Howdy again, Readers! This time out we present “Jimmie Acorn Meets Mrs. Loon” from the August-Sept. 1953 issue of “Children’s Activities”. “Children’s Activities” was the predecessor of “Highlights” magazine, originating the “Hidden Pictures” and “Goofus and Gallant” features. CA’s version of “Goofus and Gallant” was “The Doings of Daffy and Dandy”. It’s interesting that women authors and artists were featured more than the men in “Children’s Activities”. I really like Ruth Van Tellingen’s drawings in the Jimmie series, and Edith Forbush must have been a naturalist. Her observations of animal behavior and descriptions of the characteristic markings on the birds’ feathers and animals’ bodies are very clearly expressed. These stories helped to expand outdoor encounters with wildlife for children, using anthropomorphism to add personality to the stories. Mrs. Loon and the Great Blue Heron are the featured birds in this story. Mrs. Loon is quite the show-off, and Croakie and Hoppie, the frog twins, are scared of the Great Blue Heron. Thumpy Rabbit wants to start a jumping contest with the frogs, which kicks the whole episode off. I hope you all are enjoying these classic tales. Happy Easter! from Mark and Itza.
Jimmie Acorn meets Mrs. Loon
April 1, 2026
Childhood Nostalgia
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Mark
Howdy again, Readers! This time out we present “Jimmie Acorn Meets Mrs. Loon” from the August-Sept. 1953 issue of “Children’s Activities”. “Children’s Activities” was the predecessor of “Highlights” magazine, originating the “Hidden Pictures” and “Goofus and Gallant” features. CA’s version of “Goofus and Gallant” was “The Doings of Daffy and Dandy”. It’s interesting that women authors and artists were featured more than the men in “Children’s Activities”. I really like Ruth Van Tellingen’s drawings in the Jimmie series, and Edith Forbush must have been a naturalist. Her observations of animal behavior and descriptions of the characteristic markings on the birds’ feathers and animals’ bodies are very clearly expressed. These stories helped to expand outdoor encounters with wildlife for children, using anthropomorphism to add personality to the stories. Mrs. Loon and the Great Blue Heron are the featured birds in this story. Mrs. Loon is quite the show-off, and Croakie and Hoppie, the frog twins, are scared of the Great Blue Heron. Thumpy Rabbit wants to start a jumping contest with the frogs, which kicks the whole episode off. I hope you all are enjoying these classic tales. Happy Easter! from Mark and Itza.