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172A: Book of Children’s Poems and Stories (Solved)

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In the mid 50’s, I spent most of my time when visiting my grandmother, immersed in the volumes of books she had in her library. One book, or story, haunts me and I would love your help. This was, I believe, a blue hardcover children’s compilation of poems and short stories. It is all pen and ink; beautiful drawings.

One of the first stories is of a baby in a beautiful cradle with white bedding being placed in a beautiful garden near the family home. A wind begins to blow and animals (bears?) wander out of the dense woods and…? The book could have been written in the early 1900’s (20’s or 30’s), I have no recollection of the title of the story/poem or the name of the book. Not much to go on but I would welcome any suggestions.

171I: illustrated children’s non-fiction book

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I’m looking for an illustrated children’s non-fiction book from the early 1960s, a collection of several stories. The only two I remember clearly are 1) an account of the killing of Blackbeard the pirate, and 2) a theoretical account of the first moon landing—wrong as it turned out, since it posited a re-entry vehicle with wings and landing gear. Thanks for any help!

171G: scary short stories book from the 80’s

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I remember a bit about a few stories from the book. 1) A blob like thing killing people 2) A small friendly alien that a child is able to see in his house. The creature is surprised the child can see him and makes some adjustments to something so he cant be seen next time. 3) A third was set in the future where a child asks an older person what a book is, and the adult says “words that stay”.
I could be remembering wrong but I think those were all stories from the same book.
The book could have been published in the 70’s or 80’s, I remember getting it from the library sometime in the early 80’s.  I hadn’t finished reading it and my dog destroyed it, pages all over my back yard.
Thanks for any help you can provide!

171F: Grand Piano Shaped Book

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In grade school (1970-75) one of my favorite library books had an odd shape — best I can describe, it was like a grand piano from the top. Don’t know author or publisher. I could be totally wrong, but I feel CERTAIN the title was “The Secret Dragon’s Other Handbook.” I guess it’s about dragons. 🙂

171E: 1970/1980 Collection of stories on character. Little boy, girl with mom/dad. Colored illustrations throughout.

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It was in my church library in the early 80’s. It was hard cover and had lots of short stories in it. One of the stories there was a little girl with a dress, knee socks and shoes, she was wearing a headband and holding a white bible on her way to Sunday school. I The church in the picture was a little white church with stained glass windows I think. The front may have had a boy and a girl on it and possibly parents. It was a collection of stories on church/morals/character…Title might have had the word happy in it? Cover was white…and hard covered.

171D: Money

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I believe the title of the book I am looking to find is called “Money”
It’s about several children who find hidden money in an old man’s house and agree to keep it a secret, so they can not use any of it.
One of the boys is obsessed with getting candy, another wants to invest in stocks and bonds…definitely a girl in this group, however I can’t remember who it was she wanted to buy.
If you can help identify the book I would be delighted. The title always brings up millions of response in search engine and of course, the first few hundred are Martin Amis “Money” — however, that story is very different than the book I seek.

171B: Young Boy Feels Banished (solved)

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Child’s chapter book, designed for ages 8-11. Published late 80’s or early 90’s. A  young boy is brought to spend the summer with his great aunt and uncle. Feeling banished and angry, he refuses to stay in touch with his parents. Little by little, however, he opens up to adventures of life in the country, making friends with his relatives, with their pet hen (who they speak to only in French: “Va te coucher, Pauline”) and with a young girl on a nearby farm. Toward the end there is a wild search for the beloved hen.