Paper-folding and -Designing Combined. A Kindergarten Occupation for Infants and Juniors. The ÒA.L.Ó Educational Serie

Z. Ford was a Froebel Kindergarten teacher during the end of the 19th-Century. We could not locate much more information on him in the sources available to us. The present work gives detailed instructions and diagrams for kindergarten students studying the Froebel gifts, with colorful illustrated examples. According to the preface: “There is no Kindergarten occupation more pleasing and interesting to children than that of paper-folding […] This little work is intended to show how the paper-folding occupation lends itself to the cultivation of the designing powers in children.” It is also noted that “Juniors” can use this book as preparation for the study of geometry. The A.L. Educational Series focused on children’s creativity and learning-through-play concept that was one of the central tenets of Froebel’s educational method. Other titles in the series include Guide to the Drawing Examinations (1892) by D.E. Hillier and Paper-Flower Making (1897) by I.A. Williamson. Small quarto. 48 pp. With 27 full-page color diagrams and numerous half page diagrams. Green cloth-colored boards. Title and paper-folding decorative design in black. Upper right corner of first few leaves and last leaf clipped, but text is unaffected. Minor edge wear. A few folding paper samples laid in, and sample sheets at rear. Endpapers feature the publisher’s logo. Very good copy. Fourth edition, revised and expanded. Rare. OCLC records only 2 copies in libraries worldwide.…