Betty Or Bettie?

The Child's World First Reader, published by Johnson Publishing Company, 1917

Oh to be young and conflicted as to the best spelling of your name.... B-E-T-T-Y or B-E-T-T-I-E? And now Miss Betty Doris Winn's reader has found its way to my studio.

Chimera Collage

Chimera, original collage on old children's primer cover

I read somewhere recently that September is National Literacy Month. We always have a couple of read-aloud books going with Lizzie in addition to our own individual books. This week we maxed out our 50 book limit at the library. hah! Guess that's the way it goes when you home-school. Patrick and Lizzie are reading the newly released Sky Pyrates Over Oz. Lizzie and I have just started Little Women (we're on chapter 4 of 47). Patrick and I are both trying to read this book (at the same time) and keep stealing it back and forth. Lizzie just discovered the historical fiction books published by American Girl (thus our maxed out library card!) and I've been listening to the original Grimm's Fairy Tales while I work in the studio at night. I'd love to hear what you've been reading!

The Pot & The Kettle

The Pot & The Kettle, illustration by Rhoda Campbell Chase

I found this gem of a fable tucked inside a first grade reader from 1917. Sharing it today just 'cuz I'm dragging my feet getting started with the week. More about its origins here.

Mended Pages

More often than not it is the imperfection of a thing that makes it special. When I'm browsing through old books for collage material the pages that have flaws are the ones that stand out to me. Whether they are mended, scribbled, torn or stained these blemishes are what I seek.

All images gleaned from The New Beacon Primer by James H. Fassett. Illustrated by Blanche Fisher Laite. Published by Ginn & Company, Boston, USA, 1921.