CHILDREN’S BOOKS: A CHRISTMAS LIST

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22895, 16 December 1939, Page 16

CHILDREN’S BOOKS: A CHRISTMAS LIST

Another list of children’s -books appeared In "The Press” of November 11.

SELF-RELIANCE Paddle Your Own Canoe. By Lord Baden-Powell of Gilwell, O. M. Macmillan and Co. Ltd. 156 pp. (2/6 net.)

In this excellent book', the price of which should help it to a wide circulation, the Chief Scout tells “stories of the wild animals of the jungle and people of many lands,” and tells them in a wise, quiet; simple way, as if he were talking to a little group round ai camp-fire. He says he wanted a title that would express the idea at the back of his mind 'all the time; that “you should always try to rely on yourself and not on, what others can do for. you.” But it is an idea that shines widely round, and the variety of the Chief Scout’s tales is not limited by it. One of the best is that of the contest between the vulture and the little ting-ticky to be King of the Air—a neat little sermon on swank; another brings out of a pet boar’s trick of teasing a mare the value of a

sense of humour in a ticklish situa-, tion. Scouts are certain to read this book; other boys will enjoy it ,as much—or they should. A GRAND DOG Silver Chief to the Rescue. By Jack O’Brien. Illustrations by Kurt Wiese. Methuen and Co. Ltd. 156 pp. (5s net.) Boys and girls who love adventure stories will revel in this tale of Silver Chief, the husky dog, who helped his master, a Canadian North-West mounted policeman, to save a community from a diphtheria epidemic. Later the great dog fell under suspicion when animals constantly disappeared from the traps set by the men of the community; and his master set out to clear his name. A long trail led through many an exciting adventure amid the snow of the north till at last the truth Was discovered. Silver Chief’s little pup friend Mickey, of whom he appointed himself protector, enlivens with his fun this story of danger and surprises, of the wilds, of fierce Indians and bad white men, and good ones as well. ANOTHER PATRICIA LYNCH The Grey Goose of Kilneyin. By Patricia Lynch. J. M. Dent and Sons Ltd. 285 pp. (6s rtet.) Children who enjoyed Patricia Lynch’s. earlier books, especially “The Turf-cutter’s Donkey,” will appreciate the adventures of Betsy, the little grey goose and her friends Sheila and Fergus, and all , the friends they become acquainted with on their way to the fair. The book, is typically Irish’ 4- and full of fantasies and magical adventures in which the imaginative child can let her (or his) mind' roam freely with the friendly people who inhabit it. The illustrations, by John Keating, are delightful. > STORIED BEASTS The Green Frdg and Other. Stories. By Eric Wllsqn. Illustrations by Ernest Arls. W. and R. Chambers Ltd. 188 pp. (5s net.) Mr Wilson is a fine story-teller in the best sense of the term. He has ranged many lands for legends about animals and birds and reptiles and found a good story in every one of them. He comes to New Zealand to discover the fascinating tale about the kiwi and how she, lost her wings; pops across to Australia to find,out why the kookaburra laughs;, to China to discover why the chameleon can change his colour apd the green frog can’t; up to Scotland to gather the tale of Fiona Fairhair and the grey seals; back to Australia to learn how the myall people found out how to make fire; and so on and so on, and every story has beautiful pictures to make it more interesting still. This is a grand book for the imaginative child. STORIES BY A. A. MILNE A Gallery of Children: By A. A. Millie. Illustrated by A. H. Watson. George G. Harrap and Co. Ltd. 142 PP. (3s 6d net.) Mr Milne’s stories of children need no introduction, nor. do Mr

Watson’s illustrations. There are plenty of humorous bits to amuse the adult who has the task of reading them to the children, and there is never any fear that their attention will wander. Most charming is the story of the little princess whom the Good Fairy gave this gift, that wherever she went flowers wouldgrow. Which is why the little magic hill where she was allowed to play was always massed with beautiful blooms. That is just a sample; there are many almost equally good., BACK TO THE FARM Ben. By Primrose Camming:. With photographic illustrations by Harold Burdekin. J'. M. Dent and Sons Ltd. 94 pp. (5s net.) ■Another animal book, this tells the life story of Ben, a London carthorse. Ben is a magnificent animal and all children who love animals will take to him at once. The hard city streets play havoc with Ben’s sturdy legs and he goes back to his natural environment, the country, where his life is set in happier ways, on a farm. The soft going soon mends his legs and he begins to take his part in .the work. Here the children are introduced' to the routine of English farm life and to all the- animals and birds that belong to it. This happy* story is beautifully illustrated. » THE NUGGERS AND OTHERS Nagger Nonsense. By Catherine Scales. H. F. and G. Witherby Ltd. 166 pp. , (6/- net.) The Nuggers are nine, Mr Hans and Mrs Nugger and their family of seven. These Austrian dachshunds are a very likeable and amusing company, and their adventures, at home and abroad,- are related by Miss Scales in the j oiliest manner. Mr and Mrs Nugger, for example, take a holiday in Venice, where Hans’s plunge into brilliant society ends in a dismal plunge into the Grand Canal; and young Frederick, sent to England to further his education, at least gains the acquaintance of Jobina the. hen and some Muscovy ducks, all very pleasant creatures. Not all the stories are about the Nuggers; - but every child will have a special fondness for those in which this comical family appear, and for Mbubray Leigh’s drawings ' of them. ON FROM “THE LITTLE ROUND GARDEN” Little Round House. By Gladys Lister. Angus and Robertson. 115 pp. (4/6) Many children will remember the delightful fairy story called “The Little Round Garden.” Here, in “Little Round House,” are Blueboy and Merle again, only a- few months older, the Gardener, Mr Fairy, is back, too, and in the garden Kooka chuckles as before,among Snuffle and Muffle, the squirrels. Honey and Chirp, the birds, Crinkle, the cricket, and Tilly and Torty the tortoises, and the thing’s that happen and the things- to be learned, in this charm-

ing -place, are endless. Besides, Pixie O’Harris’s drawings are as much a part of the book as the story of the little dragon who pulled all the imps out of the snapdragon blossoms,' or Uncle Timothy’s tale of the Flicker Fairies and the Creak. Gnomes.

ADVENTUROUS ELVES The Adventures of Fudge. By Ken Reid. Hodder andi Stoughton. 128 pp. (3s 6d net.) Through W. S. Smart. Fudge is a joyous little elf and his friend Speck, the tree elf, is a fine companion for him. Speck’s one fault—if it is a fault —is his passion for inventing things, which often involves him in much trouble; and’ as Fudge is generally on hand as well, he often comes in for a share. But it is Speck who starts »them out on their greatest experience by inventing a boat. In this they embark on a voyage that leads them to all sorts of exciting places and among all kinds of interesting folk. It really leads them on their great flying adventure, when, mounted on the backs of migrating ducks, they visit far countries and see the Pearl King, a dreadful old man who carries Speck to his castle under the sea. Fudge appears as his rescuer, entering the castle magically disguised as a shrimp. Children will follow the tale with breathless ‘interest and want to see the splendid pictures with which it is illustrated. FLIPPERS Penguin Go Home. By Joyce Glover. George G. Harrap and Co. Ltd. 96 pp,,, (2s 6d net.) , Ginny is a little girl with a passionate love of animals. Her cup of happiness is full when she makes the acquaintance of a man with similar tastes, who home for retired circus animals. Her greatest friend among them is Flippers, a penguin, and her experiences with him make the story of the, book, which is appropriately illustrated.