Page 10
A Certain Cinderella Book
"It is the Cinderella fairy tale book. I remember signing the book out numerous times from the library as a child, probably around 1975-1978. The book was a small hardcover; dimensions were approximately 5x7. The book was not cartoon, and the illustrations were breathtaking. I believe her gown colors were blue for the first one, yellow for the second, and the last gown was white/sparkling. I believe this book was old already when I was in school.
"Cinderella's hair was blonde. The illustrations were very realistic, and were all in color."
Solution: Cinderella, by Vera Southgate; illustrated by Eric Winter. Ladybird Books, c1964. This edition is from the British company that publishes small, hardcover books for children. More information about the book can be found here: http://www.theweeweb.co.uk/ladybird/ladybird_book_detail.php?id=3D688
and pictures of the other two dresses can be seen if one scrolls down on this page: http://www.ladybirdflyawayhome.com/pages/gallery.htm
Elephant Who Overeats
"My daughter-in-law is looking for the title of a book she remembers from childhood. She would have read this book in the early to mid-1980's; however, it may have had an older copyright date. She's not sure. In the book, an elephant wanders into a house and finds good food to eat. The elephant eats and eats until it is unable to leave the house. Eventually, the elephant breaks the house free of its foundation and walks off wearing the house."
Solution: But No Elephants, by Jerry Smath. Parents Magazine Press, c1980.
Girl Who Can Control the Wind
"The girl is shunned by her village for being strange but they come to find out that she can control the wind and they take her to a school so she can learn how to control her power. There she meets a redheaded boy with a pet wolf or something and they fight the evil headmistress and some other girl. I remember the story just can't remember the name. "
Solution: The Light of the Oracle, by Victoria Hanley. David Fickling Books, 2005.
Scruffy Black Pony Instead of Beautiful Black Stallion
"I loved this book when I was young (about 25 years ago) and recently told my niece about it. She now really wants to read it but I can't find my copy or remember what it was called! The story is about a young girl who's great wish is to own a horse of her own. she dreams of 'a beautiful black stallion with flowing mane and tail' so starts to do odd jobs and such to save up for one. Unfortunately she only saves a few dollars (I think it was about $14 or something like that) and realises she might only be able to afford 'one hoof maybe.' But then she sees a scruffy lame black pony (I think its at a horse sale). She feels sorry for him and so spends all her money to buy him. She does manage to fix him up but finds she can't ride him as he has a very uncomfortable, jolting trot. She discovers he knows how to pull a cart though and her father helps her paint one up so it looks smart. She still feels a bit ashamed of him however, especially as another local girl who owns a handsome chestnut mare (with 'a very smooth trot') teases her about not being able to ride her 'stupid pony.'
"One day whilst driving him in his cart, a couple pull up next to her in their car and jump out. They examine the pony in great excitement, not even noticing her at first. It turns out that he used to be their horse and was stolen as he was a champion racer in the trotting world! Although his injury is healed he would never be able to pull a sulky in the ring again and they allow her to keep him (although I believe they bring mares to him for stud). She realises at the end that she had a beautiful black stallion with flowing mane and tail all along. : )
"The whole book was filled with lovely illustrations that were also very accurate (i.e. not cartoon style)."
Solution: Doodlebug, written and illustrated by Irene Brady. Houghton Mifflin, 1977.
Underground Cavern Explored by Moon Colonists
"The book is about a large plant and a lake in an underground cavern on the moon. Some exploring children from a nearby moon colony chance upon it and the adventure begins... The book was very popular in 1978. One of my teachers is looking for the book, which was the book that got her son hooked on reading when he was a third grader."
Solution: The Lotus Caves, by John Christopher. Macmillan, 1969.