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. Image coutesy of the MA collection.

One of the most popular type of children's books is the story book, a volume which includes many different short stories. A perenial favorite for younger children who can not yet read or who are beginning readers, is the story book. These were especially helpful for younger readers because they were collections of short stories. There are a wide variety of story books. They vary widely. Some are collections of storie of related themes. We note story books specifically for boys or girls while others have storries that will appear to both. Fairy tales were common for the younger child. Others for older children might deal with exciting adventures. Some story books have stories about children while others have stories in which children are interested. Some cover a wide range of themes. Almost always story books are meticulously illustrated. Older boys turn to story books with adventure or youth themes.

Definition

One of the most popular type of children's books is the story book, a volume which includes many different short stories.

Age Group

A perenial favorite for younger children who can not yet read or who are beginning readers, is the story book. These were especially helpful for younger readers because they were collections of short stories.

Variety

There are a wide variety of story books. They vary widely. Some are collections of storie of related themes. We note story books specifically for boys or girls while others have storries that will appear to both. Fairy tales were common for the younger child. Others for older children might deal with exciting adventures. Some story books have stories about children while others have stories in which children are interested. Some cover a wide range of themes.

Illustrations

Almost always story books are meticulously illustrated. Older boys turn to story books with adventure or youth themes. Normally these were drawings, in some cases by noted illustrators. After World War I we also notice photographs being used as illustrations.

Series

We have noted a few sory books that were printed in series. Asfar 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.

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