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March 2009
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THIS MONTH
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Do modern children's books shelter youngsters too much? There is a place for puppies and bunnies, for Thomas the Tank Engine and maybe even for the Care Bears. After all, perseverance and kindness are important life lessons. But surely there's still a place for the gruesome fairytales with wicked witches and hungry wolves, as well as matter-of-fact children's books that offer reality. Literarily speaking, have we gone too soft?
This issue of the Avid Reader takes a look at some of the children's books, then and now, that pulled no punches. Whether gruesome, gory fairytales or frank, honest stories about difficult subjects, we're discussing the authors who tell it like it is, to kids.
Read the article
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| The staff sound off on Reading Copy, the AbeBooks Blog |
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FEATURED ARTICLE
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The Magic of Roald Dahl
When I think of books for children that don't condescend or patronize, that are beastly and full of fun, the first and foremost name that comes to mind is Roald Dahl. The worlds Dahl created were populated by friendly giants, oversized talking insects, dedicated fathers, and beloved grandmothers. And, of course, the world's most amazing chocolate factory. Dahl's books were as full of excitement and joy as any, and just enough impossible, wonderful events to satisfy any child's craving for enchantment.
What made Roald Dahl so unusual as a children's author was his apparent relish of horrid, nasty, and unpleasant things that would make one's toes curl. In The Witches, the grandmamma not only smokes filthy, black cigars....
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| See the 10 Most Expensive Irish Books sold on AbeBooks |
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ON THE SITE
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Hand-me-down Cookbooks survey
 Do you own a cookbook that has been handed down to you by your parents, grandmother, or even great grandparents? AbeBooks wants to know about your family heirloom cookbooks. Whether it's the Joy of Cooking, Delia Smith's Complete Cookery Course or other, your contribution could be used in a cookery feature on AbeBooks. Thanks very much.
Take the Hand-me-down cookbook survey
Discover Victorian Yellowbacks
 Step back to Queen Victoria's heyday and open a Yellowback... if you can find one. Yellowbacks were inexpensive, highly commercial paperbacks published in Victorian Britain and sold through W.H. Smith bookstalls in railway stations. Today, they are highly collectable and harder to find.
Read the full feature
Most Expensive Books Sold in February
- The Catcher in the Rye
J.D. Salinger - £7,800
- Dreams from my Father
Barack Obama - £6,027
- Summa Theologiae, pars Secunda
Antoninus - £4,409
- Peter Beard: Art Edition
Owen Edwards - £3,897
- Forever Odd
Dean Koontz - £3,226
See the Whole List in the Rare Book Room
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30 Novels Worth Buying For the Cover Alone
 Let's hear it for the book designers. They give a visual perspective to somebody else's written art, find balance in colour and shape, simplicity and uniqueness. A book must stand out on the bookshop bookshelf yet cover designers rarely receive the recognition that authors do. In appreciation of these unsung artists, here are 30 gorgeous fiction covers - all worth buying for the cover alone.
View the books
Blackwell's 50% Off Sale
 From now until mid-April; Blackwell is offering 50% off selected classic literature titles, from Aesop to Zola and many in between.
Learn more about Blackwell's Sale
Signed Bestsellers in February
- The Graveyard Book
Neil Gaiman
- The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao
Junot Diaz
- Cutting for Stone
Abraham Verghese
- Fool
Christopher Moore
- Vagrants
Yiyun Li
See The Whole List on the Homepage
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