CHRISTMAS GIFT BOOKS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19350, 10 December 1924, Page 10

CHRISTMAS GIFT BOOKS.

A SPLENDID SELECTION. With the near approach of the Christmas holidays samples are to hand from a number of publishing firms in the Homeland of the new books they are issuing to satisfy the wide-spread demand for presents and prizes. These include handsomely produced, beautifully illustrated volumes of stories for both boys and girls, elaborately got-up annuals and picture books of all sorts and prices for the very liters ones. Scarce a child can be found whose utmost desire Is not catered for in one or other of these books, the publishers represented including such well-known firms as Blackie and Son, T. C. and E. C. Jack, Cassells (per Whitcombe and Tombs), T. Nelson and Sons, and Stanley Paul and Co. Appended are some brief comments which may serve as guide to perplexed would-be purchasers, whether parents, guardians, schoolmasters and mistresses, or simply lovers of the little ones. X.—STORIES FOR BOTS. Among the many popular writers foi boys whose pens are annually engaged by Messrs Blackie, Mr Percy F. Westerman holds high .place as an authority on nautical subjects. “The Good Ship Golden Effort” (os net) is a stirring tale of the mercantile marine. “The Golden Effort” Is a modern cargo carrier; disaster overtakes her, her boats are launched in mid-ocean, and there ensues a thrilling adventure among hostile natives in a tropical lagoon. The hero, a beginner in “steam,” wins through to the satisfaction of the reader. Another capital book for boys Is “Planter Dick,” by Arthur O. Cooke (0s net), described as “A Story of Malaya. ' Dies Vellacott, “fed-up” with office work in Eondon, goes out to .work on a rubber plantation in Malaya, where he. has adventures with tigers in the jungles, experiences tr;«horrors of darkness and fatigue and even comes face to face with death Itself. It is a stirring story with a happy ending. An entire change of scene is presented in “The Golden Valley,” by Conrad Sayce (5s net), the story being of a search for opals in the deserts of Central Australia. It may be doubted whether this account Or Tom Fenn and his son Hector falling into the hands of the aborigines is true to type, but without inquiring too closely in that direction, at least it makes an exciting story. Of course, Tom Fenn finds a wonderful wealth of gold, and father and son return to civilisation to enjoy it. School stories never lose their charm, ana “The Eiveliest Term at Templeton,” by Richard Bird (5s net), is one of the best of its kind. Burt, the head of the home, is entrusted wtih the care of' a young scapegrace cousin called Jackson, who, after attempting a lock-out against the masters, disappears most mysteriously. The sport and the “rags” are well described and fully answer to the title, “The Liveliest Term.”

G A. Henty’s books never pall, and Messrs Blackie have done well in issuing a new popular edition of this author’s work at 3s Gd net each. Among the turns represented in this new form are “For the Temple,” a tale of the fall of Jerusalem; “In Greek Waters,” a story of the Grecian War of Independence; “Through the Sikh War,” a tale of the conquest of the Puhjauh; “Won by the Sword,” a tale of the Thirty years War. There is bound to be a brisk demand for these Henty books. Among living writers for boys few names are better known than is Lleutenaii.colonel F. S. Brereton, and in “John Bargreave's Gold” (4s net) there is publisher a new and cheaper edition of a tale of adventure in the Caribbean Another reissue is Mr Alexander Macdonald’s "The Quest of the Black Opal” (5s net), a story of adventure in the heart of Australia. Mr Macdonald knows the region of which he writes, and the result is a capital story In its correct setting.

“The Mystery of the Mine," by George Richmond (3s 6d net), is a story of a couple of scouts, “Curly” Compton and his chum Morry, who discovers a mystery in shaft of an abandoned mine. The book Is amusing besides being extremely exciting. “The War of the Axe,” by J. PercyGroves (2s 6d net), is a story of adventure in South Africa, and it answers accurately to its name. “Tony MaxwelPs Pluck,” by Geraldine Mockler (2s net), is a pleasing story of a brave boy who surprised burglars at work in a country hoqse. All these books for boys issue from the publishing house of Blackie and Son, whose name is synonymous for high grade books of excellent quality and production. lI.—STORIES FOR GIRLS.

_ Messrs Blackie are no whit behind either in quality or variety where-their gift books for girls are concerned, and one of- their best authors in this section is Miss Angela Brazil. " Captain Peggie ” ' (6s net) shows this writer at her best. The heroine, head of, her home at school, is harassed and handicapped by the arrival from South Africa of a harum-scarum cousin who- becomes her fellow-boarder. The new arrival canqot understand or appreciate English school traditions, and Captain Peggy sets to work to educate her, and she succeeds most admirably. Miss Bessie Marchant is another favourite writer for girls, and in “Sylvia’s Secret” (5s net) the scene is laid in Kingston, Jamaica. Some strange visitors visit the island, amongst them Crawder Sawley, the villain of the story, who causes Sylvia and her household much perturbation. In the nick of time the hero appears on the scene, and all is well.

Miss Evelyn Everett-Green is a veteran storyteller, and in “The Secret of the Old House” (3s fid net) she relates the adventures of Tim and his sister Dinah when they go to stay with their rich grandmother in the country, nearby being an old haunted house. They not only see the ghost, but succeed in making friends with it.

“The Two Dorothys,” by Mrs Herbert Martin (2a 6d net), and “Town Mice in the Country,” by M. E Francis (2s net), are two pleasing stories for girls. lII.—STORIES for CHILDREN.

There are some stories which are equally suitable either for girls or boys, and of those are “Biddy and Quilk.” by Evelyn Smith (5s 6d nei). This is a school story in which two little girls figure and make firm friends after some misunderstandings. “Lilias Next Door,” by Yera Wheatley (3s fid net), is a tale -of a tomboy and h4r friends, and “The Reign of the Princess Naska,” by Amelia Hutchison Stirling (2s fid net), is a dainty book of the fairy story sort!

Blackio’s Library of “ Famous Books ” covers a large number of woll-known titles at 2s net each. Among these may he mentioned “Andersen’s Favourite Fairy Tales,” “The Lancer of Lyrwood.” by Charlotte M. Yonge; “The Lighthouse,” bv R. M. Ballantyne; and “The Settlers in Canada,” bv Captain Marrvat The last-named story also appears in Blackie’s Is fid net Library for Boys and Girls, a handy pocket edition. From Messrs T. Nelson and Sons comes a copy of a capital story called “ Girls On the Gold Trail,” the scene of which is laid in the wild Northlands of Yukon and the Klondyke. It is a story of strange adventure. and calculated to fascinate the youthful reader.

many weeks under canvas. Nothing is forgotten. Nor when it comes to describing the actual stalking is anything forgotten. Instructions for tying up horses, how to proceed in the humble position of nursery days, how to carry a rifle, what bullets to use—these and a hundred other things the inexpert would never think of form the subjects for interesting instruction. Even the various actions of wounded stags are given in detail, though with diffidence, and the reader is asked to remember that exceptions prove the rule. Warning against the careless handling of rifle is not forgotten. A story is told of two eager stalkers who dimly discerned an animal looming large in the mast. The two stalkers crouched together, and, in whispers full of nervousness, decided that it was a big stag. They.fired together, and the animal dropped. With whoops of joy then ran forward to find that they had shot one of their pack-horses.

One more pertinent story: ‘‘A Scottish laird said to his head stalker, “I’m bearin’ that the new tenant o’ the next forest hasna mucklo 'experience?' "Deed no, sir,’ answered Donald; ‘but he’s as guid as his word—he promised to send «’ that he shot to the local hospital, and I’m seein’ two o’ his ghillies just ganging there in the ambulance.’ ’’

In a book with so «iany interesting diversions there is no reason why the West Coast should not be described from the point of view other than that of deer-stalk-ing. Indeed, the West Coast was a land of many good “yarns,” and Captain Donne does not miss the opportunity of telling his readers something of the stirring times of the gold rushes, and even of later times when the life of the pioneer was a hard one. There is no need for the author’s apology for his digression. It ia‘ an interesting chapter, and it is well that some of these tales of hardship and heroism should bo recorded, even in a volume on red deer. A short vocabulary of the Maori language and an appendix giving instructions for first aid, and for preparing a variety of camp dishes completes this veritably encyclopedic work. i Numerous excellent photographs give .added interest to the volume.

IV.—CHRISTMAS ANNUALS. The literary and artistic excellence ot the Annuals, prepared for children every Christmastide is beyond all praise, and “ Blackie’s Children’# Annual ” (5s net), the twenty-first of its lend, is, as ever, well to the forefront. The volume is replete with stories and verse uy well-known writers, and the pages are brightly embellished with pictures, in coloui and black and whiter from the pens of capable artists. A substantial volume of 200 pages, it is beautifully printed and handsomely bound. Another highly popular annual is the bound volume of “Chums” for 1924, published bv Cassell and-Co., and to hand per Whitcombe and Tombs. This volume contains more than 800 pages of serials and short stories, verses, articles, sketches, and pictures, all adapted to interest both girls and boys. Tire advantage of this annual is its comprehensiveness; it is a case of cut and come again, and the reader in' search of something fresh and interesting is seldom disappointed. For wet days in the holidays “Chums” is indispensable; for keeping restless youngster quiet, it is worth more than its weight in gold. A couple of other handsome annuals, pub. lished by Cassells at the moderate price of 8s each, are “The New Zealand Boys’ Annual” and “The New Zealand Girls’ Amfual.” Either book contains over 200 pages of stories, articles, and poetry, expressly arranged for the tastes of young l readers and profusely illustrated in colour and in black and white These annuals are the best value on the market at the price. ” Cassell’s Children’s Annual ” (7s) is a> handsome volume, designed for the use of the little ones. There is a beautiful array of coloured pictures, simple stories set in bold type, and some amusing and delightful verses. This is a, book to make merry tha heart of anv healthy child. „ An equally desirable annual, but at a lower price, is V 80-Peep,” correctly dascribed as “a delightful book of stories, poems, and pictures for children,” Hera again the pictures, many of them in colour, are a delight to behold. It is published by Cassells at 3s 6d. “Little Folks,” the magazine for boys and girls, has reached its 100th volume, and the bound volume for 1924 ouite holds its reputation. Published by Cassell’s at 7s 6d, it contains no fewer than four stories by popular writers, as well as a score or more of short stories, articles, plays, and verses. Under the able editorship of Mr Herbert D. Williams, the book is unusually attractive, and the hundreds of illustrations in colour and black and white are a feature of the volume. V.—FROM T. C. AND IX C. JACK. From Messrs T. C. and E. C. Jack comes a copy of a magnificently illustrated book of “Nursery Rhymes,” the picturing being the work of Jack Orr. AH the well known and immortal nursery rhymes are to bo found in this volume; there are sixteen colour plates and an abundance of black and white illustrations, which give new point and fresh meaning to the rhymes. Such a picture for instance as “Georgie, Porgie, Pudding and Pie,” is one of which a child can scarcely ever tiro, and “Little Miss Muffet” is a ioy to behold, to say nothing of “Simple Simon Met a Piemarg” and others of the same sort. This is a book for every nursery, for it, holds almost everlasting joy. A book of quite another sort, but every bit as valuable in its way is “Every Girl’s Book of Hobbies,” by Alias E. M. da Foubert. Clearly described and practically illustrated are articles giving instruction in such pursuits as embroidery, bcad-work, leather-work, rugmaking, raffia work, stencilling, lacquer work, photography, gardening, finishing, collecting, and bag-making. Once armed with this book no girl need ever spend an idle hour, and it caters besides for almost every imaginable taste. There is value in every one of its close upon 409 pages. Vl. PICTURES FOR THE WEE ONES.

The very little ones are capitally catered for in a series of admirably produced picture books; there is nothing crude in the design or colouring; on the contrary they tend to cultivate the artistic tastes and to appeal to that sense of beauty inherent in every child. “A Book ot Steamers” (2s net) contains a series of big, beautiful pictures in colour. “Granny’s Old Stories” (Is 9d net) is made up of several fairy tales for little folk, old favourites cleverly retold. “The Breezy Beacn Book” (Is 6d net) is essentially for the seaside. “The Train Book” (Is net) is all pictures arranged in an original fashion. “The Snowdrop Story Book” (Is net) contains simple stories and verse as well as nictures, and the same is true of “The Birthday Sto>~ Book” (Is net). Mention should also be made ot “The Seaside Story Book” (2s 6d net) and the “Annual Painting Book” (Is 6d net), which contains 15 pages of colour pictures with outlines for painting. All these are the products of the House of Blackie. From Cassel'is' comes a copy of “Tiny Tots” (3s 6d), a delightfully produced picture story book for little people, a feature of which are the charming illustrations.

VI STORIES FROM STANLEY PAUL... -Messrs Stanley Paul and Co. have launched a new series of gift books called “The Endsleigh Rewards, of which half a dozen titles by well-known authors are to hand. These include “Murray Finds a Chum,” “The Heroine of Chilton School; and “Nipper and C 0..” all by Miss May Wynne; “Crystal’s Victory” and “A ( Young Autocrat,” by Cecil Adair: and “Queen Manor School,” by E. Everett-Green. These reprints are nicely printed and well bound, and at 2s net per volume they should find ready sale this Christmastide.