Mr. Pudgins (1968 Scholastic Paperback) Author: Ruth Christoffer Carlsen (1918-2006) Illustrator: Margaret “Peg” Bradfield (1898-?) Publisher: Scholastic New York, NY U.S.A. 1964 You ve never met a babysitter like Mr. Pudgins! When Mr. Pudgins comes to watch John, Pete, and Janey, all kinds of crazy things happen. Strangely enough, they happen only when Mr. Pudgins smokes his pipe. Faucets run soda pop instead of water, the bathtub takes them for a ride, a case of the hiccups releases birds into the house, and friends step out of the mirror! Somehow all evidence of their antics is erased by the time Mother and Father get home. Mr. Pudgins is the best babysitter ever! It's almost like magic. (Maybe it is!!!) Ruth Christoffer Carlsen (1918-2006) was a noted author of eight children’s books. She grew up in the Midwest and graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1939 with a degree in journalism. Her father, a railroad man with a twinkle in his eye, ran the Saint Paul Union Depot and partially inspired the character of Mr. Pudgins. Ruth married and settled with her family in Boulder, Colorado, where Mr. Pudgins was written. She tested each chapter of the book on her young family. After publication, the family moved to Austin, Texas, and then Iowa City, Iowa, where Ruth’s husband was a professor. Together, they edited and wrote textbook and educational materials. Ruth Christoffer Carlsen is included in the Iowa City Literary Walk, which celebrates Iowa writers. Margaret “Peg” Bradfield was a twentieth-century fine artist and illustrator born in 1898. She received her bachelor's degree in art from the Teachers College at Columbia University in 1920. Peg married and settled with her family in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where she began her career. During her lifetime, she illustrated several children's books as well as hundreds of education filmstrips, and her portraits and paintings of Ann Arbor and other places she visited were displayed throughout the US. An ardent nature and animal lover, Peg had a fondness for cats and for her flower garden that can be seen in much of her work. Complete paperback carefully used and stored. No reading creases. POS on title page. Indents in covers from use as a writing pad. Pages are browning from age. Still, condition much better than average for the age. Size: 12mo - over 6 - 7" tall, 154pp. Condition: Very Good Paperback – Always privately owned. Copyright 1951. 1st published by Houghton Mifflin Company. 1st Scholastic edition printing was in 1964. This copy is from the 3rd Scholastic printing of February, 1968. No ISBN nor LCCN. Scholastic catalog: TX646. MSR = $0.45. Notes on Condition/Edition ratings: Fine – means like new, but any book produced over 10 years ago isn't “brand new”. Booksellers needed some word to describe this... Like New – A new book, no marks no damage (except maybe remainder marks) except not obtained directly from the publisher or in packaging from the publisher. Very Good – How you or I might take care of a book, closer to “as new” than standard. Might show ownership. Good – How someone else might take care of a book. Also referred to as “standard.” The most likely condition for books of this age title, shows the book has been read or previously owned. Acceptable – How a child, student or a librarian might take care of a book. (Either trying to make sure someone doesn't steal it by plastering ownership everywhere, filled it with copious notes or a book that has been damaged.) Poor – Combination of “acceptable” factors above. Most likely with water damage as well. Might have missing pages (you should ask). Near – Means “almost” in an optimistic sense. e.g., “Near Fine” means very good, but on the high end. 1st Thus – Unique somehow, maybe 1st paperback, new illustrator, misprint or even the 1st edition. A collector might desire this copy. Thanks for looking!