first edition Soft cover
1940
by Kunhardt, Dorothy
NY: Simon & Schuster, 1940. 1st Edition. Soft cover. Very Good. 12mo, (4 1/8" wide x 5 3/8), pictorial boards, Very good in publisher's box (worn). A now classic book, illustrated in color. Every other page offers a different activity for the youngest child to enjoy and TOUCH (7 in all). It was partly an experiment in using interactive elements in a book, which was unusual at the time. This is the very rare first issue of this iconic title, with a ball that was designed to squeak when the child pressed it. Because it malfunctioned most of the time, it was replaced with a box of real buttons. The mirror in the first issue was also later replaced with scented flowers. This is one of the rarest of all modern picture books, especially in the first issue with the original ball and mirror pages and in the original box. (Actual mirror not present.) See Bader p.238- 9. Housed in a custom-made slipcase. $20,000.
(Inventory #: 1701001)