Celebrating the Timeless Legacy of Dr. Seuss: A Tribute on His Birthday.

Celebrating the Timeless Legacy of Dr. Seuss: A Tribute on His Birthday.

By James O'Donnell | March 2, 2024 | Comments Off on Celebrating the Timeless Legacy of Dr. Seuss: A Tribute on His Birthday.

In the vast landscape of children’s literature, there exists a realm where imagination knows no bounds, where whimsy dances hand in hand with wisdom, and where the fantastical becomes tangible through the power of words and illustrations. This realm is the enchanting world of Dr. Seuss, a world that continues to captivate and inspire readers…

Read More >
Exploring the Magical World of Maurice Sendak

Exploring the Magical World of Maurice Sendak

By Grace Alvarez | February 3, 2024 | Comments Off on Exploring the Magical World of Maurice Sendak

Maurice Sendak, a literary maestro and illustrator extraordinaire, left an indelible mark on the world of children’s literature. Born on June 10, 1928, Sendak’s creative genius blossomed through a career that spanned over five decades. Best known for his iconic work “Where the Wild Things Are,” Sendak’s contributions extend far beyond one beloved tale.  …

Read More >
J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter: the Best-Selling Book Series of All Time.

J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter: the Best-Selling Book Series of All Time.

By Grace Alvarez | September 15, 2023 | Comments Off on J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter: the Best-Selling Book Series of All Time.

Born in the summer of 1965, English author J. K. Rowling (born Joanne Rowling) is one of the most successful and well-known authors in modern history. She was born into a middle-class family in Yate, Gloucestershire. When she was four years old, her family moved to Winterbourne, Gloucestershire, where she attended St. Michael’s Church of…

Read More >
Shel Silverstein: Man of Many Talents

Shel Silverstein: Man of Many Talents

By Grace Alvarez | August 5, 2023 | Comments Off on Shel Silverstein: Man of Many Talents

Born in Chicago, Illinois in the fall of 1930, Shel Silverstein is remembered as one of the most prominent voices in children’s literature and poetry in the 20th century. His career, however, spanned multiple genres, including cartoons, plays, and music. He was the recipient of two Grammy awards and was among the nominees for the…

Read More >
Remembering Roald Dahl: Stories that Shaped a Generation

Remembering Roald Dahl: Stories that Shaped a Generation

By Drew Mercantini | September 10, 2022 | Comments Off on Remembering Roald Dahl: Stories that Shaped a Generation

September 13th marks the birthday of Roald Dahl, one of the most popular authors of children’s literature of the 20th century. Born in Wales in 1916, Dahl was a first generation Englishman who spent most of his life in the United Kingdom. His famous stories, such as Matilda, James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and…

Read More >
Collecting J.R.R. Tolkien’s Masterpiece The Hobbit.

Collecting J.R.R. Tolkien’s Masterpiece The Hobbit.

By Susan Christiansen | May 24, 2022 | Comments Off on Collecting J.R.R. Tolkien’s Masterpiece The Hobbit.

One of the most enduring stories of the modern era, J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit remains one of the most popular stories in the English language and its publication in 1937 sparked a creative explosion in the genre of speculative fiction, paving the way for its sequel The Lord of the Rings and numerous adaptations for…

Read More >
Discover some our Favorite Rare Children’s Books

Discover some our Favorite Rare Children’s Books

By Adrienne Raptis | April 10, 2020 | Comments Off on Discover some our Favorite Rare Children’s Books

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt During this time of isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic, children all over the world are alleviating their boredom with bear hunts based on the 1989 classic by Michael Rosen… and bears are popping up everywhere. At Raptis Rare Books, not only can you find a signed first edition of…

Read More >
The Story of Dr. Seuss

The Story of Dr. Seuss

By Susan Christiansen | July 31, 2017 | Comments Off on The Story of Dr. Seuss

American children’s author and illustrator Theodore Seuss Geisel produced some of the most popular children’s books of all time under the pen name Dr. Seuss. Although most recognized for his vivid and original drawing style, Geisel’s works also carried a complexity that went beyond the function of entertaining children; many of his works had an…

Read More >
Women Authors of Young Adult Speculative and Science Fiction – Part II

Women Authors of Young Adult Speculative and Science Fiction – Part II

By Susan Christiansen | March 17, 2017 | Comments Off on Women Authors of Young Adult Speculative and Science Fiction – Part II

This week we invite you to continue exploring the works of the women who define contemporary young adult speculative and science fiction, a topic we began to discuss in Women Authors of Young Adult Speculative and Science Fiction – Part I. With novels topping the New York Times Best Seller list for months at a…

Read More >
Women Authors of Young Adult Speculative and Science Fiction – Part I

Women Authors of Young Adult Speculative and Science Fiction – Part I

By Susan Christiansen | February 18, 2017 | Comments Off on Women Authors of Young Adult Speculative and Science Fiction – Part I

Women authors have historically played a significant role in the literary sub-genre of young adult speculative and science fiction. Truly emerging as a genre in the mid 1960’s with the publication of Madeleine L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time, the genre has evolved to include such contemporary authors as Suzanne Collins and J.K. Rowling, whose novels…

Read More >