We Learn to Play (Part 3)
Gather around everyone! Let's see more images from the greatest unheralded childrens' book of all time! We Learn to Play was lovingly drawn by Al Wiseman while he was under the incorrect assumption that his name was "Hank Ketcham."This was a true tour de force of cataclysmic Wiseman-esqe proportions!
Imagine being a child in the 1950's and owning a copy of this precious book. How lucky you would be! Why, you would carry it around with you everywhere until it fell apart in your hands and your parents had to dispose of it. But you'd never forget!
And now you, dear blog reader, can carry your computer with you everywhere and have these images forever (well, at least until the internet dissolves in your hands).
Above: Notice that the writer of this book, Jean Kelleher Porter, describes herself as a "Specialist in Industrial Recreations and Employee Activities". Why, I bet she made all that stuff up! Frankly, I think being the "Creator of 'Dennis the Menace'" is a much more impressive job description.
3 Comments:
Hank Ketcham was very involved in what was called recreational technology at the time which involved a very serious movement to create safe and fun playgrounds that promoted creativity. I have often wondered what HK was doing getting involved with her book, but he probably came in contact with her around the time he was designing the Dennis the Menace Playground with sculptor Arch Garner. This project constituted a huge revolution in recreation and the DTM playground has been replicated all over the world. An interesting an little-known facet of the Dennis history few know about.
Very astute, Joe!
I was also wondering why the heck Hank Ketcham would do this book in the first place. But your idea about it being somehow connected to his "Dennis the Menace Playground" activities makes perfect sense.
I still wonder why Ketcham's name wasn't used on the book cover, as it would be a great selling point at that time. But extra words would've complicated the minimalist cover design, so I'm glad it was left simple...
I love this book.. You know, you were right, I did have this book as a child and I remember doing lots of the things in it.
Interesting... on page 20, Dad is building a sand box for the kids, jauntily pushing a wheelbarrow full of sand. The smoke from his pipe wafting behind him...
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