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Every Land and Its Story" we take a journey around the
world, beginning in North America, covering the rest of the New World,
and then going to Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and the islands of
the sea. The greatest emphasis is laid upon the lands that we love the
most. In the United States the eight great natural divisions are
described, then the Indians, the National Parks, Alaska, and Porto
Rico. The greatest cities are visited in turn, the characteristics of
each being picturesquely described. Canada is visited in the same way.
In each case the country is described by a competent, interesting
traveler, in many instances by one who has lived there a long time, and
in some cases by a famous writer. Carefully chosen photographs
illustrate this department.

Carlyle was right, at least as far as young people are concerned, when
he insisted that history is only biography. The character-making
influence of great lives has never been denied, and ought never to be
neglected. "Famous Men and Women" begins with the men who made the
United States and Canada. It tells about some of the living Men Who
Count to-day. A simple graphic history of the greatest event in history,
the World War of 1914-1918, is given. Then comes a glorious pageant of
Scientists and Inventors, Writers and Rulers, National Heroes, and
Servants of the Common Good. This material will not only form an
excellent supplemental reading book, but a valued treasury for everyday
inspiration.

Crowning the collection, and of surpassing importance, is
"Bookland--Story and Verse." This is an introduction to the best
literature in poetry and prose for young people from twelve to twenty;
in fact, for young people from twelve to eighty. The prose stories are
presented in the language of the masters themselves. There is no
diluting of their fine literary style. Careful abridgments have been
made by well-known literary critics, but the essence of these
masterpieces has been retained. This is important: our young people
should know the great, not only about them. The poems are usually given
entire.

In making the General Index and the Graded Index the Editors have
remembered that these are for use, not to fill space. The General Index
is practical and will help the user to find just what he is looking for,
and to find it quickly. The Graded Index is intended primarily for the
use of the parent. It sorts out and selects the best material for each
age. First is given a brief, clear account of the tastes and needs of
Infancy, Early Childhood, Middle Childhood, Late Childhood, and
Adolescence. Then all the material in The BOOKSHELF is assorted under
its score of important subjects, and put in the grade where it belongs.
By this plan the child may be directed to what he wants and needs now,
and each year he will grow more and more into the riches of his
BOOKSHELF.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Many questions are listed in the Indexes. This is a very instructive
feature, for it often sets the mind alert in some new direction and
starts fresh lines of interest and research. These questions may be made
the means of making many a family evening one of pleasure and profit, as
one member asks the questions and the others take turns in answering
them.

AMERICAN

The BOOKSHELF is American in viewpoint, but worldwide in outlook. While
it has been produced within the United States, it is larger than the
United States or even than North America. Unusual space is given to
Canadian affairs and interests, and the rest of the world has not been
neglected. Throughout the entire set, and in the CHILD WELFARE MANUAL,
available to parents in connection with The BOOKSHELF, there is an
emphasis on character, uprightness, honor, service, which is distinctly
aimed to build up that type of manhood and womanhood for which the good
American is famed at home and abroad.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The Publishers and the Editors wish to thank each and every one of the
individuals who have coöperated with them to make The BOOKSHELF what it
is. The courtesy, the heartiness with which assistance has been given,
the belief of these friends in the success of the ideals of The
BOOKSHELF, have made the task of compiling, editing, and manufacturing a
pleasure.

Special acknowledgment must be given at this time to the photographers,
Brown Brothers, Underwood & Underwood, and the Publishers Photo Service,
for the use of many copyrighted pictures from their files. In a number
of instances, when they did not have a particular picture desired, it
was made by one of them specially for The BOOKSHELF.

The Editors, in preparing the manuscript for these volumes, have
endeavored in all cases where material has been used which has
previously appeared in print to give credit to author, publisher, and
book, and to any other to whom such acknowledgment was due. If they have
failed to do so in any particular case, it has been an oversight, for
which the Publishers are not responsible, as their instructions on this
point were definite, and for which the Editors express their regrets.
Future editions will offer an opportunity for the correction, which will
be gladly made.

INTRODUCTION TO VOLUME I

Most mothers and fathers realize that long before children are old
enough to read there is a rich treasury of rhythm and song and story
that may be given them. To make this treasury available is the purpose
of this volume.

Finger-plays and action-plays, in which Froebel found so rich a meaning,
do much to help the baby to know and control his fingers and hands, to
enable him to discover the other parts of his body, to awaken his
intelligence and to bring him into affectionate companionship with his
father and mother. Here we have gathered not only the traditional ones,
which the mother and father may remember from their own early childhood;
but also many that will be fresh and new.

Mother Goose long ago established her throne as Queen of the Nursery.
There is something about her short ditties, always full of rhythm,
sometimes of sense, and frequently of the most elemental humor, that
appeals to the baby mind as nothing else does. A proof of the worth of
her songs and stories would be found if any of us should try to write
better. We have brought together many familiar ones and some unfamiliar
(for Mother Goose lived in many times and many lands), and have
illustrated them with some new and charming drawings and color-plates.

Children as young as three are ready for the simplest sort of stories,
but it is so hard for us grown-ups to become children again that many of
us have found difficulty in suiting our language and thought to their
eager but unfurnished minds. These bedtime stories and little tales of
babies and animals and girls and boys are therefore a real godsend.

Soon comes the time when the little folk are ready to learn about the
letters and the numbers and the days of the week. Rhymes to help this
first memorizing will be welcome.

Most of the stories in this book are illustrated by 

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