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The great bibliographer Fredson Bowers once accused his graduate students of thinking that the editions they used in their textual criticism came down from Mt. Sinai. That might be a bit harsh, but do we really think about the process through which an author’s words make it from their minds to our books? The number of other minds and hands through which those words are mediated?
In this edition, we look at Lois Lenski’s The Little Train, a fine old picture book that’s been through the wringer of multiple editions, examining some of the changes that happened along the way. Would this beloved and award winning author have approve of how her picture book is being presented 86 years later? One way to find out!
Also: send us your 90s picture book recommendations!
Show Notes
The original 1940 edition, presented in chromolithographic! It’s black and white and red all over! (Registration required)
The 2001 Scholastic edition, by special arrangement with Random House.