2014 and Books with Charm

Yes, more books even though the stacks are already about to topple.  This is (one of) the first purchase(s) for the year… a 1963 Scholastic Book Services publication of “The Three Billy-Goats Gruff” A Norwegian folk tale with woodcuts by Susan Blair.  

What first captured my attention was the illustration on the cover and throughout the book.  The woodcuts are whimsical and just like when I was in grade school, made me want to turn every page fast so as to see what was on the next.

In 1963 there was still an ugly troll…

and for sure he was going to gobble them up. :)

and even more shocking *gasps* the big billy-goat Gruff had two spears “And I’ll poke your eyeballs out at your ears.  I’ve got besides two great, flat stones, And I’ll crush you to bits, body and bones.”

Which he did so he could get to the other side and all three could get fat!

I recall reading this story many times, likely even this version… was I damaged by it?  hummmm… don’t think so. :) Surely the illustrations would not have been appreciated back then, like they are today.

The charm?… the colors of the illustrations, the woodcuts, the quality of the paper, the color of the aged pages, the fact that when you open the cover you have a complete panoramic woodcut illustration and most of all… an unchanged story.

~ by kcjewel on January 1, 2014.