I’m looking for a children’s poem book published probably in the 1950s (it was read to me in the late 1950s-early 1960s) that included a poem with the line, “Elephang, Pelephant, walla walla welephant,” or something like that.
Category Archives: 1960s
290M: Discoveries in grandma’s house
I checked this book out of the library numerous times between 1964 and 1966. I don’t think it was new at that time. A little girl and her family relocate to a home that used to belong to her grandmother/great-grandmother. While remodeling the house, a door that had been covered over was discovered. The hidden room had apparently been used as a hiding place during Indian raids. There is also a large, hollow tree in this story. I cannot recall if a leather trunk with the grandmother’s initials in nail heads, was found in the hidden room or the tree, but inside is a beautiful doll with beautiful clothes. One outfit was definitely an elegant riding habit. It is possible that the little girl was named after the grandmother so had the same initials as those on the trunk.
I hope this rings a bell with someone. I have tried, unsuccessfully, in the past to discover this long lost, well-loved treasure from my youth.
290L: The Girl With the Disappointing (Mustard-Colored) Walls
Thanks to the Sunday NY Times, I now know who to ask the question that has been nagging at me for years: what O what was the book for teens (they didn’t call them YA novels yet) that I read in the 1960s (might’ve been published then, but also could’ve been published in the late 1950s) in which a daydreamy teenage girl envisioned painting her room gold, then painted it, then was bitterly disappointed that the walls were in fact “mustard yellow.” I remember nothing else about the girl, the story (or the walls) but the book must have had some kind of profound effect on me, because I’m over 60 now, a novelist and an English professor, and have read many, many novels since–and I’ve never forgotten it.
290K: 50s or 60s girl with doll builds wagon, makes friends
I read this novel in 1963 or 1964. A little girl is left to live with a childless couple in an apartment building, because her father goes away for work. The other children in the building talk about her among themselves, thinking she is like a snooty princess. But no, she is a very lonely little girl, and has only one possession, a doll. There is a broken wagon, and the children become friends with the girl when they all work together to repair the wagon. The wagon is a bed for the doll and it is given to the girl to take with her when her father returns.
289B: A little boy and his pony
I am trying to locate a title of a book
The book is from the 1950s or 1960s. It is a children’s book about a little boy and his pony. Him, his dad and grandpa are searching for a baby calf.
It is a hardcover book – blue in color but black and white pages.
My dad is trying to remember the name to hopefully track down the book to buy for my little girl.
288H: Angel Uriel directs Heaven’s music
A book from the 1960’s! It is about Angel Uriel directing Heaven’s music. Middle grade level, blue and gold cover. Earthly part takes place in Germany, I think.
288C: Family of mice take a beach vacation
I’m looking for a children’s book from the 50’s or 60’s. I can’t remember the title. The book is about a family of mice that ride a train to the beach for vacation. They are dressed up like people (in clothes) for the train ride and I can see (in my mind) their little tails coming out of their clothes. They love the sand, the beach and the creatures on the beach.
The illustrations are color but I’d say that they are pretty minimal – that is to say – great illustrations but not a lot of extra stuff in them.
I sure hope you can locate this book.
288A: Beginning Reader about animals
This is probably really impossible, but I read a series of books about a group of animals in the 60’s. The otters seemed to be a main family, it was a young reads book not a picture book. I can’t remember the name and the title, but was hoping someone would know of it.
I know this is all very vague, but I thought it was worth a try.
287C: A tree in the forest with special powers
Looking for a children’s chapter book from the 1960s or early 70’s about a tree in the forest that has special powers. I recall that the vines were alive as was the tree – but I recall only a girl in the story could communicate with the tree and either visited or lived beneath the ground by the tree? For some reason I recall descriptions about being under the ground at times. I don’t think it was a scary tree. More like a friend and protector to the girl. Would love to track it down if possible.
286B: Patrolling the stars
1960s or 70s sci-fi children’s book series. It was about a space-faring duo patrolling the stars in a tiny two-man bubble-craft similar to the “Enterprise”, they encounter a ship called the “Pointspeed.”