VERY RARE SET OF THE ADL'S SEVEN LITTLE STORIES ON BIG SUBJECTS, 1955, ILLUSTRATED BY MAURICE SENDAK

(SENDAK, Maurice) BOND, Gladys Baker. Seven Little Stories on Big Subjects. New York: Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith, [1955]. Seven volumes. Octavo, staple-bound as issued, original color paper wrappers, original pictorial box. $2500.

Rare first edition of this set of didactic stories for children, each focused on a moral lesson in areas such as anti-racism and community-mindedness.

Published by the ADL, the seven stories in this set aim to team moral lessons to children, from accepting and standing up for those of a different race or ethnicity to being kind to strangers to making friends of people in the community. The black-and-white illustrations (covers, in-text, and box cover) are quite early examples of Sendak's work. While Sendak's line-based illustration style is familiar and his talent is evident, the illustrations are more serious and straight-forward than the illustrations in his later work. According to Sendak bibliographer Joyce Hanrahan, as of 2001, neither the Library of Congress or the Rosenbach had a copy of this book set. Hanrahan A15.

Book about-fine to fine, only light rubbing and soiling to box. A rare and lovely set.