Complete original set of Olive Beaupre Miller's six volume self-published "Book House for Children" readers, circa 1920-21. Beaupre Miller was way ahead of her time in so many ways. It is amazing that this group of books was not only her first foray into publishing, but that she also created her own publishing house to make it happen. These books encompass an incredible range of literature and an equally incredible range of authors as she draws from centuries of the western canon: Virgil, Dante, Chaucer, Shelly, Lord Byron, Shakespeare, Wilde, Poe, Dickens, Dickinson, Sandburg, Grimm, Stevenson, Longfellow, Burns, Hawthorne, Scott, and even Teddy Roosevelt! Plus, the profuse illustrations by Maude and Miska Petersham, Donn Philip Crane, Hilda Hanway, Milo Winter, and Peter Newell, among others, do their part to bring the stories to life. 

From the estate of the original owner, these books are in very good vintage condition. The covers show varying amounts of shelf wear and the interiors do have some age yellowing. Some have been read and handled more than others. However, the spines and bindings are tight and there are no odors, stains, tears, or stay marks of note. These books were obviously cherished and cared for. See the photos. If you wish more information on the condition of a particular volume, message me and I'll be glad to assist.

I found it interesting, but not surprising, that Beaupre was a Christian Scientist as the particular morals and tenants set forth in this series reflect much of that religion's fundamentals regarding education as preparation for living a moral life. According to her memoirs she wrote to exacting standards that espoused her philosophy of the purpose of a child's education: 1) To be well equipped for life, to have ideas and the ability to express them, the child needs a broad background of familiarity with the best in literature. 2) His stories and rhymes must be selected with care that he may absorb no distorted view of life and its actual values, but may grow up to be mentally clear about values and emotionally impelled to seek what is truly desirable and worthwhile in human living. 3) The stories and rhymes selected must be graded to the child's understanding at different periods of his growth, graded as to vocabulary, as to subject matter and as to complexity of structure and plot.

1904 SMITH COLLEGE GRADUATE