Like most kids, my children’s books shelves are overflowing with all manner and sorts of books. Some are junky (yes, I have several editions of Sponge Bob and Dora — it avoids a teary messy departure from the Borders) and some are very nice. There are even some vintage books there — books that were passed on to my from my parents. Recently, I was reading to my younger boys from one of those books and noticed something I never had before.

The book Storytelling and Other Poems is one of a series of Childcraft books– #2 in the series, actually and my version is copyrighted 1949 and has just a beautiful variety of childrens’ illustrations. What I finally noticed was the artists names on each page. A few quick googles and now I know a bit more about the artists. Since I believe the copyright is now in the public domain (yes?), I thought I would scan some of my favorites and do a little series. So lets get started!

One of my favorite poems in the book is “The Potatoes’ Dance (A Poem Game)” by Vachel Lindsay and it was illustrated by Samuel Armstrong. He was one of the artists for Disney’s Fantasia and worked there as an illustrator but he is best known for his cover work on Sunset magazine. Or so the internet told me.

I love the greens in her skirt and the burnt matchstick legs on Mr. Sweet Potato. Here is the poem it illustrates.

I love his little red bunny face! Here is the poem that it goes with.

The feel of this one is so different! I love the dark western sky, look at those stars! This is part of a full two page spread — I will try to do a better scan and stitch it all together. The poem is here — but is there anyone who doesn’t know “Home on the Range?”