My Goldfish (A Ding Dong School Book)
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| My Goldfish by Dr. Frances R. Horwitch and Reinald Werrenrath, Jr., illustrated by Mina Gow McLean. A Ding Dong School Book. Rand McNally & Company, 1954. |
Like the many television shows to follow, Ding Dong School had its share of media tie-in product. During the first half of the 1950s, Ding Dong School Books were published by Rand McNally. They look similar to Little Golden Books, but with a silver foil spine. Later in the decade, the series was picked up by Little Golden Books (i.e. this one).
I was excited to find a lovely copy of this title at a downtown antique store. I thought I'd share. Last night was stormy, today is cold and icy, and the news is dark. This book is so cheerful.
.jpg "My Goldfish by Dr. Frances R. Horwitch and Reinald Werrenrath, Jr., illustrated by Mina Gow McLean. A Ding Dong School Book. Rand McNally & Company, 1954. (via Silver Shoes & Rabbit Holes)")
And here's a little bonus via YouTube.
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Ok this is really weird and random, but this book you've shown, coupled with the fact that you said it was cold and stormy where you are...I suddenly have the urge to go to the library, find all the Beverly Cleary 'Henry Huggins' books and read them with a blanky and tea. This is how this post makes me feel. Just thought you should know. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm seriously having an I-wish-I-had-no-responsibilities-and-could-just-hide-away-in-bed kind of day. Part of it's the dreary weather, part is the news, part is just self-consciousness and nerves (don't know why). I keep plopping down at the computer to put off doing what needs to be done, and I'm watching my niece as well as both my girls, who are out of school today and tomorrow. Books, blankies, and tea sound so lovely.
DeleteWhat an utterly adorable book!!!! Thanks for sharing so many pages!
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome! It's a small enough book that I was having trouble focusing on which pages to feature, so I just did the whole thing. It's so very out-of-print anyway...
Deletea vintage gold fish book!?! that is the cutest ever! My dad loves fish and has several tanks. I imagine him reading this as a little boy :)
ReplyDeleteOh, that's so sweet! My littlest has been wanting a fish. To be fair, that would probably be the perfect pet for her. She's scared to death of dogs and the cats tend to annoy her. But I hate the idea of messing with a fish tank again. We killed a lot of fish back in the day. I did have a beta for a couple of years, but after that, we packed away the little tank. ;o) I'll just get her books and let her watch underwater nature documentaries instead.
DeleteSo cute! I have never heard of or seen the show, but the book is cute. Thanks for sharing more vintage treasures! Hope your weather improves. We were sitting outside tonight waiting for my other half to get home from work today, and as the sun went down it felt almost cold enough for a sweater.
ReplyDeleteI first read about the show in that Sesame Strret history that came out a few years ago. He gave a nice account of children's programming up until Sesame Street. I was excited when I found this book!
DeleteIt's going to be in the 20s tonight, but back in the 60s this weekend. We might try to go to the Renaissance Fest on Saturday, so I hope it's true!
What a great find! Oh, every time I see anything fishy I still pick it up... we continue to be fish obsessed around here. And, I really am getting in the mood to take a day and go on a book finding adventure... it's been too long. I've gotta plan that with my sis.
ReplyDeleteI've had this one for a little while. The antique store where I bought it is one my favorites for looking, least favorites for buying. (Stuff's very nice, prices are high.) I've been hankering to hit some estate sales or my favorite antique malls lately, but I need to curb my spending. ;)
DeleteSo cute. Love the endpapers.
ReplyDeleteI know! They're so sweet.
DeleteI love Miss Frances:) First heard of her years ago when I bought my dad a DVD of some Andy's Gang episodes and a Miss Frances episode was included as an extra. In case you've never seen it, Andy's Gang is another oldie but goodie kids TV show watched by kids of the era mostly for its character Froggy the Gremlin, a horribly behaved rubber frog who does things like throw cream pies at show guests. Very fun and much beloved by my dad and the other little boys of the early 1950s. Total polar opposite of Miss Frances' sweetness, though.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, Miss Frances was on the DVD too and her show was absolutely adorable. Very innocent and loving, like a female Mr. Rogers. I wish it was on TV now because I would have loved for my daughter to see it.
We only have one of the Ding Dong School books called Mr. Meyer's Cow all about a (you guessed it) dairy cow named Sally Ann. I will have to dig it out and maybe add it to my blog one of these days. Not sure where we got it but it was a favorite when my daughter was littler. To this day, she calls Holsteins "Sally Ann cows" when we see them:)
Andy Devine! Yes, I went searching YouTube. And I plan on searching for more!
DeleteMy youngest loves to watch old Christmas shows and clips on YouTube. One of her favorites is the Howdy Doody Christmas with Clarabell the Clown. Bizarre old kids' shows are popular around here!
There are quite a few Miss Frances clips on YouTube. I need to watch more of them. It's interesting to read about the controversies that came out of the show, in regards to advertising. She didn't want to advertise to children, so she would tell the kids to go get their moms. But in the end, she was criticized for it anyway. It's hard to please everyone.