Sometimes it's impossible not to judge a book by it's cover.
(Hi toes, fancy seeing you here!)
The stories are just as good as the design and illustrations.
Some original, some re-workings of classic fairy stories, many New Zealand tales.
The full set of 6, published by the School Publications Branch of the NZ department of Education in 1963-1969.
Many famous NZ writers and artists started their careers in the school publications department.
There is a wonderful book by Gregory O'Brien about the artists who worked there called "A Nest of Singing Birds"
Roy Cowan, NZ mid century modernist potter and print maker, and a favourite artist of mine illustrated one of the stories, Penguin Island. While it's not in the style he later developed I love the story/illustrations as they remind me of Moeraki/Fleurs Place!
There are a couple of GREAT James K Baxter, (facinating and famous NZ writer) childrens poems.
The red flowering tree there is the Pohutakawa, New Zealands Christmas tree.
Great condition! What a find! Overjoyed!
Oh the nostalgia!!!!! Those were the school journal reading books when I was very little!!! What an awesome find!
ReplyDeleteditto to Widge
ReplyDeleteOMG I remember these from when I was at primary school
What an AWESOME find
*swoon*
Stunning illustrations. Great finds, missus. xx
ReplyDeleteWow, they're fantastic. Amazing graphics and illustrations x
ReplyDeleteWow, those books are incredible. The illustrations are just up my street. You are very lucky to have found them. BTW, I remember visiting my Granny in Bruntcliffe near Morley, Leeds when I was a child. Happy days! x
ReplyDeleteOh my what great illustrations. Lucky you finding 6 at once. x
ReplyDeleteYou sure do have talent, lady! What a great eye you have :)
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness I learnt to read on those. They are amazing!!
ReplyDeleteWell, they made their way over to Australia as well. I read 'The Donkey's Egg'! They really are quite spectacular.
ReplyDeletei remember reading these books at school NOSTALGIC!!!!
ReplyDeleteOh I love these! Great finds :o) Scarlett x
ReplyDeleteThings you thought you had fogotten... till you see them again! Well found : )
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteMax! These are stunning finds! What a gorgeous set of books - the illustrations are absolutely gorgeous! :-)
ReplyDeleteJem xXx
They are gorgeous! *What* a find. The drawings make me think a little bit about Tove Jansson's.
ReplyDeleteOh wow, what fantastic finds!! I've been in Birkenstocks all day too!! Love Posie
ReplyDeleteFantastic illustrations! Great find.
ReplyDeleteLiz @ Shortbread & Ginger
I read these when I was at school, so beautiful, you are very lucky to find them and in such great condition.
ReplyDelete