"The Story of Appleby Capple"(First Edition) Anne Parrish - 1950
 
In this whimsical Newbery Honor masterpiece, a five-year-old boy named Appleby Capple embarks on a grand, nonsensical quest to find a rare Zebra butterfly for his cousin’s ninety-ninth birthday. Structured as a sprawling ABC chapter book, each of the twenty-six sections is dedicated to a letter of the alphabet, woven together with dense, clever alliteration and absurdist humor. As Appleby wanders through a series of increasingly surreal landscapes, he encounters a cast of eccentric characters and intricate challenges that require wit and wonder to navigate. Far more than a simple primer, the story is a celebration of language and Victorian-style detail, brought to life by the author’s own meticulous, hand-drawn illustrations. It remains a legendary "hidden gem" of children's literature, perfect for fostering a deep, lifelong fascination with the magic of words
 
Book Archaeology Kids: Unearthing the lost artifacts of imagination. From the shadows of the pyramids to the secrets of the deep, we find the rare first editions that ignite a lifelong passion for discovery
 
Collation / Page Count: 184