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174 pp. Illustrated with 5 plates from photographs; color woodcut plate of California poppies; wood-engravings in the text. (8vo) original white cloth lettered in gilt, decorated with golden orange poppies with green stems on the front cover and spine. First Edition.

Very rare and early California children's book, the first novel set in the Fresno area. Not in Baird & Greenwood, California WPA bibliographies, or any standard bibliographies of American children's literature. Gift inscription on front FEP, "Sarah Rogers Atsatt, from Auntie." Sarah Rogers Atsatt [1888-1971] was descended on both sides from Mayflower ancestors. She taught at Mills College, UCLA, and Scripps College. She taught biology, zoology, physiology and anatomy. Dr. Atsatt's main research interest was herpetology, mainly reptilian behavior. She was a meticulous observer and handled her animals with great care, so that they came to behave in the laboratory much as they did in nature. She inspired countless students over the decades. After her retirement in 1955, she was active in community affairs, became a precinct worker for her political party, and a deputy registrar of voters.