Booklet: Little Grains for Little People by Palmer Cox
Book entitled "Little Grains for Little People" by Palmer Cox The cover of the book features a glove, flanked by two birds. Mice observing the... Show moreBook entitled "Little Grains for Little People" by Palmer Cox The cover of the book features a glove, flanked by two birds. Mice observing the globe, and one holding a lamp, all crowd around. On the globe itself is text that reads "The compliments of" and then obscured initials. Within is a short children's story with illustrations that instructs young readers what various animals give in order to make human life possible, like ducks and geese giving their feathers for downy mattresses. The last two pages feature brief rhymes, including one about P. T. Barnum. By the time this book was published, P.T. Barnum had shed his reputation as a huckster and self-titled Prince of Humbugs, and was instead seen as someone who provided quality entertainment to families and children, hence his placement in a children's book. Phineas Taylor (P.T.) Barnum (July 5, 1810-April 7, 1891) is primarily associated with the Barnum and Bailey Greatest Show on Earth. However, Barnum only began to focus on the circus in 1871. Prior to that he managed the American Museum in New York City from 1842-1868, was an elected official, mayor of Bridgeport, philanthropist, promoter, newspaper editor, and investor, among many, many other things. He promoted an image of himself along with his various ventures, which changed throughout the years, and was a celebrity in his own right. Show less