13 Little Golden Books That Collectors Love
If you grew up with Little Golden Books, you’re in good company: The beloved children’s series has been filling bookshelves since 1942. Once sold for just a quarter, some of these nostalgic reads now come with impressive price tags.
We dug through eBay to find the priciest listings and rounded up the most valuable ones below.
1. 1961 ‘Hansel and Gretel’ With Uncut Paper Dolls
Highest listing price on eBay: $10,000
The punch-out activity books were among A Little Golden Book’s finest era. This “Hansel and Gretel” story from 1961 includes fully intact cutouts within with no tears or missing pieces, which is increasingly hard to find decades after publishing. This book’s condition and rarity undoubtedly inspired its hefty price tag.
2. 1950 First-Edition ‘Cinderella’
Highest listing price on eBay: $5,000
Tagging along with the release of the iconic cartoon film, this first-edition “Cinderella” Golden Book’s value is driven by its vintage charm, significance of the year it came out, first-edition status, and, of course, the magic of Cinderelly. Glass slippers not included — although for $5,000, you’d think they might be.
3. 1948 First-Edition ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’
Highest listing price on eBay: $4,500
This Disney story didn’t debut alongside the cartoon film version like “Cinderella” did, but to be fair, A Little Golden Books didn’t debut until five years after Disney’s first flick. Still, this “Snow White” story is a first-edition, driving up its nostalgic appeal — and its price tag.
4. 1990 ‘The New Baby’
Highest listing price on eBay: $1,400
A Little Golden Book didn’t just churn out Disney stories and classic tales like “Hansel and Gretel.” “The New Baby” came out to prepare children for the arrival of a new baby sibling (a children’s book concept that has since become widely covered). In good condition, this classic inspires high asking prices.
5. 1960 ‘Cinderella’ Activity Book With Paper Dolls and Clothes
Highest listing price on eBay: $844
“Cinderella” Golden Books are beloved, and this version from 1960 includes the coveted paper doll cutouts. It’s particularly popular among collectors, especially with all of the pieces included (and not torn).
6. 1990 ‘A Visit from Grandma and Grandpa’
Highest listing price on eBay: $792
Who doesn’t love a visit from Grandma and Grandpa? A Little Golden Book’s interpretation based on the cover alone is spot-on with our memories of Grams and Gramps — candy and smiles galore. You can’t put a price tag on the facet of nostalgia only grandparents could provide, but this seller tacked an almost-$800 one to it if you’re interested.
7. 1955 First-Edition ‘Walt Disney’s Davy Crockett: King of the Wild Frontier’
Highest listing price on eBay: $393
Released the same year as Disney’s film version of Frontiersman Davy Crockett, this lil’ gold story is coveted by collectors as one of the rare first-edition Disney books still floating around in good condition.
8. 1942 ‘The Poky Little Puppy’
Highest listing price on eBay: $350
The iconic “The Poky Little Puppy” is the first A Little Golden Book published. In good condition, early editions of this book can command high prices, although this book’s legendary status does make it the most widely circulated story of all the Little Golden Books — and one of the bestselling children’s books of all-time.
9. 1999 ‘The Poky Little Puppy Comes to Sesame Street’
Highest listing price on eBay: $300
When the poky pup met Big Bird on Sesame Street in 1999, this Golden Book became a fast favorite. These days, in good condition, it’s apparently such a beloved book that a $300 price tag is justifiable.
10. 1954 ‘The Twelve Dancing Princesses’
Highest listing price on eBay: $275
While it was one of the most popular Golden Books of the ’50s, “The Twelve Dancing Princesses” has since become more obscure, inspiring higher asking prices.
11. 1970 ‘Charlie’
Highest listing price on eBay: $250
The story of a cute little orange and white kitten who pretends he’s a tiger playing in the grass. How stinking cute.
12. 1942 ‘Bedtime Stories’
Highest listing price on eBay: $94
This Little Golden book contains 12 different stories, so technically you could look at it as more bang for your buck.
13. 1973 ‘Smokey Bear Finds a Helper’
Highest listing price on eBay: $34
Smokey Bear has been an icon for decades, and has spread his furry paws into pop culture from all angles. There’s even A Little Golden Book featuring him, which is now worthy of a price tag north of $30.