I love vintage books. A friend of mine (thanks Chris Otto) gave me this book published in 1936 by the American Book Company. The retail price was 59 cents. It was written by W. Wilbur Hatfield et al. This book is packed with awesome black and white illustrations, exercises, activities and readings.
One activity is a courtesy test for boys and girls (What do you say when two of you come to a door at the same time? When you leave a party? When you have to cough or sneeze?).
There's a section on using the telephone, which includes learning what to say when Central answers. One child played the telephone operator (Central) and the other the caller.
Mary (takes the receiver from the hook and listens)
Central. Number, please
Mary. Walnut 7642.
Mrs. Smith. This is Mrs. Smith speaking.
Mary. This is Mary Jones, Mrs. Smith. I am Jane's classmate. We are afraid she is ill.
Mrs. Smith. Jane has a slight cold, but I think she will be able to go to school tomorrow.
Mary. I am glad her cold isn't bad.
Mrs. Smith. Thank you for asking about Jane. I'll tell her you called.
Mary. Good-by, Mrs. Smith
Mrs. Smith. Good-by, Mary.
Children learned How to use the encyclopedia (no Web then), how to write a letter and address an envelope, how to be a good citizen, how to make a moving-picture machine along with a ton of other stuff.
Do you remember your first school book. I remember Dick, Jane and Spot. Now that's one book I would love to have.
