Everything I Need to Know I Learned from a Little Golden Book

Muldrow, editorial director at Golden Books, pairs vintage illustrations from titles originally published in the 1940s, ’50s, and ’60s with aphorisms designed to boost spirits. Adults (or possibly high school and college graduates) are the primary audience. “Be a romantic,” reads a page illustrated with an image of a prince and princess on horseback from The Blue Book of Fairy Tales (1959); opposite, a delicately illustrated scene from The Paper Doll Wedding (1954) joins the advice, “Don’t forget to enjoy your wedding!” Elsewhere, the river-crossing scene from Richard Scarry’s 1953 version of The Gingerbread Man reminds readers, “Choose your companions wisely.” Readers who grew up with Little Golden Books illustrated by the likes of Mary Blair, Tibor Gergely, and Garth Williams will enjoy this optimistic and cheering trip down memory lane. Ages 12–up. (Sept.)