Back to School with Old Readers

I love the smell of old books when I walk into a school or library, and I have a small collection of old readers from family and from my years of teaching.













If you went to school in the era I did, you will remember Dick and Jane. These little books were my introduction to reading in the first grade, and I fondly remember reading about the adventures of siblings Dick, Jane and Sally and their little dog, Spot...












It was published in 1953 (before I was born, but not by much!) by Scott, Foresman and Company. This particular book is a First Grade health book. I saw a 1948 "Rare, 1st Printing" edition online for $35.00.

The oldest reader I have belonged to my grandfather; I know this because he wrote his name inside several times! It was published in 1907 by Silver, Burdett and Company...









This precious little book belonged to my father's sister, who died at a young age. Her name, Edna, was written on the inside, and the book was published in 1928 by Charles E. Merrill Co...


I love the colors and the fact that not much has changed as far as items in a classroom, except we now have whiteboards and computers!

My last little gem belonged to my Uncle John; an adult wrote his name on the inside with the price marked as .55. It was published in 1930 by The MacMillan Company...






Again, I love the colors and the styles shown in these two pictures of the chapter "The First Day".

Perhaps some of you remember these books or have seen them as you browse old books in attics and antique stores. There is something very precious about holding a little bit of the past in your hands, and imagining a little boy or girl of long ago who learned to read within these pages.