Vintage Childcraft Books - Then and ... Then

 Childcraft, 1949 edition

When I was a child, we had a set of Childcraft books which were published in 1949, like the ones above. I don't know what happened to them, but I do know that by the time we kids had passed from childhood, they were well worn and most likely falling apart, especially Volumes One and Two.

Years passed. I grew up. I got married and had children.

When our last daughter was born, the ladies of the church held a baby shower for me. It was wonderful. We received many beautiful outfits for our new little girl. Some were for the newborn, some to be worn later when she was a size 24 mo. or so. They were all lovely, lovely gifts.

What I didn't know is that two of the women had conspired to find me a set of the 1949 Childcraft, like I had had when I was a little girl. It was the last gift to be given. After all the other gifts had been opened, a large box was dragged out of the bedroom and into the living room. I had no idea what it contained. This is starting to sound like a fairy tale, isn't it. Enter the jealous fairy who foretells of horrid things to take place in my future...

UNfortunately, when I opened the box, I couldn't suppress my surprise and delight at seeing those Childcraft books. They were beautiful, and in great condition. Technically, I suppose the first few volumes were in 'good' condition. I opened them to look through to all the favorite stories I'd known as a kid.  All the beautiful baby clothes lying about were nearly forgotten in this moment of excitement. (Actually, not much has changed in that department. Books always seem way more exciting than clothes.)

Looking back on it, I wish I hadn't made quite the fuss I did over the Childcraft set, but really...it was an extraordinary gift and obviously, someone knew that I'd been trying to track down that 1949 set.

  I could recite so many of the poems from those books, including 'Eletelephony.' (Still can, by the way.)

And then there was 'The Highwayman.' LOVED IT.

Just look at the beautiful artwork in that 1949 edition of Childcraft. It was enchanting!

Here's what Childcraft had looked like in the 1970s (above)

B.O.R.I.N.G.

 Yes, this was the same era as flocked wallpaper, plaid pants, and lots of orange and brown. Maybe that explains the mindset that compiled the artwork for these books. It was sterile and ugly. It had no soul.

Just take a look at the difference between the artwork of the late '40s and the '70s. It's really sad, isn't it!

And here's a little grandson, another generation enjoying 'The Sugar Plum Tree' from the old set of Childcraft, the 1949 edition. They're still residing on the bookshelves in the living room.

Do you have any books you loved as a child? Do you still have them? Have you been on a search for them and still not found them?  My best source for used books has been Abebooks.com. (or you might try the ladies in the church.) :-)

Do you love to browse used bookstores? When we visited our daughter and son-in-law in Texas, they took us to HalfPrice Books in Dallas. What a treat!!!

Don't miss our Father's Day Special

On now through June 16

at 

Homemade Soap'n'Such

Barely There
All-Natural Handcrafted Soap
...and many more.
Check it out! 

 You'll find me at These Linky Parties:
Mop it Up Monday and French Obsession and  Skip to My Lou and Bedazzle Me Monday and  What's in the Gunny Sack and  Making the World Cuter Mondays and Make the Scene Monday and  Made By You Monday and  Something I Whipped Up Monday and  Motivate Me Monday and  Making Monday Marvelous and Cozy Home Scenes and  Get Your Craft On and Tip Me Tuesday and Maiden d'Shade and  Inspiration Board and  Your Home Cozy and You're Gonna Love it Tuesday and  Made from Scratch Tuesday and  Take a Look Tuesday and  Tasty Tuesday and Tasty Tuesday and  Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays  and Two Maids a Baking and What's Cookin' Wednesday and Exodus 35 and DJs Sugar Shack and  Cast Party Wednesday and The Shady Porch and   We Did it Wednesday  and It's a Party at Creative Princess and Link it Up Thursday and Crafty Friday (Thursday) and Petals to Picots and  Threading Your Way and Lisa's Gluten-Free Blog and Favorite Things Friday and I'm Lovin' it Friday and It's a Hodgepodge Friday  and Creative Bloggers and  Serenity Saturday and Overflowing With Creativity and  Home and Family Friday

Faith of Our Fathers

Our firstborn son with his firstborn son.

We recently went to the cemetery to show the grandkids the stones of some of their ancestors. Isaac Timblin, our grandson's great great great great grandfather, whose headstone is pictured here, fought for the Union in America's Civil War. Apologies to my hero General Longstreet. Next to the headstone there is a United States flag along with a metal star and 'G.A.R.', standing for Grand Army of the Republic.

I think it's important for each generation to learn about those who've gone before - how they lived, the heritage of faith they passed on to us, how they worked and fought to make and keep us free.

I think it's interesting how even those who completely reject the very idea of God are surrounded by and daily take for granted the 'collateral benefit' from the blessing God has bestowed upon His people. No one can even imagine what it would be like for God to completely remove His hand from their lives. 

As Christ followers, we want to pass on a heritage of faith to our children. Not only do we love God, but we know that our only hope, plus the only hope for this country lies in repentance and obedience to God. 

II Chronicles 7:14: '...if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.'

Repentance - the word little spoken in many of today's churches. 

I thank God for the heritage of faith in Jesus Christ that was passed down through the generations to me and my family. I am thankful for my own godly father and every father who teaches his children to love and trust Jesus.