Random House Marks 65th Anniversary of Little Golden Books

The year 2007 marks the 65th anniversary of Little Golden Books first published during World War ll. According to Random House Publishers, during the inception of Little Golden Books, the U. S. literacy rate was low but at a price of twenty five cents, everyone could afford to buy a book to build their own personal library of childhood stories. Whether sitting at the knee of your mother at bedtime to hear your favorite story or cuddled in the arms of your grandfather seated in his favorite armchair, many of us have fond and vivid memories of being read to from the Little Golden Books collection.

In 1941, children's books' prices ranged from two to three dollars, which was considered an extravagance for many. George Duplaix, president of the Artists' and Writers' Guild had an innovative idea to develop a children's book that would be appealing and affordable to more families. Out of his idea, Little Golden Books was born. Some of the popular books that were published in 1942 include The Poky Little Puppy , This Little Piggy, and the ever popular The Little Red Hen to name a few of the original twelve little Golden Books. According to Random House Publishers' records, Little Golden Books entered its third printing with a total of 1.5 million copies. Many baby boomers and those who are older can probably dig up a worn, dog-eared copy of a Golden Book classic with its distinct decorative golden binding on the outside spine of the book. Many may have passed on the books to a younger family member for their reading pleasure. By the year 1945, most of the original twelve book titles entered their seventh printing, a phenomenal growth from its inception.