BOOKS IN COLOR.

One Day in a Baby's Life.-This is a very dainty color-book that bears the closest scrutiny. It is one of the many books gotten up for the little ones which it seems almost a pity to put into their possession. The text is adapted from the French of Arnaud by Susan Coolidge, and she has done her work delightfully. There are in reality two babies, Jeanette, six years old, and always "as good as gold," and Jean, four years old and quite "a mischief." The day described so prettily begins at six in the morning. Jean wakes first and throws Jeanette's favorite cat into her crib, which wakes her for the "day." Next they go to the bath in their little shirts and bare legs; then the different stages of dressing are told and illustrated. Next we see them at breakfast, a French meal with only coffee and bread; then comes the school-room, and then Jean instructing the dog, the cat, and “Mr. Punch." Their various games follow, then luncheon, then their daily walk, on which they meet organgrinders, look over the quay, play graces, and finally regale themselves at the pastry-cook's. When they reach home a number of little guests arrive to dine and spend the evening. A masquerade ball is given for their entertainment, at which a magic-lantern is exhibited, and which winds up with much appreciated refreshments. At ten they all go home and Jean and Jeanette kneel in their little night-shirts, say their prayers, and go to bed. The color-work in the illustrations of these little events is very artistic. The borders of the pages are all different and all very delicate and show great ingenuity as well as taste. The cover is light blue, with the title in bold red type, and a design of Jean, Jeanette, the dog, Azor, the cat, Minet, and the doll on "dog-back" held by her little mamma. A bunch of daisies in the corner gives a finishing touch to the cute design. The publishers are proud of this work, and justly so. It is odd and is also pretty, which many odd things cannot claim to be. (Roberts. $1.50.)

From Meadow-Sweet to Mistletoe.-The Worthington Company, true to its tradition of making artistic and appropriate American books for the American children, have this year aimed higher than ever before, and have succeeded in producing books which may properly be called “books not for one season, but for all seasons." At the head of these may be placed the new book by Miss M. A. Lathbury, entitled From Meadow-Sweet to Mistletoe." The book consists of forty original and artistic designs printed in photogravure, from the original sepia drawings, on extra size heavy drawing-paper, with illustrative verses by the author. This beautiful volume, which is a new departure from the books hitherto published for young folks, will not only interest those for whom it is gotten up, but will no doubt prove attractive to their elders. The volume begins with the meadow-sweet of field and garden, and goes on with appropriate illustrations and verses to the season of mistletoe, appropriately carrying out the idea contained in the prefatory verses:

"And let good cheer run round the year,
From meadow-sweet to mistletoe.'

All the care and genius of printer and artist have been called into play to place this pretty book among the successes of the season. It is a charming example of lithography in neutral tints, and has all the allurements of rhyme and story, big pictures and brilliant covers. (Worthington. $2.50; clo., $3.75.)

Under Blue Skies.-This art juvenile is scarcely less beautiful than "From Meadow-Sweet to Mistle

toe." The arrangement is by Mrs. S. J. Brigham, and is a happy union of pictures and verses, showing the every-day life of children—their joys, plays, pastimes, and some of their little sorrows. The book contains forty-eight original water-color and monotone illustrations of incidents in American child-life, which are accompanied by as many short and entertaining poems, the whole bound in boards richly ornamented in colors and gold. The taste and skill shown in design and workmanship call for highest praise. There is something bewitching in the charmingly simple verses and in the children so naturally drawn. Children, flowers, and verses vie with each other in beauty and grace. All lovers of the little household bothers and treasures will find in "Under Blue Skies" just the book for some little nursery favorite and the favorite's fond mamma. (Worthington. $2.)

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Bye-o-Baby Ballads.-C. Stuart Pratt, the author, is editor of Wide Awake. He dedicates his ballads to all the boys and all the girls in the world. The pictures are by Hassam, the popular water-color painter, and are reproduced exquisitely by G. H. Buck & Co., making this "color-book as perfect in taste as an adult gift-book. Children appear in every style of dress and undress, going to bed, getting up, at breakfast, driving, out, and playing all kinds of games. It is a very pretty book, almost too nice for baby fingers. The little designs in tint around the margins of the verses are very delicate. (Lothrop. $2.)

Children's Ballads from History and Folk Lore.A handsome square octavo published by Messrs. D. Lothrop & Co., Boston, on fine heavy paper, containing ten ballads of historic or legendary incident, most of them written in smooth, rhythmic verse, and almost all taken from the pages of Wide Awake. There are two each by Susan Coolidge and Mary E. Wilkins, and one each by Mrs. F. A. Humphrey, Edith W. Cook, Mrs. Clara Doty Bates, Mrs. Margaret J. Preston, Mrs. Emma H. Nason, and Mrs. Louisa T. Craigin. Mrs. Humphrey puts into ringing verse the tale of "The Cock-Horse Regiment," formed by the children of Nuremberg during the thirty years' war; Mrs. Bates tells the Scottish legend of "King Robert's Bowl," and Mrs. Nason the story of the Mission Tea Party," connected with the famous siege of Lucknow and its relief by Havelock. Most of the others are rehabilitations of more or less popular folk tales of our Indian tribes, of "Merry England," of Russia, etc. All are profusely illustrated, the volume containing eighty-four plates, by E. H. Garrett, G. F. Barnes, and Jessie McDermott, all drawn expressly for this volume. "It is," says the Chicago Times, “a superb holiday gift for any boy or girl fond of stirring and touching story." (Lothrop. $1.75.)

HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.

Chivalric Days.-"The boys and girls of the period," says the N. Y. Herald, "enjoy a luxury of literature which their less fortunate progenitors never even dreamed of. It may be said that there is, after all, a royal road to learning when we see how smooth the path of the student is made for him. The rugged legends of the past are rewritten in eloquent and fascinating prose, and in all the splendor of clear type, plate paper and beauty of illustrations are placed before the youthful scholar. 'Chivalric Days' is a handsome volume by Mr. E. S. Brooks, the author of 'Historic Boys.' It is a book that any intelligent boy or girl will be delighted to possess. The author has been very happy in his selection of stories, and the historic scenes which he portrays and the knightly

characters he depicts are likely to excite a glow of enthusiastic interest in all young people who read the volume. There are ten narratives, drawn from ancient and modern history, but those that will probably be perused with the greatest pleasure are The Field of the Cloth of Gold' and 'Monsieur the Captain of the Caravel.' The last named is the wonderful history of Jean Bart, the Bayard of the Seas,' and is full of stirring scenes and chivalrous struggles. These stories are made to revolve around certain boys and girls of the past, and our young people cannot but benefit by striving to emulate their example. For all are brave and true and noble, and the contrast between this style of literature and some of the pestilent garbage which is pressed upon the attention of Young America is striking. The book is well illus

man of sixty will not regret being called upon to read it aloud to the six-year old. It is full of touches that betray an insight into human nature like Hans Andersen's or the Autocrat's. Such is the capital way in which Mr. Hobbs' prejudice against earls is overcome as soon as he is able to associate with them in even the mildest way. These, of course, will not be wholly appreciated by the very youthful readers; but neither will they frighten them away from the rest of the dainty story of a little fellow making his way in life by simple lovableness and lovingness. (Scribner's Sons. $2.)

The Story of the Nations Series.-So much has been said for this series of historical studies that little more remains to be said, except get them if you

Little Lord Fauntleroy.-"Little Lord Fauntleroy,'" says the N. Y. Critic, "is already too well known and too much admired to need further words of introduction; but it is a pleasure to dwell with emphasis upon anything so perfect of its kind, and we gladly seize the opportunity of noticing in its graceful book-form the beautiful story, with its admirable illustrations, which has so delighted everybody in the pages of St. Nicholas. One hardly knows which to congratulate most, the successful author, the fortunate publishers, or the happy readers. The story is a culminating type of the style of literature for children which editorial skill has done much to create as well as to encourage. It is piquant, amusing, instructive, beautiful, and not unnatural; and it has an excellent though unobtrusive moral. While not written above the children's heads, its literary quality is something which the children cannot wholly appreciate. There is, therefore, no one whom 'Little Lord Fauntleroy' will not please. The child of six will listen with delight to the pretty story, and the

narratives the stories of the different nations that have attained prominence in history. In the story form the current of each national life is distinctly indicated, and its picturesque and noteworthy periods and episodes are presented for the reader in their philosophical relations to each other as well as to universal history. It is the plan of the writers of the different volumes to enter into the real life of the peoples, and to bring them before the reader as they actually lived, labored, and struggled-as they studied and wrote, and as they amused themselves. In carrying out this plan, the myths, with which the history of all lands begins, are not overlooked, though these are carefully distinguished from the actual history, so far as the labors of the accepted historical authorities have resulted in definite conclusions. Possessing a knowledge of and sympathy with the youthful way of looking at such subjects, the writers do not offer annals, arid and unconnected, nor bare chronological statements of events, however complete. They do not expect to include all details of minor importance, but endeavor to present pictures adapted to leave faithful impressions

of the essential facts. Thirteen volumes are out and eight more in active preparation. They are suited for reading classes and libraries and will make a valuable addition to all boys' and girls' libraries. (Putnam. ea. $1.50.)

Lives of the Presidents.-White, Stokes & Allen, of New York, have in course of publication a series entitled, "The Lives of the Presidents." Three volumes are ready-"Life of George Washington," "Life of Abraham Lincoln," "Life of General Grant," each filling a book of about 350 pages. All are written by William O. Stoddard. The story of each life, in public and private relations, is told with all the experiences and incidents necessary to show character, ability, and rank.. The series when complete must present a very good history of the United States in compact and handy form for general circulation, and conven

THE DREAM MAN FOR GOOD BOYS.
From" Keyhole Country." (Roberts.)

ient reading. To young people it will be of great advantage for guidance in the selection of the most essential qualities for a successful American career. The books have many engraved portraits and sketches, with attractive covers. (White, S. & A. $1.25.)

OUT-OF-DOOR BOOKS.

The Boy Travellers in the Russian Empire.—“This is a companion volume to 'The Boy Travellers in the Far East,' and 'The Boy Travellers in South America,' and," says the N. Y. Observer, "fully equals those well-known volumes in the interest of the route, the vivacity of the narrative, and the number and beauty of the illustrations. The author has three times visited Russia, and is familiar with its customs and people. He has also made the subject a study in special preparation for this book. The boy who receives this volume as a holiday gift will be fortunate indeed." Accompanied by their versatile and accomplished mentor, Dr. Bronson, the young travellers, whose good luck in getting about the world we have envied so often, start from Vienna to Warsaw and St. Petersburg, and after an interesting sojourn in the latter city leave for Moscow, and then descend the Volga to the Caspian Sea. The publishers have used illustrations from sev

eral of their works on Russia, and have made a handsome book. (Harper. $3.)

Boys' Book of Sports.-"Few books are better fitted," says the Nation, "to awaken in boys a healthy impulse for outdoor life than the Boys' Book of Sports,' edited by Maurice Thompson. It opens with the tale, by the editor, of Marvin and his Boy Hunters,' in which instruction in the use of fire-arms is very skilfully and entertainingly given. This is followed by chapters on archery, fishing, boat-building and sailing, camping, swimming, photographing, etc., etc., ending with a capital account of a base-ball game, in which the science of effective pitching is taught. These are by different writers, as Charles L. Norton, D. C. Beard, W. L. Alden, and others, who uniformly show great cleverness in their explanations and directions; those on boat-building and ice-sailing, by Mr. Norton, especially being models of accurate and simple description. The illustrations are all admirable, and some are of great beauty. The greater part of this book has already appeared in St. Nicholas, but some chapters are entirely new." (Century Co. $2.50.)

Italy Described for Children.-In a pretty story M. A. Paull describes beautiful Italy under the name of "The Children's Tour in a Sunny Land." The Jarvis family is composed of seven children. When the story opens the eldest daughter is very ill and upon her partial recovery the physician recommends a winter in Italy to try the grape-cure, and after many conversations about plans they start away from their English home and go sight-seeing in "a sunny land." There are twelve illustrations. It is a book to delight girls between eight and ten years of age. (Nelson. $2.50.)

In the Bush and on the Trail.-This volume is a translation from the French of Benedict Revoil, who some years ago traversed many parts of the United States, intent upon the pursuit of game. He has recorded his experiences and adventures in an unpretending, but animated and entertaining narrative. Mr. Revoil has a faculty of observation which makes the book very interesting. It contains a great many details in reference to the habits and characteristics of the animals with which the author was brought in contact, so accurately given that they may be used as an introduction to the study of natural history. Many of the boys who would turn away from a text-book entitled Natural History will read these curiosities of animal life with eagerness and attention. There are seventy engravings to illustrate the author's text. (Nelson. $1.25.)

With Pack and Rifle in the Far Southwest.Achilles Daunt is an established favorite with the young people. After writing the fascinating records of "Frank Redcliffe," "In the Land of the Moose, the Bear, and the Beaver," and "The Three Trappers," he now picks up his pack and rifle, and takes his readers with him through New Mexico, Arizona, and Central America. Valuable information is given about the geography and natural history of these countries which lie so near and yet to the inhabitants of the United States are far more unknown than countries more than twice as far away. Mr. Daunt describes vividly and shows great discrimination in knowing just what will interest boys amongst the many strange things he sees. There are thirty illus trations and the book looks bright and fresh and tempting. (Nelson. $1.25.)

Cats and Dogs.-A charming book for little readers, beautifully gotten up, is "Pets and Playfellows," by Mrs. Surr. It is in large type, with pictures of an endless variety of cats and dogs, and lots of stories about their doings and much information about the different kinds and their special habits. It provides a

rich store of amusement for young readers, who will find they have learned a great deal about animals after they have read all about these pets and playfellows. (Nelson. $2.)

CHILDREN'S STORIES.

Jo's Boys.-"It is impossible," says the Christian Union, "to hide any longer the melancholy fact that Miss Alcott's 'Little Men' are growing up; they have refused to remain the charming boys they were when we first knew them several years ago. Like other boys of the same generation, they are fast becoming men, and we shall soon lose sight of them in the crowded ranks of mature life. It is very pleasant, therefore, to have another glimpse of them in 'Jo's Boys and How They Turned Out.' Of course everybody who knew 'Little Men' years ago felt that with such a training and such surroundings they could not but turn out well, but everybody will rejoice to read the record of their growth and progress toward manhood. Their later story will be read by the same readers who were fascinated by the earlier record of their mingled sobriety and mischief, for the very good reason that these readers have grown up with the boys themselves. Miss Alcott has not lost her skill, and she makes her older boys quite as interesting and charming as the younger boys were. Altogether, her last volume, like its predecessors, is pre-eminently natural, healthful, and fascinating. It is one of the books for young people which will long remain current at the book-stores." (Roberts. $1.50.)

Silent Pete.-" We have a sort of suspicion that 'Silent Pete, or the Stowaways,' by James Otis, is the continuation of some earlier book by this gentleman, who is," says the Mail and Express, "by all odds the best writer in America of the kind of realistic boy's novel of which this is so bright an example; but however this may be, it is complete enough in itself to stand alone, and contains enough of incident and adventure to satisfy the most exacting juvenile reader. Mr. Otis is a capital story-teller, and he had a good story to tell this time. Silent Pete' is a capital book, even for children of the larger as well as smaller growth. There is humor in it, and manliness, and the

end is very touching. The illustrations are most of them better than good," as all will remember who read the story in Harper's Young People. In this book Mr. Otis takes the boys to sea; they have an exciting passage, and are kept active during the entire story. (Harper. $1.)

All Taut.-Nearly all the characters presented and all that take prominent parts in the story have been introduced by Oliver Optic in the preceding volumes of the series. The principal of the Beech Hill Industrial School entertains some doubts in regard to the principle upon which he has been conducting the institution, and brings about a partial change in its character, by making it partly reformatory, still retaining its useful features. The subjects of the new experiment are the Topovers, the bad characters of the story, who become more tractable. The book is full of adventures and incident. The work to be done by the students is to rig a fore-and-aft schooner. (Lee & S. $1.25.)

The Little Master.-" A capital book," says the Mail and Express, "of the homely, manly kind that Mr. Trowbridge knows how to write better than any American author. It is the history of a clever New England lad, and of his experiences in teaching school, of the difficulties that were thrown in his way, and of the intelligent courage by which they were surmounted. There is an intimate knowledge of country life and people in Mr. Trowbridge's stories which we find in no other New England author, and which is so remarkable in its way that we wish it could be enlarged to the dimensions of the novel we are all looking for. If it could be, no one need ask again, Who reads an American novel? Mr. Trowbridge needs nothing but imagination to take a high, perhaps the highest, place among our story-writers. He is a realist who has had the wit to avoid analysis. He is always entertaining, and we feel in reading him that he could never be tedious, no matter at what length he might write." (Lee & S. $1.25.)

Uncle, Peep, and I.-Mary Cowden Clarke wrote this volume in response to a suggestion of an American lady who met the author in Dresden, and ex

pressed the wish that she might "write something for our American children which would make them know and love you as we have long known and loved you through your pen." Mrs. Clarke has here produced a lovely little fiction, a very model of a child's storysweet, pure, and wholesome in tone, and inculcating in the most fascinating way the practice of the finer and gentler sentiments. It dwells on the beauty of graciousness in manners, generosity in disposition, and kindliness in action, and is dedicated specially to Amercan children. The grace of its style, the appeal it makes to the interest and imagination of children, the perfection of its pictures of child-life, and its tenderly warm pathos and playful humor, make it one of the most charming and most entertaining of stories in its kind. Never before were children written for more sympathetically or more sincerely than in this perfect little novel. (Roberts. $1.25.)

Footprints in the Forest.-"Messrs. Porter & Coates have just published 'Footprints in the Forest,' by Edward S. Ellis, a favorite and fairly voluminous writer of juvenile stories. It is the third of the Log Cabin Series, and continues the line of adventures begun in the earlier volumes, resuming the thread of narrative where it was dropped in 'Campfire and the Wigwam.' The title of this volume, added to the name of the series in which it belongs," says the Mail and Express, "indicates what it is, and what our young people may expect to find in it. They know the sort of boy who figures as its hero-a daring young hunter, or trapper, and the sort of red men whom he meets with in the woods, and whose captive he will probably become for a time. The boys of America are accustomed to this kind of thing, and when we say that there is more of it here, we say all that need be said." "No author since the days of Cooper and his 'LeatherStocking Tales,'" says the Boston Gazette, “has had more success in this field of fiction than has Mr. Ellis, and these juvenile frontier tales are the best of their class." (Porter & C. $1.25.)

Joe Wayring at Home.-"Harry Castlemon, the author of the Gunboat, Rocky Mountain, Sportsman's Club, Frank Nelson, and other series, begins a new series, the Forest and Stream, with 'Joe Wayring at Home.' His department in writing to youth, is the description of sporting life in field and wood and on inland water, and in it," says the Boston Globe, "he excels in knowledge and skill all other writers. In his new book he takes the popular subject of canoeing, and in an entertaining little plot sketches the experience of some amateurs in their practice and in their contests. In his descriptions, as in that of running the rapids, he is able to communicate much of the spirit of the occasion. Camp-life in the woods add to its attractions." It is a capital story for boys, with a plot that never flags in interest or in animation. There is a healthy outdoor atmosphere in the book, and a succession of stirring incidents that will keep the attention of its readers absorbed from beginning to end. (Porter & C. $1.25.)

Helping Himself." The name of Horatio Alger, Jr., stands among juvenile readers," says the Boston Commonwealth, "for that of a potent conjurer, as no writer of fiction has a stronger hold upon the affection of the boys and girls of this country, nor is there one whose work has a better moral tone, for it invariably .mpresses the value of integrity, energy, and perseverance as the sole factor in securing the success of his heroes. His latest book, Helping Himself, or, Grant Thornton's ambition,' like each of its predecessors, is a work that will be eagerly read by the wide circle by whom his books are always received, and to whom they prove a never-ending source of pleasure and profit. Grant Allen, the hero, is a bright, honest, high-minded boy who foregoes the cherished

plan of a college education, and a subsequent professional career, in order to be an immediate help to his parents, and stepping upon the lowest round of the mercantile ladder, works his way up by his individual energy and talent to the possession of a competency and an honorable place as a business man. The story of young Thornton's struggles will be read with interest and profit by the class of readers for whom it is designed and to whom it can be cordially recommended." (Porter & C. $1.25.)

Ways and Means.-Margaret Vandegrift is always sure of gushing girl-readers, who all think "she's just splendid." Her new offering is "Ways and Means." It tells of a young girl whose relations were disappointed because she was not a boy, her grandfather especially. Poor Muriel suffers very much in her childhood, but finally conquers her grandfather's heart, and on his death-bed he leaves her his fortune, and she spends it in doing lasting, practical good to many unfortunate children. Every girl can learn much of interesting unselfishness from Muriel Douglas. Old "Aunt Sally," who becomes such a favorite in "Rose Raymond's Words," goes about doing good in this volume also. (Porter & C. $1.50.)

Margaret Sidney's Stories.-This author's forte seems to be to write stories of New England life in which young girls are taught many lessons of selfhelp and usefulness to others. "A New Departure for Girls" tells the story of two daughters of a merchant tailor who died after being robbed by his partner. They are left penniless and without any accomplishments, but a gift at fine mending. They go about mending garments and carpets and after awhile make quite a little money. The motto is, "Be willing to do what you can do, not what you wish you could do." "Hester and Other New England Stories" is a cluster of tales told in the author's fascinating style," although," says the Boston Advertiser, "the homely manners which she so vividly depicts are at this day indeed but creations of the imagination. The polish and culture of the cities, through the modern extension of railway and steamboat lines into every nook and corner of New England, has now so penetrated the most distant hamlets that the characters in which this and other similar writers delight are as strictly ideal as are the caricatures of Brother Jonathan and 'John Bull' as found in Puck and Judge." "Two Modern Animals in the Tower" and Polly are among her newest gifts to children. (Lothrop.)

The Christmas Country and Other Tales.-This is a collection of nineteen short stories, of which two are Icelandic fairy tales, three are by Mary J. Safford, and the others are translations made by her from various German authors. It is intended for a gift-book for young people, and is a very apt one for the class of readers who are just stepping out of childhood into youth. The tales are fresh, lively, abounding in quaint and graceful fancies, and free from the mawkish goody-goody flavor that spoils so much juvenile literature. It is hard to say whether a healthy, active boy is likely to suffer most injury from literature which is likely to inspire him with a desire to run away and turn pirate or Indian-fighter, or that which gives him the impression that goodness consists in everlasting whine and snivel. Miss Stafford's collection of stories will not affect him either way. They are breezy, wholesome, and fresh. The translations are very cleverly done, reading more like original tales than transcriptions from a foreign tongue. It is beautifully printed and handsomely bound and freely illustrated with wood-cuts. (Crowell. $1.50.)

What Katy Did Next.-"Among the many books for young readers which were issued last year," says the Christian Union, "none was more delightful in tone and literary quality than 'A Little Country Girl,' from