Aventuras de la gallina Clo-Clo (Waddle Book)
Author: Carmen de Rafael [Carmen Kurtz] Illustrator: Alejandro Coll
Publication: Buenos Aires/Barcelona: Editorial Molino Argentina, 1947
Printed in Buenos Aires with a limited run of only 3,000 copies, as confirmed by the Boletín Oficial de la República Argentina (November 29, 1947). This limited press run adds significantly to its rarity—especially in complete condition.
Format: Picture book with interactive die-cut figures - original illustrated paper-covered boards over quarter blue cloth spine, 32.5 cm x 24 cm, 26 pp., including all four original unpunched waddle figure pages, original die-cut ramp, and instruction sheet
Description:
Stated first edition of this exceedingly rare Spanish-language waddle book, published by Editorial Molino. Clo-Clo is one of only five known titles in the collectible "Waddle Book" format ( The most well know being Mickey Mouse Waddle Book 1934, Blue Ribbon Books, NY) , featuring die-cut characters that detach and move independently using a ramp system. This copy is complete with all components present, including unpunched figures, ramp, and original instructions.
The cover proclaims: "Un cuento con personajes que salen del libro y andan solos," which translates to "A tale with characters that leave the book and walk alone." This same phrase appears on the Spanish edition of the Mickey Mouse Waddle Book, also issued by Molino.
Clo-Clo follows the whimsical tale of a determined hen on a journey filled with challenges, friendship, and discovery. With rich illustrations by Alejandro Coll, this title bridges narrative charm with mechanical novelty.
Condition:
Very Good. All four waddle characters are present and unpunched, though some are detached from the punch sheets. The ramp and instructions are in excellent condition. Lower spine shows minor separation (see photos). Pages clean and bright with no writing or tears. Stored and shipped in a protective archival presentation box.
Collectors' Corner:
Spain was among the first countries to publish Disney-licensed movable books. Editorial Molino, active in both Barcelona and Buenos Aires, was Disney's official licensee in Spain prior to the Spanish Civil War. According to Disney historian Didier Ghez, Molino played a key role in introducing Disney titles to the Spanish-speaking market. See the Movable Book History article at: https://www.vintagepopupbooks.com/category-s/1864.htm.
About the Author:
Carmen Kurtz (1911–1999), born Carmen de Rafael Marés in Barcelona, studied in France and the UK before marrying a Frenchman. She lived abroad through the Spanish Civil War and WWII, returning to Spain around 1943. She began writing children's books to support her family, often under pseudonyms such as Isabel Marés or Carmen de Rafael.
Her early works with Editorial Molino—including Aventuras de la gallina Clo-Clo, Aventuras de Atú el pingüino, Las fantasías de Nana-Namur, and Huevos de Pascua—formed part of the postwar literary revival in Spain. These appeared under the Marujita series, with editions printed in both Buenos Aires and Barcelona. Carmen was Spain's official nominee for the 1980 Hans Christian Andersen Award.
Related Waddle Books:
Mickey Mouse Waddle Book (1934, Blue Ribbon Books, NY)
Teddy Tail Waddle Book (1934, Collins UK; 1934, Whitman USA)
The Wizard of Oz Waddle Book (1934, Blue Ribbon Books, NY)
Aventuras de la gallina Clo-Clo (1947, Editorial Molino)
Aventuras de Atú el pingüino (1948, Editorial Molino) See it here : https://www.vintagepopupbooks.com/1940-s-Waddle-Book-complete-p/dis-2.htm
References:
Boletín Oficial de la República Argentina, 1ra sección, no. 29 (November 29, 1947): 3. https://archive.org/details/Boletin_Oficial_Republica_Argentina_1ra_seccion_1947-11-29.
"Carmen Kurtz." Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Last modified May 6, 2024.