Wordless Wednesday – Little Golden Books
I have my parents to thank for my love of reading. Both my older brother and I were encouraged to read as kids and had a myriad of books. My personal faves were almost anything by Enid Blyton and – even then I loved a good mystery… Famous Five, Secret Seven etc.
But Little Golden Books undoubtedly played a huge role in my life and my mother often talks about budgeting to buy us a new book each time we went to town.
Indeed our individual collections grew (pic left) and I did permit a friend some borrowing privileges.
I was really chuffed to receive a gift from my brother, sister-in-law and niece during their visit last weekend. I’d seen this book advertised, but not really known what it entailed. And… It. Is. Gorgeous.
Not only does it actually make a lot of sense – in a way that only a Little Golden Book can – but it brought back a myriad of childhood memories.
Were you raised by Little Golden Books?
Speaking of which… are they even still a THING?
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Lee-Anne
January 22, 2014I can relate well to this post, Deb, I was…am a huge fan of the books you mention – Enid Blyton, Golden books and other favourites. My mother read May Gibbs’ classic – ‘Snugglepot and Cuddlepie’ to me every night and I still have the battered copy.
That new book of yours looks great – I recognise the little Pokey Puppy! 😀
Debbish
January 22, 2014Oh yes! All the old faves are in there!
Char
January 22, 2014Oh yes! I loved Little Golden Books. There was one that my Grandmother had (can’t remember the title) about a curious bear who put his nose in a hive (or wasps’ nest – my memory’s hazy) and had his nose stung and it swelled up. That was my favourite.
Did you also read The Twins Of St Clares and The Mallory Towers series? They made me want to go to boarding school.
Debbish
January 22, 2014I don’t remember the Twins of St Clares / Mallory Towers but I’m sure I read some about kids in boarding school. (Did Enid Blyton write some in that vein I wonder?!)
Trish
January 22, 2014I adored LGB and the famous five and secret seven too.
I read all the boarding school books too and Trixie Belden.
I am going to look out for that book.
Thank you for sharing .
Debbish
January 22, 2014I LOVED Trixie Belden. I read Nancy Drew but she really didn’t compare to Trixie! 😉
@Kanga_Rue
January 22, 2014Yes,.I grew up reading LGB & Pickle has a selection of them now too.
Debbish
January 22, 2014I know my mum finds them but I rarely see them myself so wondered how available they are!
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me
January 22, 2014They most certainly are a THING and I have about 20 so far! I want to get more for my kids, while some are in old school language the messages are great! I used to love Enid Blyton and Nancy Drew x
Debbish
January 22, 2014I just never see them around much nowadays so wondered how popular they are!
Alicia O'Brien
January 22, 2014I was recently given a heap of old ones, sure did bring back some memories. We have the gingerbread man one!
Debbish
January 22, 2014Oh yes, I remember that one – in fact I remembered many from the coffee table book – though some weren’t familiar. I think the book’s American and wondered if the same books were available in the US and in Oz – particularly back in the 1970s etc.
Kerstin
January 22, 2014Never heard of little Golden Books, don’t think we had those when I grew up in Germany. But like you my mother always encouraged reading and to be honest, it was my favourite escapism method. We didn’t have a lot of money growing up so I got a lot of my books at the library and I loved going there and browsing the aisles and taking home a handful of books. Enid Blyton was also my all-time favourite author when I was a kid, all of her mystery novels as well as The Twins at St. Clare’s – made me want to live in a boarding school so badly! I also loved Astrid Lindgren and there were quite a few very good German authors.
Debbish
January 22, 2014Oh Kerstin… no Little Golden Books – but at least you had Enid Blyton. I’m going to have to familiarise myself with her books. I know there was a series about a boarding school – so that’s what you are talking about. It isn’t amazing that one person (Enid Blyton in this instance) had so much impact on so many lives across so many cultures!) And I know NOTHING about her!
Stephanie
January 23, 2014Love little Golden books. Have been reading my “old” books with my boy. You can still buy them too, i recently saw a stand of them at David Jones.
Debbish
January 23, 2014Oh that’s great. I don’t really see them around and was worried they weren’t a ‘thing’ anymore!
Tamara
January 23, 2014boy those books bring back memories. I don’t have any in my stash but I must go out and have a look.
Debbish
January 23, 2014I gave a HEAP away when I made my seachange just over a year ago. I set myself a limit re how many I could keep (like 5 or something!) but my mum gave the rest to the Church thrift shop I think.
Susan Lattwein
January 25, 2014That Little Golden Book made me laugh. I must look at it. For some reason, the Kitten Who Though He Was A Mouse worried me, one screwed up cat, identity issues there. The Little Red Caboose still has pop psychology status. And Little Mummy still fuels my mother guilt to this day. Bambi, how depressing – have you read that as an adult?? There were many wonderful titles, but the more I think on it now, what power Little Golden Book editors had over us! I loved Dr Seuss books, more empowering, and fought with my brother over who would get to keep our childhood copies.
Debbish
January 26, 2014Bizarrely I’d never even heard of Dr Seuss until I was an adult. I wonder if ‘new’ Golden Books are continuing to be written…
Neen
February 6, 2014I love Golden Books! I still have old my old ones from when I was a kid. They sell them in David Jones, both the old ‘vintage ones’ and some new ones. They cost less than $5 so I add them to lots of gifts.
I’m totally getting this book!
Debbish
February 7, 2014I’ve only seen the occasional ‘new’ Golden Book title so didn’t know they still make some of the old faves!