Figure 1.-- A HBC reader describes "The Children's Hour with Uncle Arthur" storybook published in the 1940s. It used primarily photographs for illustrations. Usually the stories highlight a moral principle or the benefits of good behavior, manners, obeying your parents, the law, working hard at school and such like as apposed to being naughty, getting up to mischief or not respecting your elders. Also the stories are coupled to a text from the bible to highlight the message of the story. The caption here was, "Did you ever Stop to Think Who Made the Blue Sky, White Clouds, Beautiful Flowrers, and Trees." Image courtesy of the MA collection.

We have noted a few sory books that were printed in series. As far as we can tell, most storyy books were issued individually. We have noted a small number of series. A HBC reader describes The Children's Hour with Uncle Arthur which was published in the 1940s, mostly using photographs as illustrations.

The Children's Hour with Uncle Arthur

A HBC reader remembers The Children's Hour with Uncle Arthur. They were quite popular when I was growing up in the 1940s. The pictures and illustrations were quite inspirational. I discovered some recently in a charity shop and they were wonderful to page through again - how times have changed. The books I have are laden with wonderful black and white photographs and all have seem to have a distinctive quality about them. There are also colour plate illustrations which are mainly in a biblical theme. Though I remember the books from the 60s, the illustrations are decidedly from the late 40s. It's interesting to note when looking thorough the photographs, the boys usually wear the characteristic 40s t-shirt which have the distinctive horizontal stripes. The four books I have (Books 1, 3, 4 and 5) are published between 1945 and 1949 and are written by Arthur S. Maxwell. The books have stories of contemporary themes which feature a Christian theme of sound values, honesty and good conduct. Usually the stories highlight a moral principle or the benefits of good behavior, manners, obeying your parents, the law, working hard at school and such like as apposed to being naughty, getting up to mischief or not respecting your elders. Also the stories are coupled to a text from the Bible to highlight the message of the story.

Other Series

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Created: March 30, 2003
Last updated: March 30, 2003