The American Girl's Handy Book: How to Amuse Yourself and Others
by Lina Beard, Adelia Beard
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Description
A reprint of a gay nineties publication for young ladies instructing them in such hobbies as fancy needlework, handmade dolls, china painting, painting in oils, heraldic painting, preservation of wild flowers, and many others.Tags
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Member Reviews
Had you been a girl in late 19th-century America, this book would have been a treasure. It still is, although its value today is as a nostalgic look back to a time when families and communites were much more tightly knit than they are today, and "girls" (the book seems aimed at about ages 13-17) grew up without the early sexualization we're so used to now. In fact, the theme of the book is that boys really aren't necessary if girls want to have a good time! Many of the crafts and home-decorating ideas can be duplicated today for period effects, and if you're thinking of throwing an accurately Victorian-themed party, look no further for a great source of ideas. Fun and refreshing.
An adorable book that I randomly bought while visiting the Juliette Gordon Low house (founder of the Girl Scouts) in Savannah, GA. It has a lot of old timey projects that could still be enjoyed by crafters, families, and kids today. I could see an elementary school teacher using this for ideas. It has projects for every holiday.
I'd really like to check out The American Boy's Handy Book as well. Apparently, Turn-Of-The-Century Girls were obsessed with pressing, arranging, and drying flowers. Which is great, but today's kids are a little more tough, outdoorsy, and less patient.
I'd really like to check out The American Boy's Handy Book as well. Apparently, Turn-Of-The-Century Girls were obsessed with pressing, arranging, and drying flowers. Which is great, but today's kids are a little more tough, outdoorsy, and less patient.
Reprint. Orig. publ. New York, NY : Scribner, 1887
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Nonpareil Books (46)
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- Canonical title
- The American Girl's Handy Book: How to Amuse Yourself and Others
- Alternate titles
- The Original Girl's Handy Book
- Original publication date
- 1887
- First words
- [Preface] "I do wish some one would write a book like that for girls," is the remark we have frequently heard when a new book of sports for boys has made its appearance but it was not until the publication of the "American B... (show all)oy's Handy Book" that it occurred to us to write a book for the American boy's neglected sisters, which should be equally original and practical.
This is the children's own day, and no assumption of dignity on the part of their elders can deter them from exercising the privileges granted to them by acknowledged custom and precedent. - Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)[Preface] A few of our chapters are taken rom articles which were written by us for, and published by, the Youth's Companion, St. Nicholas, Harper's Young People, Golden Days, and Wide Awake.
(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)If we have done more, and with any of our suggestions have prompted the thought of adding to the comfort and happiness of others, we have achieved a success, and the mission of the AMERICAN GIRL'S HANDY BOOK is accomplished.
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- 873
- Popularity
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- Reviews
- 3
- Rating
- (4.06)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 14
- UPCs
- 2
- ASINs
- 8
