hospitality, the daily rituals, the pleasure in simple things, good conversation and many adventures. Welleran Poltarnees has written and entirely new text and selected fresh images to aorn Happy Anniversary.

Carl and Alexandra Day have created a baby record book for puppies. It has room for a paw print and a lock of fur, as well as places for photographs that record such special things as a family portrait, best trick, and first birthday. The book also has a page to keep track of the puppy's medical history. Lively illustrations depicting more than twenty breeds, plus a metal keepsake medallion for the puppy's collar, make this a must for every dog owner.

In this delightful reproduction of a classic mid-century modern children's title, Teddy takes a number of trips, by bicycle, by car, by boat and by plane. Each method of locomotion has advantages and disadvantages, but, in the end, Teddy discovers that there's no place like home. Teddy's Travels is a good book for small children on family trips to help them understand travel in general and patience during travel, specifically, with its sometimes inconveniences, in a fun and informative way. Die-cut, with foil accents and handsomely proportioned, Teddy's Travels is the latest title in the Laughing Elephant's best selling die-cut shape book series.