CHRISTMAS REWARD BOOKS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19981, 24 December 1926, Page 4

CHRISTMAS REWARD BOOKS.

A PARCEL FROM BLACKIE AND SONS. Once again Messrs Blackie and Sons are well to the fore with their Christmas reward books, in variety sufficient to suit boys and girls of every age, and presented in a form to satisfy all tastes. With experienced authors writing the stories, skilful artists drawing and painting the pictures, and the mechanical excellence in printing and binding for which this firm is famed, the result is so pleasing as practically to defy competition. The books for boys are ever in the lead. Aviation, its perils and its triumphs, is the theme of Mr Percy F. Westerman'a “The Riddle of the Air” (6s net), and it is told in a story in which two boys figure. “Play the Game, Torbury,” by Mr Richard Bird (5s net), telle how the spirit of a school in its sports life may be transformed by the introduction of tho team system. The title “Through the Heart of Tibet” explains the nature of Mr Alexander Macdonald’s story (5s net). The tales of the late G. A. Henty are always worth reprinting, and a new edition of “A Roving Commission” (3s 6d net) is welcome, describing as it does the tragic insurrection of the blacks at Haiti. Another splendid reprint is “The Submarine Hunters” (3s 6d net), from the pen of Percy Westerman, a story of naval work in the Great War. Two other capital boys’ books are “The Ball of Fortune” (2s net), by Charles Pearce, and “The Saucy Nan” (Is 6d net), relating the adventures of a stowaway by Henry Frith. The stories for girls are, if anything, even superior in quality to the books for boys. Mi?s Angela Brazil leads the way with a story of school life called “Joan’s Best Chum” (Cs net), and Mies Evelyn Smith follows hard after with another school story, “The First Fifth Form” (5s net). Yet another school story by the same author is “Terry’s Best Term” (3s 6d net). Miss Rosa Mulholland is popular with girl readers, and her latest story, “Narcissa’s Ring’’ (4s net) cannot fail to please. One of Miss Bessie Marchant’s earlier books, “Held at Ransom,” which appears in a new edition, is a capital story of colonial life (2s 6d net), and the same author is also represented with “Joyce Harrington's Trust” (3s 6d net), the scene of which is laicl in the Argentine. The taste of the younger girls is catered for in “Things Will Take a Turn” (2s 6d net), by that popular novelist. Miss Beatrice Harraden. Messrs Blackie are well and favourably known for their picture books, of which they publish a varied assortment. Their ‘ Boys Annual,” in its fifth year of issue, has a reputation for its stories of school, sport, and adventure, all by popular writers, with illustrations by artists of repute. This handsome volume is published at Ss net. For the very little one comes “The Big Book of Pictures and Stories” (6s net). Other picture books include “Old Dame Trot and Her Pig” (2s fid net) with inimitable coloured sketches by Frank Adams, “The Greenwood Story Book” (2s fid net), “The Blackbird Story Book” (Is fid net), and “Little Friends” (Is net). A sample of a useful series called “Rambles Through History and Mythology,” comes in the shape of a tastefully produced little hook, “How the Greeks Saved Europa,” by J. A. Brandon. FROM THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY. The “R.T.S.” supplies the cver-welcomo “Boys’ Own Annual” and its companion volume “The Girls’ Own Annual,” two books which combine an immensity of reading with abundance of pictures. “The Boys’ Own” (12s fid net), which runs to nearly 800 pages, is arranged to suit every kind of boy, with its exciting serials, interesting short stories, poems and articles of instruction and recreation. The book is, in fact, a treasure for the whole family. The same remarks apply even more fully to “The Girls’ Own” which, though of slightly fewer pages, excels in the quality of its contents. It is especially strong in illustrations and it sells at the same price (12s fid net). From the same house comes “Joel: A Bov of Galilee” (3s fid net), by Annie Fellows Johnston, who adopts her customary manner of dealing with incidents in the life of Christ in story form. An interesting story of London slum life is “Adel© in Search of a y Home,” by Dora Olive Thompson (3s fid net). Tho same author is responsible for another delightfully pathetic story of a similar type called “A Dealer in Sunshine” (2s fid nei). A PARCEL FROM NELSONS. Messrs Thomas Nelson and Sons are in no wise behind their rivals in the production of high-class gift books for the Christmas season. “The All-round Boys Book is a capital compendium of exciting fiction. articles on all branches of sport, tales of adventure, hints on hobbies, and what not. The list of authors headed by tho redoubtable John Buchan is enough to make the average boy’s mouth water with expectancy. It is a well-produced book, and the price (ss) places it within the reach of all. , „ , , In stories pure and simple Iselsons have a good selection. Two school yarns attract attention —“The Hope of His House, by •\ H. Goodyear, and “The School at None-Go-By,” by Ethel Talbot (5 s) each. “Geraldine, a Ranger” (3s 6d), by Helen B. Davidson, is a stirring story of the Girl Guides. FROM OTHER PUBLISHERS. From George G. Harrap and Co. comes a copy of a handsomely produced volume called’ “The Book of Many Lands,’ by Mi SS Dorotliv Margaret Stuart, author of another delightful book, “The Boy Through the Ages.” The new volume, which is profusely illustrated in colour and in black and white, conveys a capital idea of the people in the lands of Asia end Europe, the information being given in such a way as to attract all young renders. Adults also may add to their knowledge of other countries white turning the pages of this handsome volume (7s 6d net). From Mr 11. R. Allenson comes a boo' for bo vs by Rev. J. Cocker, a minister of the Methodist Church of hew Zealand, who is not unknown in Dunedin. It is called “Winning From Scratch, and it takes the form of 33 story talks to young people, Air Cocker has an attractive style, and he contrives to sheet home the moral by means of appropriate anecdotes (3s Cd net). “ There is no chance in results.” — Emerson. Neither is there any chance in Baxter’s Lung Preserver. Whenever you suffer from the discomforts of a cough or cold, you can be sure that “ Baxter’s ” is going to relieve you. “ Baxter’s ” is rich and warming, and has been relieving thousands of sufferers for over 60 years. Never fails to ease even the most chronic chest complaints. Builds up the constitution, too. All the chemists and stores sell “ Baxter’s.” Generous sized bottle, 2s -Id. — Advt.