Book 131: Bob Artley: A Country School Marion No. 7

I recently bought 2 books including this. In novel Charley there was an addendum about a general research of farm work in the 1910s and search for the real Charley. And there, works of Bob Artley were mentioned. He was mainly a cartoonist and had a book about farm chores. But even better is this 1989 one about his experiences with schools. There is a 2006 book called Bob Artley's Country School Days, probably a re-edition. 94 pages as well, letter size.

I found several of the single cartoons on the web. Almost all boys wearing bibs. Set in 1925 up to the 30s. 2 pics are very good and are about noises. One kid said "Well, well. Here comes a squeaky new pair of pants!" (A boy walking in new Christmas corduroys in class, surprisingly not bibs.) Another pic showing a boy in bibs making sounds with his shoes.

There is much more text (by Artley) than assumed. I haven't read it all yet. On the rear cover is a poor b&w photo of boys standing in bibs (author and brother in last row). Other plots are about different odors (some I never thought of before like forgotten mittens on the stove), the way to school, picnics etc. One pic is about a nighmare standing in long johns in school. The boys liked their bibs (instead of knickers) and had winter and summer underwear.

I like farm memoirs especially concerning one-room schoolhouses. Great illustrations. For other books including smells and sounds and movies with one-room schools check out my topics page.