June’s Visit
My Beetles in trappings of green brushed with gold
Bring with joy all the treasures my carriage can hold.
And thousands of flowers for the children I strew,
With Plenty for brides and sweet graduates too.
Attended with strains from Sir Cricket’s wee band
I scattered my posies with prodigal hand;
I regret that my sojourn on earth must end soon,
But each year you may look for a visit from June.
A Year With the Fairies.
Written by Anna M. Scott.
Illustrations by M. T. (Penny) Ross.
P. F. Volland & Co.: Chicago, U.S.A. 1914.
Elephant's Picture Book 
Your amazing blog makes my wonder every time if all these awful new children books means we are growing as a society.
Children’s books reflect the propaganda of their time. I find the content of some modern children’s books tiresome and dull. Some modern books are magical. Sadly, I have given up the long-held belief that we are “growing as a society.” We change but we don’t grow.
Elephant
I quite get the meaning of what you are saying, and I agree, but using Propaganda and children’s books in the same sentence is more horrifying than the wolf gets eaten by pig story. Been into books all my life, I get very angry when I see the new books for children (there are good ones of course) and I just have to dig up to get my old books to give my kids. Maybe I am only trying to pass my view of the world that I feel it is good, but, it is mostly about aesthetics. If there is a propaganda in them, it is a propaganda of bad taste, of loosing time, of expensive “fast food” stories that clogs the soul. That is why I much prefer the older stories. I don’t mind if the stories are harsh. The fact that the parents read them and the illustrations some times tone down the story outcome, gives the children a more suitable to their age sense of the world. That it may be tough, but for the time being father and mother are there to protect them. But it is out there and you’d better be prepared for when you grow up.
As for society growing, of course you are spot on, I was rather ironic. If we take it literary, we grow all right, like a man who consumes everything in a selfish way, growing in size out of propotion and in the end, like Chronos (time in Greek-from the Greek mythology) eats his own children. As for change I am sceptical as well. Greed for power over other people has always been central to the life of man. The degree was different but the general idea is always there. The fact that over time some people tried to reverse this tendency has more to do with our perception of history time that in most cultures is linear, only because the names and dates change.
This is a BIG subject – books and their content good or bad, then and now. The illustrations in Elephant’s Picture Book are from old books and reflect the standards of their time – many of those standards are surprising (and shocking) to the sensibilities of readers today. In the the future, a reader will see the standards of today reflected in the books published in our time. How will that future reader view us based on our children’s books?
Propaganda is a sizzling word – I used it as shorthand. I am not implying there is anything sinister or negative about children’s books. I don’t think propaganda is intrinsically bad, but it has a bad reputation. As a very simplified explanation of why I think children’s books might be considered propaganda . . . Parents buy the books they think will entertain and teach their children – parents usually want to teach their children the standards they believe in and avoid images and subjects they deem “inappropriate” or in opposition to their ideas. Usually a children’s book reflects a set of values held by a sizable segment of society – at least a large enough segment to make it sensible to publish a book. Where did the consumers get their standards? From their family, friends, community, school, church, government, institutions large and small, etc. Without writing an essay on this – I think when you set out to teach children how to live with a morality tale, you are promoting certain ideas and hoping through example and entertainment to persuade children to learn a lesson and behave a certain way. Promoting a group’s ideas and values to influence behavior is arguably propaganda. It may be good propaganda that we want and need, but I think in a general sense the word fits.
Thank you for your very thoughtful interesting comments!
Elephant
This has wonderful color, and I love the bug trio — the violin is even held with good position — impressive illustration. The poem is also sweet and redolent of summer, the summer of all age groups. The best children’s books appeal to all ages, not just have heavy handed lessons for kids.
I like the expectancy in her gesture and in their posture! Away to adventure!
Elephant
Absolutely. That’s how one should greet the summer, adventure has arrived. 🙂
I adore the musicians, that’s exactly how I imagine insects to be!
Well, I am glad you have a nice idea about insects! I looked down today and saw a hideous tic – not so much fun!
Thanks,
Elephant