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Thus the editors of Children, a 25-cent monthly magazine for parents, of which the maiden number was issued last week by the Parents' Publishing Association Inc., Manhattan. These editors' names made an imposing array: George J. Hecht, chief; Mrs. Clara Savage Littledale, manager; Directress Sidonie M. Gruenberg of the Child Study Association of America, Professor Walter B. Pitkin of the Columbia School of Journalism, Directress Helen T. Woolley of the Institute of Child Welfare Research and others—associates. There were no less than four dozen "advisory editors." Careful combing had lined up noted hygiene officials, kindergarten specialists, nursery scholars, psychologists, chief executives of the Boy and Girl Scouts, and of the Big Brother and Big Sister Federation, together with names that always appear on important committees, lending distinction no matter how little actual work.
It was, obviously, an efficient magazine by professional child-rearers. "Theirs [Father's, Mother's]," said the editors grimly, "is the problem of the baby who refuses milk; the three-year-old who won't eat spinach; the angel-faced child who is given to fibs and rebellion; the daughter in her teens who will hide her youthful bloom under cosmetics."
The inside of the book had a leading article on "Contentment" by Dorothy Canfield Fisher, famed novelist and Montessori-mother. There were "Inside Tips for Fathers," "Salesmanship for Parents," "Shall Jack Play Football?" Also, there were dull, useful articles on: "Before Your Child Goes to School," "First Lessons in Concentration," "Fruit Juices and Child Health," "Fall Suggestions for School Lunches."
There was a joke page, "Out of the Mouths of Babes," with the usual naive and precocious sayings (most of them thought up by writers for funny magazines):
Daddy: "Well, Mary, you have a brand new baby sister."
Mary: "Oh, Daddy, can't I be the first one to tell mother ?"—White Mule
"What's Bobbie crying for?"
"He's not cryin" for anything. He's had it."—Life
Hilda: "Aunt Ella, does the cake taste good?"
Aunt Ella: "Yes, indeed, it's delicious." Hilda: "How strange! Mamma said only yesterday that you had no taste."—Thiegeude Blaetter.*
"Mother, may I have some water to christen my dolly?"
"No, dear."
"Then may I have some wax to waxinate her ?"
Barbara (saying her prayers) : "And bless Daddy and Mummy and make them happy—if they're not too old for that sort of thing."—Sketch
*Among Ivy Lee's clients are the Pennsylvania Railroad, the Rockefellers, Charles Schwab and the Bethlehem Steel Co., the Interborough Rapid Transit Co., Armour and Co.
*Probably the Fliegende Blaetter.