Just About Us
Naomi Jacob
📚 Genre
Children's Fiction / Animal Stories
🏢 Publisher
The Children's Book Club (originally published by Hutchinson & Co.)
📅 Publication Year
1954 (Children's Book Club Edition)
🔢 ISBN
None (Pre-dates ISBN system)
About This Book
A charming children's story about the adventures of several pets, including a Sealyham terrier and a Pekinese. The book explores the world from the perspective of animals living within a family setting. The visible frontispiece features a line drawing of a family in a convertible car with a dog, captioned 'Miss Pretty used to drive him to new places nearly every day.'
Book Details
Language
English
Pages
212 pages
Edition
Book Club Edition / Hardcover
Series
Standalone children's title
Target Audience
Children / Middle Grade (Ages 7-12)
Collector Information
Condition
Good/Fair. The pages show significant yellowing (toning) and spotting (foxing) due to paper age. The internal binding appears stable but shows minor gaping at the hinge.
Estimated Value
$10-$25
Rarity
Uncommon. While Naomi Jacob's adult novels are quite common, her children's works appear less frequently in the secondary market, though the Book Club edition is less sought after than the Hutchinson first edition.
Historical Significance
Naomi Jacob was a prolific 20th-century novelist and actress, better known for her 'Gollantz' saga. This book represents her foray into children's literature, capturing British domestic life of the mid-1950s.
Collector Notes
The values for Children's Book Club editions are generally lower than trade first editions. To preserve this copy, store it away from direct sunlight and humidity to prevent further foxing and paper brittleness. Check for the presence of the original dust jacket, as its absence significantly reduces the value for collectors of mid-century children's books.
Similar Books
The Peppermint Pig by Nina Bawden, Gobbolino the Witch's Cat by Ursula Moray Williams, The Hundred and One Dalmatians by Dodie Smith
Notable Features
Includes black and white illustrations by 'Jax'. Issued as part of the London-based Children's Book Club subscription series.