October is National Book Month and what better way to kick off this awesome month than to celebrate the 80th year of one of my all-time favorite Classic Children’s Book, Caps for Sale.
It was one of the first books I learned to read on my own. I loved those pesky monkeys and all the mischief they got into in and I know your kids will delight in following the peddler’s efforts to outwit the monkeys too.
Even more interesting is the story behind Caps for Sale is the story of Author/Illustrator Esphyr Slobodkina. In 1940 she was a young abstract artist on the rise to fame in New York City. Born in 1908 in a Siberian town called Chelyabinsk, Slobodkina grew up in Manchuria China and studied art there as well as Russia before immigrating to the U.S. in 1928.
She studied at the National Academy of Design in New York City and became a founding member of the American Abstract Artists group, which was formed in 1938 to promote an understanding of abstract and non-objective art.
So how does an abstract artist end up writing and illustrating one of the most famous books of all time? Slobodkina met Margaret Wise Brown who is famous in her own right for penning Goodnight Moon. At the time Margaret Wise Brown worked as a publisher for W.R. Scott. After seeing Slobodkina’s avant-garde portfolio which included her picture book Mary and the Poodles, Brown offered Slobodkina a publishing contract to publish Mary and the Poodies plus illustrate a book that Brown had authored called The Little Fireman.
With the encouragement of Margaret Wise Brown, Slobodkina went onto write and illustrate her own books. Caps for Sale was published in 1940 by W.R. Scott. It was Slobodkina’s third book published. In 1947 Harper & Brothers reissued Caps for Sale where it has been a constant title on most people’s books shelves selling millions of copies in the U.S. alone and translated into 6 languages as well as winning many awards.
In all, Esphyr Slobodkina authored and illustrated 22 books. Her book Caps for Sale is a vivid memory from my childhood and still sits on the shelf with all of the other I Can Read books that my grandmother purchased for me. Now 75 years later we are still reading and laughing over the funny man with all the hats and the silly monkeys who tortured him with their antics.
Happy Birthday Caps for Sale! Wishing you many readers to turn your pages.
Bring The Book to Life
One of my all-time favorite play moments with Caps for Sale came from my friends over at WeeFolkArt. You and the kids will have hours of fun with this peg characters, felt hats, and Tree. It will bring this book to life over and over again. Just love this. You can find all the inspirational moments right here.
Have a look at the Caps for Sale Pinterest Page. This page is designed for First and Second Grade
Get a Jump on Holiday Shopping| Books As Gifts
As the gift-giving holiday approaches, parents may be tempted to buy the toys that honk, walk, buzz, or light up.
Though it may not light up or wiggle, books are an amazing gift because they are meaningful, beautiful, portable, appealing, inexpensive and a gift that can be opened again and again. AND, there always a book for every member of the family.
One of the many results of being in business for almost a decade is being able to offer a wide range of beautiful books thanks to the many authors that we’ve worked with over the years,
The result is an extensive Audrey Press catalog of quality books that includes titles for the whole family!
Urban Fantasy, Non-fiction Business, How-To, Spirituality and Travel, Parenting and Coaching, Children’s Picture Books, and Middle Reader Activity and Screen-Free Learning–YES…we have something for everyone.
So for the 2020 holiday season, everyone at Audrey Press would like to offer a gift-buying perk in the form of a very unique 10 BOOK BUNDLE plus a very special COUPON CODE!
During the month of October, use Coupon Code SAVE20 at checkout to save 20% on orders over $50!
This special Holiday 10-book Bundle Deal includes one paperback or hardcover copy of the following books:
- The Ascension Trilogy-Ascension, Clandestine, and Reclamation by Hannah Rials (YA, Urban Fantasy)
- Two-Year Waitlist: An Entrepreneurial Guide for Music Teachers by Noreen Wenjen (Non-fiction Business)
- Pilgrimage: A Modern Seeker’s Guide by Evans Bowen (Spirituality and Travel)
- HOW TO COACH GIRLS by Mia Wenjen and Alison Foley (Parenting and Coaching)
- The Elusive Full Ride Scholarship: An Insider’s Guide by Mia Wenjen and Alison Foley (Parenting and Coaching)
- Sissy Goes Tiny by Rebecca Flansburg and BA Norrgard (Hardcover Children’s Picture Book)
- Dragons Are Real by Valarie Budayr (Children’s Picture Book)
- A Year in the Secret Garden by Valarie Budayr and Marilyn Scott-Waters (Middle Reader Activity and Screen-Free Learning)
So this holiday season, give your family the gift that they can open again and again…BOOKS!
***FREE SHIPPING in the USA-Be sure and order before December 15, 2020, to ensure arrival before Christmas.***Again, use SAVE20 at checkout to save 20% on orders over $50!
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