Historical Children's Book Collection
This collection originated with two donors: Louise Singley and Eunice LeFevre.
Originally the collection consisted of approximately 300 books, but it now numbers
over 3000 volumes. Both women were active members of The Friends of the Libraries
at WMU. Miss Singley was a children's librarian at the Kalamazoo Public Library
for 28 years. During her time there, she became known as, "The Story Book
Lady." Eunice LeFevre also enjoyed books for children. She primarily donated
historical educational books for children such as primers and geography books
because of the insight it brings into the development of young minds. The research
possibilities from this collection are great, and both donations are complemented
by a collection Peter Rabbit books and other children's books donated by M.A.
Haynes-Johnson (WMU Professor Emerita of English), and the J. Whirler and the
Jean "Sam" Tyler pop-up and movable books collections.
The collection includes a variety of books on many subjects including: educational
books such as primers and geography books, fairy tales, classical literature,
fables from around the world, serials, Newberry award winners, and picture books.
There are multiple editions of each work of Horatio Alger, early editions of
Louisa May Alcott and A.A. Milne, and an edition of Aesop's fables from the press
of John Baskerville. Also included in the collection are autographed copies of
award winning juvenile literature, foreign juvenile books, and works illustrated
by Arthur Rackham, Edmund Dulac, Kate Greenaway, and N.C. Wyeth. The collection
also includes over 1000 pop-up books on various subjects such as: architecture,
science, castles, contemporary fiction, and popular culture.
|
