The book I am searching for is an anthology of stories that include fairy tales and legends such as Tales of Robin Hood which covers his death, The Waterbabies, East of the Sun and West of the Moon, and Longshanks, Girth and Keen, I think even Aladdin, to name a few. It was at least 8×12 red and probably from the late 50’s or before, it had fallen apart by the 60’s. The collection was eclectic to be sure but it obsesses me. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Stump the Bookseller
New format, same book stumper solving.
I’m looking for an anthology/collection of children’s tales too! I recall even less than you–not enough even to submit a post–just a vague recollection of some delectable sweets made that may or may not’ve been bad in some way. Anyway–your mention of “East of the Sun, West of the Moon” makes me think that may’ve been in this collection too, so thank you for that. I wish I could help. I think my book is around the same age as yours, maybe a little newer. Good luck with your search!
Sounds like a volume from the Junior Classics set, either “Fairy Tales” or “Myths and Legends”. There were multiple edition of this 10-volume set beginning in 1918. I first read them in the 1950s.
Try the Andrew Lang series- The Red Fairy Book for instance- Each book title is a different color and they contain familiar as well as little-known tales. Still in print generations later.
Could it have been one of the volumes in the Childcraft or My Book House sets?
The Childcraft covers were orange and My Book House came in several editions with different covers. Both were lavishly illustrated.
Here is the volume your post made me think of:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/85396261/vintage-child-craft-vol-4-tales-and
I bet this was the My Book House set–example is here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lot-of-Olive-Beaupre-Miller-MY-BOOK-HOUSE-Complete-12-Volume-Set-1937-/272558192607?hash=item3f75bbf7df%3Ag%3ABAoAAOSw32lYpLeB
I had these as a child and remember those stories well.
Was it a really thick book? I remember having a set of books when I was little that my grandmother had given me, they were all thick red-bound books and each had a different theme. One of them was fairy tales.
You may be thinking of The Children’s Hour anthology series edited by Marjorie Barrows. We loved them and our mother still has the set. You can find it available from third party sellers on Amazon.
I had a big red book of fairy tales circa late 50s early 60s. It was an odd collection of all sorts of stories and poems. I recall it was The Children’s Treasure of Fairy Tales or something like that. Mine fell apart, too!
I remember learning to read from this big red book. A magic book that new stories would spring from its pages! Until one day it stopped 🙁
My favorite story was a chicken little type story, where a succession of animals had this conversation:
“You don’t say!”
“But I do say!”
“Why, so you did!”
Was it …..
MARGARET’S BOOK
by H. Fielding-Hall; Alfred H. Miles
Illustrated by Charles Robinson
Published by Hutchinson & Co.. 1st. 1913