The Portland daily press., 1878-12-21
Juv. nile Bo oks.


The great publishing house of Santa Claus
and Co-of which such everyday people as
Messre Scribner andRoberts and Hough-
ton & Osgood and Harper are only branch
frms-sur-ly never had livelier business than
now. Aud when one reflects that to his i'm
mense wholesale operations the senior partner
adds wide retail business, and delivers his
books in persou-why then the mind becomes
quite tired with thinking how much Santa
Claus has to do. If parents and friends will
help the old gentleman little, by purchasing
and carrying home some volumes for the chill
dreu, it must tighten the saints labors appreci-
ably. So here are q few hints as to selection
from the prettiest publications of these branch
firms Of the great house of Santa Claus and Go.
First, Messrs. Houghton & Osgood Portland:
Loring, Short s, Harmony have a superb edi-
tion of Mother Goose, containing all the nurs-
cry rhy mes the old lady ever sang, and many
that have been added to babS Lore since. It
has pictures in antique style, brightly colored
on golden background; and its large size,
fine clear type, creamy paper, gilt edges, and,
best OF all. the appropriate music, and really
valuable notes upon some historic and tradi-
ful book for old and young readers. 1t is fit
ting monument to the kindly memory of good
Mrs. Goose, the equestrian portrait of whom
(no; not equestrian-what can one say for
"riding horseback on a goose?') adorns the
cover Another of Sophie Mays popular Pru-
dy stories, is entitled, Little Pitchers. Tho
mere mention of it is enough to ensure it
quick sales Boston: Lee & Sheppard Port
land: Dresser Il McLellan.) The Chatterbox
New York: r. Worthington, Portland: Lor-
ing, Short & Harmony My Picture Story-book
and the Playmate (Philadelphia J. B. Lippin-
colt; Portland: Bailey & Noyes) are for little
boys and girls and are full of pictures and
short stories and rhymes. For pussycat's
friends-and what child is not of them?-Mr.
7. B. Aldrch's dainty translation of The Sto
ry of Cat is published by Messrs.
Houghton g. Osgood portland Loriug,
Short & Harmon) It has many conn.,
cal illustrations in silhouette Castle Blair is
. story by Mrs. Flora Shaw, and is written
with great talent and originality. 1t is re
marksble book-one of which Mr.. Ruskin has
spoken words of great praise, quoted as preface
to the story. Boston Roberts Bros Portland:
Loring, Short & Harmony The Young Folks
Opera, by Elizabeth P. Goodrich (Bostoh: W
f Gill; Portland: Dresser & McLelan) is made
up Of children's so1gs with appropriate action.
Music and words are charming and bright, the T.
lustrations are well designed, and the volume l.
in ~very way attractive to little lovers of mu-
sic Our adventurously inclined brethren, the
boye, are not forgotten at the feast of books
Messrs Lee and Shepard portland; Dresser &
McLellan) publish another volume of Oliver
Optics Great Western Series, entitled Lake
Breezes or the Cruise of the S3lvsnia, an ex-
citing narrative of boy sailor on Lake Superi.
or. From the same publishers comes lie P. Art
ington and his Friend, by B. P. Shillabe,-s
book in imitation of and imueasurably Inferior
to Mr.. O. d. Warmers deliciously realistic
Being Boy. Red Eagle is story, founded on
historic facts, about the war with the Creek IT,
dams of Alabama, written by George Cary Egg
geston New York: Dodd & Mead; Portland:
Bailey & Noyes.) Though wars and fighting
seem stories alien to the peace and good will
Of the Christmas seasou, the boys will be DIS
appointed if Red Eagle be omitted from the
treasures OF their stockings. Burying the
Hatchet is story of the early settlement Of
Delaware, In the time of Indian troubles, and
the privations of the settlers are graphically de-
scribed. 1t is one of Rev. Elijah Kellogg's
Forest Glen Series, and is published by Messrs.
Lse & Shepard: Boston, Il Portland: Dresser
& McLellan.> The Young Adventurer, BY
Horatio Alger, is another story by a well
known writer, written with good aim thou gh
not frst-olass in execution,