Bertha Morris Parker (1890–1980)

The Golden Book Encyclopedia series, sixteen volumes, is a Baby Boom classic. There were two editions of note, little changed, 1959 and 1970. Ultra slim, gorgeously illustrated in the 1950s line/watercolor children's lit style, the series informed little minds--and possibly twisted them a bit. The POV, and somewhat goofy, writing has become a cultural in-joke. Where else can you get this opener from anentry under 'Modern Art': "Most people do not like Modern Art." Taken as naive, taken as an show more art object, taken as a cultural document, these books will fulfill all that and even educate a little besides. I confess that I did not know what an "epiphyte" was until I gratefully snagged a complete mint collection at an antique jobbie. I virtually ran with the books after purchase--this is a buy I've been jonesing for since The Moon Landing. All I need now are the Aurora Monster kits... show less

My favorite set of Encyclopedia's written by my late Great Aunt Bertha Morris Parker. I used to spend hours reading and re-reading these books. I recently was given the complete set as a gift as I lost my originals in a house fire.

How Old Is Old?
How Big Is Big?
How Fast Is Fast?
How Far Is Far?
How Hot Is Hot?
A Million Kinds of Animals
Animals With Feathers
Animals With Hair
Fishes
Other Animals With Backbones
Sea Shells
In The Deep Sea
Insect Enemies
Insect Friends
Insect Cities
Spending the Winter
Animals in Disguise
Hundreds of Thousands of Plants
Sugar Factories
Beggar Plants
Plants That Eat Insects
Flowers We Know
Fruits from Near and Far
Vegetables in Our Gardens
Seeds That Go Travelling
Our Bodies
The Air We Breathe
The Water We show more Drink
The Food We Eat
Under Our Feet
Pebbles
Fossils
Giants of Long Ago
Mountains That Smoke
Rivers of Ice
The Great Ice Age
Fairylands Underground
Old Faithful
Above Our Heads
Higher Still
The Sun
The Planets
The Moon
Starts
Weather, Weather Everywhere
Clouds
Storms
Help With Our Work
Magnets
Jack-Of-All-Trades
Floating
Flying
Wonders of Today and Tomorrow
Light
Shadows
Sound
Echoes
Building Blocks show less

i had the complete set as a child. I read them over and over.