Library of Congress - Rare Digitized Book Collection

How would you like to go back in time to see the books people read many, many years before you were born? Have you ever explored books in a used book store and were surprised at how different they are from the books you buy new today? If you click on this link to the Library of Congress Rare Digitized Children's Book Collection, you can actually see books that are over 100 years old! When you click on the cover of the book, you will be taken to the page turner where you can "turn the page" to read the entire book. You'll also be able to zoom in on the page to view the words and illustrations up close. Imagine being your great-grandparents and holding these very books to read! How different reading a book would have been from the books you now read. There are many types of books in this digital, rare book collection. Some are A-B-C books, Aesop's fables, animal books, poetry, nursery rhymes, fables, and Mother Goose. There is even the original book of the The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe with illustrations by Gustave Doré. Be sure to zoom right in on its cover to see the worn corners and the texture of the cloth that was used to make this century old book - it's very interesting! Explore the digital version of The Raven to enjoy the illustrations that eerily depict Poe's famous poem. French students can actually read the French version entitled Le Corbeau published in Paris.
Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm