|
|
Newfoundland Dog Library
Featured Title:
Here is a charmingly illustrated book about the beauty of color. Natalia spends days trying to decide on her favorite color. Her grandmother tries to help by showing her flowers of every color in the rainbow. Unfortunately, this only makes Natalia's choice even more difficult. But soon her grandmother's words of wisdom help Natalia to learn a valuable lesson. Illustrated by Patricia Reeder Eubank who also did Seaman's Journal. Newly published February 2008.
Fiction -
Currently In Print
Rare and Out Of Print
Non Fiction -
Currently In Print
Rare and Out Of Print
Children's Literature -
Currently In Print
Rare and Out of Print
Recommended Reading Lists
Judges Education Committee Recommendations
Breeder Education Committee Recommendations
Rescue Reading List
NEWF - ANTIQUES CHILDREN'S BOOKS reprinted from Newf Tide 1978
"N is for Newfoundland, of all dogs the best;
Just give me this dog, you may keep all the rest.
In the water he'll jump and will struggle to save
A dear little child from a watery grave.
A lover of children, a boy's closest friend
A servant of man on which to depend.
He'll carry a basket or drive home the cow
Or keep back a tramp with his fierce
Bow-wow-wow. "
from "The Natural History A *B*C*, printed by M.A.
Donahue and Co., Chicago.
My interest in antiques, and especially Newf antiques usually leads me to seek out those Victorian items which refer to or depict a Newfoundland dog. The Victorians loved everything giant size - big houses, high ceilings, enormous furniture and lots of it. Quite naturally they were attracted to the Newfie and scarcely an old children's book can be found that does not have some reference to a 'large Newfoundland dog' and their heroic and romantic doings; or an illustration of a large, shaggy, flop eared dog (frequently with Landseer markings) pulling a cart or carrying a bundle for the young master or mistress. The poem quoted above is accompanied by an illustration of curly haired girl hugging her equally curly haired Newfie companion. Another book which I found at the same time this past summer is entitled "Mama's Darlings". It claims to be "Handsomely Illustrated with Full Page Engravings" by the publishing company of W.E. Conkey in 1898. One of the front piece engravings is of a Newfoundland dog carrying a bundle of books by the leather strap as he accompanies his little mistress on her way to school. He appears to be stepping along with alert importance and an almost fierce look in his eye to let the beholder beware. He is doing his guard duty chore. Another, "The Holiday Parade", again published by W.E. Conkey and Co. (and "copiously illustrated"), tells the story of "Sailor Lads and Lassies" in which the children, Dick and Carrie, vacationing at the shore are accompanied by "Carlo, the big dog". (How many Victorian Newfies were named, Carlo.) Tho, the story doesn't actually refer to Carlo as a Newf, the illustration of the "big dog" is unmistakably that of a Newfie and the story further reinforces the illustration: "Carlo was as good a sailor as any of them. He liked picnics, too, and was always ready to do his share of the work. He would take the handle of a lunch basket in his mouth and carry it very carefully, and sometimes he carried umbrellas and other things; and when the children were in bathing he kept a very careful watch over them, especially the smaller ones. Once when Carrie had gone out a little farther than usual, he swam after her and tried to make her come back, although one of her big cousins was near by to take care of her. Carrie laughed and put her arms around his neck, and the faithful creature swam to shore with her. "You dear old dog," she cried, hugging him as tight as she could: "anybody just couldn't get drowned if they tried with you around." Carlo wagged his tail and looked pleased, and then they ran and raced on the clean sand." What do you think? Wasn't this 'Carlo' a Newfie?
The good antiques are pretty well picked over these days, a rummage thru the shops or displays at the "shows" (antique, i.e.) usually will bring up some Newfie item, or old books about them. As a rule the antiques to be had are better at the shows. If you're interested in a day or afternoon of fun, you may discover a delightful 'find' to take home for all the family to enjoy, by hunting for Newf antiques or old children's books.
|
|
