Even if a bit inappropriate, given politics, here is a cool Russian pop-up book. Not really space flight oriented but still interesting. Our Defenders was a book illustrating the Russian military including battlefield rockets. The images are stereotypical of Soviet times and an interesting choice for a children's book. Mihalkov. Sergei. Illustrated by Beslik, A. НАШИ ЗАЩИТТНИКИ (Our Defenders.) Moscow: Baby Publishing (Mayysh) House. (16 p.) 1976.

As I got through boxes I found a couple of My Weekly Readers that I had not shared before. My Weekly Reader posts seem to be popular for their nostalgia effect and because as ephemera no one saved them from their youth. These particular ones are about the Gemini missions. At the time in elementary school many children saw these as their "space news" since the adult papers were not written at a basic level. So even if these are short articles they bring back a time when America was headed for the moon. Don't you wish you had lived in this neighborhood? Pretty fun to see someone's answers to the quiz. How did you do?

As I keep digging in my collection I have found Space Beavers! This was a promotional comic book from Cities Service gasoline. It probably was a give-away with purchase. It reflects the early 60s where the Mercury launches had taken place and we were looking ahead to the future. The whole premise is a beaver who is invited to go on one of the early space voyages. The twist is that his son falls asleep during discussions about space facts and dreams of a moon trip. It is campy and strange in the best way and I am sure unfamiliar to most of you. Just the kind of thing I love to find and share. The Eager Beaver Space Book. (Promotional comic from Cities Service Gasoline.) (32 P.) 1962.

Happy New Year! A "Space Ship to the Moon" is your present for a new year. I really like the illustrations in this book. The story is OK but the visions of spacecraft, a space station and mining on the Moon are worth seeing. This is a relatively low cost book used so if you like it it is easy to search out a copy. Reichert, Edwin C. Illustrated by Bilder, Arthur K. Space Ship to the Moon. Chicago: Rand McNally and Co. (27 p.) 1952.

It has been a while but here is a strange Christmas post for you.  Something about Santa and Flying Saucers seems to go together like White wine and Cracker Jack. Sort of sweet and tangy and gets your attention. Santa and the Space Men is a play for children about how Santa is universal. The only illustration is the cover but the contents show an interesting play, creative costume choices, and a Christmas song I think you missed out on. Edith Quick and James Fluckey. Santa and The Space Men. Franklin, OH : Eldridge Pub Co. (56 p.) 1956. And a great finale...