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Miss Jaster's Garden

14 years ago

Does anyone remember this delightful children's book? It's about a nearsighted English lady who lives in a house by the sea. A hedgehog lives companionably in her garden but one day Miss Jaster, planting her spring flower beds, plants seeds on the hedgehog as well. Amusing results follow. The illustrations are absolutely wonderful.

I bought this for my children, who loved it, and now want copies for other children...but it's out of print. And used-book prices are amazingly expensive. I can't understand why such a popular book should no longer be in print.

Do you remember this book? Do you have any childhood favorites no longer in print?

Comments (10)

  • 14 years ago

    I remember it and and I am also astounded that it is OOP.

    I was speechless when I went to my local library to take out Margaret Wise Brown's Goodnight Moon and found it had been culled.

  • 14 years ago

    I've never read that one, but it is astonishing how many worthwhile childrens' books have gone out of print. One of my all time favorites was "The Secret of the Bog" set in Ireland, about a lost village. I can't recall the author's name but I could never find it when I searched. I also have fond memories of a books whose title and author I've forgotten. It was set in the upper midwest, either in Minnesota or Wisconsin or Michigan. It was about kids of Scandinavian descent who built an enormous snow tunnel near their house. As a child of the deep South, the descriptions of deep snow were awesome for me. My late aunt, who was a librarian, used to collect old childrens' books. I still recall "Snip, Snap, and Snur" and "Ferdinand the Bull."

  • 14 years ago

    This is peculiar -- I am sure I posted a reply to this thread. I'll try it again.

    I suspect that Goodnight Moon was discarded because it was read until it fell apart, that or somebody lost it. I expect your library plans to replace it quite soon, and you might ask about it. This book is a perennial favorite. Most bookstores stock it in two or three editions -- board book, paperback, and sometimes even reprinted hardback.

    Rosefolly

  • 14 years ago

    Woodnymph, Amazon lists a book called The Secret of the Bog by someone named Eugenia Stone. Could that be your old favorite? They list two copies, one for $34.95, and another for $100.00. I have noticed that scarce, out of print children's books sometimes command very high prices, no doubt caused by the deep affection an adult can have for a favorite book of childhood.

    Rosefolly

  • 14 years ago

    Yes, that's true. Miss Jaster's Garden is available on Amazon and sites that sell used books--but copies often cost hundreds of dollars. Even on ebay it was $45. If the book is that desirable, why not make a buck and reprint it?

  • 14 years ago

    To prevent--or delay--my library from culling books I like, I take them out occasionally to keep them "active". Our public library is great but they cull ruthlessly, as I have found to my sorrow. I just found two copies of Miss Jaster's Garden in our consortium, requested one, and will request the other in a month or so. There, I've done my biblio-good deed for the day.

  • 13 years ago

    I bought Ferdinand the Bull for a grandson now age 30. He loved it so much that he won't let his own little son have it yet. (I hope he is reading it to him.)

  • 13 years ago

    Rosefolly, thanks for the information. Yes, I'm sure that's the one. It's a pity the prices are so steep. Another childhood favorite I used to enjoy were the works of Elizabeth Kyle, set in Scotland: "The Mystery of Castle Doone" and "The Provost's Jewel."

    I regret to say that the large city library has just culled its book collection ruthlessly, and despite the large French population in the city, has weeded out all its French novels.

  • 13 years ago

    I just reviewed Ferdinand the Bull for a kids' book column that I do - one of my favorite reads for the summer... I love that he loves flowers.

  • 13 years ago

    I just went through my bookshelves and found my small collection of OOP childrens' books. Among my favorites: "Dog of Flanders" by Ouida, "Otto of the Silver Hand" by Howard Pyle (with charming illustrations by the author), "The Bird's Christmas Carol" by Kate Douglas Wiggins, "When We Were Very Young" by A.A. Milne, and other old favorites.