CHRISTMAS BOOKS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19508, 11 December 1926, Page 7 (Supplement)

CHRISTMAS BOOKS.

CHILDREN'S ANNUALS. cards' and novelties. J6 A veritable treasure-trove of -entertaining reading for young and old is contained in the Christmas publications from leading London and Australian houses. The children's story and picture books are a sheer delight, and the girl or boy who finds one of them ill the Christmas stocking will have good reason to feel satisfied with Santa Claus' visit.

Conspicuous in a great pile of books that have been forwarded for review are Blackie and Son's famous publications. These include books for children of all ages, from the simple picture books for the tiny tots- who know only the charm of coloured plates, to books of romance and adventure for boys and girls of maturer years. The famous Children's Annual, and its companion-publications, "The Little Folks" and "Boys and Girls" annuals, contain a wealth of reading matter and many beautiful illustrations, while the very small folk will find joy in the Big Book of Animals, Hofte Friends, and Playful Pets, pic-ture-books of sheer delight. The pictures are beautifully reproduced, and the books will make ideal Christmas presents for little Aucklanders, whose love of animals is proverbial.

From Cassell's come three celebrated annuals, "Chums," beloved of boyhood all the world over, the New Zealand Boy's Annual, and Tiny Tots. The New Zealand Boy's Annual, while not possessing any distinctive local features, is a capital book of all-round interest to boys. It contains many exciting stories, v and a section devoted to special articles on such fascinating subjects as wireless, aircraft, handwork of all kinds, and natural history subjects. "Tiny Tots" is one of the most charming of all the little folks' annuals, and its stories and Beautiful illustrations conform to the highest standard of children's literature. A budget of most interesting reading, well-illustrated, is contained in Nelson's Annual. This is one of the juvenile publications that every grown-up will enjoy reading. It .contains special articles and stories by famous writers, including Sir Henry Newbolt, John Buchan, also humorous anecdotes, puzzles, short stories —all the miscellaneous reading which entertains old and young alike. The Chummy Book "for all girls and boys who are good chums," the Children's Treasury, and the Boys' All-Round Book, containing tales of adventure, fiction, articles on sport and hobbies, are outstanding features of Nelson's Christmas publications and will be welcomed in tlie season's output. / Books for Boys and Girls. Conspicuous iii a pile of books for girls and boys are four books by Australian and New Zealand writers, "Funny," by Ethel Turner, "The Tower Room," by Marv Grant Bruce, "The Bachelor Girls," by 'Lilian M. Pyke, and "His Kid Brother," by Isabel M. Peacocke. The adventures of Ciem and Dal, two boys whoso father failed his wife and children, are told in the racy and interesting manner that have given . Miss Peacocke's books a vogue all their own. She has done nothing better than "His Kid Brother," a story of "real" boys, told with humour, pathos and charm. From Hodder and Stoughton comes a new edition of Bame's plays, '"The Admirable Crichton," and "Quality Street," beautifully illustrated by Hugh Thomson. These will make delightful Christmas presention volumes.

T. Werner Laurie are represented by a "cut-out" book and two little story books for children, by Margaret Baker, charmingly illustrated by Mary Baker. The Bodley Head forward a new edition of Sinbad the Sailor, whose adventures are retold and illustrated in novel and striking manner by S. G. Hulme Beaman.

From the Cornstalk Publishing Company comes "Budgeree Bill," by W. J. O'Neill, a typical Australian story, delightfully illustrated by B. E. Minns. Dolls and Toys. ~ < Numerous samples of the charming gifts for children manufactured by Dean's Rag Book Company have been also forwarded for review. • These show that British manufacturers are now producing an article that defies German or other foreign competition. The consignment includes several of the famous "Princess" and "Posy" dolls, beautiful to look at, charmingly dressed and unbreakable, also "Dismal Desmond," the gloomy pup whose gloom has come out on him in blotches. An assortment of stuffed animals and rag books for the babes comnletes an interesting and typically British line of goods. The Dean productions should solve the problem of the Christmas stocking for many harrassed parents. f J A Happy Christmas."

A review parcel of Christmas novelties and cards from Raphael Tuck and Sons contains many dainty samples of the beautiful art printing which has made the name of Tuck world-famous. The Royal Christmas cards, reprinted from the original designs prepared for the Royal House, are very beautiful. The King's card represents Henry V. and his bride, Catherine of Yalois," passing on their triumphal tour, while the Queen's card is a charming woodland scene, "Bluebell Time." The Prince of Wales has selected the fiag"Kin? George. Gibraltar, 1780," and Princess Mary "The Time of Flowers." " Bringing in the Yule Log" is the title of a charming card bearing the good wishes of the Duke and Duchess of York. A wide selection of Christmas cards and calendars, picture post-cards, painting and toy books, and daintv samples of paperware, complete, an artistic and varied selection of the famous Raphael Tuck productions.