Home
Site Map
Source Page
World of the Children
Encyclopaedia
This is one of four volumes of the encyclopaedia
Malcolm was given by his parents on his 8th
birthday. It was first published by Caxton in September 1948 and reprinted in August 1951. It was bought from a doorstep salesman and paid for in several instalments. Malcolm read it many times from cover to cover and
his mother was once heard complaining to
her sister that he does nothing but
read that book!. It still resides in Malcolms bookcase alongside another set presented to him by
his grandfather. Some parts of it are quaintly dated by the standards
of the 21st century. An example from the educational story that gets nearest to explaining the birds and bees but fails to get anywhere near the main issue
Boys have a better time than girls. Marjorie answered slowly. Dont you believe it! Mummy laughed. A girl often gets everything she wants, just by having a pretty face. A boy has to work and fight if he is to have the things
a man must have. That isnt fair. went on Marjorie. Oh yes it all evens out nicely, said Mother; the big strong man enjoys being a big strong man, and the pretty girl who has won a husband and a home and lots of babies
finds that there is plenty of work to do to keep all her treasures sweet and nice.
Top