Everything I Need To Know I Learned From a Little Golden Book by Diane Muldrow is an absolute joy, which for me, brought back all sorts of happy memories of childhood. I can’t believe no one has ever thought of combining life advice and Little Golden Books before, it seems like a no-brainer.

My personal favourite Little Golden Book was/is the The Happy Family, possibly because Mother was so glamorous. The outfit Mother is wearing in the picture below, which is nicer than anything in my entire wardrobe, is for when she does the vacuuming. Her bicycle riding outfit is gorgeous too, not to mention the shoes she wears while feeding the cat, and you should see what Mother wears when she goes to the shops! (Okay, I’ll admit it. I am seriously jealous of the wardrobe of a fictional woman in a sixty year old Little Golden Book). The gist of the life advice from The Happy Family is Making An Effort To Dress Well Regardless Of How Crap You Feel.

Honey-Bunny’s favourite Little Golden Book was Where Did the Baby Go? I read this book to her over and over and over and over. She also liked Tootle. Notice the lesson here from Tootle, ‘Staying On The Rails No Matter What.’ Now that is some serious life advice.

A great many of my favourite Little Golden Books didn’t rate a mention.

I remember Pepper Plays Nurse, where Pepper, a little girl who was a would be vet nurse, brought home all sorts of animals to her animal hospital, located underneath her parent’s house. I also dearly loved my copy of Hansel and Gretel with gorgeous pictures of the characters (Hansel and Gretel’s chubby little cheeks must have been terribly tempting to the hungry witch).

My sister, E, was very fond of Puff, The Blue Kitten. Scuffy the Tugboat and the Poky Little Puppy were also popular with my brother H. My sister D liked Old MacDonald Had a Farm. Truly, Little Golden Books have something for everyone.

The life advice in Everything I Need To Know I Learned From A Little Golden Book was great, but it was the memories which came back when I looked at the pictures which made this book special.