Did you ever think you were something like a snail... 

{HISTORY}

Yourself and Your House Wonderful.

Doesn't this sound like some sort of book title about homekeeping or interior decorating or architectural design?

In all actuality, it is an early 20th-century children's book about self-care and health and wellness for body, mind and spirit. Published in 1913 by Helene Adeline Gurber, the "house" in the title refers not to a domestic dwelling but to the human body and how to care for it.

Much more than a health book, it relies on one guiding principle -  how to treat yourself with respect so that in turn you will treat others with respect which in turn covers all matter of situation from proper grooming and nutrition all the way through to morality issues and the importance of being a good person out and about in the world.

Like a primer on how to live life with goodness as your guidepost, from the basics like the need for fresh air, sunshine, playtime and education to the more nuanced situations of growing - when to fight someone, how to be careful, the importance of building up an inner kindness storehouse, how to live with honor and sense of a duty, etc this book covers all gamuts of the wellness spectrum from teeth brushing to the golden rule. 

Whimsically written and illustrated, Helene has created characters for all sorts of body parts - the stomach dwarf, the blood boats, the liver dwarf, the front door, etc to explain the mechanics of general overall health.

Understandably, this book was like a handy guide for early childhood development written by a school teacher who had no kids of her own, but certainly understood how to engage them. A really sweet look at childhood and a thoughtful attempt on explaining how to raise good humans, it is fascinating to think that this book was written over 100 years ago but still holds such valuable information today. A source of many good reminders for both kids and adults to be kind to themselves, it's both an interesting storybook and teaching tool for youngsters learning all about the world and themselves in it.

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

- Published in 1913 by Uplift Publishing, Philadelphia

- Contains 301 pages

- Illustrated throughout 

{CONDITION}

In lovely antique condition. The decorated coverboard features some scuff marks, a slight dent at the top edge and fraying on some portions of the book edges. The interior pages are very clean and bright with no spots, stains, or markings. The spine is tight and all pages are intact.

{SIZE}

Measures 9.5" inches (length) x 7.25" inches (width) x 1" inch (thickness)

{FOR THE LITTLE ONES}

Find more vintage and antique children's books here.