The Marginalian
The Marginalian

Reads tagged with “vintage children’s books”

The Slightly Irregular Fire Engine: Donald Barthelme’s Irreverent Vintage Children’s Book
The Slightly Irregular Fire Engine: Donald Barthelme’s Irreverent Vintage Children’s Book

“Mysteries are not to be avoided. Rather they are a locus of hope, they enrich and complicate. That is why we have them.”

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Blast Off: Visionary Vintage Children’s Book Celebrates Equality, Diversity, and Space Exploration
Blast Off: Visionary Vintage Children’s Book Celebrates Equality, Diversity, and Space Exploration

“The blackness of space was dotted with stars.”

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Lisbeth Zwerger’s Imaginative Illustrations for <em>Alice in Wonderland</em>
Lisbeth Zwerger’s Imaginative Illustrations for Alice in Wonderland

“Lay it where Childhood’s dreams are twined…”

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Mr. Bliss: Tolkien’s Little-Known Children’s Book for His Own Kids, Lovingly Handwritten and Illustrated by the Author Himself
Mr. Bliss: Tolkien’s Little-Known Children’s Book for His Own Kids, Lovingly Handwritten and Illustrated by the Author Himself

“‘What color?’ said Mr. Binks. ‘Bright yellow,’ said Mr. Bliss, ‘inside and out.'”

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The Book about Moomin, Mymble and Little My: Tove Jansson’s Playful and Philosophical Vintage Masterpiece
The Book about Moomin, Mymble and Little My: Tove Jansson’s Playful and Philosophical Vintage Masterpiece

The gloriously illustrated story of an errand turned adventure turned existential parable.

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Lisbeth Zwerger’s Rare and Soulful 1984 Illustrations for Oscar Wilde’s “The Selfish Giant”
Lisbeth Zwerger’s Rare and Soulful 1984 Illustrations for Oscar Wilde’s “The Selfish Giant”

A bittersweet tale of transformation and self-transcendence through a single act of kindness.

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Carson McCullers’s Little-Known 1964 Illustrated Children’s Book
Carson McCullers’s Little-Known 1964 Illustrated Children’s Book

Refreshingly direct verses with a strong existential bend and an undercurrent of science and astronomy.

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Upside Down Day: Rare and Wonderful Vintage Children’s Book by the Head of NASA’s Public Affairs Office
Upside Down Day: Rare and Wonderful Vintage Children’s Book by the Head of NASA’s Public Affairs Office

An ode to those times when everything seems backwards.

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I Can Fly: A Heartening Vintage Gem by Ruth Krauss, with Illustrations by Celebrated Disney Artist Mary Blair
I Can Fly: A Heartening Vintage Gem by Ruth Krauss, with Illustrations by Celebrated Disney Artist Mary Blair

Simple verses with a thoughtful message.

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The Hating Book: An Illustrated Vintage Parable About What Every Friendship Needs
The Hating Book: An Illustrated Vintage Parable About What Every Friendship Needs

“You’re ugly and dumb. Being with you was never fun.”

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