When is a novelty book not a novelty book?

When it’s something else!

According to the definition - a novelty book is a book with special built-in features such as pop-ups, foldout pages, flaps, or hidden sound chips.

When applying the above criteria none of the following books can be classified as novelties. So what is the collective term for books that include knitting or crafting patterns, 3D glasses, paper models, tracing pages, painting and colouring books and books with cut out paper dolls? I suppose activity book could be applied to some of them - but would you call a book with knitting patterns an activity book? I'm at a loss to think of a title that adequately describes them.

Make it yourself bird showcases! If that’s not a novelty, I don’t know what is! There are four different books in stock - the blue tit, the kingfisher, the long tailed-tit and the green woodpecker. Each bound in the original paper wraps with cut-out windows to view the birds, simple to construct without cutting or pasting. Published by Amex undated but c1940. 

Three story books with added extras;

Jimmy Jumbo's exciting Day written by Ethel Butterworth, published in 1945. Read the story and make your very own Jimmy the elephant. Complete with pattern and instructions. 

Dinah, Jum & Mac story book complete with patterns of Dinah, Jum & Mac to make up out of the 'rag bag'. Dinah is a little black rag doll. Jum is a blue and white elephant, and Mac is a little brown 'Scottie' dog. Complete with full-page colour illustrations plus six pages of text and patterns to fold out and make up. Published by the R A Publishing Co Ltd in 1948. 

The story of Willie Wombat and his friends, Flappy Frog, Paddy Platypus, Kathumper Kangaroo, Lizzie Lizard, Katy Koala, Mr. Possum, Robbie Rabbit, and the Happy Kookaburra who lived in Gundygoo, a little village far out in the bush. As you read about their adventures, the eight little pals come to life because you simply knit them!  Pretty book with ten knitting patterns. Published by Southdown Press in Melbourne, undated. 

Now for some fun and Games;

Before 1066 & all that stories for children and adults with pictures to paint and crayon. Told by Richmond Lewis with pictures by Albert Underwood. I would guess this was published in the 1940s/50s so it’s remarkable to find it complete with the removable dust jacket, especially as the jacket turns into ‘an exciting race game’. The aim of the game is to move your chosen boat down the Trent from Trent Lock to Kelham passing Nottingham Castle, Beeston weir, Trent Bridge, Colwick Weir, Stoke Ferry and many other places en route. The game is unused and still has the spinner and four boats the Robin Hood, the Little John, the Friar Tuck and the Maid Marian ready to cut out and play. 

Living picture book  a series of photographs comprising animals, modern & ancient buildings, wonders & curiosities of the world, which when viewed through the Wonder Spectacles immediately spring to life!

Treasure Hunt designed by Alan George and published by W & A K Johnston in 1945.  John and Jennifer know that somewhere along the road is a castle where a miserly baron hid his treasure. John and Jennifer mean to find it, and could use your help!

Next week - colouring & paper-craft, a model tableau, a cut-out shop, express train, Samurai warrior and more. View here

Did you play with books like this when you were a child? Would you like to play with them now??

All the featured books are now sold, thank you for your interest.

Update July 2016: March House books closed on my retirement in 2015, but I do still blog here at March of Time Books and always appreciate your visit.