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The story behind the Little Golden Books

<p>Who doesn’t remember the Little Golden Books? <em>Scuffy the Tugboat</em>, <em>The Poky Little Puppy</em>… today there are more than 1,000 titles in the collection (both original stories and Disney classics) and billions have been sold around the world. But how did these iconic book first come into our lives?</p> <p>Before they were introduced in 1942, books for children were often difficult to read and expensive - $2 or $3 each at the time (or $30 - $50 in today’s money). That’s when the Artist’s and Writer’s Guild’s George Duplaix teamed up with Simon &amp; Schuster and Western Printing in an effort to create a high-quality, low-cost book series for children.</p> <p>The first 12 stories, including <em>Mother Goose</em> and the wildly popular <em>The Poky Little Puppy</em> (which remains the highest-selling Little Golden Book), were released in October 1942 for 25c apiece. They have remained affordable ever since, now retailing for $5.00 each. (NZ: $6.00)</p> <p>Duplaix’s books were a huge hit, racking up 1.5 million sales within the first 5 months alone, thanks in part due to the fact they were readily available not only in book stores but also supermarkets and other shops. The publishers soon struck a deal with Disney and later Sesame Street, opening up the possibility for hundreds of new stories.</p> <p>If you still own any of your childhood Little Golden Books, you may be surprised to learn that you’re sitting on a goldmine. First editions of the original 12 stories can fetch more than $100 if in good condition, and limited edition titles can also fetch you a pretty penny. <a href="http://www.orilliapacket.com/2012/11/02/little-golden-books-have-made-the-rounds" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Click here</span></strong></a> to find out if your Little Golden Books could make you money.</p> <p>Which was your favourite Little Golden Book as a kid? Tell us about it in the comments below.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/entertainment/books/2016/05/encouraging-children-to-read/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>How to encourage your grandchildren to love reading</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/entertainment/books/2016/04/best-childrens-books/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>5 all-time best children’s books</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/entertainment/books/2016/03/best-selling-books-of-all-time/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Best selling books of all time</strong></em></span></a></p>

Books

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Tugboat pushed underwater by cruise ship

<p>When we’re on a cruise, sitting in a deckchair, pigging out at the buffet table or relaxing in our cabin it can be difficult to remember the sheer power of the machinery required to transport thousands of people around the world in consummate style.</p> <p>But we bet the guy who owns this tugboat won’t be forgetting any time soon!</p> <p>In this video above a tugboat is completely submerged by the Norwegian Escape during her conveyance from the shipyard.</p> <p>In the cruise industry, conveyance, as you may remember from <a href="/news/news/2016/03/newest-cruise-ship-set-for-aussie-waters/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>this article</strong></span></a>, is a process undertaken by ships constructed at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany.</p> <p>After the ship is complete it will make a trip backwards down the River Ems to get to the North Sea. But, as you can see from the above video, you don't want to be on the tugboat that gets in the cruise liners way between the shipyard and the open ocean!</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/travel/cruising/2016/04/princess-cruises-husky-puppy-program/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Princess Cruises husky puppy program</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/travel/cruising/2016/04/new-shore-excursions-for-royal-caribbean-cruises/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>New shore excursions for Royal Caribbean cruises</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/travel/cruising/2016/04/10-river-cruise-ports-you-must-experience/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>10 river cruise ports you must experience</strong></em></span></a></p>

Cruising