CHRISTMAS READING FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 72, 18 December 1928, Page 41 (Supplement)

CHRISTMAS READING FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

OOKS, always a popular form of gift for young people, arc in greater demand than usual this year. Publishers , now appear to be making a conscientious effort to cater for the young reader, and year by year it is pleasing

to observe the development which is being made in this phase of the publishing business. At no time since the making of books began has so much attention been given to the readying requirements of the child. One result of this effort on the part of the leading publishers to cater for the young and inquisitive mind has been a remarkable growth in the sale of such books. Children, who now find it possible to read books which tell them the things they want to know; which not only inform, but amuse and entertain as well, are demanding them in preference to many other kinds of gifts. The book stores to-day display wide selections of juvenile works which make the task of selection a comparatively eaj one. This Christmas, all who have to buy gifts for children should make a point of including at least one good book. Ward, Lock and Co.'s popular Gift Book Series include works by many popular children’s authors. We have received “Tatters?” by the New Zealand author, Isabel Maud Peacock; “Judy .aid Punch,” by the ever-popular Ethel Turner, and “Golden Fiddles,” by Mary Grant Bruce. “Tatters” is a delightful story that will appeal to either boy or girl. An entertaining story of a loyal little dog of doubtful it will make an ideal gift for the boy or gir' ho owns a pct—or has visions of doing so. Ethel Turner’s stories of Australian children have . .at wi'h well-merited success in New Zealand, and those who enjoyed “Seven Little Australians” should have “Judy and Punch,” which describes the further adventures of the delightful Judy. “Judy and Punch,” in common with most of the author's books, has an Australian setting, and reveals a sympathetic understanding of the child's joys and adventures. “Golden Fiddles” is one of the most satisfactory books that Mrs. Bruce has written. It deals with a theme that is dear to one heart of every child — the struggles of an impoverished family, and the heroic self-sacrifice and deeds of the children. The queer “Mr. Jigsaw” (Cornstalk Publishing Co., per Angus and Hobertson, Sydney. 2/6) is just the character that appeals to children. His habit of falling to bits when scolded is sure to afford young readers untold delight while his adventures will call forth a demand from the juvenile reader for a sequel. Miss May Gibbs, whose gum-babies are so popular with children. has prepared another series of delightful drawings, which reveal the further adventures of the kangaroo, the bandicoot, and other xVustralian animals. “Bib and Bub,” as the new ■ volume is entitled, is also issued by the Cornstalk Publishing Company. ; Well printed in bright colours, it will . •appeal to the tiny tots. Generally sneaking, a book on bis- 1 tory would be considered out of place i in a list of Christinas suggestions, but 1 the “Child’s History of the World,” . by V. M. Hillyer, is a volume that will i . afford many young folk much more :

real enjo-ment than most books of fiction. Mr. Hillyer has solved the problem of describing historical incidents in such a manner as to make them of absorbing interest. The normal child, who wants to know who was the first king, and why such-and- . such a knight was executed, how the world began, will derive much satisfaction from a study of this book. The , “Child’s History of the World,” we venture to say, will keep many a child thrilled for hours on end. It will also be found a useful adjacent to the teacher’s library. Our copy is from the publishers, Messrs'. George Allen and Unwin, Ltd., and is published at 7/6 net. Messrs. J. M. Dent and Son have, as usual, published an excellent selection of books particularly appropriate for the Christmas season. “A Christmas Book,” compiled by D. B. Wyndham Lewis and G. C. Heseltine, is an anthology of ballads, poems, carols and other writings bearing on the festive season. There is something in its varied contents to interest everyone, from the lover of classical reference to the child who wants to hear fresh versions of the most beautiful _£tory in all the realms of literature. “A ' Christmas Book” is published at 6/-. Miss Dearmer MacCormac, a young New Zealand writer of children’s tales, is introduced to us by Messrs. Dent. “Patty who Believed in Fairies” is the title of Miss MacCormac’s first book, which has just been released. Many old favourites of the nursery, including Father Time, The Dustman and the Season Princesses are met throughout its pages but the author’s treatment of these characters will bring new joys to the children who have previously heard of them. Miss MacCormac displays a sympathetic •understanding of the child’s craving fori stories of the land of make-believe, and satisfies that demand in a particularly happy manner. Many beauti-

ful illustrations by Miss Olive Lloyd, another New- Zealander, add much to the charm of this book, which will gladden the heart of every child lucky enough to receive it this Christmas. Other children’s publications from Messrs. Dent include “Looking out of Jimmie,” by Helen Hartness Flaud- : ers. Through they eyes of a little boy, the author visualises the workaday world, and gives expression to the child’s views in the form of poems of pleasing quality. “The Little Blue Man,” an English translaation of a clever Italian puppet tale is an unusual kind of story about the ever-popular puppet show. Profusely illustrated, it is published at 3/6. “The Magic Pawnshop,” by Rachel Field (6/-) is a pretty little story of a child’s adventures in a wonderful pawnshop. Not every day adventures, but experiences in which magic, witches and fairies play an important part. “In Ireland the Fairies are of Different Kinds,” we are told in “Slumbudget,” by Helen Simpson (Heinemann. 6/-), and the author proceeds to tell about some of them. William, a little boy who met several of these delightful fairies, had many wonderful adventures, the reading of which will delight the average child. The quaint illustrations in colour add a distinctive touch to the book, which contains many fairy tales which are “different.” Poems and verses are always in demand for children, and the “Golden Staircase” (T. C. and E. C. Jack, 10/6) will be found a useful anthology of child verse, including some 300 modern copyright poems. Many' old favourites, difficult to obtain to-day. are included in the selection, in addition to many lesser knoown compositions that have gained inclusion on account of their merit. “The Eye of the Peacock,” by Olive Barton (Nelson, ."/-) is the type of adventure story that appeals to boys of all ages. Buried secrets, weird caves, thrilling escapes and wonderful treasure are the ingredients of this fast-moving tale. A really exciting book. “Peterina on the Rescue Trail,” by E. E. Cowper (Nelson, 5/-) describes the adventures of a girl among the Indians of North America. The girl who lovx>s the great outdoors will enjoy this book if she can keep it away from her brothers long enough to read it. “The Girls’ All-Round Book,” edited by Mrs. Walter Wood (Nelson, 5/-) is a splendid example of the latest development in girls’ annuals. It can be said that this well-written and profusely illustrated volume will interest a very wide range of readers. While there are numerous tories by popular authors, its popularity will no doubt be due to the excellent articles which deal with all phases of a young woman’s activities. All branches of sport tire discussed by expert writers, who offer many useful suggestions to the reader who would become proficient in such activities as tennis, swimming and athletics. There are also a number of very informative articles on careers, books and sweet-making. “The Jolly Book for Boys” (Nelson. 3/G) provides a varied selection of stories which make a special appeal to boys. Tales of Australian dingoes, the , Alps in Switzerland school life, Chin- , ese adventure, boy scouts and animal life rival each other in interest. Numerous illustrations add interest to the

text. - “Number Six Joy Street” (Basil Blackwood, Oxford) is a beautiful book. A host of popular writers, assisted by as many leading artists, have combined to produce a book that 1 any child will treasure. The many beautiful coloured plates which bright- '• en up the pages of this volume will be a source of delight to the reader. Prose : and verse are nicely balanced, and the i work of such well-known writers as J Walter de la Mare, Compton Mackenzie, Lord Dunsany and Laurence i Housman indicate the high standard i of the matter presented in “Number ] Six Joy Street.” ] There are few homes in New Zealand to-day which do not boast of | radio equipment, be it only a humble ; crystal set. The rapid development , of radio has brought the operas, the classics and music into the homes of j all. Young people, in particular, ( are influenced by the culture which is , broadcast and to them especially is 3 “Nelson’s Annual” recommended. A , careful study of this excellent volume j will enable the reader to derive great- , er enjoyment from his radio set, and , enable him to intelligently follow ! many of the items which may be more , or less unintelligible to him at the 1 present time. “Nelson’s Annual” 1 which is edited by Dr. Richard Wilson, J provides a budget of good reading, ‘ which includes contributions by “Q.” John Buchan, Morley Roberts, St. j John Lucas, and many others. Verses ■’ for recitation, tales from the Operas, sidelights on the great composers, and t puzzles are all to be found in this unusual volume. The coloured plates, c which include the work of such re- f nowned artists as Sir Alfred East, G. I F. Watts. W. Holman Hunt, Byam t Shaw, Sir E. Burne-Jones and Rosset- a ti make “Nelson’s Annual” a work of r art that merits a place on every book- 1 shelf. t