{"id":35997,"date":"2014-10-01T00:00:45","date_gmt":"2014-10-01T07:00:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.todayifoundout.com\/?p=35997"},"modified":"2014-10-01T00:17:08","modified_gmt":"2014-10-01T07:17:08","slug":"day-history-october-1st-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.todayifoundout.com\/index.php\/2014\/10\/day-history-october-1st-2\/","title":{"rendered":"This Day in History: October 1st- Little Golden Books"},"content":{"rendered":"

This Day In History<\/a>: October 1, 1942<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"childrens-books\"<\/a>On October 1, 1942 the first Little Golden Books<\/a><\/em> were published, making children\u2019s books affordable for the average family during an era when they were considered a luxury item for most. Priced at 25 cents each (about $3.50 today), Little Golden Books<\/em> were an instant hit with young readers and parents alike.<\/p>\n

Before 1942, children\u2019s books weren\u2019t intended to be handled and read by actual children. They were big and bulky \u2013 much too cumbersome for little hands to manipulate with ease. The storylines and language were also generally way over the average kid\u2019s head, and to top it off, they cost a bundle at 2-3 bucks a pop \u2013 about $28-$42 today.<\/p>\n

Then George Duplaix of the Artists and Writers Guild, in cooperation with Simon & Schuster Publications and Western Printing, hit upon the idea of a durable and affordable children\u2019s book that would be appealing to youngsters. (Imagine that! A children\u2019s book for children!) These books would have fewer pages, plentiful, colorful illustrations and simple stories that kids could follow and enjoy.<\/p>\n

Little Golden Books<\/em> were immediately popular, but a few spoilsport librarians sniffed at the fact that the books were not the high quality literature children should be reading. They obviously hadn\u2019t stopped to consider that any book in a child\u2019s hand is better than one sitting on a shelf. Despite killjoy librarians, after only five months in the stores Little Golden Books<\/em> had sold over 1.5 million copies.<\/p>\n

One of the reasons for the success of Little Golden Books was how they were marketed. The books were available in retail outlets such as department stores and supermarkets \u2013 places books weren\u2019t usually sold, but places where harried moms were trying to keep their little darlings amused while they shopped. A quarter for a book was a small price to pay for a peaceful outing. Pure genius.<\/p>\n

Since their introduction on October 1, 1942, over 2 billion Little Golden Books have been sold worldwide. Like a lot of beloved kid\u2019s memorabilia, early editions have become sought-after collector\u2019s items.<\/p>\n

Little Golden Books<\/em> have introduced generations of children to the world of books and reading. Along with the original classics and fairy-tales, there have always been titles mirroring popular trends, and countless other subjects, so young readers are always spoiled for choice. Thanks to Little Golden Books<\/em>, many kids have come to know the joy of losing themselves in a good book – a habit some keep for life.<\/p>\n

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