EDITORIAL: The Joy of Small

I covet little books. I wish I could explain why, but I have no idea. The concept of producing a tiny tome with a story that fits its format perfectly is one that really appeals. 

When I came across a book of collected chapbooks then, I was in bibliophile's heaven. Chapbooks were produced cheaply on just one sheet of paper, sold for a hapenny each by travelling salesmen ('Chapmen') and would often be the only books a child would own. Back in the 1800s, these books would be filled with poems, fairy tales and puzzles, and were a child's first indoctrination into the world of literature.

Which begs the question, with child book ownership now at an all time low, is it time to return to the model of chapbooks as a way to encourage children into reading? Shorter, cheaper books which can entertain and educate, and improve child literacy through fun stories and pictures? Over to you...

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Do you share my fetish for tiny tomes? Watch out for more posts this week showing little antiquarian treasures :)