Golden Legacy:

How Golden Books Won Children's Hearts, Changed Publishing Forever, and Became an American Icon Along the Way

By Leonard S. Marcus

Most enjoyed by big kids of all ages

OK kids, go back outside to play, this post is for the big kids of the house, namely your mom or dad, grandma or grandpa. Here's a book that will take you on a trip down memory lane, but only if you're past the age of say, 30 years young. OK, maybe a little bit further past that age, but once you open this book, you'll see what I mean.

Raise your hand if you've lived your life without ever touching a Little Golden Book. I didn't think there'd be any hands raised out there. If you didn't read 'The Poky Little Puppy' as a tyke, then surely you were read 'Scuffy the Tugboat' or learned a prayer from 'Prayers for Children'. Little Golden Books are a staple of childhood and have been since they were first introduced to children in the 1940's. The brainchild of Whitman and Simon & Schuster publishing companies, Little Golden Books were intended to give families good reading value for a low price. Each book cost 25 cents when first introduced, affordable enough for families to purchase a number of them for their children. But the key to the books' success was that they were good stories illustrated by many of the day's best artists. Not many parents could pass up the idea of quality literature at affordable prices. The books sold immediately and over time, became a staple of family libraries all over the country.

'Golden Legacy' is the fascinating story behind the success of an American cultural icon. Each turn of the page of this over-sized book will bring back memories as you recount the stories you remember and love. It's a very readable history book, one you can enjoy at your leisure. Journey back to your childhood and relive some of your favorite Little Golden books. Perhaps you still have a few of these books tucked away in the attic? You can find 'Golden Legacy' at the Harvard Public Library.