Encyclopedia of Collectible Children's Books: Identification and Values [Hardcover]

This outstanding reference has a range of material and specificity of information on particular books and authors to be of use to collectors at all levels. Even though somewhat specialized, the area of children's books is of interest to large numbers of collectors and dealers, even ones not particularly interested in books. Children's books can be used for gifts for children or adults; in many cases, they are sought after mainly for their illustrations; children's books reflect social history in shedding light on education, domestic life, and raising of children. Some children's books--especially prized ones--are illustrated by major illustrators or artists.

The format is not strictly that of an "encyclopedia" with the conventional, straightforward alphabetical entries. Unexpected, yet plainly relevant and useful sections are succinct publishers' histories, a listing of Newbery and Caldecott Winners from their beginnings in 1922 and 1938 respectively thru 2008, a glossary, and a bibliography. A listing of childen's books by author of about 160 pages with hundreds of illustrations of book covers and another section of about 150 pages also with hundreds of illustrations are the encyclopedia-like sections.

More so than with most categories of collectible books, with children's books, publishers can be a sign of age and value. Books by McLoughlin Brothers, for instance, are usually from the 1800s and are desirable for their handcoloring or chromolithography. Scribner's is well known for its especially desirable series of classics illustrated by notable illustrators such as N. C. Wyeth. Many of Mark Twain's books and books by Jules Verne and Alfred Hitchcock and other authors who are not automatically regarded as children's authors are included--one example of the information and guidance in the range of coverage.

As for a sampling of the reference's depth, the Oz Series by Frank Baum is laid out over four pages. As with many classic children's books, including Mother Goose rhymes and A. A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh books, popular children's books have gone on from their first publication to many subsequent reprintings over decades. The treatment of the Oz series helps readers distinguish between first and early printings that can be worth thousands of dollars and later reprintings having little monetary value.

All in all, this is a exceptional, knowledgeable, reliable reference on the perennially popular field of collectible children's books, one of the major categories of book collecting.

Diane McClure Jones & Rosemary Jones' ENCYCLOPEDIA OF COLLECTIBLE CHILDREN'S BOOKS: IDENTIFICATION AND VALUES offers book lists by both author and series, the latest values, and color photos of selected books. The result is a fine survey perfect for any library catering to either general collectors or specializing in children's literature. It packs in the top collectibles and adds a healthy dose of publishing history insights to boot.

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