Golden books

We've nearly completed a lovely weekend. Yesterday, we went into central London to view the monumental rusted steel and cast iron sculptures of Anthony Caro at the Annely Juda Fine Art gallery (which we adored but which Little Planet complained were "Too big! I want to get back in the buggy!"); we bought a selection of teas from Postcard Teas (the owner kindly opened it for us despite being closed to the public for a private tea tasting); we visited the Disney Store on Oxford Street because Little Planet wanted to see Mickey (who was not there, but she settled for a small stuffed version of him); then we shopped for provisions at the John Lewis Food Hall (where we saw singer Marc Almond who was not at all happy that his partner was checking my husband out - whoops). Dinner at home was roast chicken with watercress salad, cherry tomatoes and buttery mashed potatoes.

Today, we pottered around the house: M painted the shed (Farrow & Ball's lichen) and did some weeding, he baked banana bread, we rearranged garden pots, I rearranged the furniture in the study (shifting the desk to the front of the window with a view onto the garden), we read the papers, shopped locally and played. Tonight we're eating courgette, pea and asparagus risotto with homemade chicken stock (from yesterday's roast chicken bones).

But what I really wanted to blog about this evening was children's books - a particular brand of children's books. On Friday, I met up with M on Coptic Street for a Korean lunch at Bi-won (dolsot bibimbap - rice, meat and vegetables cooked in a stone pot - plus sides of miso soup and kimchi). Before returning to work, I popped into the tiny and amazing Gosh! Comics on Great Russell Street and discovered their vintage children's books section. In particular, their selection of vintage Golden Books publications.

I chose three in particular and Little Planet loves loves loves them. And so does her mummy!

The Colour Kittens by Margaret Wise Brown and Alice & Martin Provensen: "Once there were two color kittens with green eyes, Brush and Hush." So goes the rollicking tale of two pouncy kittens who make all the colours in the world. A great way of of introducing colour theory to little ones. First published in 1949.

I Am a Bunny by Ole Risom and Richard Scarry: "I am a bunny. My name is Nicholas. I live in a hollow tree." In the spring, Nicholas likes to pick flowers, and in the summer, watch the frogs in the pond. In the fall, he watches the animals getting ready for winter, and in winter, watches the snow falling from the sky. A delightful tale with exquisitely drawn illustrations of the natural world. First published in 1963.

The Me Book by Jean Tymms and Tibor Gergely: "My ears are for listening, wiggling, and holding up eyeglasses. Can you wiggle your ears?" Playful animals demonstrate the active things children can do. Originally published in 1974.

Here are some other Golden Books available to read, in full and in full technicolour. Enjoy.