The Doll’s Library : Book [1-6] (1802). The Treasures of the Cotsen Children’s Library, Department of Special Collections, Princeton University
Last week, I blogged about “
Miniature Worlds: An Artistic Collaboration of Tiny Libraries,” our beautiful exhibition of twelve original miniature libraries created by local artists. Today, I’ll be sharing the event and special collections we hosted in tandem with the exhibit, including some amazing kid-created book art.
As visitors entered, they first encountered the exhibit case with the miniature worlds libraries, which they were free to examine and enjoy. There were definitely lots of finger, chin, and nose prints on the glass after the event!
Image courtesy of Hope Van Cleaf
Inside the gallery, the theme continued with “teeny tiny reads” (i.e. several sets of ZURI Mini Brands Books with magnifying glasses) and a drawing to win one of four miniature goodie baskets – a tiny early reader library, a personal library stamp kit, a miniature bookshelf that doubles as an office supply holder, and a blank version of the diorama box we gave our local artists, so kids could have a go at creating their own miniature world (that last one was definitely the most popular)!
At the back of our gallery was mini book decorating, where kids received a 2.5″ x 4″ journal and then used various supplies (washi tape, gold stickers, glitter markers, stencils, star stickers, and more) to decorate the book. We also had bookmarks handy for decorating as well.
The creativity was definitely flowing as kids designed their books! One ingenious young man made his books even smaller by cutting the journal in half to make two smaller books. Brilliant!
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Scattered throughout the book decorating activity were exhibit signs featuring some of the amazing tiny historical treasures we have in Cotsen’s special collections. A big shout out to Katie for delving into the vaults and sharing!
The Doll’s Library : Book [1-6] (1802). The Treasures of the Cotsen Children’s Library, Department of Special Collections, Princeton University
Publisher John Marshall printed these miniature titles, typically around 50 mm (less than 2 inches) tall, in brightly colored cover boards. The various collections of books were often housed in doll-house-like bookcases, which became incredibly popular and spawned dozens of lackluster replicas.
Left: Bathing and Sleeping [洗澡和睡觉 Xi zao he shui jiao] (1961). Right: The Swallow and the Bumblebee [燕子和黄蜂 Yan zi he huang feng (1960). The Treasures of the Cotsen Children’s Library, Department of Special Collections, Princeton University
These tiny accordion style books were published for Chinese children during the 1950s and 60s. Measuring less than 3.5 inches tall, the book’s small size was a less expensive way to print multiple copies of the books in full color. The accordion fold was a clever way for a child’s hands to learn to separate the pages rather than a normal single page book. This unique printing approach also demonstrated an adult’s expectation that a child would be able to easily read the story entirely on their own.
Le bijou des enfans: pour l’année 1817. The Treasures of the Cotsen Children’s Library, Department of Special Collections, Princeton University
Cotsen’s copy of Le bijou des enfans (The Children’s Jewel) is accompanied by a real magnifying glass. Both are carefully housed together in a protective box designed to look like a leather bound book. Le bijou des enfans is just 28 mm (less than an inch) tall. Children may be able to hold and read this tiny book, but it is challenging for adult size fingers and hands!
Letters to Jack Ripley from Beatrix Potter (1909). The Treasures of the Cotsen Children’s Library, Department of Special Collections, Princeton University
Beatrix Potter often wrote letters, some illustrated, to children she knew. Many of the charming drawings and stories she told in the picture letters were the inspiration for her beloved children’s books, including The Tale of Peter Rabbit and The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher. She also penned miniature letters to children using the voice of her animal characters. In 2020, Cotsen acquired this collection of little letters Potter wrote to Master Jack Ripley.
Tommy Thumb’s Pretty Song Book, Volume II (1744).
The Treasures of the Cotsen Children’s Library, Department of Special Collections, Princeton University
Tommy Thumb’s Pretty Song Book, Vol. II is the oldest collection of English nursery rhymes known to exist. It is a miniature book that measures just three inches tall, and it was the sequel to the now-lost first volume printed earlier that same year. There are just two known copies of Volume II: Cotsen has one in its special collection and the other is at the British Library in London, England. The super rare tiny book has 40 nursery rhymes printed on pages that alternate between red and black ink. Some of the nursery rhymes are still popular today, such as “Baa Baa Black Sheep” and “Hickory Dickory Dock”.
The Bronte Castle Alphabet (1981). The Treasures of the Cotsen Children’s Library, Department of Special Collections, Princeton University
At just 3 cm (1.18 inches) tall, this tiny book is small enough it can be stashed inside of a leather-hinged walnut shell! The Bronte Press, who published this and many other miniature books, has been in business since 1977.
Our newest set of Coloring Cotsen pages is out, and features some of the best dressed dogs in our special collections vaults!
Come see tales transformed at “Once Upon New Times: Reimagining Children’s Classics,” currently on display at the Cotsen Children’s Library! Curated as a companion to the 
