The Story of Little Black Sambo

5C, Helen Bannerman, Frederick A. Stokes Company Publishers, New York, 1899. First Edition was 1895

Notes

The Story of Little Black Sambo, written by Helen Bannerman in 1899, is a children’s book about a young boy named Sambo who encounters a group of tigers in the jungle. Cleverly, he outwits the tigers by giving each of them an article of his colorful clothing to prevent being eaten. The tigers, competing with one another, eventually chase each other around a tree so fast that they melt into a pool of butter, which Sambo later retrieves. Despite its engaging story and imaginative elements, the book has been criticized for its use of racist caricatures and stereotypical language, which have led to its rejection and reimagining in many modern contexts.

Description

Pocket edition with cream hardcover boards and yellow canvas spine. Some chipping and discoloration to the image on front and back boards. Splitting to the front board and wearing down to the edges. General browning to interior pages, colored images throughout. Fine condition.