Janet and John: Here We Go

Janet and John #1

by Mabel O'Donnell, Rona Monro

Originally, these stories were published by Row Peterson and Company as the "Alice and Jerry "books in the USA. The Janet and John books emerged as a popular way to help children learn to read in 1949. These average English children of the 1950s are icons in the minds of the generations who grew up with them. Summersdale is thrilled to be bringing these classic bestsellers from yesteryear back into print as beautifully illustrated hardcover editions that make the perfect nostalgia gift items.

33 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Miss O`Donnell, educator, was the author of two sets of elementary school textbooks, the Alice and Jerry series and the Janet and John series. Both were widely used in the United States and other English-speaking nations.

For many years, Miss O`Donnell, served as a teacher, primary grade supervisor and curriculum coordinator for Aurora's East Side elementary schools.

In 1946 she resigned her post as primary supervisor to become an editor for Row, Peterson & Co., an Evanston-based textbook publishing firm.

Reviews

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember getting these out of the school library when I was learning to read, they were ancient then and when I taught my children to read they read them too and even though they are super ancient now we really enjoyed the vintage illustrations, the clear repetitive text and the cute subject matter of playing with puppies, kittens and jumping in the river with a blow up horse. As beginner reader books these are lovely.

[Manny · Rating 2 out of 5]

In a recent thread, some people stated their objections to literature which fails in its duty to be gender-balanced. I can absolutely see their point, except that it is a little difficult to find books which pass the test. Almost everything I could think of did seem to have either more men than women, or more women than men. It's dreadful.

In fact, I was about to give up... when I suddenly remembered Here We Go! No doubt, sneering critics will carp at the daringly minimalist plot and character development, and signally fail to appreciate the understated faux-naive style. I've had too many arguments about this to want to do it again; there are those, alas, who cannot see true greatness, even when it's thrust under their noses. But say what you will, the book is gender-balanced. Janet, John, Mother and Father: exactly 50% of each sex. I rest my case.

[Krysia Corden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for early readers

Well set out and easy for my granddaughter to follow and read. Wish there were more on Kindle
She likes to read this book

[JoAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

taking me back to my P1 days and learning to read and also to the late great Sir Terry Wogan who brought these alive on the radio.