By OTTO HERSCHAN
WHETHER it be a visit to the "Cutty Sark " at Greenwich or the "Discovery " at the Thames Embankment, yesterday, today, or in the years to come, the days of the large sailing ships will have an inevitable fascination for boys. It would be surprising then if A SLAVER'S APPRENTICE, by Captain Frank Knight, just published by Macmillan, 13s. 6d., did not hold spellbound every boy between 10 and 16.
The story is of the sailing brig "Wolfhound" on one of the last voyages before British ships were forbidden to act as slave carriers.
This voyage vividly told is a thrilling as well as a moving tale and the description of the storm makes every frightening moment come true.
* *
RICHARD WAGNER is so often no more than the name of a composer of opera. Sometimes a youngster goes as far as remembering the "Ring of the Nibelungen", but few any more. It is a good idea to introduce him more fully and less formerly as Opal Wheeler has done in THE ADVENTURES OF RICHARD WAGNER (Faber 15s.),
This book deals with the very early and impressionable years of Wagner's learning. It is a fascinating period which should interest boys and girls between the ages of 8 and 12. The tenacity of Richard
Germany enquires
An advertising ca m paign launched last autumn in Germany along the lines of the Catholic Enquiry Centre in London has attracted more than a thousand enquiries from non-Catholics seeking postal instruction in the Faith. may also be an inspiration to any young would-be musician.
* *
JOIN UP THE DOTS is an engaging way of arousing the very young to draw and Blackie have just published the eighth
volume in this series. It is by Madeleine Mays and there are aver 80 pictures for only 2s. 6d.
Sixpence is little enough in itself but it is sufficient to buy I SPY ON THE PAVEMENT (Dickens Press, I-Spy No. 38). It affords hours of pleasure and gives a tremendous amount of information. It needs quite a little effort but it is rewarding for 9-13-year-olds.
* *
JUST space to mention briefly al the LITTLE STORY BOOKS by Jean Marshall (Frederick Warne, 2s. 6d. each). They are for children just learning to read, gaily illustrated and in very clear type. The titles are JANE, THE LITTLE WHITE DUCK, THE LITTLE YELLOW DOG, and the fourth, HIDE AND SEEK.
MONTGOMERY OF ALAMEIN, by Ronald Seth (Cassell 6s.) is a short biography of the famous field marshal intended for the teenager.
Finally a new volume by that excellent writer of children's books. Phyllis Krasilovsky, BENNY'S FLAG (World's Work,
10s. 6d.). This is the story of Benny Benson and how his flag became the cfficial flag of Alaska. It is illustrated by W. T. Marks and every child under the age of eight will enjoy it immensely.