The New Golden Encyclopedia

The New Golden Encyclopedia

Dorothy A. Bennet

illustrated by Cornelius DeWitt 1964

Cornelius DeWitt illustrations in this vintage Golden Book encyclopedia are just fantastic.  This is why I collect vintage picture books!  Some of the style reminds me a bit of the Mexican artist Miguel Covarrubias (who's work I just love!).  Even though the information in these old encyclopedias can be outdated, they are still a really fun way to learn and explore, especially when the pictures, like these are so engaging.

 

This is Rome

Brilliant midcentury design and illustration are the hallmarks of  Miroslav Sasek's city books from around the world.  We have a couple I've picked up second hand and I thought it was cute that I found This is Rome on the same shelf as Just Being Audrey at the thrift store (it immediately brought to mind the movie "Roman Holiday"!)

This is Rome
M. Sasek 1960

The Noisy Indoor Book

 Another "Noisy" book in Margaret Wise Brown and Leonard Weisgard's collaboration.  Featuring Weisgard's bold illustrations and the cute dog Muffin who has to stay indoors because he has a cold.  

The Indoor Noisy Book

Margaret Wise Brown

pictures by Leonard Weisgard

The Jungle Book

No way was I going to pass up this illustrated Jungle Book at the thrift store!  Part of the Golden Press midcentury era of children's books, they are wonderful to find second hand.

The Jungle Book

Rudyard Kipling

illustrations by Tibor Gergely 1963

The familiar Disney story is here, with Mowgli and his adopted wolf family and friends, but I highly recommend reading Kipling's original treatment, it's so much richer and enjoyable.