This is one very unusual book, but it was one of the best books I’ve ever read as a child and it was definitely the single greatest thing that inspired me to read more. And it’s probably the best book overall that I’ve ever owned.
Tales and Poems for the Very Young
It’s definitely seen better days, but this copy of the book has survied well considering it’s been through multiple owners. 366 Goodnight Stories by Golden Pleasure Books was first published in 1963. This copy from 1969 was the same one I had more than 25 years ago (when I was 4) and was the book that started it all.
Inside cover
Inside title
It’s a smorgasbord of stories, little tales and poems for every day of the week, for every month and for every season. Every story and poem belongs a specific day of the year.
First season, Summer.
Summer
The types range from whimsical to the surreal, from classic to abstract and from the bizarre to amazing. Even if you get a piece that didn’t thrill you that day of the year, you’ll never be bored since there’s no rule to say you can’t skip ahead or behind.
Hot cross buns
Ipsey Wipsey
Buzz Fuzz, Cycling, Soldiers, The Princess and the Dummy
New Year's Eve, New Year's Day
The copy of the book I owned was practically destroyed by constant use (by yours truly) and storage abuse. I don’t remember who gave it to me, but it was moved from place to place and changed owners across generations before it came to me and it showed. So I had left it behind when I came to the U.S. as a little kid. It broke my heart too since it was my favorite book. I was elated to find it again being sold on Amazon last year and was pleasantly surprised to find that it too was a gift for someone.
Meg & Nick. Birthday 1969 2 & 4 yrs. From Michelle and & Mark Peterson.
Meg and Nick, if you happen to wonder whatever happened to your book, not to worry, it’s in good hands and will be well cared for. And no, you can’t have it back. ;)
This morning, I read another philosophical musing by Kelly that inspired me to post this; which, by the way, is highly recommended reading. Each of her entries would fit nicely in a (grown up) version of this book if it were printed today, that’s based less on fantasy and more on the unreality of our reality.
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I have this book also. And? Aw, Shucks!!!!! Thank you. Excellent shot of the anger management ring, too.
Keep writing those nuggets of gold :D
Ah, the ring! Should have moved that away a bit.
We have this one in German! I am trying to find it in english for me to read to our two small sons.
even i have little interest in reading, i have to say you seem to have a good taste in book(!)
this book looks so cutttte :D and you know what, i used to read 4 books (devided by 4 seasons) called “365 goodnight story”. i guess the only difference is mine are without words but only pictures, yeah! ;)
Haha, and this one covers leap years! :D
I didn’t have a lot of interest in reading at first either, but that’s because I didn’t come across anything that was interesting in the first place. A lot of adults pushed books on me that were dreary and way out of my age group at the time, but then I got into the TinTin series. Comic books and picture story books are a pretty quick way to get interested since they have both pictures and reading ;)
oh Leap year! yes, you are SMART!
i’ve seen TinTin all over walls on the street in Brussels :) interesting.
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I also owned this book when I was small, back in the 1960’s, and as soon as I read a story or see one of the illustrations from it, I am immediately transported back to my happy childhood. In time, the book was eventually lost but imagine my joy when, at a car boot sale, I suddenly spied that comforting familiar cover peeping out from a pile of old books. We shan’t lose each other again :o)
My mum had this book but got rid of it at some point. I just found it on eBay so happy!