I guess when you get older, you yearn to relive your youth. The way I'm reliving my youth lately is this challenge. I want to own all 15 copies of the series. And I don't want just any copies, I won't be happy with the re-issued versions, I want the actual hardcover books that were written in the 1940s.
So I've been searching Ebay, Amazon, Half.com and other book sites trying to find copies. I just ordered 3 books of the series on Ebay and wouldn't you know. The books got lost in the mail. It was so distressing, until I got the yellow slip at the post office saying there was a package for me.
And there they were. Three lovely old library books. This is one of the books, and the illustration mirrors the photo at the top. These are Betsy, Tacy and Tib, the characters based on Maude herself and her two best friends (in the above photo).
And here's a bonus from the book. Remember these? An actual library card with a whole list of my kindred spirits. I'll have to look up and see if I can find any of them.
I can't tell you how much I loved these books and in fact, still do. I reread them every few years and get reeled back to the time I was 11 or 12. I just ordered another book today. I'll now have 6 of the original copies - 9 more to go!
I'm not the only one that loves these books. There's even a convention each year for like-minded fans.
But somehow I think that's going a little too far, in more ways than one.
I'd love to know if any of you have this same yearning for books from your youth.
For more stories about "going out" click here Sepia Saturday.
Hi Nancy, I am glad that you found some of the books you cherish. I was an avid reader as a child, Still am! But as I have grown up in Switzerland my books were written in German and mostly from Swiss authors. From the age of seven I had my favourites. Books are very precious. I hope, that you also find the others you want, to complete the set.
ReplyDeleteHi Titania,
DeleteI just ordered another of the missing books on Ebay. I can't wait to get it. Hope this one doesn't get lost!
Thanks for your nice comments.
Nancy
The best part of your goal is that you want originals, not reprints. The hunt is part of the fun. I'm not familiar with these books, but I did love Nancy Drew. I tried to read one several years ago and just couldn't get through it - Nancy seemed more obnoxious than spunky.
ReplyDeleteHi Wendy,
DeleteThat's funny about your re-reading of Nancy Drew. I always think that's how I'll feel about the Betsy Tacy books. But so far, I still love reading them.
Nancy
Nothing like a favorite book that you can read again & again, like visiting an old friend!
ReplyDeleteHow interesting, Nancy - I've never thought of recapturing my youth by going back to books I enjoyed. I too read a LOT as a child, so I must go digging for an appropriate book. Until about 10 years ago I still had every book I had read as a child, but I donated them.
ReplyDeleteHi Jo,
DeleteOh no. Are you sorry that you donated all of your books? I think I'd go and buy them back. But don't listen to me, I'm a real pack rat.
Nancy
Books from childhood are like old friends. I've enjoyed introducing some of my favorite books to my children. Lately we've read Beverly Cleary's books, Charlotte's Web and the Nancy Drew series. Hope to start reading the Betsy-Tacy series soon. Like the cover of your Betsy book - it's so colorful!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter never liked the same books that I liked as a child. She was very independent and wanted to choose her own.
DeleteNancy
How lovely that you are gathering these treasures together, and what a good story of ’lost and found’! The hunt is definitey part of the fun - good luck with tracking down the rest of the series.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I’m not sure if you are aware that you still have word verifcation switched on. There’s a general rebellion to do away with it as it’s become very complicated and seems to be putting people off commenting. I got rid of my mine a couple of weks ago and it’s been fine. Have a good weekend.
Hi Little Nell,
DeleteI just turned off the word verification. I didn't even know my blog had that. Thanks for letting me know. And thanks for your comments.
Nancy
I've never heard of these books but they sound delightful. Great that you have been able to find them. I love the library card. Was the red line at the end, THE END - of the card? or
ReplyDeletethe book's demise? Do you think Bevin Whitman was a boy?
Yes, i wondered what the red line was for too. It wasn't the end of the line because there was one more name on the back of the card.
DeleteI can't imagine a boy reading any of these books - they're very, very geared to young girls. Bevin was either a girl or a boy who was picking up a book for his sister.
Nancy
Hi Nancy, I haven't heard of these books either. Love the names; one of my daughter's best friends when she was young was named Tacy and she was named after her grandmother. This is only the third time that I have even heard the name.
DeleteNow I want to read them! I'll keep my eyes open, and if I ever find a copy or two, I will mail them to you.
Have a wonderful Sepia Saturday,
Kathy M.
We still have some of my wife's childrens books and some that we read to our kids. I don't that people in the UK would recognise your books Nancy, but we sure as anything understand your love for them.
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard of those books either. I remember reading Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, and Childhood of Famous Americans. I love collecting things and looking on eBay, but I am trying to stick to postcards now.
ReplyDeleteI do like all the different writing on the library card, adds to the book, all those names/girls enjoying the same story. Good luck with your search.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great challenge and what a great post has resulted from it. I know you could have probably downloaded them all to your Kindle in an instant, but there is something satisfying about have the actual physical object.
ReplyDeleteHi Alan,
ReplyDeleteYes, but then I wouldn't have gotten that super cool library card.
Nancy
Funny but true story. We have a restaurant here where they deliver your check to you in an old library (children's book) and you just have to read everything on it, they show where it was and who checked it out. (I buy these too when I can) Maude's is the place. Cool post thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi karen,
DeleteWhere is maude's? Could it possibly be named after Maude hart Lovelace? The author of my books? Wouldn't that be something? I want to go there. Sounds fantastic. My kind of place.
Nancy
I am not familiar with that book series but they surely do remind me of my favorites the Bobsey Twins and later Nancy Drew. How exciting for you to have a project to search for. And the library card back when all we did was sign our name---what exciting memories. The photo trio of ladies to open your post is a great pose too.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't familiar with these books either, but I went on a similar hunt for an old children's cookbook I used to have. I found one in very good condition for a great price through Alibris.
ReplyDeleteI seem to be more attracted to old movies and TV shows I used to watch decades ago. I guess we all yearn for something.
ReplyDelete:)~
HUGZ
If you aren't quite ready for the convention, you can still come to Mankato, Minnesota to see the childhood homes of Maud Hart Lovelace and her best friend Frances 'Bick' Kenney (Betsy and Tacy).
ReplyDeleteThe houses are owned by the Betsy-Tacy Society and have been restored the homes to their original turn-of-the-century charm.
There are also opportunities for walking tours of Mankato that show you specific areas of town mentioned in the book.
http://www.betsy-tacysociety.org
Have a good day!
Hi Christine,
DeleteYou must be from Mankato. You have so much information.
Thanks for letting me know. I'd love to visit the town someday. I did find out that Maude Hart Lovelace ended up in the town right next to where I grew up - in Southern California! Wish I would have known. I would have tried to visit her.
How old do you think Frances Kenney is?
Have you read the Betsy Tacy books?
Nancy