My Bookhouse: Up One Pair of Stairs

My Book House #3

by Olive Beaupré Miller (Editor)

Volume 3 of 12

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Short Stories, Literature, Anthologies, Fairy Tales, Fantasy

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

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read every single bit aloud and it was thoroughly enjoyed by both reader and listener. The variety is great, providing a wonderful introduction to all kinds of people and places that will be built upon for years to come. It was interesting to discover that different printings contain variations - not only in what was added and deleted, but in illustrations (and what was color or not) and even in particular stories: there are (at least two) entirely different Johnny Appleseed stories. This volume is nice in that the stories are mostly short enough - there are a few longer ones, even with parts, like Christopher Columbus and Nutcracker and Sugar Dolly. The next volume demands more extended listening, which isn't always available.

[April Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not sure why I didn't pick these books up sooner after I got them from my grandmother. They are simply wonderful. I can't stop looking at the pictures and returning to the stories I've always enjoyed.

[Nancy Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Continuing my sentimental journey.....Book 3 contains simple fairy tales and tales from all over the world. Some of my favorites are The Shoemaker and the Elves, Goldilocks, Kingsley's Water Babies, and several from Aesop's Fables. Loving this nostalgia!

[Connie Myres · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all the "My Book House" books!

[Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful stories and poems. Very relaxing to read folk tales and simple stories.

[Brenda Conry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am working my way through the 12-volume set. I grew up with these books, which I credit for my love of reading. Beautifully illustrated, and a compendium of the classics in children's literature--fairy tales, poetry, some history. As an adult I have been going through the footnotes which suggest musical pieces and artwork to experience with the literary works. I wish we'd had Youtube when I was a kid.

[Kiley Cogdill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I 100% would recommend this book for teachers to have in their classroom. These books have such sweet stories, but the vocabulary brings a challenging aspect. I love that there is some old English language in these books, but it will encourage your students to build their vocab. I read the story of The Elf and The Dormouse, and I love how it uses poetry to relay the story.

[Shirley Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

“I Went up One Pair of Stairs;
Just like me!
I looked out the window;
Just like me!
And there I saw a bigger world
Than In the Nursery!”

Cover Illustration and Favorite Story:
“Snow-White and Rose-Red” by Wilhelm and Jacob Grimm
In which two beautiful sisters tame a Bear, who turns out to be a Prince.

[Sherrie]

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