Happy Site Friday: Children’s books online
February 06, 2009
OK. I am totally excited today to share with you the biggest kept secret of the Internet. Well, my biggest kept secret. I have mentioned before how I LOVE vintage children’s books, and collect them for inspiration. Well, if you haven’t heard of the Rosetta project, you are in for a treat.
This site is an online library of hundreds of vintage children’s books that have been scanned in page by page and can be read and seen online. You are not allowed to save any of the information without buying the books, however. They range in price based on length and how valuable. But when you buy the book, it is saved to your computer and you can print it or read them on your screen! These books are amazing, and they are being updated weekly. There are books from the mid eighteen hundreds up to the 40′s , and range from early readers to books for youth. It is so amazing to watch the trends in children’s lit change through the years. You really get a sense of what the culture deemed as fun for kids. They also have books from different countries…Sweden, Brazil, etc.
I can’t post more pics, since they are highly protected. But I promise you won’t be disappointed! I have been checking their site for 2 years now, and consider it the biggest gem I have found yet.
Have fun! I would love to know your favorites!
Happy friday my friends!
xoxo
sarah jane
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How exciting. I love old children’s books. Thanks so much for sharing:))
Cheers, Shelagh
I\’m so there!
Thanks so much for sharing!
I just followed your comment to your blog on Decor8. I am also an artist and mother of 4. It is inspiring to see how you pull your family into your creativity and put creativity into your family. Good luck with your delivery, remember to breath!
Jenny
Sarah,
Thanks for the information. I checked it out. It’s a treasure!
Vickie
Thank you so much for sharing the link! I’m an avid collector of vintage children’s books. I love to wander through our local antique stores and search for new ones to add to my collection. I love the sweet innocence of the older books and I love to read them to my own two daughters. Also, since I love to paint children I always find myself overwhelmed with inspiration and ideas after reading through the old books.
Hope you and your family have a wonderful weekend!
Thank you For sharing this! Old children’s books are the best, aren’t they!
Oh I saw a journal today at a craft fair made from vintage kids books, using the cover and parts of the book throughout the blank journal pages – nice idea. Have you considered printing journals? I could see some sweet childhood thoughts penned on the pages under your artwork!!
I am so glad you posted about this again. I had forgotten the sites name and tried to find it in your past posts but couldn’t. Can’t wait to check it out again. What a wonderful resource for artists and anyone who enjoys children’s books.
I’m totally addicted! This is so good I wouldn’t want to share but I’m so glad you did! I have been buying bits from you for almost a year but just recently stepped into the beautiful blog world. I just love the sharing of ideas and inspiration (your Audrey inspired valentines are the best) I do wish I could at least bookmark the Rosetta Project site or add books to a favorite list, although I also had fun discovering titles, authors, and illustrators to search on ebay and flickr.
OK so far my favorites are-Dolly and Molly at the Seashore, Babes and Blossoms, and Around the Week. I have lots more looking to do. Do share a couple of your favorites too!
Sarah, this a wonderful site, I have just looked at a few bunnies ones so far, it’s quite addictive. I love your new cards, they look like they have been letter pressed, very beautiful. Mandy x
Thanks for the link to this fab site!