Rootabaga Stories Part Two by Carl Sandburg
SKU: 127398781626

Rootabaga Stories Part Two

Author: Carl Sandburg
Special Features: Dust Jacket, Illustrated

Bedtime Stories Children's Picture Books American Fairy Tales & Folklore Middle Grade Fiction Literary Nonsense & Wordplay Collectible Vintage Children's Books Illustrated Classics

Carl Sandburg’s 1989 hardcover “Rootabaga Stories Part Two” is the vintage picture-book edition that collectors and parents dream of finding in the wild. 179 pages of Sandburg’s distinctly American fairy tales—populated with Potato Face Blind Men, White Horses, and the Village of Liver-and-Onions—are printed on heavy, cream-colored stock and wrapped in the original dust-jacket artwork that first entranced children more than three decades ago. Because the book was released in the late ’80s reprint wave rather than the ultra-fragile 1920s originals, copies in any condition are scarce; a tight, clean interior like this one is immediately shelf-worthy.

What makes this copy extra appealing is the balance between collectible integrity and gentle prior ownership. The binding is square and firm, pages are un-dog-eared and bright, and every illustration—Sandburg’s whimsical, prairie-colored vignettes—remains vivid. The dust jacket shows the expected shelf rubs and small edge chips that attest to its age, yet the protective mylar most collectors add will stabilize those flaws and still allow the iconic front-panel art to display proudly. A neat gift inscription on the front free endpaper only enhances the nostalgic charm without affecting readability.

Bedtime-story seekers, homeschoolers, and Sandburg completists all hunt for Rootabaga titles because the language is rich enough for adults to savor aloud, while the rhythms and nonsense names hook early readers instantly. The book bridges ages 4-12 and still resonates with teens studying American folklore or poetry. Owning a first-edition picture-book format in this condition means you can read it nightly, gift it confidently, or slip it into a 20th-century literature collection knowing it will appreciate in both sentiment and market value.

Refer to our eBay listing for a full condition report and many more high-quality pictures of this item.