Figure 1.--This cover for "The Wonder Book of the Farm" is signed, but I'm not sure ho the illustrator was. Image courtesy og the AM collection.
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Figure 1.--This cover for "The Wonder Book of the Farm" is signed, but I'm not sure ho the illustrator was. Image courtesy og the AM collection. |
There were popular series of both fiction and non-fiction books. Some are still well known today. Some of the mystery series were the most popular. Some were written in an almost industrial way. Some of the fiction series (Famous Five, Jennings, Secret Seven, Just William, ect.) became cultural icons. Some such as Just William were popular with adults as well as children. There were also non-fiction series as well. While not as well know, some of these non-fiction books were very popular at the time.
There were popular series of both fiction. Some were published over a long period and are still well known today. Some of the mystery series were the most popular. Some were written in an almost industrial way and are relatively uninteresting formula writing--although they did help getting children to read. Some of the fiction series (Famous Five, Jennings, Secret Seven, Just William, ect.) became cultural icons. Some such as Just William were wonderful books that are a delight to read and were popular with adults as well as children.
There were also non-fiction series as well. While not as well know, some of these non-fiction books were very popular at the time. One example is "The Wonder Book of the Farm". It is from the British The Wonder Book Series. I'm not sure of the date but I think it's the late-1930s or early-40s. According to my bookdealer, the Wonder Book series were immensely popular in there day. They are crammed full of wonderful photos and colour plate illustrations. Usually the books extolled the wonder of current developments of science and industrial achievements. i.e. 'The Wonder Book of Aircraft'. There were of course many other non-fiction series, especially after World War II.
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