Button, Button, Who Can Name That Buttony Book?

November 18, 2006 9:25 AM

Name That Book: vague recollection of reading a book in (?) sixth grade or so, in the "Young Adult" category, circa 1976-78. The only detail that I can recall is that there were buttons - of the type that are used on coats - and that at least one of the buttons came to life. I believe the button was in the shape of a person or character. Any ideas?
posted by davidmsc to media & arts (7 comments total)

The Witch's Buttons?
posted by iconomy at 9:46 AM on November 18, 2006

Thank you iconomy!!! I googled for buttons, kids, button, magic button, etc, but nothing worked!
posted by davidmsc at 9:56 AM on November 18, 2006

Cool ;)

I googled book "the button" alive. Weird, huh? So simple, yet the answer was right there on the first page - the Rainbow Magic link. It's hit or miss finding the perfect combination of google search words, that's for sure.
posted by iconomy at 10:08 AM on November 18, 2006

That was Ruth Chew, who wrote a ton of "witch" books for Scholastic in that time frame. Funnily enough, as soon as I read the question, I KNEW that was it.

Still remember the drawings...the one of the man in the Puritan hat with the very pointy nose, etc....
posted by polexxia at 10:10 AM on November 18, 2006

Wow, polexxia, that's exactly the mental picture I had when I was trying to remember the book!
posted by davidmsc at 12:12 PM on November 18, 2006

I loved Ruth Chew -- my favorite author as a 12 year old.
posted by ClaudiaCenter at 12:36 PM on November 18, 2006

I'm a dork, cuz I was in 2nd grade when I got hooked on them...
posted by polexxia at 4:56 PM on November 18, 2006