The story behind the Little Golden Books
<p>Who doesn’t remember the Little Golden Books? <em>Scuffy the Tugboat</em>, <em>The Poky Little Puppy</em>… today there are more than 1,000 titles in the collection (both original stories and Disney classics) and billions have been sold around the world. But how did these iconic book first come into our lives?</p>
<p>Before they were introduced in 1942, books for children were often difficult to read and expensive - $2 or $3 each at the time (or $30 - $50 in today’s money). That’s when the Artist’s and Writer’s Guild’s George Duplaix teamed up with Simon & Schuster and Western Printing in an effort to create a high-quality, low-cost book series for children.</p>
<p>The first 12 stories, including <em>Mother Goose</em> and the wildly popular <em>The Poky Little Puppy</em> (which remains the highest-selling Little Golden Book), were released in October 1942 for 25c apiece. They have remained affordable ever since, now retailing for $5.00 each. (NZ: $6.00)</p>
<p>Duplaix’s books were a huge hit, racking up 1.5 million sales within the first 5 months alone, thanks in part due to the fact they were readily available not only in book stores but also supermarkets and other shops. The publishers soon struck a deal with Disney and later Sesame Street, opening up the possibility for hundreds of new stories.</p>
<p>If you still own any of your childhood Little Golden Books, you may be surprised to learn that you’re sitting on a goldmine. First editions of the original 12 stories can fetch more than $100 if in good condition, and limited edition titles can also fetch you a pretty penny. <a href="http://www.orilliapacket.com/2012/11/02/little-golden-books-have-made-the-rounds" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Click here</span></strong></a> to find out if your Little Golden Books could make you money.</p>
<p>Which was your favourite Little Golden Book as a kid? Tell us about it in the comments below.</p>
<p><strong>Related links:</strong></p>
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<p><a href="/entertainment/books/2016/04/best-childrens-books/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>5 all-time best children’s books</strong></em></span></a></p>
<p><a href="/entertainment/books/2016/03/best-selling-books-of-all-time/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Best selling books of all time</strong></em></span></a></p>
