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Eloise Wilkin Stories
Little Golden Books illustrated by Eloise Wilkin are among the most remembered, beloved, and requested by consumers. This collection, which contains nine of her best-loved books, will be cherished by collectors, parents, and children for years to come. It contains Wilkin’s most famous Little Golden Books (such as Baby Dear), as well as lesser-known Little Golden Books, prayers, poems, Mother Goose rhymes, and an introduction written by Wilkin’s daughter.
There are various authors of the books contained in the treasury, including Jane Werner Watson, who edited and wrote hundreds of Golden Books. She called Eloise Wilkin "the soul of Little Golden Books."
There are various authors of the books contained in the treasury, including Jane Werner Watson, who edited and wrote hundreds of Golden Books. She called Eloise Wilkin "the soul of Little Golden Books."
224 pages, Hardcover
First published September 13, 2005
5 people are currently reading
492 people want to read
About the author
Eloise Wilkin
165 books43 followersEloise Margaret Wilkin, born Eloise Margaret Burns was an American illustrator. She was best known as an illustrator of Little Golden Books. Many of the picture books she illustrated have become classics of American children's literature. Jane Werner Watson, who edited and wrote hundreds of Golden Books, called Eloise Wilkin "the soul of Little Golden Books", and Wilkin's books remain highly collectible. Her watercolor and colored pencil illustrations are known for their glowing depiction of babies, toddlers, and their parents in idyllic rural and domestic settings.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
May 18, 2009
No doubt about it, Eloise Wilkin was a marvelous illustrator and her illustrations of children are timeless in their sweetness and wide-eyed wonder. Alas, the stories themselves don't stand the test of time quite so well, and Wilkin's illustrations are bound to them so tightly. Sometimes, I found myself just skimming over the words and looking at the illustrations. Some of the tales are so mind-numbingly boring, IMO. Along the lines of, "This is Billy. Billy is a big boy. Billy can put on his shoes all by himself." Zzzzz. I think kids of today have SO many superior story options available to them. Also, these stories are DATED. You'll feel you are reading/seeing a picture book representation of "Leave it to Beaver" here with the mom cooking in her high heels and dress all day, the dad coming home at night to tuck the kids into bed. And yet, in my mind, that is part of what was so charming and fascinating about the collection--even as my modern-day sensibilities cringed a little, I fully appreciated these as a snapshot of another generation.
Note that I did feel the "Little Golden Book About God" selection is in a league of its own and I think it could be appreciated today just as much as it was when it was originally written and illustrated.
Note that I did feel the "Little Golden Book About God" selection is in a league of its own and I think it could be appreciated today just as much as it was when it was originally written and illustrated.
May 22, 2019
From the beautifully illustrated cover through to the last page, readers touched by nostalgia for familiar stories and pictures will delight in Eloise Wilkin Stories. This book is also a lovely way to introduce young children to these much-loved tales.
The introduction by Deborah Wilkin Springett, Eloise Wilkin’s daughter, is touching and heartfelt. She discusses her mother’s background in art and the path she took in her illustration career. This led to doll design, and Eloise Wilkin’s books and dolls are still some of the most collectible objects around.
This collection features nine of her most treasured stories: "Busy Timmy" by Kathryn and Byron Jackson, "Guess Who Lives Here" by Louise Woodcock, "Wonders of Nature" by Jane Werner Watson, "Selections from A Child’s Garden of Verses" by Robert Louis Stevenson, and my personal favorites: "We Help Mommy" by Jean Cushman, "Baby Listens," "Baby Dear," and "Baby Looks" by Esther Wilkin (Eloise’s sister).
I was overjoyed to show "We Help Mommy" to my young daughter, and I am hoping she will come to love it as much as I did (and still do!). The illustrations are absolutely exquisite reminders of the past that still translate to joyful moments today. This is a must-purchase book for anyone wanting to reminisce and introduce this fantastic illustrator to today’s generation.
The introduction by Deborah Wilkin Springett, Eloise Wilkin’s daughter, is touching and heartfelt. She discusses her mother’s background in art and the path she took in her illustration career. This led to doll design, and Eloise Wilkin’s books and dolls are still some of the most collectible objects around.
This collection features nine of her most treasured stories: "Busy Timmy" by Kathryn and Byron Jackson, "Guess Who Lives Here" by Louise Woodcock, "Wonders of Nature" by Jane Werner Watson, "Selections from A Child’s Garden of Verses" by Robert Louis Stevenson, and my personal favorites: "We Help Mommy" by Jean Cushman, "Baby Listens," "Baby Dear," and "Baby Looks" by Esther Wilkin (Eloise’s sister).
I was overjoyed to show "We Help Mommy" to my young daughter, and I am hoping she will come to love it as much as I did (and still do!). The illustrations are absolutely exquisite reminders of the past that still translate to joyful moments today. This is a must-purchase book for anyone wanting to reminisce and introduce this fantastic illustrator to today’s generation.
July 31, 2022
I absolutely LOVE Eloise Wilkin! She is my favorite Little Golden Books author/illustrator. Her pictures of little children are so precious and endearing, and her stories take you back to a time of innocence and wonder. She really captures what it is like to be a young child, delighting in the world around you. I really appreciate that these stories are NOT like so many children's books today (fast-paced and full of bizarre or fantastic characters). I like the slow pace and real feel to the stories in this collection, as in all of her books. What small child can't relate to going shopping with mom, playing out in the yard, or getting used to a new sibling? These stories really epitomize to me what early childhood is about.
July 6, 2017
My 19-month-old loves this book. It's very long—several books in one—but she'll sit through half of it before bedtime, captivated by the "babies." I love to read it to her; it's just perfect all around. Eloise Wilkin's illustrations are so beautiful and inspiring.
February 6, 2013
My girls love these stories...especially Baby Dear. I loved that one as a child, too!
May 13, 2025
My son and I read this book as a part of Sonlight's P3/4 curriculum. Eloise Wilkin's illustrations of small children are beautiful. These are some of my favorite Little Golden Books from my childhood and I was excited to have them all in one collection. Even my mom remembered some of these stories from when she was a child. After all that time, the gentle stories about the daily lives of small children still captivate and the sweet illustrations just drew my son in. I was hesitant at first that my son wouldn't like them that much, that perhaps they would be too slow or soft, but he loves them, calling this book his "baby stories."
April 21, 2021
Sweet, beautifully illustrated and just the perfect classics children’s book. Every story is warm, nostalgic and full of everyday mindfulness. I love how calm I feel when I read and look through her books. I always leave the book with a sense of wonder, peace and joy. A must have for any children’s book library!
November 2, 2007
I love all the golden books by Eloise Wilkin, they are so endearing and timeless.
August 9, 2022
Love sharing these stories with my babies. The pictures are so vibrant. This time around I found I could get a few of the stories in board books so happy to have that available for them too.
May 23, 2008
I love this woman. She was a childhood staple for us. Now most of her greatest work has been collected in this treasury. G really enjoys the stories, the illustrations are gentle, gorgeous and realistic. I can't say enough good things.
April 27, 2013
I never realized that so many of the books of my childhood were written or illustrated by Eloise Wilkin. This collection brought back some hazy memories of story time. Other than my own nostalgia, my what a classic, timeless collection! My son and I both thoroughly enjoyed this book.
November 30, 2007
My son adores this book and I just love Eloise Wilkin's illustrations, they bring me back to childhood.
December 18, 2007
My mother-in-law got these books for our daughter. The illustrations are wonderful and my little girl loves the stories so much...we read them before every nap and bedtime.
April 12, 2009
Fun illustrations!
June 28, 2010
One of Maddi's Absolute favorites. I remember these from growing up and they bring back many memories. Our favorites in this treasury are "We Help Mommy" and "Baby Dear"
October 27, 2010
LOVE this book. Love the illustrations and fun stories!!!
August 13, 2016
Reading this collection of her illustrated books brought back fond memories.
September 30, 2014
Love the illustrations of Eloise.
December 31, 2016
Love the Art. Loved the poems by Robert Louis Stevenson. Stuff of my childhood, my boys childhood and I hope my granddaughters childhood. Wow how the world has changed.
December 31, 2018
Have worn out our copy of this one several times. Love.
March 10, 2019
The illustrations in this book are worth seeing! Very nostalgic, very sweet drawings.
Read
June 13, 2019Beautiful pictures!
January 19, 2022
Lovely pictures and stories. This was one that was reread by the kids very often during lower elementary. Ages 3+
April 24, 2021
We loved the sweet illustrations.
4/2021 Read with Julia
4/2021 Read with Julia
September 15, 2024
A collection of 9 Golden Books that have been illustrated by Eloise Wilkin.
The book starts off with a three page Introduction written by her daughter. This small entry basically provides the reader with a brief biography of Eloise from her childhood up until her death while also listing some of her accomplishments.
The book then goes straight into the stories
Busy Timmy - Basically tells the a day's events of Timmy who is a big boy. The story's writing is very basic and learning-to-read formula with at the most four sentences on a page although for the most part reader will find one brief sentence and an interactive question for young readers.
Guess Who Lives Here - This is probably one of the longer stories with the whole premise being a guessing game of who may live in or near the house, the weather that touches the house and of others who may visit the house. As a result the book's text provides 4-5 statements before encouraging the reader to make a guess. Since of the age of the story and its more traditional approach to family it is probably the story that some will find most offensive unfortunately. Eloise uses a mix of her famous painting illustrations along with some that are more monochromatic or a bit more sepia-like.
My Little Golden Book About God - One of the few stories that I remember from my childhood. The book explores God's age, the miracle of His Creation within our grasp, how He provides for us and how He is there for us. A sweet reminder for those who can and often do how benevolent and great our God is!
Wonders of Nature - A story that explores the wonders of nature whether it may various habitats or some of the more specific species that can be found there. The book also brings to the reader's attention some of the more wonderful processes that can be found in nature before bringing the story to a shut with the reader. Some of the species in this story have been labeled for curious readers while others are just left for the reader to perhaps know or get some identification from older readers if their curiosity so drives them.
Selections From A Child's Garden of Verses - A sample of three verses with two being weather-based and one based on the swing. The three samples showcase that although she was known for more lighter pieces and more character-based individuals, Eloise also excelled with some darker, a bit more intimidating scenario or very detailed immersions in a single location.
We Help Mommy - This story feels similar to me. Anyway it is an exploration of how a brother and sister help their parents with chores and instead of getting allowances they are awarded with praise and thanks. Definitely a more outdated and traditional story that may not age well.
Baby Listens - One of the shorter books and more focused on young readers. The story has one or two sentences per page plus onomatopoeia sounds like bow-wow, oooooo and tick tock so that way baby learns more about those sounds he may hear. Although Baby is a boy some of these outfits and portrayal make it seem like there may be two or it didn't matter what baby wore as long as the clothes fit from a previous child.
Baby Dear - A story that uses the doll that the illustrator designed in a story about how a little girl learns to take care of babies by watching and copying her mother with her doll as Mother takes care of her baby sister.
Baby Looks - A story about everything that Baby sees whether it is family, items of his or elements in his environment
"Little Boy Blue" from Baby's Mother Goose Basically a retelling of the verse
"At Sunset" from Eloise Wilkin's Book of Poems - A poem about going home in the snow
A Remembrance of Eloise Wilkins - A two-page remembrance that touches a bit more on the contributions of the illustrator.
All in all it is a charming collection of stories although definitely outdated and more traditional than some readers may like. With the adorable, realistic kids, the solid mixing of the characters in healthy natural backgrounds, the cuddly kittens plus other realistic animals and the occasional inclusion of other Golden Book characters this collection is sure to carry older readers off into nostalgia.
The book starts off with a three page Introduction written by her daughter. This small entry basically provides the reader with a brief biography of Eloise from her childhood up until her death while also listing some of her accomplishments.
The book then goes straight into the stories
Busy Timmy - Basically tells the a day's events of Timmy who is a big boy. The story's writing is very basic and learning-to-read formula with at the most four sentences on a page although for the most part reader will find one brief sentence and an interactive question for young readers.
Guess Who Lives Here - This is probably one of the longer stories with the whole premise being a guessing game of who may live in or near the house, the weather that touches the house and of others who may visit the house. As a result the book's text provides 4-5 statements before encouraging the reader to make a guess. Since of the age of the story and its more traditional approach to family it is probably the story that some will find most offensive unfortunately. Eloise uses a mix of her famous painting illustrations along with some that are more monochromatic or a bit more sepia-like.
My Little Golden Book About God - One of the few stories that I remember from my childhood. The book explores God's age, the miracle of His Creation within our grasp, how He provides for us and how He is there for us. A sweet reminder for those who can and often do how benevolent and great our God is!
Wonders of Nature - A story that explores the wonders of nature whether it may various habitats or some of the more specific species that can be found there. The book also brings to the reader's attention some of the more wonderful processes that can be found in nature before bringing the story to a shut with the reader. Some of the species in this story have been labeled for curious readers while others are just left for the reader to perhaps know or get some identification from older readers if their curiosity so drives them.
Selections From A Child's Garden of Verses - A sample of three verses with two being weather-based and one based on the swing. The three samples showcase that although she was known for more lighter pieces and more character-based individuals, Eloise also excelled with some darker, a bit more intimidating scenario or very detailed immersions in a single location.
We Help Mommy - This story feels similar to me. Anyway it is an exploration of how a brother and sister help their parents with chores and instead of getting allowances they are awarded with praise and thanks. Definitely a more outdated and traditional story that may not age well.
Baby Listens - One of the shorter books and more focused on young readers. The story has one or two sentences per page plus onomatopoeia sounds like bow-wow, oooooo and tick tock so that way baby learns more about those sounds he may hear. Although Baby is a boy some of these outfits and portrayal make it seem like there may be two or it didn't matter what baby wore as long as the clothes fit from a previous child.
Baby Dear - A story that uses the doll that the illustrator designed in a story about how a little girl learns to take care of babies by watching and copying her mother with her doll as Mother takes care of her baby sister.
Baby Looks - A story about everything that Baby sees whether it is family, items of his or elements in his environment
"Little Boy Blue" from Baby's Mother Goose Basically a retelling of the verse
"At Sunset" from Eloise Wilkin's Book of Poems - A poem about going home in the snow
A Remembrance of Eloise Wilkins - A two-page remembrance that touches a bit more on the contributions of the illustrator.
All in all it is a charming collection of stories although definitely outdated and more traditional than some readers may like. With the adorable, realistic kids, the solid mixing of the characters in healthy natural backgrounds, the cuddly kittens plus other realistic animals and the occasional inclusion of other Golden Book characters this collection is sure to carry older readers off into nostalgia.
April 12, 2024
This is a lovely collection of stories for very young children. The illustrations are precious and the stories full of wonderful ideas about God and His creation (including nature and His children). My only complaint is that you can tell how dated it is by one of the stories showing a mother coming home from the hospital with a new baby and feeding the newborn with a bottle. (I wish more books would normalize home birth or birth center birth as well as breastfeeding, but this book is definitely a product of its time). Overall, this is a wonderful collection that any young child would appreciate, especially in the toddler age range once they become a big sibling and want to earn some independence (there are other stories about all the things "big kids" can do by themselves).
January 4, 2021
Reread this book with my littles for at least the third time. They love this collection, and I do, too. Enchanting pictures and sweet stories. A classic for all little ones.
January 24, 2021
Wonderful collection!!
July 1, 2024
It was fun to reminisce with this beautifully illustrated book. I remember many Little Golden Books from my childhood and those by Eloise Wilkin were often my favorites.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews