My Book House, Volumes 1-12

My Book House

by Olive Beaupré Miller

Set includes In the Nursery, Story Time, Up One Pair of Stairs, Through the Gate, Over the Hills, Through Fairy Halls, the Magic Garden, Flying Sales, The Treasure Chest, From the Tower Window, In Shining Armor, and Halls of Fame.

Genres: Childrens, Poetry, Fiction, Nature, Fantasy, Collections, Classics

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1965

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

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

These volumes which I still have, were responsible in part for my love of reading.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the whole set of twelve and I read those books cover to cover several times. They had fairy tales, poems, and stories from many traditions. I think it was these books that really got me on my way as a voracious reader and as a reader who was willing to approach any subject from any source. I have so many memories of reading this set of books. Highly recommend for a household with children. Also the pictures were really amazing!

[Thom Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 1937 edition is now racially/politcally incorrect, even puzzlingly so today. First volumes are my literary foundation in childhood.

[Lois Lewandowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books were one of my fondest memories of my childhood. They are a beautifully curated collection of stories, fables, poems, folk tales, and adapted literature that have a noble goal - to educate and enlighten young people without dumbing down their literary intake. If you have access to a set you are lucky, and if you can afford to add them to your own library you must do so.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A childhood treasure. My sweet Grandmother and my Mother used to read this to my sisters and I. Loved this set of stories and poems.

[Gonturan · Rating 5 out of 5]

When my Dad bought this set of books that feature so many beloved stories--everything from fairytales to biographies to poetry, it truly instilled in me a love for reading. I have so many fond memories of not only reading these stories, but coloring all over the end pages, reading the poems and shorter stories aloud to my sisters, discussing and even acting out some of them. When I tell you these books were incredibly formative, I'm not kidding! We ended up losing most of these books in a recent move and I was so excited when my Dad told me last week he found the whole set at Goodwill recently. Just so many happy memories and my first exposure to such famous stories. I can't even remember how old I was when we got these books, but one thing I loved was how as the series continues, the reading level increases. Volume 1 is mostly nursery rhymes and very short simple stories, then by the time you get to Volume 12 it is much more advanced reading level--maybe 5th grade. I truly remember growing up along with these books and the excitement of each year finding more interest in the later volumes and an improved ability to understand the more complex stories.

[Constantine2020 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book series for helping parents guide their children in developing language and reading skills. If you are lucky enough to score a set which includes the "In Your Hands" parents' guide, it will step you through language development beginning in the first year of life.

For pre-readers, parents can use the rythmic wording to help them develop language and by memorizing the nursery rhymes they will already know the words and phrases when they later start to work on reading skills, thus boosting their confidence.

The index in Vol XII provides a topical reference section to help parents select readings for children of all ages that reinforces what is being taught.

If you happen to come across this set for a reasonable price, I highly recommend it not only for homeschoolers but for anyone who wants to give their children a wide range of classical children's literature to choose from.

[Brenda Conry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am re-reading the 12-volume set that our parents purchased the year I was born. My sister was just three, so I think it was more for her. Originally copyrighted in 1920 and renewed several times after. My set has a 1956 copyright, but I think it is substantially the same as the 1965. (The covers and binding are the same.) Some of the works are classics, some are dated, a few use language that is no longer PC, though I don't think there was any thought to be dismissive of other people on the part of the editor. Just the language of the time.
These books got me started in my love of books, preparing me for the Scholastic Book Club that allowed me to spend my allowance on books of my own choosing.
Beautifully illustrated though definitely Euro-centric.

[Raven Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books are the reason I am the reader I am today. They contained stories from all over, from Shakespearean plays to epics and operas, poems, folk tales and legends. My dad used to read these stories to me and then I read them and when I grew up, I chased down the originals and read those. I still pick them up from time to time and read them. Beautiful art, beautiful stories.

[Philip Steiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fond memories from childhood. 1965 edition.

[Mimi Roland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely art in these books. I can remember the smell of them too, when reading them as a kid.

[J.L. Lennon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I inherited the 1937 editions from my grandmother. She bought it for my mother and uncle and it was always there on her bookshelf waiting for me to read when ever I was at her house. After she passed it was given to me because I had loved it dearly as a child. It's on my bookshelf now and I have read it with my boys over the years and I am getting ready to introduce it to my 7 year old niece. It's a very sweet piece of my childhood!

[Kim McKay]

As a child, I LOVED the illustrations in these books. As an adult, I have found them a treasure for homeschooling.

[Cynthia Ewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this set of books. Poetry, literature, inspiring stories and dream-like illustrations, I read it and read it and read it. Even the parent guide!

[Tess · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite books!!

[Audrey Ashe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for a last minute pick for story time. best is #4

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of my all time favorite sets! I love how each story teaches a life lesson