New to me, a good old read.
December 16, 2008
Fidget's new favorite book in our house:
I cannot tell you how excited I was to find this little Random House popup book book earlier this year while antiquing. I thought it was a steal at 7.50, and a quick check online confirmed it. It is in perfect condition and totally takes me back to my childhood. Fidget is being very careful with the pull tabs because she knows it is special, but she can hardly contain her excitement either.
Published in 1967, designed by Paul Taylor and illustrated by Marvin Brehm, this pop-up version of The Night Before Christmas takes me back to the imagery of my childhood, although I doubt we ever would have owned something this fancy. The illustration is so folksy and kitschy and fun. I can't stop staring at the detail.
All the photos above are clickable and worth viewing at higher resolution over at flickr, I promise. There are several more pages, but without the motion, you do lose a bit of the magic, so I didn't shoot them all...
It's blustery, white and cold outside today. Perfect Christmastime weather, although it is giving drivers headaches... be careful out there, local friends. xoxo
How lovely!
I love that children are careful--I never hesitate to let my girls and their friends use my good china and crystal and silver. Once I tell them it's special, they are always careful!
(Though the other moms sometimes gasp in horror, saying "Are you SURE?)
Have fun reading!
Joanne
Posted by: Joanne (The Simple Wife) | December 16, 2008 at 02:23 PM
Oh, my. Some of the illustrations look eerily familiar! I love that story. I have several different ones, but nothing this cool.
Posted by: lera | December 16, 2008 at 02:38 PM
So cute!
How's Fidget's cough been this year? We've been so much better over here- though I probably shouldn't say that out loud- I'll jinx it.
Posted by: Alicia A. | December 16, 2008 at 02:47 PM
So fabulous.
Stay warm, my friend. Did you get a snow day?
Posted by: laeroport | December 16, 2008 at 03:11 PM
This is one of the better Night Before Christmases I've seen. I was looking for one a few years ago. We ended up with the Jan Brett one, but this one is really fun.
Posted by: amy h | December 16, 2008 at 03:41 PM
I remember this book!!!
Thanks for the delightful trip down memory lane : )
Posted by: Courtney | December 16, 2008 at 04:07 PM
What a great find!
Posted by: Mary | December 16, 2008 at 05:22 PM
Pop-ups are magical, aren't they. My little ones adore them as well.
Posted by: Liz | December 16, 2008 at 09:48 PM
White Christmases are wonderful, aren't they? I've always wanted to have a white Christmas. One day, I will!
Nice entry :) That's a cute book!
Posted by: Puva | December 16, 2008 at 10:09 PM
Sometimes I wish I could live in the pictures of old books. That book looks wonderful!
Posted by: Crystal | December 17, 2008 at 02:54 PM
My children and I enjoy reading this story every night leading up to Christmas--but what fun it would be to read it from the pop up book!
Posted by: michelle | December 17, 2008 at 09:14 PM
My children enjoyed this book so much when they were little, 30 years ago, and now my granddaughter loves it. My copy is so badly damaged. Does anyone know where I might find another copy?
Posted by: Sue Rodefer | December 17, 2008 at 11:12 PM
wow! that looks amazing. i have to get that for my kiddos.
Posted by: katie | December 19, 2008 at 01:20 PM
Are you kidding me? This is so awesome I'm jealous. JEALOUS.
Posted by: Crystal | December 22, 2008 at 08:26 PM
That is just wonderful! Wish I had one! I love popup books!
Posted by: Piper | December 23, 2008 at 04:22 PM
Hope you all are enjoying a fun holiday season. Your pictures sure bring back great memories! Thanks for sharing. Give the girls my love and tell them their presents are still in the making. I am working as fast as I can!
Posted by: Miss Liz | December 25, 2008 at 10:49 PM