Figure 1.--"The Wonder Book of Things to Do" provided information and suggested activities ion a wide range of issues. This illustration went to a section on navigation. Image courtesy of the AM collection.
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Figure 1.--"The Wonder Book of Things to Do" provided information and suggested activities ion a wide range of issues. This illustration went to a section on navigation. Image courtesy of the AM collection. |
An activity book was a children's book that was not limited to literature or non-fiction reports, but included directions for various activities, both at home and outside the home. Some activity books were really story books with a few activities added. Other activity books were entirely composed of activities. We are not sure when activity books first appeared. We begin tgo note them in the 1930s, at least in Britain. We are not sure as to the extent they appaeared in other countries. In Britain we notice the Wonderbook seeies, but there were many others as well.
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 infirmative 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 focusas 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.
Activity books which cover a broad spectrum of interests and hobbies have always been popular, with many perennial favourites. Activity books came with many specialized subjects. One subject, or parlour game, that has always been popular with children and adults is magic.
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