HoB_ABCs

Title The Golden ABC

Brief description Detailed illustrations with many examples of objects or animals that begin with the specific letter of the alphabet described. Appropriate for very early readers as well as older readers.

Full description The Golden ABC is an American mid-nineteenth century alphabet book that depicts an idyllic world for the young reader. Hand colored illustrations are full of detailed objects that depict the letters of the alphabet. Young children are shown as eager, curious, and happy in a world that is charming and peaceful. As a tool for literacy, The Golden ABC is appropriate for early and more advanced readers.

Literacy The children on the cover illustration of The Golden ABC appear eager and intrigued by the content of the book. As depicted in this first illustration, a child's innate curiosity can be used to promote literacy and learning. The child's curiosity is further captured through the detailed and, at times, complex illustrations. The text and illustrations encapsulate different levels of literacy. Large letters are incorporated into the illustration with one dominant item depicted in the forefront. For example, A is large and accompanied by a picture of an apple. A young child is taught to associate the letter to the fruit. An older child is challenged to make the connections between the letter and the pictures in the background -- arches in a brick bridge, arrows in a quiver, and an archer readying his bow. Children are taught the alphabet, but also are instructed to become graphically literate by associating ideas in pictures to letters or themes.

Childhood The illustration on the cover of The Golden ABC depicts children of varying ages gathering around an older woman who is reading the children a book. The target audience for The Golden ABC ranges from the earliest student to the older more advanced reader. The pictures are full of interesting objects for children to look at. Domestic scenes are tranquil and peaceful, reflecting the Victorian romanticism of the world. Children are depicted at play with toys and animals, illustrating the importance of childhood during the mid-nineteenth century. The detailed illustrations do not show naughty children or acts of discipline. Instead, the illustrations show children playing nicely or rural scenes that are full of life and activity. The young child exposed to this alphabet book would learn that the world is full of interesting animals, places, and people and that children have a special and fun role to play in the world.

Iconography The illustrated cover on The Golden ABC, portrays the idealized American family life during the mid-nineteenth century. The older woman is nurturing and loving, and the children gather around to listen to her read. Each illustration for the letters of the alphabet has large type. This luxurious layout reveals the growing market for children's books in this time period. Idyllic domestic scenes coupled with exotic illustrations of animals in foreign lands, portray a harmonious and romantic view of the world. Finely dressed children play indoors with household pets and toys. Pictures of children interacting with well-groomed cats and dogs and expensive toys -- such as baby dolls -- indicate wealth. Childhood is portrayed as peaceful and charming, contributing to the idealized domesticity of family life.

Production The Golden ABC is fifteen pages long and was printed on paper. The illustrations are wood-engraved and hand-colored. The Golden ABC was published by J.Q. Preble & CO. The book has no publication date, but is estimated to have been published in 1855. WorldCat has over one hundred book records published by J.Q. Preble & CO that include adult and children's literature. J.Q. Preble & CO was located in New York and went bankrupt in December 1889.