Ticket to the Twenties: A Time Traveler's Guide

Blocksma energetically transports readers to the ``swell'' 1920s, when pajamas were considered indecent, a daily dose of cod liver oil was a must and a dollar bought 20 ice cream bars (21, should one of the sticks say ``free''). After a briefing on suitable garb for a visit to the '20s, the author delivers a lesson on ``jive talk'' (according to which ``flat tire'' is a boring person and ``het up'' means angry); explains what to request at the beauty parlor and barbershop for a ``darb'' hairstyle; and describes a '20s-style ``middle-class home in a middle-size city in middle America.'' Along the way, Blocksma slips in advice on such matters as how to put on high-top shoes so that they anchor long woolen underwear and how to use the telephone (``wait for the operator to come on''). The decade's historical and cultural highlights receive their due along with notations on such ``Twenties firsts'' as the initial appearances of zippers, Scotch tape, electric pop-up toasters and car radios. Each page contains a sampling of spirited line art by first-time artist Dennen. Black-and-white photos add dash, compensating for an unappetizing two-color design. It all amounts to a swift journey that is, well, totally ``hep'' and entirely ``keen.'' Ages 8-12. (Nov.)