COLLECTION #142: Alice and Jerry Readers

I've written about my Dick and Jane readers. I've blogged about Bob and Judy. I've discussed Billy and Jane.  These are all wonderful books, with adorable illustrations and sweet stories for school children of the 1930s, 40s, 50s, and 60s.  But of all my vintage school readers, my absolute favorites are the Alice and Jerry books. Illustrated double-handedly by sisters Florence and Margaret Hoopes in the 1930s, these books are beyond adorable. They are just perfection. These talented ladies, who illustrated dozens of school readers, as well as other children's books, could draw and paint about anything. Animals, sweet-faced children, adults, cars, (not so easy!), houses, and landscapes. Their colors are yummy, their design sense- impeccable, their rendering skills are first rate. The Alice and Jerry readers were published by the Row, Peterson and Company.

Late '40s, early '50s editions

Two editions of Here and There- from the late '30s and early '40s.

Two of the pre-primers, early 1950s edition

I took so many photos of their books, I think I'll just post them and let you enjoy the superb work of these talented ladies. They are both long gone, but their artistic legacy remains.  Click on any of the images for a closer look.

Late 1950s editions of the Alice and Jerry books... fantastic book design. Modern yet nostalgic.

Could this be any cuter?

Late 1930s version of Here and There.

This is Skip Along, one of the earliest pre-primers. It uses rebuses in place of some of the harder words.