Vintage books

In the course of clearing out the house, we discovered some vintage books. Vintage sounds nicer than old. 

They were mine when I was little. One is older still, marked with Grover’s name, a first cousin of my mom.

Originally priced from 25 cents to 39 cents, some now go for about $10 online. But they probably are in better shape than mine. When I was quite young, I didn’t have the appreciation for books I gained later. There are pen marks and scuffs. I drew stars on poor Mr. Flopears’ rain coat. I’m sure I thought it was too plain and needed a pattern. 

My favorite was “Whose Baby Is That?” It’s a sweet tale of forest animals worried about the baby doll left in the woods as a winter storm is coming. 

I flipped through the oldest book, Grover’s “Counting Rhymes” book from 1946. I came across “Monday’s Child.” I knew it from my childhood — you might, too. I knew being born on a Thursday I had “far to go.” I always assumed that meant travel. Under present circumstances, it’s appropriate. 

The girl in the red bonnet is Thursday's child.

Then I noticed the illustration of the children representing the days. The little Thursday girl in her bonnet has reddish hair. I’ve even worn my hair like that! And you all know how I love my hats. (Or maybe I need to write about that — I digress.)

I’m not sure what I’ll do with the books. My son scanned some of them so we’d have them electronically.

Probably the most interesting was the “Song of the South,” which Disney has purged from its library. The book features the cartoon style from the movie — although I’m not sure which came first — and the Southern dialect, which is not politically correct at all today. 

I still remember my dad reading it to me and doing all the voices. I guess he didn’t know it was offensive, either. It was a different time.

Maybe someone wants these old books. But not me any more. I’ve got to travel light, because I have far to go.