The book dates from the 1930s, although I'm not that old (Phew!). It's enscribed 'To Alfie & Eileen From Mother & Dad For Xmas 1933', and I have no idea who they are though they are probably one of my Mum's cousins (she had hundreds - almost). It is then further inscribed: 'This book belongs to Pat Rendell 2/12/1948' - ie, my auntie, who then passed it onto my Mum who passed it onto me in the 1970s. The book is battered, pages are coming loose and there are ticks alongside my favourite stories on the index page. I was a book vandal. But I was a book vandal who loved this book very much.
'The Children's Wonder Book' was a fabulous way to introduce a child to fiction. It includes Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (see above) with illustrations by the fabulous (and famous) artist Harry Rountree, alongside Tales of Robin Hood, The Frog Prince, The Ugly Duckling, Sinbad the Sailor, Aladdin and his Wonderful Lamp, The Water Babies, Robinson Crusoe, Gulliver's Travels, A Christmas Carol, The Snoring Ghost, Little Snow-White, Hansel & Gretel, and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Plus lots, lots more including poems. It's a big, big book, but I don't ever remember it being heavy, even when I was small. Is it any wonder I love books so much.
