Little Black Sambo

This vintage hardcover book is an anthology of favorite children's stories, interspersed with Mother Goose Rhymes, traditional Fairy Tales (Henny Penny, 3 Little Pigs, Hansel & Gretel...), and a lengthy section of cautionary verses on the dangers of bad behavior ("Slovenly Peter", "Slovenly Betsy", "Phoebe Ann: Proud Girl", "The History of the Dirty Child", "Envious Minny", "The Story of Sophy Spoilall", "The Story of the Cry-Baby", "Frank, the Liar", and a quite shocking "The Dreadful Story of Pauline and the Matches" (yes, she burns to ashes!). Some truly beloved tales are here, though: Uncle Wiggily, Peter Rabbit, Reddy Fox, Black Sambo, and the Tortoise and the Hare. Illustrated thoughout with small ink illustrations, most quite charming examples of the period, some are a bit alarming (a thumb-sucker getting his thumb snipped off with some enormous scissors, for example!). This hefty book offers a glimpse into the American childhood of the 1940's.