Vintage donation stirs childhood memories

If you go down to the Australind library this month you’re in for a vintage-style surprise.

An enchanting collection of antique children’s books donated to the library are on display and enjoying some time in the spotlight.

‘‘The books were donated to the library recently by a very generous family,’’ librarian Fran Pinfold said.

‘‘We supplemented the collection with some of our own books and put them on display in the cabinet.’’

Ms Pinfold says the display has been a great hit among library-goers and staff alike, stirring up old childhood memories of story favourites and pleasant times spent with books.

‘‘I thought it would be really cool if a child came in with their grandparent who could say, ‘I used to read that book when I was your age’,’’ Ms Pinfold said.

The oldest book in the collection is a copy of Beatrix Potter’s The Story of Miss Moppet, which was published in 1904 and is in good condition considering that it is more than 100 years old.

The collection also includes copies of The Wombles, Nancy Drew, the Famous Five, a Dr Seuss book and one copy of old Australian favourite the Happy Ventures reader.

‘‘That one is a classic school reader,’’ Ms Pinfold said.

‘‘Whole generations of Australians learnt how to read with those in the 50s and 60s.’’

The children’s books will be on display at the Australind Library all this month.