My Bookhouse: Story Time

My Book House #2

by Olive Beaupré Miller (Editor)

Volume 2 of 12.

Genres: Poetry, Childrens, Fiction, Fairy Tales

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1920

About the author

Olive Kennon Beaupré was born in Aurora, IL on September 11, 1883. She received her B.A. from Smith College in 1904 and returned to Aurora to work as an English teacher for two years. Olive and Harry Edward Miller were married October 2, 1907.

Olive began writing rhymes and stories to entertain her daughter Virginia, and was encouraged by Harry to publish some of her writings. In 1919 Olive founded The Bookhouse for Children publishing company with Harry. Olive assumed the title of Editor and published all of her subsequent material either solely through The Bookhouse or through other publishing companies in conjunction with The Bookhouse.

Olive published the first volume of the My Bookhouse series in 1920 and set to work on the next five volumes. My Bookhouse became the first collection of children's literature which was graded to meet the developing needs and abilities of children at different ages.

Olive began publishing the nine volume series A Picturesque Tale of Progress in 1929. In 1934 Olive revised My Bookhouse, expanding the series from six volumes to twelve.

When Olive and Harry were divorced in May 1935, he resigned his position as President of The Book House. In addition to being Editor, Olive was elected Vice-President by the Board of Directors, who hoped that this post would keep her from pursuing a more managerial role in the company. Olive achieved the position of Chairman of the Board in 1939 and held it until 1954.

The Book House for Children was sold to United Educators in 1954. Olive remained Chairman of the Board in an advisory capacity until she retired in 1962. She moved to Tucson, AZ where she lived with her daughter Virginia (Miller) Read and family until her death on March 25, 1968.

Reviews

[Nancy Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book of the series, my sentimental journey through books of my childhood. These books are graded, the first one being short rhymes with colorful pictures, and this one moving on to short, rhythmic stories with simple plots easy for young children to follow. Some of my favorites included "The Little Engine That Could", Beatrix Potter's "Tale of Peter Rabbit", and "The Ugly Duckling". I'm having so much fun, I'm going on to the next volume.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a wondering anthology of children’s poems and stories. The My Book House series was written to follow the child while they developed and grew older. The first book and this one were perfect to read aloud to my kindergartener. Next year we will read the next 2 books in the series.

I own the green/blue gradient set printed in the 1950s and they look lovely on my bookshelves.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great compilation of nursery rhymes, poetry, and short stories. The classical song recommendations that accompanied many of the stories was a pleasant surprise.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely delightful. This is the second compilation in the series. I read this book aloud with the kids, and all of us were enchanted. This book was full of poetry, fables, fairy tales, and short stories. I’m so glad I sprang for the set at Half Price Books!!

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

A big hit with our toddler, just like Volume 1.

[Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful collection of stories and poems for little ones. Many of them are folklore from other countries. Suggested musical accompaniment is included at the bottom of each tale.

[♥♣Mary♦♠ If She So Pleases]

67/232

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

We love it! Such a charming little book containing such wonderful enchanting stories! We spent a lot of hours reading and reading with delight!

[Joy]

My cousin gave me the whole My Bookhouse set and I'm finally starting to read it to my daughters. They have Autism so their attention span is not the best so I've waited to start reading it until now.

This volume is short stories with poems mixed in. It starts with "The Little Red Hen" which is quite familiar. There are familiar Aesop Tales like "The City and Country Mouse" and "The Lion and the Mouse" along with more modern stories like "Peter Rabbit" and "The Little Engine that Could."

It does not have as many pictures are you would get if any of these stories were told as a picture book so I don't think it holds my daughters' attentions as well as a normal picture book. I've been using it as a part of bedtime to wean them off picture books a bit.

[Shannon Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

We worked through this book little by little (primarily during morning time) and it was wonderful! We just went on to the third volume today, and I can already see the jump in the amount of text from the second to the third volume. The stories in this second volume are much lighter and the pages are beautifully illustrated.

[Korinn Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magical and endearing. A childhood classic that I dearly remember reading with my Grandma and now I have to share with my own kids!

[Michael Kutan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute collection of Children's stories.

[Sherrie]

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