Sensing an untapped market, Georges Duplaix, head of the Artists and Writers Guild Inc. At that price point, children’s books were a luxury for many families. Yet, in the early 1940s, the average children’s book cost between $2 and $3, which would be the equivalent of about $38 to $50 today. Got a Quarter?įor anyone with a sticky-fingered toddler who loves to scribble across a page, it can be hard to believe that children’s books used to have a hefty price tag. While readers may recognize the cover and looping script of the imprint’s title, few know that Little Golden Books helped make book ownership more accessible for kids and their families. The slim books with cardboard covers and endearing illustrations have entertained young readers since they were first introduced in World War II. That yellow foil edge lining children’s books is the hallmark of Little Golden Books, the kid lit franchise that’s been part of childhood for generations. You know them by the glinting foil spine. Twitter: Inquiries: All posts by Clare Barnett When she’s not working her way through her to-read list, she’s reading and writing about bookish things. She delves into all genres but has a soft spot for fantasy, mystery, and memoir. Clare Barnett lives in Richmond, Virginia, with her husband and daughter.
