Scribner Illustrated Classics: Children's Books for All Ages

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2 жыл бұрын

Scribner's Illustrated Classics series was the greatest of the illustrated series of children's books produced in the first half of the 20th century. It was the largest, longest running and most influential illustrated classics series, staying in print throughout most of the last century. And, in my opinion, it also featured some of the most beautiful artwork ever to grace a book's pages, including paintings by N.C. Wyeth, Jessie Willcox Smith, Maxfield Parrish and many other notable artists from the Golden Age of book illustration.
This series of books is a terrific entry point to reading "the classics," for children and adults alike. Some of my first introductions to these titles were these illustrated editions and other similar ones from different publishers.
0:01 What happened to classic childrens' books?
1:43 Charles Scribner's Sons Company
2:50 Overview and origins of Scribner's Illustrated Classics series
6:24 Adventure novels
14:38 Books for younger readers
17:00 Anthologies of Dickens and Alcott excerpts
18:18 Contemporary heartwarmers
19:15 Other related illustrated books
22:30 Influence on other publishers
23:37 Recent additions
24:39 A note for collectors
See my earlier video about what makes a book classic here: • ...and How to Start Re...
#classicbooks #bookcollection #reading #classics #childrensbooks #childrensbook #booktube #illustration #wyeth
Film clip and image credits:
Muppet Treasure Island (1996)
Black Sails (2014)
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011)
The Last of the Mohicans (1992)
Braveheart (1995)

Пікірлер: 140

@thelibraryladder 2 жыл бұрын

This video is a sequel to my previous one about what makes a book a "classic," found here at kzfaq.info/get/bejne/r9d1qbx8nJO4eKs.html. Thanks for watching!

@garymoraco3184 2 жыл бұрын

Do you try to read all the responses?

@thelibraryladder Жыл бұрын

@@garymoraco3184 I do try to read all of the comments I receive, but I don't monitor them continuously. Also, YT's channel management system on my computer notifies me of initial comments, but not replies posted to earlier comments (such as yours here). The YT app on my phone notifies me of replies to comments, but it simply merges them all into a single scroll list, which can get pretty long and I sometimes miss a reply. (I typically check my phone only a few times a day and not continuously). Thanks for understanding. :)

@onlinedayton9882 2 жыл бұрын

This channel reminds me of the History Channel. Well, when the History Channel was good. I mean it in the best way possible.

@thelibraryladder Жыл бұрын

Thanks! I'm trying to make my videos both entertaining and informative, and I enjoy learning about and sharing the historical roots of modern fiction.

@TreeBeardBookReviews 2 жыл бұрын

This was a wonderful video Bridger. I really enjoyed the history lesson. Such a joy to watch your channel.

@thelibraryladder 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Dan! It's joy to make these videos and to share these books with everyone. (I expect to see a review of one of these classic titles sometime soon on your channel.) :D

@amalathisdreaming Жыл бұрын

These illustrations are absolutely gorgeous. I never knew the modern depictions of pirates came from an illustrated book and at the beginning of twentieth century holding one of these books must have been such a treat.

@thelibraryladder Жыл бұрын

That's exactly how I feel about those books today! But back then, when photographic-quality printing in color was brand new, and most people had never stepped foot inside an art gallery or museum, I imagine the illustrations must have seemed incredible.

@Paromita_M 2 жыл бұрын

A fantastic video. I started watching, then went back and played at a slower speed so I could watch all the book covers and illustrations nicely. 🙂 Many memories of great books (e.g. I remember borrowing The Last Of The Mohicans from my junior school library by default because all the Goosebumps by RL Stine were already taken by everyone else 😄 and then ending up enjoying it). But also so many I haven't read or even heard of. I got introduced to a lot of my favourite classics like The Picture of Dorian Gray, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Ben-Hur, Ivanhoe, The Count of Monte Cristo, most Dickens and SFF titles like Frankenstein, The Invisible Man, The Time Machine through abridged illustrated versions. And then I read the unabridged versions for the ones where the stories really resonated with me. The care with which you have preserved these books is so important.

@thelibraryladder 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! I had a real dilemma making this video, because I cover around 60 books in it, which made it difficult to spend time savoring the artwork while also keeping the video a reasonable length (I was targeting a 20-minute run time, which I overshot by about five minutes). It could easily have turned into an hour-long video, if I had given the artwork more time and space (and included more of the illustrations from each book). An unfortunate trade-off.

@albertcscs 2 жыл бұрын

What a wonderful video. I have always maintained that the Scribners & Sons were Americas answer to the golden age illustrators of England, namely Rackham, Dulac and Nielsen. They started a decade earlier and in more of an art book format with tipped in plates. But as you demonstrated, the style and substance of the Illustrated Classics was second to none. Thanks so much. PS- I borrowed some of the PD artwork shown from the Arthurian works for a small volume of "Seven Tales from King Arthurs Court" with Edmund Dulac artwork that will be published this fall by Markosia.

@thelibraryladder 2 жыл бұрын

I think that's a reasonable theory. British publishers (and illustrators) certainly took a leading role in creating memorable illustrated editions in the late 1800s and early 1900s, which left US publishers hurrying to play catch-up. Rackham, Dulac and Nielsen are three of my all-time favorite illustrators, but (if you couldn't guess from this video) N.C. Wyeth takes my top spot. Thanks for the heads-up about the forthcoming King Arthur book!

@rachaelwarrington25 2 жыл бұрын

I’m so glad I found your channel. I love the in-depth look into books, but also about publishers, art work and their stories. Please keep doing this, learning so much! Finding new authors! I’m reading my first Perry Mason book! I’m enjoying it throughly. Thank y ou ,

@thelibraryladder 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! I'm so happy you found it! And I'm glad you're enjoying my book recommendations. There's plenty more to come.

@bimalgarg95 Жыл бұрын

This channel is gonna blow up, watch out.

@wholeheartedhomemaking 2 ай бұрын

My children loved Children of New Forest and Vernian books, and A child's Garden of Verses is one of our all time favorites. My oldest was just recounting the Pyle version of Robin Hood and its notable or anti climatic ending. Many of theses are beautiful books, and who doesn't love Dalgliesh?! Great list of titles! Thank you for sharing.

@thelibraryladder 2 ай бұрын

Thanks! I'm glad you introduced your kids to those classics. There's a realism in many older books that seems to be missing in a lot of recent children books that have their character traits, plot elements and conflicts amplified and stripped of nuance in order to keep kids' attention in this era of video entertainment. A common complaint from the middle grade book club I led at my kids' school was that the older books they read were "boring" (and an older work was defined by the club as having been published before 2000!). The few kids who didn't complain tended to be ones who'd been reading older classics all along at the encouragement of their parents and could appreciate that style of storytelling.

@wholeheartedhomemaking 2 ай бұрын

@@thelibraryladder I actually just spoke with the children's librarian about this. She said between children's publishers pushing their agendas, public opinion, and tv/movies it was near impossible to argue to keep many classics on the shelf because children weren't checking them out.

@asdfasdf5695 2 жыл бұрын

Your channel deserves more recognition.

@thelibraryladder 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@cloudbringer104 Жыл бұрын

I agree

@stefanels4049 Жыл бұрын

Wait for it. This channel has the potential to slake the thirst of many a reader looking for validation first, with guidance and recommendation a close second.. Subs here will grow dramatically over the next few years, is my prediction.

@mohamedalshafi7875 Жыл бұрын

The channel is gold Looking forward to the upcoming videos man.

@thelibraryladder Жыл бұрын

Thank you! I have many more videos planned.

@samm8190 Жыл бұрын

My favorite book in this edition is The Scottish Chiefs. N C Wyeths paintings are so majestic.

@thelibraryladder Жыл бұрын

It's one of my favorites, too, along with The Black Arrow and The Last of the Mohicans. They contain some of Wyeth's best artwork, in my opinion.

@AnotherBrownAjah 2 жыл бұрын

I took a children's literature course while in college and it was one of the most enjoyable experiences. Everyone comparing their various editions and artwork was a bonus!

@thelibraryladder Жыл бұрын

That course sounds like it was a lot of fun! For the past several years, I've helped lead a book club for middle grade students at my kids' school. I grew a little frustrated, though, at the lack of awareness of and interest in children books B.H.P. (before Harry Potter). That actually became the impetus for my starting this channel. I decided last year to shine a spotlight on older or overlooked authors and books, rather than the latest, greatest ones that already get plenty of attention here on BookTube.

@AnotherBrownAjah Жыл бұрын

@@thelibraryladder Ha, B.H.P. This course focused mainly on things you'd probably label as classics and worked up to some modern stuff before we ran out of time. I did my final essay exploring the stories laid out in the Choose Your Own Adventure tales. Which is a genre I wish still existed, but I believe has gone the way of the dodo in light of video games

@DafyddBrooks Жыл бұрын

@@AnotherBrownAjah I will say Jim Kays work on HP is very visually appealing. But thats all ill say ha :)

@muddogmcg1112 2 жыл бұрын

A lovely job on the video! I love the illustrations that they had back then, and how they do make the story come alive now matter old they are. I’ve never know so much about illustrated books,publishers, and artists and I’m glad I know now and can appreciate them. The Illustrated Junior Library seems to have taken many of the art&books from this publisher and republished them. (Or is it the same company?) I like collecting these and they were available widely through Barnes and Noble. Thank you for all the hard work you do on these videos 🙌🏼😃📚

@thelibraryladder 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your comment! I remember reading some of the books in the Illustrated Junior Library series when I was young. They had lovely artwork. That series was launched by publisher Grosset & Dunlap around the 1940s and used different artists and illustrations than those in the earlier Scribner's series. They were reprinted for decades, and were among the most common editions of classic titles found in school libraries for many years (including my kids' school, which still has some on its shelves). The Barnes & Noble reprints are a little different (assuming you're referring to the leather-bound 'rainbow edition' volumes it published about ten years ago). Those editions contain reproductions of some of the original first or early edition artwork. Most of the illustrations are pen and ink drawings, but a few titles have the color paintings found in the Scribner and Rand McNally Windermere editions. I love that B&N has made these reprint editions available.

@user-vl6bv9fl8x Жыл бұрын

Thank you for absolute premium content - and an extra thank you for venturing outside only literature and letting me dip my toe in illustration as well. A new area which I really enjoyed.

@thelibraryladder Жыл бұрын

You're very welcome! I plan to continue making videos about a variety of book genres and their historical context, with an emphasis on older or overlooked authors and books. That was my primary reason for starting this channel. Thanks for watching and commenting!

@wburris2007 Жыл бұрын

These look like the books that I was finding in the school library in the 60s.

@thelibraryladder Жыл бұрын

They probably are. There were a few in my school library in the 1970s, which is when I first encountered them. Scribner's kept most of them in print in this format through at least the 1950s. They reintroduced the series in the 1980s/90s with different bindings, but kept most of the artwork. The bindings and covers changed again for the latest editions.

@rickkearn7100 10 ай бұрын

The traditional children's' stories that taught life lessons are long gone. Despite Rowling being a well centered person, she has usurped much of the literary children's world where "trending now" rules the day. This is an excellent episode, TLL, insofar as (to my reckoning) it exposes the nefarious plot by the publishers to flood the shelves with tripe, subpar schlock and indoctrinational subject matter. Thanks for this post, I have been steered toward better choices for my three grandsons of tender age but formidible intellect as a result. Cheers.

@thelibraryladder 10 ай бұрын

Thanks! The Scribner Classics series really lives up to its name. I hope your grandsons enjoy the books as much as I did when I was young (and still do).

@themangog7900 Жыл бұрын

Just discovered your channel and have bingewatched all your videos. Picked up The Story of Roland and The Scottish Chiefs because of this video, those Scribner Illustrated Classics are amazing and I can't wait to pick up and read more of them. Thank you so much, I hope you keep making quality videos like this!

@thelibraryladder Жыл бұрын

Thank you! I can't sing the praises of the Scribner's Classics enough. Stay tuned, because I have many more videos planned. Thanks for watching and commenting!

@civoreb 2 жыл бұрын

You could do ASMR with this voice or just narrate all documentaries and I would listen all day long

@mteresavaldes2251 2 жыл бұрын

It would be a perfect bedtime story voice

@mteresavaldes2251 2 жыл бұрын

Really need to read watership down, but I’m currently busy with A Song for Arbonne!

@thelibraryladder Жыл бұрын

I have a video about Watership Down planned in the coming months.

@thelibraryladder Жыл бұрын

Thanks! Do you know any documentary filmmakers who need a narrator? :)

@margaretinsydney3856 Жыл бұрын

@@thelibraryladder I'm so glad to hear that. I love Watership Down!

@michaeljdauben Жыл бұрын

I read many of those stories as a child, because my father had copies of them in his library at home. I think Treasure Island was one of the first "classics" I read, because Dad told me it was his favorite as a child. Many others followed. 😁

@thelibraryladder Жыл бұрын

I know what you mean. Some of my early encounters were old copies of my dad's that I found while exploring my grandparents' house as a kid looking for something to read. Twain's The Prince and the Pauper was one such discovery. :)

@mteresavaldes2251 2 жыл бұрын

Jules Verne is an author dear to my heart! Thank you

@thelibraryladder Жыл бұрын

You're in luck! I have a substantial collection of early editions of Verne's novels, and I plan to do a video overview of his works sometime next year (as I work my way through my long list of video topics). In the meantime, you might find this short video of mine interesting: kzfaq.infoRG_ZLcHgVbE?feature=share.

@jedisilvr 2 жыл бұрын

First! I love this channel!

@thelibraryladder 2 жыл бұрын

You rock!

@alynam82 Жыл бұрын

I meant to comment the other day, when this came out; but this was one of the most charming videos I've seen (and I don't usually use the word 'charming' much 😄)

@thelibraryladder Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the very kind comment! I hope that by drawing attention to these beautiful editions, more people will read and enjoy them, and Scribner's and other publishers will keep them in print.

@snakes3425 Жыл бұрын

There's room on the shelves (and the Digitial Realm) for both old and new

@DafyddBrooks Жыл бұрын

I definitely am more of a person who would love to read a book more if it had illustrations and these books may just be the perfect example of what I would have loved to both own and read as a child. Especially since they are almost a true extension of the authors imagination of the worlds and adventure on paper, from a time before it became mainstream to do all this. Alot of thought and concentration have gone into it all. I really wish they would reprint every single one of these from all the artists work one day :) Robert Ingpen I feel has certanly been very inspired by this era massively. I want all his illustrated books too :)

@thelibraryladder Жыл бұрын

Great comment! I wish they'd reprint all of these books with their illustrations as well. Some artists simply used their imaginations, while others (such as N.C. Wyeth) often would travel to see examples of the real thing before accepting a commission (which is one reason he declined to illustrate 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea -- he didn't have a frame of reference for submarines and underwater exploration). I don't remember if I mentioned it in the video, but Wyeth also used his family members as models. He had a large collection of theatrical costumes, and he would dress up his kids and their spouses, among others, and pose them for many of his illustrations (which is why many of the characters across his works tend to look a lot alike). Ingpen is a great illustrator. His works remind me of a cross between Maria Kirk and Arthur Rackham.

@rickcroucher Жыл бұрын

What a great set of posts. Thank you for taking the time.

@thelibraryladder Жыл бұрын

Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed them.

@duke927 Жыл бұрын

Wonderful and thorough and thoughtful presentation. I’m old enough to have read some if not most of those books. Beautiful illustrationsThank You!

@thelibraryladder Жыл бұрын

Thank you! I'm very glad you enjoyed it!

@abrahemsamander3967 Жыл бұрын

The art is realistic, but it’s also very dynamic and alive, there’s a sense of movement, and things being lived in. It’s hard to get that balance right.

@thelibraryladder Жыл бұрын

Great observation! That's one of the things N.C. Wyeth was best known for. He once explained that he tried to use his illustrations to anticipate the action described in a book's scene. Where most illustrators would capture the climax or aftermath of a scene, Wyeth often tried to catch it just before or at the start of an act. It's one of the reason he's my all-time favorite illustrator.

@abrahemsamander3967 Жыл бұрын

Thank you sir! Honestly. He reminds me of Frank Frazetta. Frazetta had a sense of energy and motion. I especially love the Mohican ones. Like where the Mohican wrestles the red coat. I don’t know the names, I haven’t read the story itself. I like that art tip, illustrate just the moment before the big action. When I learn to draw I’m gonna implement that. Because, at the climax, things are done, that’s why it’s the climax. But just before the beginning? That is the action itself, you see it, you feel it.

@Ihearbooks Жыл бұрын

An excellent video. So much beautiful work covered. You do incredible work. Thank you. I loved learning about these books.

@thelibraryladder Жыл бұрын

I'm so glad you enjoyed it! I have many more videos to come covering a variety of genres and their historical context.

@gerryfedde3040 Ай бұрын

I think the John R. McNeil illustrations for the Oz books by L. Frank Baum are among the best illustrations matched to the written works. My favorite of all the books in the series isn't the most popular of the bunch, Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz, but the gorgeously illustrated Ozma of OZ.

@thelibraryladder Ай бұрын

I agree with you (I have the McNeil-illustrated set published by Reilly & Lee). I'm partial to the artwork in Ozma of Oz, Tik Tok of Oz, and The Emerald City of Oz.

@goatman3358 Жыл бұрын

Wonderful video

@toods8178 Жыл бұрын

Really loving the content on this channel, super interesting and you're a great narrator!

@thelibraryladder Жыл бұрын

Thank you! 🙂

@murph_archer1129 Жыл бұрын

I haven't read any adventure books since the famous five when I was a child but this is tempting me to try reading some more adventure stories. I've always loved adventure movies so I'll definitely check some of these out. Thanks for the great video

@thelibraryladder Жыл бұрын

Thank you! You've made my day. That's exactly the reaction I was hoping to generate in viewers when I decided to make this video. I love the old adventure stories, and I lament that they're rarely read today.

@nigelgreen9369 Жыл бұрын

I always wondered how Hollywood would handle the end of C. S. Lewis' Narnia series and its ending - it was always like a hospital pass for the last director - and it was because no one appears to have read the series all the way to the end

@thelibraryladder Жыл бұрын

That’s a good question. It’s my understanding that the film producers never intended to adapt all seven books in the Narnia series. Instead, they initially had hoped to make four films, but the second and third films weren’t successful enough to attract the funding needed for the fourth (The Silver Chair). The BBC took a similar approach in the late 1980s when it adapted only those four books for a series of TV productions. It would be interesting to see a production of all seven books sequenced in chronological order (not publication order) as one giant story. Perhaps HBO, Netflix or Disney will one day make the attempt.

@ColinsCornerYT Жыл бұрын

Just now catching up on some of your videos after watching the Chatting with Nutts with you and Jimmy. You've gained another fan! This was incredibly entertaining and informative, and I have a 7 year old daughter that we read to every night. I was taking notes on a lot of these, especially the children's books! I have been neglecting classics for quite some time because finding a place to start can be very daunting. Thank you so much for such a wonderful video!

@thelibraryladder Жыл бұрын

Thank you! For many years starting at an early age, my kids and I would listen to many of the older classics as audiobooks in the car to and from school every day. They loved it, their vocabularies expanded rapidly, and it sparked their interest in reading. I'm going to keep making content about great children's books, even though they're my worst-performing videos, because I know there are viewers like you who have kids and might appreciate book suggestions for them.

@ColinsCornerYT Жыл бұрын

@@thelibraryladder that’s an awesome idea to do in the car! And I’d much rather listen to an audiobook than KidzBop haha. It’s a shame children’s book videos don’t perform well but I’m sure those who watch them, like me, get great value from them.

@vincentwilliamcarmichael4257 Жыл бұрын

What a freaking great KZfaq channel!! 😀👍 I'm so glad that your channel was suggested to me! Thank you so much for this wonderful content. You are awesome!

@thelibraryladder Жыл бұрын

Thanks and welcome aboard!

@duke927 Жыл бұрын

Rudyard Kipling’s Kim is one of my favorites. Although after he becomes westernized and a spy my interest waned somewhat. You could tell that Kipling was a student and thoroughly acquainted with Indian culture. And the telling of the adventures on his odyssey with the holy man are captivating and captures that era of India marvelously.

@thelibraryladder Жыл бұрын

Kim is one of my favorites as well. Thanks for watching and commenting!

@ebenbergmann53 Жыл бұрын

This was such a helpful and insightful video. Thank you!

@thelibraryladder Жыл бұрын

You're so welcome! I'm glad you found it enjoyable.

@wileyschmitt 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent video! Learned a lot, thank you! :)

@thelibraryladder 2 жыл бұрын

I'm glad you enjoyed it!

@wileyschmitt Жыл бұрын

Added 'The Black Arrow' to my current reading rotation, had an old Scholastic pocket sized version with illustrations (by Cheslie D'Andrea) at the beginning of each chapter.

@abrahemsamander3967 Жыл бұрын

I’ll definitely get some of these for my nieces and nephews. Thanks for this,

@thelibraryladder Жыл бұрын

You're very welcome. I hope they enjoy the books as much as I did when I was young!

@abrahemsamander3967 Жыл бұрын

I’m sure they will thank you! If they have the patience.

@kevinyeung75 Жыл бұрын

I've been a recent collector of books from the Golden Age Of Children's Illustrated Books. The majority of my books are focused on the third phase of the Golden Age revolving around Howard Pyle's American Brandywine School which includes American illustrators such as Pyle, Willcox, Wyeth, Kirk, Parrish, Schaeffer, Schoonover, etc. One thing to note when collecting Scribner's Illustrated Classics is that some of the first editions had 14 color plates (e.g., Kidnapped, Drums, Boy's King Arthur, Arabian nights, A Child's Garden of Verses, etc.). In contrast, later versions had only 8 color plates.

@thelibraryladder Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing! The Brandywine School illustrators are among my very favorites. The first time I visited the Brandywine Museum (located at N.C. Wyeth's homestead studio in Chadds Ford, PA) more than 30 years ago, was a revelation to me, and it led me to start collecting those artists.

@JamesAllredWriter 11 ай бұрын

You make me want to find them all and buy them.

@thelibraryladder 11 ай бұрын

Please do, because many of these older editions might otherwise end up in a landfill or pulped for cardboard.

@BookishChas Жыл бұрын

This was a great video Bridger! I loved traveling down the rabbit hole with you into the history of these classics. I have a lot of catch up to do in this area.

@thelibraryladder Жыл бұрын

Thanks, Chas! If you haven't already read them, I suspect you might enjoy The Wind in the Willows, The Black Arrow, The Boy's King Arthur, and The Scottish Chiefs, among others. The Scottish Chiefs is surprisingly readable, despite being written more than 200 years ago.

@BookishChas Жыл бұрын

@@thelibraryladder oh that’s great to know, because from the title it sounds like it could be much drier haha. I’ll look into those. The Wind in the Willows definitely interests me.

@eadgbe13 Жыл бұрын

Keep up the good work.

@thelibraryladder Жыл бұрын

Thanks, I'll try!

@FrankGrauJr 11 ай бұрын

I find it’s easier for the average person to collect books dedicated to specific artists than it is to track down the books they illustrated.

@hyperpowerfulform5132 Жыл бұрын

I _think_ I have a copy of Swiss Family Robinson that was published under that imprint. With illustrations by Lynd Ward. Very charming story (if dated in spots) that's a very peaceful read with fantastic woodcut illustrations, although my copy seems to have been rebinded somehow, because the story kind of abruptly cuts to a different chapter in the middle of another one, then resumes the original chapter some many after that! (Bit hard to describe, I hope that made sense...). Just a unique quirk, I suppose! The sequel by TJ Hoisington does a phenomenal job recapturing the "peaceful but interesting scientific adventure" vibes of the first story, less charming prose and mildly strange differences aside (renaming New Switzerland to "Robinson Island", for instance). The illustrations, while also in black and white for the most part, attempt a nostalgic feel that, from what I remember, does pull off decently.

@thelibraryladder Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing! The edition of Swiss Family Robinson you're describing is part of the Illustrated Junior Library published by Grosset & Dunlap, which was a long-running series similar to the Scribner one that published illustrated editions of classic children's books. The Grosset & Dunlap series was marketed as a less-expensive alternative to the Scribner series, which made it a fixture in cost-conscious schools and public libraries for decades. Grosset & Dunlap kept its costs lower by using lower quality paper and bindings and employing less famous illustrators. Nevertheless, they're quite nice and are some of the highest quality editions G&D ever published. (G&D's market niche was as a lower-cost publisher, and these illustrated editions are of substantially higher production quality than their typical output.)

@user-pc4i8ege55 Жыл бұрын

This little kids' canon was probably universal. Verne, Stevenson, Defoe, Dumas, Scott and Seton were among favorite writers in the Soviet Union.

@thelibraryladder Жыл бұрын

Given Russia's strong literary tradition, I didn't realize those authors were so widely read there. I also thought the Soviet government would have discouraged reading Western authors. Thanks for sharing that insight!

@user-pc4i8ege55 Жыл бұрын

@@thelibraryladder It was not as straightforward as that. Classes were more important than countries. In some cases, foreign books famous in the USSR were almost unknown in their home countries. For example, a wonderful revolutionary fairy tale Cipollino by Gianni Rodari :) Here's a list of titles included in one of the most iconic book series of those times: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Library_of_Adventures Books of many of these authors were published in large complete (well, almost complete) editions, like Mark Twain, Walter Scott, Mayne Reid, Cooper, Stevenson, Verne, Dumas... Some years ago I tried to compile a small set of authors who defined my childhood. The top three lines were Jack London, Jules Verne and Ernest Thompson Seton.

@thelibraryladder Жыл бұрын

Thanks for adding more context. I've never heard of Cipollino. I'll have to look for that one. The list of titles in the Library of Adventure series is great, but a little odd, particularly with respect to omitted titles by authors on the list. Your class-based explanation of that makes sense. Your top three authors from childhood have featured spots in my own collection. It's unfortunate, though, that Seton and his classic novel Two Little Savages are practically unknown in the US today.

@j-7379 Жыл бұрын

This was really cool! For how much I love book illustration I don't really know much about it haha. It was nice to see this piece of history, and now I'm side-eyeing some. On that note, are you planning any more videos on illustrated books?

@thelibraryladder Жыл бұрын

Thanks! I plan to make more videos highlighting classic book illustrations and artists, perhaps every few months or so.

@jerzeyproone5297 Жыл бұрын

Although, it isn't a classic work my favorite was 'Artie AND the princess' by Marjorie Torrey. Of course, i read it in it's spanish versión.

@thelibraryladder Жыл бұрын

Ooooh, that's one I haven't run across before. Based on the glowing reviews it has on Goodreads and Amazon, it certainly seems like it should be considered a classic. I'm going to track down a copy. Thanks for the recommendation!

@jerzeyproone5297 Жыл бұрын

@@thelibraryladder It's a pleasure, sir. AND about 'Artie...', it's plotline remembered me somehow 'The Reluctant Dragon' by #KennethGrahame. This Is a story that i want to read too.

@joniqueasmith3009 Жыл бұрын

Jonique'a Smith:She looks a lot like Robin Williams at 2:45.😮

@thelibraryladder Жыл бұрын

Frances Hodgson Burnett does bear an uncanny resemblance to him. Hmm.... :)

@pepeedge5601 2 жыл бұрын

My reading backlog gets some new memebers it seems. Might pick up King Arthur orRobin Hood after I am done with Asimov's Foundation series. Guy Gavriel Kay's books are also in my list. Probably I will start with The Fionavar Tapestry then The Lions of Al Rassan.

@thelibraryladder 2 жыл бұрын

Wonderful! There are many different retellings of the Arthurian and Robin Hood legends, due to their origins as oral folktales. Howard Pyle's versions are fun to read, in part because they deviate significantly from later versions popularized by film adaptations (or by T.H. White's 'The Once and Future King'). I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

@jannetteberends8730 Жыл бұрын

Some of the books you mentioned can be found, and downloaded, on the site of the Gutenberg project. (Gutenberg org) With the mentioned illustrations. And now I’m off, reading the black arrow. I’m Dutch, so a lot of these books are new to me.

@thelibraryladder Жыл бұрын

Thanks! That's awesome that the Gutenberg Project has the classic artwork now! I remember when they just had plain text versions of books. I hope you enjoy reading them!

@derekv81ify Жыл бұрын

Good Morning, I'm new to your channel so forgive me if it already exists, but could you make a video about books that have libraries and/or librarians as common setting of the story or as a destination like a lost/ hidden/ forgotten library. You could name it "Libraries/Vaults of Treasure in books" I'm working on a fantasy story and would love to see examples of how this setting has been written in past books. Also books with wizard's libraries, observatories, homes, towers etc. In a video named "Where Wizards used to live/studied/worked" would be amazing.

@athenassigil5820 Жыл бұрын

The art and books are all cultural treasures. Unfortunately, we live in a woke culture that finds these stories "problematic" and therefore must be cancelled ( Yes, I'm being hyperbolic...I think most folks have common sense and an appreciation for the past and all its complications ) at all costs! Hopefully we can come out of this strange time and simply enjoy Ivanhoe or Harry Potter without the woke stigma agenda. Thanks for showing the beautiful art that accompanied these older classics. I grew up in the 1970s and early 80s and loved the many reprints, amongst them the Howard Pyle Adventures of Robin Hood etc I think I came out of that era with a love and appreciation of both the old and the new. Glad you shone a light on these classics and their art.. I'd also add The Gormenghast Trilogy and art of Mervyn Peake....not for all kids, but older ones who have a dark sense of humour....Ok.....Cheers!

@thelibraryladder Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing. I'm a firm believer in the idea that context matters. Many books (old and new) have problematic elements, but if they're read with an awareness of the time and place they were written or set, it should be possible to enjoy them and gain an understanding of how they helped shape future authors.

@athenassigil5820 Жыл бұрын

@@thelibraryladder Exactly! Thank you for the response and your excellent content....also, love what is in your book collection.

@assortmentofpillsbutneverb3756 Жыл бұрын

Are these hard to find? A quick google search shows resellers so I guess there isnt a current reprint

@thelibraryladder Жыл бұрын

Several of the Scribner Illustrated Classics are still in print and can be purchased new on Amazon. Here are links to a few of them: www.amazon.com/Arabian-Nights-Best-Known-Scribner-Classics/dp/1534430180/ www.amazon.com/Robin-Hood-Paul-Creswick/dp/0684181622/ www.amazon.com/King-Arthur-Malorys-Scribner-Classics/dp/1534428410/ www.amazon.com/David-Balfour-Adventures-Scribners-Illustrated/dp/0684197367/ www.amazon.com/Black-Arrow-Illustrated-Classic-Wyeth/dp/1950435075/ www.amazon.com/Treasure-Island-Robert-Louis-Stevenson/dp/0689854684/ Most of the rest are relatively easy to find on eBay because they remained in print for decades. A few, though, are quite scarce.

@assortmentofpillsbutneverb3756 Жыл бұрын

@@thelibraryladder thank you for the video and the links! Quality stuff!

@comicbooksgalore8582 10 ай бұрын

It's strange seeing this guy speak; I feel like I should be hearing his voice narrate for an intense Hollywood action movie preview. You know, "In a dystopian society--where criminals make the rules, one man stands alone to change the future...starring Anthony Hopkins, Gene Hackman, Keanu Reeves, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Penélope Cruz, and Benicio Del Toro! VILE ACTS! In theatres December."

@thelibraryladder 10 ай бұрын

It's my natural speaking voice, so we're both stuck with it, for better or for worse. :D

@comicbooksgalore8582 10 ай бұрын

I thoroughly enjoyed your presentation; please understand my previous commentary to be a compliment--to you. :)@@thelibraryladder

@comicbooksgalore8582 10 ай бұрын

Is there any chance you've done a voice-over for Heritage Auctions?@@thelibraryladder

@thelibraryladder 10 ай бұрын

Thanks! Some viewers seem to get unnerved by my voice, but there's not much I can do about it.

@thelibraryladder 10 ай бұрын

No, I haven't. My involvement with Heritage has been solely as a customer. Does my voice remind you of someone you've heard there?

@garymoraco3184 2 жыл бұрын

Hello, I have been recently watching your videos and I don't leave messages on these because most of them never get read. And so I'm attempting this,.hopfully not in vain, so as to let you know I'm interested in your opinions just based on videos of course. I'll get right to it and say that I have and continue to watch other book reviews but you seem to have a, for lack of that special word , passionate about good literature so I'm going to throw you a fastball because using sports metaphors is lame and I'm all about exposing lameness as you seem to be.Getting really brutish out there isn't it? Let's see a video about obscure science fiction. Not the usual stuff or more recent but the overlooked or forgotten and you might include if you choose any historical facts regarding these choices. Is this something others would enjoy? I'll stick around and wait for any responses tonight from others here.

@thelibraryladder Жыл бұрын

Hi! Thanks for commenting. Science fiction is one of my favorite genres, and I have a lot of the overlooked and forgotten kind in my collection. (It's the second largest component of my collection, behind classic children's books.) In fact, I'm working now on a video about SF great Vernor Vinge, who hit his peak in the 1980s and 90s. It'll be a career retrospective covering his nearly 50-year writing career starting in the mid-1960s. You might also find interesting the video I made a couple of months ago about the pioneering 1950s SF publisher Gnome Press. (kzfaq.info/get/bejne/la6cfst9rJm-qHk.html) After focusing mainly on fantasy in my early videos, I'm slowly diversifying to include videos on a wider range of genres, including science fiction. Stay tuned!

@mteresavaldes2251 2 жыл бұрын

If you narrate a book, I hope you begin with 20, ooo leagues under the Sea!

@thelibraryladder Жыл бұрын

Great suggestion! I'd probably start with something a little shorter, though, to test the waters.

@garymoraco3184 Жыл бұрын

This was the wrong place to suggest ideas.

@thelibraryladder Жыл бұрын

Patience, please. I don't monitor the comments 24/7. Please see my response last night to your original suggestion. Thanks. :)