Your Book Comrade
I suppose some of you boys and girls think that I am only a book, only some sheets of paper with a lot of words printed all over me. But if you will make a friend of me, you will find that I am really the most enjoyable comrade
you ever had.
Your schoolmates can play games with you, to be sure, and perhaps now and then can tell you something interesting that has happened to them. But every day I can tell you stories of exciting things that have happened all over the world—stories about all sorts of people and animals and heroes, at all sorts of times.
Let me take you by the hand and whisk you away to scenes in jungle Africa or lovely Switzerland or to the campfires of American pioneers. I shall speak to you with so many different voices that I cannot begin to introduce you to all of the interesting folk who will talk to you out of my pages. Just turn back to the “Contents.” You will see that I can tell you stories about seven different kinds of things.
First, I can lead you into the wonderland of Nature, where you will learn to know and love the animals, and birds, and flowers, and trees that live and grow all about you.
Then, if you will come with me, your Book Comrade, I can carry you into the homes of some brave and true American boys and girls. These will tell you how you too, may become a helpful American citizen.
After visiting these American boys and girls, we shall go on a long journey across the sea to visit with boys and girls in other lands.
Then we shall go to other places, meet other people, and even travel to times of long ago and to the “land of make-believe.” If you will look at Parts IV, V, VI, and VII in the“Contents, ” you will find the other interesting things we shall do.
Now, I have shown you some of the wonderful stories you may share with me if you will only make me your comrade. And one of the best things about me is the fact that I have thousands of brothers and sisters who will gladly be your comrades, too.