Log Cabin Vintage Blog

On Monday my bestie & I visited the Brandywine Museum of Art in Chadds Ford, PA to view their exhibit Rooted: Family and Nature in Contemporary Children’s Book Illustrations.  It was wonderful - so many amazing illustrators were represented in the exhibit including several recent Caldecott Winners. We had a great time not only enjoying this exhibit but also the entire museum.  It was the first time either of us had visited & we were amazed by the artwork we saw.  

The Exhibit

If you know me at all, you know I love history & old farmhouses, so Sophie Blackall’s illustrations from her book Farmhouse immediately drew me in but let me tell you, all of the artists’ works were amazing. 

Two others I wanted to mention that I loved were The Train Ride is Long But My Mom Says it’s Worth It by Qing Zhuang from her book Rainbow Shopping. The book is filled with beautiful illustrations and colors depicting shopping in Chinatown in NYC.

Frank Morrison’s illustrations in The Secret Garden of George Washington Carver (written by Gene Barretta) had me studying each illustration to take in all their wonderful details. The one below, of George as a child reminded me of a modern day Maxfield Parrish painting - thankfully my bestie captured the image for me to share as I missed it.

Honestly every single illustrator featured had beautiful artwork.  Be sure to visit the museum’s Facebook page for a complete list & more video & photos of the exhibit (on exhibit until February 28th, 2024).

My bestie & I both came home with a few new books for our bookshelves including a few recent Caldecott Winners. I want to collect all of the Caldecott and Newbery Medal Books and read each & every one of them.  So this was my start - I came home with Owl Moon written by Jane Yolen and illustrated by John Schoenherr, which won the 1988 Caldecott Medal and Finding Winnie written by Lindsay Mattick with illustrations by Sophie Blackall, a 2016 Caldecott Medal Winner.  And of course, you know I bought Farmhouse by Sophie Blackall because the story and illustrations just spoke to me.  

PS The image of the boy & girl in the barn entry at the top left of this photo is exactly how my husband & I would be if we milked cows.  I have always wanted to live on a farm - him, not so much!

Happy Tuesday! Time for another week of Book Trivia Tuesday!  Last week we discussed Bemelman's Bar in NYC - where the murals of Ludwig Bemelmans (famous for his Madeline books) grace the walls of the bar. 

Today's trivia question is:  Who was the first woman to win the Noble Prize for Literature?  Bonus Points if you can also name the year!

Selma Lagerlöf of Sweden won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1909.  She was awarded the prize in 1909 “in appreciation of the lofty idealism, vivid imagination and spiritual perception that characterize her writings.” 

Her first published piece was Jerusalem which was intended to be a primer for elementary schools but actually became one of the most delightful children’s books in any language. She is best known for her work - The Wonderful Adventures of Nils which was published in 1906.  You can find it here.

Happy Tuesday everyone!  Last week we discussed how Ramona was an accidental character created by Beverly Cleary for the book Henry Huggins.  So fun.

This week's trivia comes from my IG friend Patty, who shared this tidbit of information with me a few weeks ago when I shared a collage of books with snow pictures in them.

What author/illustrator painted scenes of New York's Central Park & in 1947 the scenes were used as murals on the wall of a bar in the Hotel Carlyle in NYC?

 In 2021, the Hotel Carlyle re-opened their restaurant under the name Dowling’s.  They brought in five never before seen murals of Madeline works by Ludwig Bemelmans which they purchased at auction for $422,800.  These are in addition to the Bemelmans murals found in the hotel's bar of scenes from Central Park which have been there since 1947. Central Park located a block from the hotel.

Madeline was first published in 1939 & has been a favorite of each generation since it was published.  A total of six books about Madeline were published by Bemelmans. Ludwig Bemelmans said that the French schoolgirl was inspired by his mother, wife and daughter. “But", his grandson wrote after his death, “certainly it was also part Bemelmans himself — the smallest in class, the one always in trouble.” (Taken from The New York Times article dated April 27, 2018).

What is your favorite Madeline book?

To view a selection of Madeline books in the shop, click here.

Happy Tuesday & welcome to week 8 of Book Trivia Tuesday.  Last week we discussed the first modern novel published in 1605 - Don Quixote written by Miguel de Cervantes.

Today's trivia question comes after my recent Beverly Cleary finds (if you haven't watched the reel on IG, you can view it here:  Wendy - Vintage Bookshop (@logcabinvintage) • Instagram photos and videos 

What famous character was created by Beverly Cleary by accident while writing another book?  Bonus points if you can name the book the character first appeared in.

Beverly Cleary created her now famous character Ramona in the book Henry Huggins.  She realized Beezus needed a younger sister & Ramona was born (no pun intended).  From there, 8 novels featuring Ramona were written including Ramona and Her Father, which was a 1978 Newbery Honor Book.

What is your favorite Ramona Book?  Mine has to be Ramona the Pest.  I loved it a child & want to reread it this year.  

To see what Beverly Cleary books are available on the website right now, click here.

Good Morning & Happy Tuesday - last week we had a little fun with our trivia regarding a final Jeopardy Question no one got right pertaining to Frances Hodgson Burnett's famous novel, The Secret Garden.

This week we are going way back with our trivia question:  What famous book was published on this date - I'll give you a hint - the year was 1605.

On January 16, 1605, Miguel de Cervantes published Don Quixote. Don Quixote is considered to be the first modern novel and one of the greatest novels of all time.  We get the term "tilting the windmill" from the novel.  It heavily influenced Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn as well as other works of literature throughout history.

Have you read this great piece of literature?

It's my day of the week - Book Trivia Tuesday!!  Last week you all had fun guessing what year Rudyard Kipling won the Noble Prize for Literature (the answer was 1907 in case you missed the post).

Today's book trivia question comes from an episode of Jeopardy on Friday Evening, January 5th.  The exact question was:  A 2020 edition of this beloved 1911 novel came with a glossary of horticultural terms & a location guide. 

Of course, I guessed the answer right away.  What surprised me most was none of the contestants got the question right.  

The answer was The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett.  I thought for sure such a popular piece of children's literature was quite obvious.  Maybe I am wrong.  Would you have known the answer? 

And while we are talking about Frances Hodgson Burnett, do you know any of her other books she wrote (Other than The Little Princess?)  To be honest with you, until I started selling children's books, I had no idea she had written other books other than the two titles mentioned above.  I read Little Lord Fauntleroy this month & it was such a sweet story. If you are looking for a sweet, feel-good book to start your year, this book is for you.

Burnett was born & raised in England until she was 16 when she moved to America with her family.  Her English upbringing is evident in the books she wrote.  To purchase her books, click here.

After a little break for the holidays, I am back with more book trivia for 2024!  First let me say Happy New Year & Hello 2024.  I am so happy you are here sharing our love of books & trivia.

Now let's get to it.  Last week Rudyard Kipling would have celebrated his 158th birthday, so today's question is this:  In What Year Did Rudyard Kipling Win the Nobel Prize in Literature?

I first learned of Kipling as a child when my mom read The Jungle Book to me.  And of course, growing up in the 1970's & 1980's, Disney made the book ever so popular with their animated movie version.  It was not until I was an adult that I realized Kipling wrote both poetry & literature for adults as well. 

Born in India on December 30, 1865, he moved to England at the age of six where his parents left him in a foster home for five years. He attended United Services College at Westward Ho & went on to write about both experiences in the books Baa Baa Black Sheep and Stalky & Co.  After receiving his education, he moved back to India where he worked as a journalist for seven years.  Kim is his best-known title although you may be familiar with some of his other works including the poem Gunga Din, Just So Stories & of course The Jungle Book.  

In 1907 he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature "in consideration of the power of observation, originality of imagination, virility of ideas and remarkable talent for narration which characterize the creations of this world-famous author."

 To view the selection of Kipling books available for purchase in the shop, click here.

It's time for another week of Book Trivia!  Last week you all had fun with the MASH question & how it related to The Last of The Mohicans.

This week I am switching the focus to a question related to Christmas:  What did Laura and Mary get for Christmas the year Mr. Edwards walked to Independence to find Santa Claus in Little House on the Prairie?

Mr. Edwards walks to Independence & meets Santa Claus on the way where Santa asks him if he knows two little girls named Laura & Mary & to deliver presents to them as he cannot make it there because of the rising creek.  Mr. Edwards agrees and he crosses the creek (with his clothes wrapped on his head) that has risen due to days & days of rain. He arrives at the Ingalls cabin on Christmas morning & delivers a peppermint stick, a tin cup, a cake made of white sugar & flour, and a brand new, shiny penny to each of the girls. Ma asks the girls to not look & quickly puts the gifts in the girl's stockings which she had hung the night before. Both Ma and Pa are touched by the trouble Mr. Edwards went to, to ensure the girls have a Christmas with presents.  He even brought sweet potatoes to roast for Christmas dinner.  The simplicity of this time period sticks with me as well. To be so grateful and excited over such simple gifts.  Yet those gifts meant so much & were so valuable - image not having your own cup in today's world & having to use a dipper each time you wanted a drink? It's something we just take for granted.

In a world where everything & I mean everything is at our fingertips, do you yearn for simpler times like the ones described in the Little House books?  I know I do.  I mean, I am so grateful for indoor plumbing & modern conveniences but at what price have they come with?  Imagine the world they lived in - no cars, no airplanes, no tractors or highways...imagine how quiet it was back then.  How peaceful.  When was the last time you were somewhere at night where you could not see lights from your street, your neighbors or the nearest town?  When the stars and moon lit up the sky for you?  When was the last time you did not hear traffic or planes overhead - where you were in a truly quiet space?  I crave space like that - where the moon & the stars light up the night sky, where all we hear is nature.  This also leads me to think...in this fast paced world where we are always chasing something...do we take the time to be truly grateful for the little things in life?  Especially the things that matter most - spending time with those we love. Letting those we love know we love & cherish the time we spend with them?  Let's let this little Christmas story remind us of the simple pleasures in life. And to make time for what matters most.  I promise you it isn't the latest gadget from Amazon or the latest Netflix series.

This is one of my favorite illustrations in all of the Little House books, the image of Santa Claus riding a dark bay horse leading a pack mule loaded with Christmas presents for the children. Garth Williams just has a way of capturing each scene as Laura tells it.  They were favorites as a little girl & are still favorites today.

Shop all Laura Ingalls Wilder books here.

Today is the start of something new and fun!  Welcome to the very first Book Trivia Tuesday.  As a lover of Jeopardy, I thought it would be fun to create some trivia around the books we loved as children. Each Tuesday I will post a trivia question on social media (Facebook & Instagram) with a link to the corresponding blog post which will have the answer & more information about the trivia being shared.  Whether it is about a book, an author, an illustrator...all questions & answers will be related to books.

Let's get started with our very first question:  What two men became authors in part due to their service during World War I and World War II?

Hugh Lofting, the author of the Doctor Dolittle books, served in World War I.  It was during his time on the front he wrote letters home to his children to overcome boredom & deal with the war. Those letters later became the basis for the very first Doctor Dolittle book and a career as an author & illustrator was born. He was injured during the war & sent home.  He eventually moved to The United States where he spent the remainder of his life. He wrote one Dr. Dolittle book each year for seven years & in 1922, The Voyages of Dr. Dolittle won a Newbery Award. To add his books to your bookshelf, click here.

Roald Dahl was a fighter pilot for the Royal Air Force (England) in World War II.  He was injured in a crash landing in Libya & he went on to serve as an Assistant Air Attache in Washington, DC where he was encouraged by C. S. Forester to share his stories about his RAF missions. This led him to start writing other stories & the rest, as they say, is history. He went on to write 19 children's books during his career. His books are seeing a resurgence in popularity in recent years thanks to movie adaptations & Netflix shorts.  He stories have stood the test of time & are still well loved today. To add his books to your bookshelf, click here.

Some of the information was found on Britannica's website.

Happy Reading,

Wendy

Hi I am Wendy the owner here at Log Cabin Vintage. I figured it was time I shared a little about myself here on the blog. 

I am a life-long resident here in Historic Bucks County, PA where I live with my husband, our youngest daughter, two dogs & a handful of chickens.  I am an avid reader & have been for as long as I can remember - when I was little my mom would take my glasses away at night because I would just stay up & read with a flashlight if she did not.  I grew up read everything I could get my hands on.  My earliest memories are of my parents reading board books to me & I specifically remember Pat the Bunny. In elementary school I remember falling in love with the Billy & Blaze series by C. W. Anderson because horse books were my favorites.  My mom read all of the Little House Books to us kids & I had a subscription to Cobblestones Magazine (American History for kids). As I grew older, I enjoyed Nancy Drew, Sunfire Romance books (which, let’s be honest, were more historical fiction than romance), Janette Oke books & on & on. As an adult I still love to read & have found such joy in reading through the books of my childhood again (especially those books I should have read as a kid but somehow missed reading).

I never felt I had a calling for a certain career & happily stayed home with our youngest while she was in school. I had a little vintage home décor business (I sold online, at in-person events & in a booth at the local antique mall).  And in 2022 I turned my online business from the vintage home décor business to an online vintage children’s book shop. And I finally feel I have found my calling!  My lifelong passion for reading & my love of collecting books has blossomed into a job I love. To me, there is nothing better than helping people find their favorite books from childhood. The feeling of nostalgia when you reread a childhood favorite cannot be beat. The memories of the beloved books & even more beloved are the memories of those who read them to us.

What makes Log Cabin Vintage different than other book shops?  Well to start with, I only source books I would want in my own library. As I mentioned above, I am an avid reader & I also collect books as well. Rest assured; I am not going to source just any old book to make a profit. I source books I either own, I would love to decorate with in my own home or a book that is going to teach me something. It is why you will always find beautiful editions of children's books in the shop, books focused on nature & learning, great classics everyone should read, books beautiful enough for decorating, & books worthy of gift giving.

Another thing that makes Log Cabin Vintage different is my commitment to the environment. Yes, I could buy fancy boxes & padded envelopes to ship your book purchases in, however, I have made a commitment to use as much recycled packaging & shipping supplies as possible. Therefore, all of my padded envelopes & boxes are used - saved by friends & family. My packing peanuts are from a local honey company's shipments of glass jars & are biodegradable, & the tissue paper is made from 100% recycled materials. The only thing I have not been able to find that is sustainable is the bubble wrap - but I do use recycled bubble wrap when I can find it.

It is my hope this website will bring back wonderful childhood memories, encourage you to reread the books you loved growing up & to fill your home with books.

Happy Reading,

Wendy