Please help me find a kids handbook from the 80s

December 3, 2014 7:42 AM

I'm trying to locate a book I had as a child in the early 80s (U.S.). It was a white hardcover book with red lettering (I had lost the dust cover if it ever had one). It was a kids handbook that described tons of stuff (with illustrations).

Specifics I remember: several ways of making a bed, explaining how to run a stand with a specific example of a girl selling watercress sandwiches, (maybe) sewing buttons on clothes, manners and culture. I specifically remember a section on farting.

I think it was a guide on how to 'grow up' with an emphasis on self reliance and building self confidence. I remember it being fairly large size (300-400 pages) and absolutely filled with facts. I think its audience was fairly broad (probably 9-14 years old)

Searching for kids handbooks generally comes up with video game strategy guides, so I'm having trouble locating this particular book and would appreciate any help.


Thanks!

posted by kookywon to Writing & Language (7 answers total)

Kids' America?
posted by dlugoczaj at 8:19 AM on December 3, 2014 [1 favorite]

Weird, I had a book like this, and it sounds like the same one. Was there also a page on how to soothe a new puppy--put a ticking alarm clock in the room with it, put a hot water bottle in bed with it?

I've been trying for years to remember the name of it but no dice. I'll be watching this thread with interest.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 9:06 AM on December 3, 2014

I had the same or similar book, received in the early to mid 80s, except the one I had was paperback. Haven't ever managed to learn the name of it, either.

Most of your examples sound familiar, except for the watercress sandwiches. Additional ones I remember were:
- paper airplanes - turning rear corners up and down, making flaps, to make planes that did different things
- a version of the poem "early in the morning in the middle of the night, two dead boys got up to fight".
- Something about a pirate treasure on an island and all the layers that were found as they excavated the hole

The book I'm remembering had a combination of practical, humor, interesting, and educational. And I *think* black and white art on the interior. I'm fairly certain I'd recognize the cover if I saw it.
posted by stormyteal at 10:26 AM on December 3, 2014

It sounds a lot like the The Dangerous Book for Boys, but the only copies I've ever seen have red covers.
posted by malibustacey9999 at 2:21 PM on December 3, 2014

Was it The Easy How To Book? I think there were different versions--I recall mine being red, not the blue as in the link. I don't think it was 300 pages long, thought. Still, quite helpful. Nearly every day I do something I learned from that book!
posted by Fuego at 1:42 PM on December 9, 2014 [1 favorite]

Oh my goodness Fuego! Well, that's definitely the book I had. I loved it and I have been trying to remember the title for years now!
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 2:35 PM on December 9, 2014

Response by poster: It's not the dangerous book for boys. That's the wrong timeframe and it was definitely gender balanced.

Its not the easy how to book. It wasn't a golden book and it was definitely thicker. It was several hundred page.
posted by kookywon at 3:02 PM on December 15, 2014