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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to ask the impossible? Could you track down this book?

23 replies

OwlFC · 09/08/2023 20:56

I've looked for it for years and years but I've never found it. This isn't surprising as I don't know the title or the author but if I describe what I DO know, maybe someone somewhere could help?

This is a book from the 1970s. Maybe 1976 or 1977 give or take

It is a children's book and it is filled with short stories accompanied by coloured drawings

It is a large heavy hardback. Black. It's a big book - maybe similar in size to how you might imagine the Guinness book of records

And the most memorable thing? The front cover. It was a moving picture - can't remember what they're called but if you moved the book from left to right, you see a different image. It MIGHT have been a ballerina on the front in a tutu and pointe shoes

One of the short stories might have featured a frog. Or something by a river but I can't swear to this

Can anyone help at all? Or point me in the right direction? I'll genuinely send a lovely gift to whoever finds this bloody book!!!

Thank you

OP posts:
PrincessMonacoOfKent · 09/08/2023 21:01

No idea what the book might be, but it sounds like it's a lenticular picture on the front...

TregunaMekoides · 09/08/2023 21:02

There was a series called "A Puppet Storybook" that had holographic images on the front. It might be one of those?

HappySonHappyMum · 09/08/2023 21:02

I think the book could be from this series. The moving picture is the crucial piece of info as lenticular image were a new thing back then. This link tells you more about them if I'm right! http://www.inherited-values.com/2014/01/remember-these-childrens-books/

AIBU to ask the impossible? Could you track down this book?
TregunaMekoides · 09/08/2023 21:05

Or maybe one of this series?

AIBU to ask the impossible? Could you track down this book?
Original poster
OwlFC · 09/08/2023 21:10

@TregunaMekoides I think that's it?!!! Jesus. Looking at the Swan I felt a jolt of recognition. And that's where my confusion has come from ... swan lake - ballerina .. so I've mixed it up in my head (I last saw this book in 1970 something when I was very very little

I cannot believe it tbh

OP posts:
Original poster
OwlFC · 09/08/2023 21:11

@HappySonHappyMum thank you! And yes lenticular! Name had escaped me

OP posts:
TregunaMekoides · 09/08/2023 21:13

OwlFC · 09/08/2023 21:10

@TregunaMekoides I think that's it?!!! Jesus. Looking at the Swan I felt a jolt of recognition. And that's where my confusion has come from ... swan lake - ballerina .. so I've mixed it up in my head (I last saw this book in 1970 something when I was very very little

I cannot believe it tbh

Awesome!

The power of the internet 💪🏻

Original poster
OwlFC · 09/08/2023 21:15

F course I've now got to find a copy and that's tricky!

Easier with knowing the actual book though!

OP posts:
Original poster
OwlFC · 09/08/2023 21:17

Found one! That didn't take long!

I somehow thought it had short stories in it but I could be confused by that. The cover definitely seemed familiar to me

OP posts:
8misskitty8 · 09/08/2023 21:21

OwlFC · 09/08/2023 21:15

F course I've now got to find a copy and that's tricky!

Easier with knowing the actual book though!

Do a google search on the book title and you might find a few second hand websites will have it.
I did that to find a book by an ancestor who we discovered was an author. It had been out of print for decades. Tracked down a copy online.

Or try eBay.

Original poster
OwlFC · 09/08/2023 21:25

@TregunaMekoides and message me if you want to : ) I meant what I said about sending you something. You'd be welcome to check out who I am online : )

I've thought about this bloody book for 4 odd decades

OP posts:
CurlewKate · 09/08/2023 21:32

Not on Abe Books. 😢

FictionalCharacter · 09/08/2023 21:34

MN is so brilliant for things like this!

Original poster
OwlFC · 09/08/2023 21:45

Yes it's fantastic for things like this!

I'm sure it's that book. I've seen that swan before and the hardback black book with the square lenticular photo matches perfectly with my memory

OP posts:
readbooksdrinktea · 09/08/2023 21:47

Ah, this is cool :-)

LaMarschallin · 09/08/2023 21:52

I always look at these kind of threads, partly because I've always got a book or two in mind that I'm searching for and partly because I've always been an eclectic reader, so may be able to help.
But this time - OMG! I remember that book too. I'd completely forgotten about that series so had such a jolt of familiarity when I saw it.
Will have to track one down for my DGD - she's not 1 yet but has such a library.

Really glad you found what you were looking for, OP Smile

LaMarschallin · 09/08/2023 21:54

PS Just realised I pinched your "jolt of" phrase, OP.
Unconsciously, honest, but just read back.
Excellent description of the feeling.

TregunaMekoides · 09/08/2023 22:30

OwlFC · 09/08/2023 21:25

@TregunaMekoides and message me if you want to : ) I meant what I said about sending you something. You'd be welcome to check out who I am online : )

I've thought about this bloody book for 4 odd decades

That's very kind but the hunt was gift enough! I love internet sleuthing.
I also feel I should add that I promise @HappySonHappyMum I didn't pinch your find but cross posted with you as you posted your pic while I was away a-googling.

PTSDBarbiegirl · 09/08/2023 22:33

What a great outcome! Happy result.

Original poster
OwlFC · 09/08/2023 22:50

Managed to buy it this evening on eBay! It was in a set of 4 but got them all for 20 odd quid delivered so I don't think there too bad at all!

I'm sure that's it.

OP posts:
MichelleScarn · 09/08/2023 22:54

@TregunaMekoides you've given me a bit of subsidotory locomotion! 😁

HappySonHappyMum · 09/08/2023 23:52

@TregunaMekoides Gosh - no problem at all. Read the description and knew the lenticular image would make it an easy find - love a good internet hunt myself too!

Bandyarsia · 10/08/2023 00:06

Love posts like these! Delighted you found it OP! Well done Guys. Childhood memory books are so special!

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