Children's book, 1958

I found this vintage children's book at a thriftstore and fell in love with the illustrations.
The text is in German.
According to Babelfish, the title says, "glad beginning"

The book appears to be nursery rhymes and seasonal festivities.
This looks like a May Day celebration






This one is about taking a bath

rough translation:
The bath
Bruno may in the bath
Raus from the trousers
raus from the shirt
in the Water to the belly
to the neck brrr
Soap ago mummy soap
I am clean



This one appears to be Ring-around-the-rosey

Update: someone on Flickr just commented that I was incorrect.
"...it was an exercise game of the easiest sort. There was going in a circle holding hands the first two lines, hunkering down to the floor for the third, jumping up and clapping hands at the fourth or some such. Most I remember wondering about the second line, saying "we are three children" as we did it with the kindergarten teacher in a circle of at least 25 people (and never a shrub in the middle)... :)

The second is some kind of sensory finger counting game for people from newborn up to kindergarten age, referring to each one that is touched as if they are little brothers at harvest time, telling a little story:
This one is the thumb ( touch thumb)
This one shakes the plums ( touch forefinger)
This one picks them up ( touch middle finger)
This one carries them home( touch ring finger)
And the tiniest, he eats them all alone. ( touch little finger)"


The book was $5--rather expensive by thrift standards.
But I love illustrations.

Happy May Day

Maypoles

I've mentioned this before, but it's worth repeating--I love Maypoles.
(also posted here and here)

I guess it reminds me of childhood innocence, old traditions and festivities, and simplicity.
Sweetness. Something lost that I want to retrieve.

Someday I hope to have my own home, and I'll be able to display all these images I am collecting.
I collect images of seagulls also. But that's another topic..

I just purchased this photo. I love it.

(click on image to enlarge).
I wonder what year this was? Was it a birthday party for the little girl on the right who is standing? What are the things on the sides of the girl's heads that make them appear as if they are dressed like geishas?
Is that a boy or a girl in the front, defiantly sitting with crossed legs?
I want to go back in time and hear the giggles, taste the fruit punch, be part of the conversations....

Cover of Better Homes & Gardens, May 1929.


The Nickell, 1901.


How bizarre, I didn't even know my innocent collection has phallic symbolism, until I just now read about the tradition in Wikipedia.
All things considered, that's pretty funny.

I just think Maypoles are so pretty, decorated in flowers and satin ribbons and pastels.
Spring time.