Category Archives: 1950s

276E: A Pekingese puppy and a mystery (Solved)

The book that I’m looking for was written sometime between the 1940’s and 1960’s (or so).  It was about a young woman who moved to live with her glamorous aunt in London.  Her aunt gave her a Pekingese puppy that she named “Peke Ah Boo”.  There was some kind of mystery having to do with the house next door and possibly a young man who turned out to be a spy?  It may have been a YA book – the copy that I had was hardcover in robin’s blue but there may have been a dust jacket at some point since I don’t remember any identifying marks on the cover.

Any help would be appreciated greatly, it’s driving me crazy!

273C: Four Corners Young Adult Mystery

It’s a young adult mystery set in Four Corners area (Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Arizona).  A family moves to the Four Corner Area and the teen aged kids get involved with a museum.  The mystery involves oil and artifacts from the area.  The name of the book include the words “Black Gold,” but I’m not sure.  I read the paperback in the later 50s or early 60s.

269C: Vintage Girls Skipping Rope

The book I am looking for is a hardback, large sized (slightly bigger than A4), picture book that would have belonged to my mum, so printed early 60’s maybe?  It had a pastel green cover with a picture of several girls playing, at least one of them was skipping rope.

The girls were drawn with the chubby cheeked vintage look similar to Strawberry Shortcake/Holly Hobbie.  The pictures closest to what I remember are the books by Maria Luisa illustrated by MR Batlle.  I think they wore the puffy caps similar to Strawberry Shortcake too, and maybe wore aprons over their dresses?  I seem to remember one of the girls wore glasses.

I don’t remember what the actual story was about but it may have been about going to school.  I have absolutely no idea of the title or author sorry but I would love to be able to find this book again!

Even if you had some clues about authors/illustrators that had similar style drawings I would be grateful.