In the midst of World War II, three little kittens gambolled into the public eye and changed the landscape of children’s books forever.
Launched in September 1942, Little Golden Books were affordable, durable, and — most importantly — adorable. The Three Little Kittens were joined by “The Poky Little Puppy,” “The Little Red Hen,” “The Little Piggy” and other contents in the original 12 titles, which collectively sold 1.5 million copies in their first five months.
The books’ engaging stories, colorful illustrations, and child-friendly size swiftly attracted legions of fans, and in 2017 the series celebrates its 75th anniversary. Shown in this exhibit are a selection of Little Golden Books, together with offshoots in a variety of sizes, formats and topics.
“Golden Celebration of Golden Books,” which is on display in the lobby gallery of the Charles E. Young Research Library, draws its contents from UCLA Library Special Collections, where they reside as part of its renowned Children’s Book Collection. The exhibit will be on display through Sunday, Oct. 15.
