My oldest granddaughter loves fairies. When I was a child, I was given a book from my own grandmother. It had the most wonderful fairy stories. It was a book that was very old, very badly damaged. It had no cover. I remembered, though, that it was one of those books that had 365 bedtime stories. The illustrations were so great. I just loved that book, and I had always thought that it had belonged to my mother.
I have tried for a long time to find that book, typing in all the information that I could remember about it. I put it at 1930s, 365 bedtime stories about fairies. Didn't know the author. Didn't know what the cover looked like. Seriously, I've been looking for that book for months. Ebay. Better World Books.
I finally sat down to type up the next installment of her own little fairy story, about Bluebell. I got side tracked since surgery, but a couple days ago, I sat down and typed up four pages to make up for the fact that she had to wait longer than usual. I sealed up and addressed the envelope and put a stamp on it.
She can read those stories all by herself now, and the last time I was there, it made me very happy to see her perched on the edge of her bed in her room all by herself, reading her story.
When that pleasant task was done, once again, I thought of that book I had when I was a child. The stories were short, and the pictures were so sweet. She would be able to read it herself. If only I could find it! I went to Betterworld books and I began typing in information. Once again, I got nowhere. If I knew what the cover had looked like, it would help a great deal. On that site, you don't get to glance at the inside of the book, so I decided to take a look around e-bay. I saw a pretty nondescript cover (I think that there may have been a picture on it at one time, but it has been lost).
I'm so very excited about this book. The stories might be too old fashioned for her, but I think that she will love the pictures. I think that she will like thinking of her grandma as a little girl who loved imagining fairies just as much as she does. She will like thinking of her grandmother's mother being a little girl who loved imagining fairies too. (I hope.)
Today, I polyurethaned the extension jams and frames on the windows. I stained some trim to finish out the pantry and I painted some molding. Tomorrow, we're headed back and we will finish the trim work in at least one of the bedrooms. We are putting the finishing touches on, and that is exciting. We will be able to begin moving in furniture after a month or so.
And...now for the not-so-lucky find: I found another feral cat. The cat-whisperer got the crap bitten out of her today.
I'm so glad you finally found your elusive Children's Book about
ReplyDeleteFaeries, yay! I too had a couple of fav Children's Books I could not find and just wanted again. I'd memorized some of the Rhymes in them and still remembered them to this day. I too found both Books on E-Bay finally, Goops And How To Be Them... and More Goops And How Not To Be Them. Both were Manners Books about Goops, who were imaginary ill Mannered Children. Such a Joy to have and Read them again even tho' my Grandkids were too Old by then for Children's Books, I now have Great Grandkids who are the Age that might enjoy such Stories?
You know, Bohemian I think the secret is introducing the stories just right. I think that these stories will be just right for my grand daughter because they are short, most of them just one or two pages. I'm anxious to see what she thinks of the book. It's very silly how excited I am about this. Perhaps I am a Goop. :D
DeleteHow wonderful to find the book! Considering how little you had to go on. Your granddaughter (?) will be getting a treasurer.
ReplyDeleteI figured to sit and read it with her and look at the pictures. If she is not interested, I will bring it back home, but every fiber of my being hopes that she's enchanted.
DeleteTreasure, that is. Too bad about the cat, oh well.
ReplyDeleteIt was bound to happen.
DeleteNope, you are definitely not a Goop (I had a Goop book too and they were unkind and rude.....). Sorry about the cat bite, hope you are up to date on tetanus shot?
ReplyDeleteCeci
The illustrations are absolutely lovely! I am so glad you found your book!! How serendipitous! And fantastic!
ReplyDeleteI have a book I remember from about age 8. It was a series, written probably in the early-mid 50's. It was about a group of girls in a neighborhood. I think my library had about 3 books. The girls were always making plans and having adventures and my favorite was a progressive dinner. They went to each house and the mom would make a specialty. One of the moms was Portuguese and made something very special for them. It's silly, I know - nothing special. But when my daughters were that age I went to the library to find it. Of course it was long gone. I can remember where it was on the shelf and am guessing the author's last name started with a letter between E and L. I have looked on some websites that have book search but haven't found it. My youngest granddaughter has just started the Ramona books and I bet she would like this one too.
What a find!! How exciting!! (Yah, I would be over the moon over something like that!)
ReplyDeleteSorry about the cat bites. Did you capture the cat for a vet visit? Or is that what it escaped from being a part of?
How magical that you've found the book. Maybe the feral cat will calm down if you read some stories from the oldish book. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteLast year my daughter gave me a gift called Storyworth I think that is the name of it. Every week it asks me a question about my childhood, and I can write an experience from childhood. I write about things I did or had happen to me as a child, what my parents were like, my favorite pet and lives I write. When the year is over the company prints it out in a hardcover book. my daughter said she is not reading them until the book is finished. I think my grands will love reading about their gram and great grams. I do enjoy writing the stories sometimes relive a special time in my life.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely idea, I must look into that.
DeleteI am SO Pleased you finally found your mother's fairy story book and now you can share it with the next generation (sounds like it was a bargain too!) Those illustrations are magical. I saved all the Cecily Mary Barker flower fairy books in the hope of grandchildren, and also the Brambly Hedge books (adore those myself). Rosie will now benefit. She is always bringing us a book to read to her.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous - another "gram" here - that sounds like a great idea to write down all your childhood memories. So much gets lost. I do Family History and for my dad's mum, I have so little information and died young.
P.S. Sorry there is another feral cat and even more sorry it is not appreciative of your help . . .
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful that copies of that book can still be found and not been thrown away or allowed to disintegrate somewhere.
ReplyDeleteReal treasure.
It appears the Cat Distribution System has you firmly in its sights
ReplyDeleteHow lovely that you finally tracked down your childhood book. I'm sure your granddaughter will love it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great feeling to find a book you loved so long ago! It's almost like magic. If I am looking for a book, our library has a wealth of people who have these amazing search engines that they use, and are able to find books with just a few words of description. Oh lord, yet another feral. Cat bites are pretty awful. I ended up in urgent care from a bite from a feral we were trying to trap. Had to get a tetanus shot. The flow of cats never seems to end.
ReplyDelete