Writing in books feels liberating, and can lead to strange literary discoveries.
Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue and Their Trick Dog is a charming book published in 1923 by an author with an equally charming name: Laura Lee Hope. Produced from 1916 to 1931, the Bunny Brown books show young protagonists in adventures at the circus, carnival, seaside, and other delightful settings.
But, alas, the charm is shortlived. There is no Laura Lee Hope. It’s a pseudonym.
Like the Bobbsey Twins, Hardy Boys, and Nancy Drew series, the Bunny Brown books were written by a stable of writers that were part of the Stratemeyer Syndicate.
But wait! Is this common knowledge and I’m just now seeing the truth of my childhood faves? Is this the early dawn of AI, or just another case of unappreciated writers?
But no matter, the books live on.
Now, many of the vintage books are repurposed into modern journals. I love this re-use!
My favorite place to buy these creative remakes is Ex Libris Anonymous, a one-many operation based in Oregon and run by entrepreneur Jacob Storm Deatherage (another great name!). Like his vintage books, Jacob is charming and delightful, and with each order he often includes a kind and chatty note, along with ephemera found within book pages: a grocery list, notes to self, an odd doodle.
Taking the re-use principle one step further, I turned the Bunny Brown pages into a series of erasure poems. In the spirit of use what you have — reduce, recycle, re-use. Who knows what you’ll make!
Chapter 1
Help
the empty feeling.
Shout for an
answer.
The Trick, 21
Dance a waltz.
Clap in delight.
Look smart.
Teach the trick of pretending.
Trick, 17
Time and love
is the only way to get through
the circus.
Trick, 19
Call the morning open
and lift a wish to be kind.
I know we can — for a moment.
* * *
The world turns on words. Thank you for reading & writing.
• If you know someone who might enjoy this blog — please share.
• If you want to read more — subscribe for free.
• If you are here, reading this now — thank you!