Have you ever opened a vintage book and immediately felt like you’d stepped into another world — one filled with poetry, art, and stories that truly respected a child’s imagination? If you have more than likely it was a book edited by Olive Beaupre Miller. That’s exactly what Miller set out to create for children all over the world. And man did she succeed. Her books have been read for generations and continue as beloved childhood favorites. Let's dive into her life and the books that have changed so many lives over the years.
Before she became a publisher, Miller was a teacher and mother who believed that children deserved books that were both beautifully written and morally uplifting. When she couldn’t find stories that met those standards for her own daughter, she decided to write them herself — and in doing so, she forever changed the landscape of children’s literature.
WHO WAS OLIVE BEAUPRE MILLER?
Olive Beaupre Miller was an American author born in Illinois in 1883. She graduated from Smith College and became an English teacher. She moved back to her hometown of Aurora, Illinois to teach & there she met & married her husband, Harry Miller, a textbook salesman. She began writing children's books when she could not find appropriate books for their daughter, Viriginia. She published three volumes of children's poetry through P. F. Vollard Company of Chicago.
After a move to Chicago for her husband's job, they together formed the publishing company, The Bookhouse for Children, in 1919. The publishing company was groundbreaking in that they hired an all-female staff - so uncommon for the 1920's. The very next year after starting the publishing company, they published the first Book House book set.
MY BOOKHOUSE BOOK SET: A BRIEF HISTORY
First printed in 1920 as a six-volume set with the title as My Bookhouse (Bookhouse being one word). The set is an anthology of verse and prose illustrated by famous artists. The books progress as children age starting in the nursery through the high school years, making it perfect for years of reading fun. The six-volume set was originally published inside of a cardboard (and later wood) house that is now highly sought after by collectors. The original, six-volume set was first published with black covers & then changed to the green covers shown below.
The Original Six-Volume Set Included:
Volume 1: In the Nursery
Volume 2: Up One Pair of Stairs
Volume 3: Through Fairy Halls
Volume 4: The Treasure Chest
Volume 5: From the Tower Window
Volume 6: The Latch Key
In 1928, the set was expanded into a twelve-volume set and the set was renamed My Book House (Book House being two separate words). Only the original number one book kept its original title while the rest of the volumes were renumbered with the addition of the six new volumes.
The Expanded Set Titles Include:
Volume 1: In The Nursery
Volume 2: Story Time
Volume 3: Up One Pair of Stairs
Volume 4: Through the Gate
Volume 5: Over the Hills
Volume 6: Through the Fairy Hills
Volume 7: The Magic Garden
Volume 8: Flying Sails
Volume 9: The Treasure Chest
Volume 10: From the Tower Window
Volume 11: In Shining Armor
Volume 12: Halls of Fame + Index
Parent's Guide - Added in the 1950's
As the set continued to be republished over the years, the colors of the covers have changed, however the cover images have remained the same as have the inside cover images. The covers went from all blue covers to green & blue covers referred to as a rainbow set.
In 1972, the set was published with white covers with pastel cover art. These changes were never approved by Miller as she retired in the early 1960's.
This set has stood the test of time and remained in publication until 2013 when the last edition was published - with the white covers but the pastel colors have changed a bit to be a bit brighter & a little less pastel.
🌿 Why These Belong on Your Bookshelf
Olive Beaupré Miller believed that every story a child read should be beautifully written, ethically sound, and perfectly suited to their stage of growth. The My Book House series grew out of that vision — and it’s one of the reasons these books have stood the test of time for more than a century.
Each volume is a carefully curated collection of stories, poems, and illustrations by some of the most talented artists of the day. The books grow with the reader, beginning in the nursery and journeying all the way through the teenage years, encouraging a lifelong love of literature.
Whether you’re building a homeschool library filled with living books or reuniting yourself with the stories you grew up with, My Book House offers both beauty and substance. These are the kind of books meant to be read aloud, shared across generations, and treasured for years to come.
If you’re ready to add these timeless volumes to your own shelves, explore my Olive Beaupré Miller and My Book House Collection here. Each set tells the story of childhood imagination — beautifully preserved for the next generation.
OTHER BOOKS BY OLIVE BEAUPRE MILLER
Aside from the My Book House book set & the poetry books she published early on in her career, Miller has published a set of three books as part of the My Travelship Series. These books include Tales Told in Holland, Little Pictures of Japan and Nursery Friends from France.
She also published a series of world history books entitled, A Picturesque Tale of Progress, which was is a well-written narrative chronological overview of history. This is a nine book set and seems to be a bit rarer and I have yet to come across it but it can be found. My friend, Robin, with The Legacy Library in Tennessee has a set and sweetly shared this picture with me.
I hope you add these wonderful books to your own bookshelf. I promise you, you will not be disappointed.
Happy Reading,
Wendy
Additional Reading & Resources:
If you’d like to explore more about Olive Beaupré Miller, her life, and her groundbreaking publishing company, here are several excellent resources:
• Winnetka Historical Society
https://www.winnetkahistory.org
A detailed look at Miller’s later life, her time in Winnetka, and her influence on children’s literature.
• “My Book House — A Treasure Trove of Children’s Literature” (Turtle & Robot Blog)
https://turtleandrobot.wordpress.com/2013/04/22/my-book-house-edited-by-olive-beaupre-miller-a-treasure-trove-of-childrens-literature
A thoughtful reflection on the series, its history, and why it remains meaningful to generations of readers.
• Bauman Rare Books — My Book House & My Travelship Listings
https://www.baumanrarebooks.com/rare-books/miller-olive-beaupre
Detailed rare-book descriptions that offer helpful historical notes on editions, bindings, and illustrators.
• Harry Rinker’s Collectibles Q&A: My Book House Sets
https://www.harryrinker.com/col-1315.html
Background on early printings, collector insights, and historical value.
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