Figure 1.--"The Wonder Book of Things to Do" provided information and suggested activities ion a wide range of issues. The activities were for boys and girls and included both indoor and outdoor activities. Image courtesy of the AM collection.
|
Figure 1.--"The Wonder Book of Things to Do" provided information and suggested activities ion a wide range of issues. The activities were for boys and girls and included both indoor and outdoor activities. Image courtesy of the AM collection. |
The Wonder Books were published by ???. I am not sure when they were first published, but we note them from at least the 1930s before World War II. We note some wonder books were more informative non-fiction, informing children about the world. The Wonderbook of the Farm, for example, informed children about how a farm functioned and on the animals and plants that were raised there. Another Wonder Book: Do you Know was about a wide range of topics that might prove interesting to a child, but again primarily providing information, not an activity book. Other Wonder Books focused more on activities like the Wonder Book of Things to Do. Here the focus is on a range of activities. Some were activities that the average child was unlikely to persue, such as a ocean crossing cruise. The stories were often used to present information needed for an activity, such as navigation. Another subject covered was mountain climbing. One illustration is a dynamic but unlikely depiction of an adventurous boy scaling a precarious precipice. He is not distracted by the ferocious eagle which seems to not welcome his presence. Other articles dealt with activities that a boy might actually due, like working with a Meccano (Erector) set. The books include many wonderful illustrated drawings as well as photographs. Usually the illustrations show children envolved in the various activities. The book was written to include activities for both boys and girls. Most of the exciting activities were for boys. There is no indication as to who the illustrators might be.
The Wonder Books were published by ???.
I am not sure when they were first published, but we note them from at least the 1930s before World War II.
We note some wonder books were more informative non-fiction, informing children about the world. The Wonderbook of the Farm, for example, informed children about how a farm functioned and on the animals and plants that were raised there. Another Wonder Book: Do you Know was about a wide range of topics that might prove interesting to a child, but again primarily providing information, not an activity book.
Other Wonder Books focused more on activities like the Wonder Book of Things to Do. Here the focus is on a range of activities. Some were activities that the average child was unlikely to persue, such as a ocean crossing cruise.
These accounts often, however included infornmation on matters a child might find useful. The stories were often used to present information needed for an activity, such as navigation. This might prove useful, for example, in scouting.
Other articles dealt with activities that a boy might actually do, like working with a Meccano (Erector) set. This was an extremely popular activity in America. I'm less sure about how popular it was in Britain and other countries. Nor do I know if the same company was involved in America and Britain and which came first. Of course this was strictly a boys' aactivity. Girls were rarely puctured with Meccano sets in eith Britain or America. Notice how the boys pictured here are rather formally dressed, both wearing ties.
Another subject covered was mountain climbing. One illustration is a dynamic but unlikely depiction of an adventurous boy scaling a precarious precipice. He is not distracted by the ferocious eagle which seems to not welcome his presence. I doubt of very many boys took up mountain climbing, but they may have found the account interesting any way
Railroads were at the center of undustrail development. A railroad engine was a large, powerful, and noisy machine--just the kind of vehicle any boy might like. An activity of great interest boys in the first half of the 20th century was model railroading. Most boys had or wanted an electric train. This is another of the activities that boys enjoyed, but were of little interest to girls. Younger children might have a wooden pull train, but what most boys wanted was an electric train so that could set up a model railroad. Unfortunately the amoint of space required and the cost limited the number of boys who could set up model railroads. Some managed to do this as adults. The intgerest has declined in recent years, but it has not disappeared.
As far as we can tell, most of the activities were written with a social class bias. The children picture in the illustrations are clearly from middle-class ir even more affluent families. Activities within the reach of a boy from a working-class family are limited or non-existant.
The books include many wonderful illustrated drawings as well as photographs. Usually the illustrations show children envolved in the various activities. The book was written to include activities for both boys and girls. Most of the exciting activities were for boys. There is no indication as to who the illustrators might be.
Navigate the HBC literary pages' Historical Clothing Web Site:
[Return to the main Main English children's activity book page]
[Return to the main Main children's literary page]
[Return to the main Main literary page]
Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Site:
[Introduction]
[Activities]
[Biographies]
[Chronology]
[Clothing styles]
[Countries]
[Bibliographies]
[Contributions]
[FAQs]
[Glossaries]
[Satellite sites]
[Tools]
[Boys' Clothing Home]