Little Golden Books

Little Golden Books came from the idea of George Duplaix, head of the Artists and Writers Guild. He wanted a colorful children’s book that was both affordable and durable. They decided to release the first 12 books at the same time and called them the Little Golden Books. They were first printed in September 1942 and released to stores in October. They sold for 25 cents each.

Click Here to see almost 80,000 different Little Golden Books at eBay!

Click Here to see almost 10,000 different Little Golden Books at Amazon.com!

The First 12 Little Golden Books
1. Three Little Kittens
2. Bedtime Stories
3. The Alphabet A-Z
4. Mother Goose
5. Prayers For Children
6. The Little Red Hen
7. Nursery Songs
8. The Poky Little Puppy
9. The Golden Book Of Fairy Tales
10. Baby’s Book
11. The Animals Of Farmer Jones
12. This Little Piggy

These first 12 are highly sought out by collectors. Within 5 months, 1.5 million books were printed. These first 12 Little Golden Books became so popular that by the end of 1945, they had been printed 7 times.

In 1944, Simon & Schuster started a new division called Sandpiper Press which was headed by George Duplaix. Dorothy Bennett was hired as general editor and was responsible for many of the books subjects thru the 1950’s.

By the 10th anniversary 1952, more than 180,000 Little Golden Books had been sold. By the 11th year, over 300 million had been sold.

On November 20, 1986, the one billionth Little Golden Book was printed, The Poky Little Puppy, which also happens to be the #1 selling Little Golden Book with over 15 million in print.

In 2001, Little Golden Books was purchased by Random House for a reported $85 million.

By 2002, over 2 billion Little Golden Books have been printed with over 1200 titles

Little Golden Books are still published today and printed in more than 42 countries.

More Popular Little Golden Books
A Day In The Jungle
Animal Orchestra
Bozo The Clown – various
Captain Kangaroo – various
Chip Chip
Circus Time
Counting Rhymes
Hansel And Gretel
Howdy Doody – various
Huckleberry Hound – various
I’m A Truck
Mother Goose
My First Book
My First Book Of Bible Stories
Noises And Mr. Flibberty-Jib
Nursery Songs
Nursery Tales
Prayers For Children
Put On A Happy Face – First Precious Moments Little Golden Book
Richard Scarry’s Best Little Word Book Ever
Scuffy The Tugboat
The Bullwinkle Show – various
The Fire Engine Book
The First Little Golden Book Of Fairy Tales
The Flintstones – various
The Golden Book Of Birds
The Golden Book Of Flowers
The Good Humor Man
The Happy Man And His Dump Truck
The Lion’s Paw
The Little Red Hen
The Lively Little Rabbit
The Lone Ranger – various
The Monster At The End Of This Book
The Poky Little Puppy
The New House In The Forest
The Night Before Christmas
The Roy Rogers Show – various
The Shy Little Kitten
The Story Of Jesus
The Taxi That Hurried
Thomas Breaks A Promise
Three Little Kittens
This Little Piggy And Other Country Rhymes
Tootle
Walt Disney’s Bambi
Walt Disney’s Cinderella
Yogi Bear – various

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

29 Comments

Sharon

June 6, 2024

I’m wondering if anyone else remembers / knows the title to a particular Little Golden Book. I read it as a kid in 1956 or 1957. All I remember about it was it was about a little elephant taking a bubble bath in a red (?) wooden tub. So far I’ve not been able to find any titles or covers that look as though they might have this story.
Dwayne Thompson

October 6, 2019

RE: Charri Moultry asked the same question above May of 2017
I have a sealed set of books published by the Western Publishing Company. The Name Is Disneys Favorite Stories. 10 Lively Little Golden Books. It has a number on the side (15522:495), but the number does not correspond with any of the numbering systems I’ve found for Western. It has a Disney World price sticker of $ 4.95. I have been researching off and on for weeks and found only one similar set (looks like a reprint) for sale online, and the owners of that set couldn’t find any info either. I need help with any information available, including pricing?
charri moultrie

May 17, 2017

I have a box that says DISNEY FAVORITE STORIES 10 Lively Little Golden Books. There are 10 books in the box marked 49 cents on the corner. Is this a special edition? I have never seen them in a box like that. Thank You
Tammy

March 3, 2017

I have a huge collection with almost all of the little golden books ever made. If you are looking for a certain book send me a email and I will get a price and picture to you. Have a blessed day.
heimsnesst@yahoo.com
robin walls

January 15, 2017

I can not find the value of a book I have and would like to know if anyone know It is tittled HOW TO TELL TIME a Little Golden Book. Could anyone assist me?
Valerie H

October 29, 2016

Looking for a new or as close to new first little golden book my book of words. Is it printed anymore? My kids had it now want it for a new grandchild.
Sallie Wilson

October 29, 2016

Looking for little Racoon Golden book
j.graham

October 18, 2016

I have –

Bambi
Alice in Wonderland meets the White Rabbit
Peter Rabbit 479-31 X2
The monster at the end of this Book 109-31
Winnie-the- Pooh and Tigger 101-1 X’s 2
Winnie-the-Pooh meets Gopher D117 x’s 2
Kay Soules

October 13, 2016

I have a 93 year old lady whose daughters name is Susan looking for the #600 little golden book named Susan in the driver’s seat. Does anyone have it
anthony Pontano

September 25, 2016

I have 2 little little golden book of Red hen. 2 The porky little puppy, 1little red caboose and 1 three little pigs. 1 little red riding hood. For sale. And 1 polite elephant. A first little golden book. Anthonypontano@gmail.com
PEGGY MEADOWS

September 24, 2016

I have some Little Golden Books that are 35 years old. How much are they worth?
Santa’s Surprise Book,Jingle Bells, I Think About God All Day, and some Charlie Brown.The Big Golden Animal ABC Book
jill Vidrine

September 3, 2016

How much are these first Lil golden books worth? I have most of them.
Shannon

August 6, 2016

My mother collected golden books bought everyone she seen. I have probably3000 at least 1/2 are 1st. Editions. Looking to get rid of them.
Arlene Uribe

August 5, 2016

My Golden is RIN TIN TIN and the lost Indian 1956. How does one
find out an appraisal?
Crystal K

June 30, 2016

I have 24 ranging from 1942 – 1963
A Little Golden Book various titles. Good condition.
1942 Little Red Hen
1943 Hansel and Gretel
1946 The Taxi That Hurried
The New House In The Forest
Peter and The Wolf (first edition, A)
Tootle
1947 Noises and Mr. Flibbert-Jib (C)
1948 Little Pond in the Woods (B)
Bambi (B)
Our Puppy (C)
Little PeeWee (B)
WORDS (A)
1949 The Night Before Christmas (I)
1950 Santa’s Toy Shop (F)
Jerry At School (B)
1951 Pussy Willow (A)
1954 the Party Pig (A)
1955 Little Man of Disneyland (A)
1956 Donald Duck Prize Driver (A)
1959 Baby’s Christmas
1963 The Twelve Days of Christmas
A Christmas Carol (A)

If anyone is interested in these or knows someone who is, feel free to email me.
Cdkimbell4.c@gmail.com
Text message also: 865-438-3746
Thanks.
sandra

June 3, 2016

i have a golden book the flinstones published 1962 does anyone know how much it’s worth
Vanessa

June 3, 2016

I have The Bedtime Stories if anyone is interested.
joy l. pearson-obitz

April 5, 2016

There was a little golden book (spelling?) “The Churkendoose” probably in the 50’s…about a stray egg found in the barnyard. & was kindly sat upon & thus hatched by the chicken, the turkey, the duck & the goose. It was a very strange looking bird….sort of a combination of it’s mothers…but not well accepted in the barnyard until some event occurred (that I can’t recall) & the odd bird was a hero with his own Churkendoose song.
MaryAtkinson

February 20, 2016

I have a Little Golden book from 1960-70 titled Mummy (not Mommy) I cannot find it listed., maybe someone can help. Thanks.
Landon

September 30, 2015

How much are Cars and Trucks and just for fun little golden books worth.
Clancy Collins

June 22, 2015

I have a 1947 authentic Lithogragh of The Three Bears. It is the scene where Goldilocks got caught sleeping in Baby Bears Bed. On the right hand side 3/4of the way down it says: Painted for John Morrell & Co., by F. Rojankovsky. At the very bottom if the left hand side corner it said: Copyright 1947, John Morrell & Co. Does anyone know anything about this piece? Clancy
allen dirnberg

June 14, 2015

I have 1942 poky little puppt#1 red hen#31954 1947 saggy elephant any body no a byer
allen dirnberg

June 14, 2015

I have 1942 poky little puppy #1 red hen #3 1954 1947 saggy elephant do you no where I could sell
Jackie

July 31, 2014

Are any of the books from the late 60’s and 70’s worth more than $2.00
Jackie

July 31, 2014

Are any of the little wonder books from the late 60’s and 70’s valuable as worth more than $2.00
brian

July 18, 2014

i just came about 150 a little golden book , books. old
brian

July 18, 2014

what does #s at the top right hand corner of the front cover mean? for example 311-58 three little bears
Leslie

July 17, 2014

I remember a Golden Book called “Baby’s First Book of Sounds”. I can not find it anywhere. Does any one else remember this book?
Donna sabin

May 28, 2013

Looking for info on ookpik golden book with toy . I can’t find it anywhere

Little Golden Books

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

29 Comments

Add Your Comment