I've blogged before about some of the bad book covers in our library -- many of them from decades past. But that's not to say that all old books have bad covers. Here are some of the oldest books still on our fiction shelves that -- to my taste, at least -- have great covers.
First, Ray Bradbury's "R is for Rocket," an iconic collection of short stories with a terrific vintage sci-fi feel. This particular book was first checked out in February 1967! It's basically as old as I am, and kids still read it now and then.
Lloyd Alexander's fantasy novel "The Black Cauldron" was a Newbery finalist in 1966 -- the year I was born. This particular copy was first checked out in November 1969. I can't say it gets read much these days, but it's kind of a classic, so we keep it around. I dig the groovy mod witches, but it's a shame someone plastered that "library edition" sticker over them.
James Hilton's "Lost Horizon" is another one that hasn't been read much lately, but I keep it just because I love this cover. It was first checked out in May 1975.
We just weeded this one, actually. God knows how long it's been on the shelf -- the earliest date stamp is from 1981, but I can tell there was an earlier due date slip in the book that was removed at some point. It was published in 1973. I keep it on my desk because I like it. It's very "Scooby Doo."
I don't ever remember hearing about "The Phantom Tollbooth" when I was a kid, but it was published in 1961 so it certainly existed in my day. This is another weeded copy I keep on my desk. (We got a fresher one for the shelves.) Its earliest date stamp is October 1975, but I suspect the book is older.
Finally, how can you NOT love a book by George Selden with drawings by Garth Williams? I had another book in this series, "Harry Cat's Pet Puppy," when I was a kid, and I loved that book. And of course we've got "The Cricket in Times Square" on the shelves, too. I've never read this one, which was first checked out in May 1975 -- but maybe I should?
The saying "Never judge a book by its cover" is a dumb one in my view. As you may recall, I read "The Lost Horizon" quite recently. It's where we find Shangri-La.
ReplyDeleteI always judge books by their covers and I want to read every one of these!
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to see these illustration trends that are now retro. I like them all.
ReplyDeleteI have loved Garth Williams forever. Probably my very favorite children's illustrator. Not only is he fabulous in his own right, I wonder if I also love him because he illustrated so many of my favorite children's stories.
ReplyDeleteI love seeing these covers. Such cool artwork.
ReplyDeleteWhat great book covers. Thanks for showing them. I remember reading many of Ray Bradbury's short stories. I loved science fiction. I also have fond memories of Lost Horizon. I was even one of a handful of people who enjoyed the 1970's movie. I should read that book again.
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful book covers! My favorite covers are The Black Caldron ( I love the witches) and Tucker's Countryside. I feel so bad for that little mouse! You have a wonderful day, hugs, Edna B.
ReplyDeleteOld book covers really were art. New book covers - not so much.
ReplyDeleteI read "Lost Horizon" a couple of years ago for the FIRST TIME! I loved it.
ReplyDeleteI think I'm in love with the Selden/Williams series! I've been able to read previews of a couple of them online and they have stolen my heart. Now I need to buy them "for my grandsons" who do not, by the way, show the slightest interest in books or reading . . .
ReplyDeleteOh wow Steve maybe you should read that book. I loved looking at the covers and wishing I had read a few of these.
ReplyDeleteI still remember the first book I ever read from the school library. It was called The Witch Of Black Beards Pond. At least that is the name that lingers in my brain and the next was The Pearl and then the I just took to reading everything I could get my hands on. My parents were huge readers but out of 5 kids I was the book worm. I still love it.
Maybe put the older ones on display and see if any of the kids check them out. Never know what kind of books kids will get hooked on lol.
Have an awesome day.
I have PTSD when I see the Phantom Tollbooth cover. My son had summer homework when he was a rising fourth grader to read and answer very long essay questions on each chapter of that book, with that cover. He was not developmentally ready for the amount of work, or quite frankly, the book itself, he hated it with a passion, and so did I, no doubt in solidarity with him, and the torture inflicted on our summer. His sister and cousin to this day hate the book too as they had to wait every day to go to the beach at their grandmother's house until his daily summer work was done. There were tears. If I had it to do over, I would have just told him not to worry about it, or maybe I'd have just answered the darn questions for him, told him what to write. Honestly, I don't think he gained one iota of a worthwhile lesson from it. Ugh. *Shivers.*
ReplyDeleteI am also a Garth Williams fan. It all started when I was small, probably around 5 years old, with a golden book called "The Very Best Home for Me" by Jane Werner Watson that he illustrated. It was his illustrations that cemented the story in my mind. I've never heard of/seen the Selden/Williams series. Thanks for these.
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