Query: Harold and the Purple Crayon

I can't find a book reference to help me identify the edition of this juvenile book:
Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson. The publisher is Harper & Brothers. The best information I can find is that it was published between 1955 and 1963. There is no d.j. to help identify it. First editions were published with an illustrated cover, this is plain brown with a light/while lettering on the cover.

Not Much TIme for Books!

Now if you have a grandson like this, you'll know why I have a little trouble concentrating on cataloging books! 5 months old and walking all over the living room - in his walker. All backwards but he is moving! This is one strong little guy.

The Art of Jim Fitzpatrick - Signed Portfolio 2

6615 #Fitzpatrick, Jim Fitzpatrick, Jim: THE ART OF JIM FITZPATRICK PORTFOLIO VOL 2 De Danann Press Dublin 1982. Softcover Folio 13" - 23" tall Pages8 1st Edition 1st Printing Illus. by:Jim Fitzpatrick Color Illustrations Signed ByIllustrator De Danann Press, Dublin, Ireland, 1981. Portfolio. Book Condition: Very Good Condition. 8 Color Plates (illustrator). Elephant Folio - over 15" - 23" Tall. Plate 1 Nemed the Great is signed by the artist. Plate 2. Sadv. The Deer Goddess. Plate 3. Lugh Attacks the Fomor Army. Plate 4. The Battle of Moira. Plate 5. Fathach, Poet of the Fir Bolg. Plate 6. Eochai is Slain by the Sons of Nuada. Plate 7. Dagda and the Woman of Uinnius. Plate 8. Eri and the Son of the King of the Fomor. Each plate is 16 1/2" X 11 1/2". All plates are in very good condition. Plates depict characters & scenes from Irish History and Legends. Edges of portfolio are lightly rubbed. Plate 1 is Signed By Fitzpatrick. Selling books since 1992 - we value your business! VG/ NONE $300.00

For Sale: Billiards by Hoppe

6828 #Hoppe, Willie Hoppe, Willie: BILLIARDS As it Should be Played, Diamond System Fully Explained Reilly & Lee Company Chicago Ill 1941. Softcover Folio 13" - 23" tall Pages78 1st Edition Thus 1st Printing Very good condition with no handwriting or prior owners names. Selling books since 1992 - we value your business! VG+/ NONE $30.00

Booking in Tarpon Springs, FL

About 125 miles north of Punta Gorda, FL is a cute little town, Tarpon Springs. It is on route 19, near Clearwater. I don't know the history of the town but it seems to be the sponge capitol of FL with a big Greek influence. Greek restaurants, Greek clothing, Greek food stores, etc. You can very easily bring back a Greek peasant blouse, dress or a more formal and exciting belly dancing costume!

Of course, being an "Old" Bag Lady, I didn't purchase the Belly Dancing Costume but maybe next time, after I retire I could take lessons??? I mean, being a woman "of a certain age" means I to keep moving, right? At least I'd have the basics I need for the class (I have a belly!).

But, I did go looking for books as Tarpon Springs advertises a lot of antique shops in the downtown area and indeed, they are there. But they are very, very book challenged in the antique stores. I don't know why - most antique areas have at least one book dealer within the antique malls - a specialist used/rare book dealer who just doesn't want to have a store. This wasn't the case in downtown Tarpon Springs.

I did find one booth that was mostly books but they weren't even trying to be specialists. They were $1.00 books in pretty good shape but not ones that any book dealer would be interested in. Just common books - not even store stock (they would be on the $1.00 table out front of any used book store).

So, after passing on the books and all of the glass antiques, booth after booth of glass collectibles (dishes in particular), even full stores of red glass dishes (well maybe some dish was white but I didn't stay long enough to see it) we went to the touristy section and I loved it.

There were lots of people walking around the shops which are located right next to water with tourist boats waiting to take us out for a cooling ride on the water. There was an art show set up in tents, lots of ice cream and cold drinks and Greek food. Lots of Greek food and beer and sweets!

If you haven't added Tarpon Springs to your list of places to visit when you're in the area/state, maybe while you're at the St. Petersburg book fair (in March every year), consider doing so. And you will get to go over the beautiful Skyline bridge, see a great view of what has to be a great fishing pier!


After all, you're writing off the trip to the fair, might as well add in a side trip and get some great Greek Food and well, maybe pick up that belly dancing costume.

Page From Puppy to end.

Thanks to everyone who sent their condolences for our loss of Page, our 13 year old dog and friend. It means a lot to know that she meant a lot to others and that others of you know how we feel. We will try to focus on the joy she brought us - but we still "feel" the "deadly silence" of her not being here. Madlyn

R.I.P. Page, the Book Store Dog

1996 - 2009 Page passed away this morning.

We loved Page. We got her 13 years ago to be a watch dog (we lived in the country) and be in the book store. Since then, Page has lived in condos mostly and we never received a complaint about her barking. She didn't bite - see the photo with the pet bird - she was very gentle.

As an "entertainment center" for the book store, she preferred to trip customers coming into the store by lying in front of the door than being petted. Page was a lazy dog! I don't know if that was because of her Black Lab or Kerry Blue Terrier part but she was lazy. She wouldn't chase a ball or frizbee (we'd just throw it again and what sense did that make).

Page loved Sandy Pines, a resort camping location in southern Michigan. She loved to swim in the clear, calm water and ride on our golf cart - ears blowing in the wind.

The only book Page destroyed in 13 years was one volume on Detroit that I'd just had recovered. I don't know if it was the glue she smelled or what but she chewed the spine off of the new binding. One destroyed book in 13 years is better than my record.

Page loved going on trips - in the RV or car - but she wasn't happy to share the backseat with the bird! She put up with it but she didn't like sharing. We could leave Page in any motel room to go to dinner - as long as our suitcases were there and we turned on the TV she never barked at other travelers. If we weren't home, she didn't bark either - she protected US, not the location she was in. Any thief could have walked in to the HOUSE (as long as he didn't knock) if we weren't home and there would be no problem - if we were home, she barked whenever my husband would even hug me! She preferred a 'hands off' policy!

At 91, I guess Page has a right to rest eternally. But I bet she is visiting with Grandma now and letting her old bird friend, Frankie, walk all over her and her cat friend Casper will puuurrrr a lot upon seeing her. We will continue to miss Page, The Book Store Dog - the best friend we could have had.