September 16th 1620, the Pilgrims set sail from Plymouth, England for the New World. They landed in Cape Cod harbor in November the same year. Peregrine White was born while the Mayflower was anchored there. Several weeks later, the Pilgrims then went up the coast to Plymouth to land and build a settlement. Almost half of the Pilgrims died that first winter, including the father of Peregrine White.
All of these facts, and other interesting stories are in the second book ever printed by Landmark Books. It is “The Landing of the Pilgrims” by James Daugherty, 1950. This is an action-filled American true story. In a couple of months, we will again talk of the Pilgrims for Turkey-day.
I wonder if young Peregrine picked up rocks, when he was growing up in Plymouth? If he did, he could have been one of the first to celebrate Collect Rocks Day on September 16th.
I am a rock hound, and have encouraged my kids and grandkids to look down and pick up rocks (and fossils). We can call them ‘Pebble Pups’. I have a bunch of books, two being “Midwest Gem Trails” by June Culp Zeitner, published 1964; and “Lake Michigan Rock Picker’s Guide” by Bruce Mueller and Kevin Gauthier, published 2010. These have helped for identifying nearby rocks.
I have a wonderful case where I keep my rock specimens. So many sliding drawers! It was made by my cabinet maker brother-in-law Phil. He also made the book stand on which I take the picture of every book that I discuss in these stories.
September 16th 1898, is the birthday of H.A. Rey. H.A. Rey and his wife were both born in Germany. They met in Hamburg, and later met again in Brazil. There they married and moved to Paris, France. During the war, they left France to eventually make their way to New York. During those travels trying to escape Nazi occupation, Rey had kept a manuscript for a story he loved. He printed the first one in New York, in 1941.
That story was Curious George. He was an inquisitive monkey, with an owner “the Man with the Yellow Hat”. I have one of the Curious Gearoge books here. While both of the Reys worked on each book, Margret wrote most of the stories, and Hans did most of the illustrations.
H.A. Rey did other books as well. This is “We Three Kings, and other Christmas Carols” 1977 (first edition was in 1944). Rey did all of the illustrations. It is a very pretty book with the words and music of many Christmas songs.
H.A. Rey also did another children’s book (and for adults), that I will talk about tomorrow. Sorry, but you will have to tune back in to hear about it. Also, I was looking at a bibliography of Rey’s works and found “Elizabite: Adventures of a Carnivorous Plant”. I have to have it, so I just ordered the book, and hope to read it in about ten days.
One monumental passage, or rite of childhood, is that of getting their first haircut. Many children get their first one when they turn one. It can be a very scary day for them. Interestingly, September 16th is World Barber Day. I have the book “Practice and Science of Standard Barbering” by The Modern Barber College, 1956. This book is “A practical and complete course of training in basic barber services and related barber science.”
I found this unusual book when traveling in Chicago with a good friend, his daughter, my granddaugher, and her boyfriend. We stopped in the ‘Woolly Mammoth Antiques and Oddities’ store on Foster Ave. This store is full of unusual items, not normally seen in other stores.
This book goes into all types of barbering, for adults-both men and women, and children. The author noted that special consideration should be made for children. It was said that ‘knowing how to handle the children, is where their mothers go to have their hair done.” This was an interesting book.
How does the moon cut his hair? Eclipse it.
We all should know if April showers bring May flowers, what do May flowers bring? Pilgrims.
My rock collection has so much sedimental value.
Do you know a rock hound’s (and pebble pup’s) favorite movie? Pyrites of the Caribbean.
What do you call an angry monkey? Furious George.
Just KID-ding. Thanks for reading today.
Librarytomes 