The collection contains typescripts, mechanicals, galleys, proofs, dummies, promotional material, and correspondence for 29 titles. The titles are arranged alphabetically and within each title according to the probable order in which they were created. The correspondence was arranged by title with the exception of fan mail and correspondence with the de Grummond Collection.
Ms. Selsam wrote many non-fiction books about plants, flowers, and trees. There is a typescript, a mechanical layout, and a proof for The Amazing Dandelion (1977). There are also typescripts for The Doubleday First Guide to Wildflowers (1964) and How to Grow House Plants (1960). Also included are the dummies for Play With Leaves and Flowers (1952) and dust jackets for See Through the Forest (1956) and Plants That Move (1962). Three of her "A First Look" books, which she co-wrote with Joyce Hunt are included in the collection. There are dummies, typescripts, proofs, and reviews for A First Look at Flowers (1976). There are dummies and manuscript notes for A First Look at Leaves (1972) and A First Look at the World of Plants (1978).
Ms. Selsam also wrote books about fruits, vegetables, and other unusual plants. These books were all published with photographs taken by Jerome Wexler. There are galleys and a dummy for The Apple and Other Fruits (1973). Also included are typescripts, a dummy, mechanicals, and correspondence for Popcorn (1976), as well as two typescripts and a galley for Bulbs, Corms, and Such (1974). The Carrot and Other Root Vegetables (1971), Peanut (1969), and The Tomato and Other Fruit Vegetables (1970) have dummies, typescripts, galleys and correspondence. There are also proofs for The Tomato and Other Fruit Vegetables.
Other topics Ms. Selsam frequently used in her books were animals, birds, and insects. There are typescripts, galleys, proofs, and a dust jacket for How Animals Tell Time (1967). Also included are the press sheets for Tony's Birds (1961) and A Time for Sleep; How the Animals Rest (1953). There are research notes, layouts, a typescript, dummy and galley for Ants, Questions and Answers (1967). The Bug That Laid the Golden Eggs (1967) also has a dummy and galley.
There are typescripts for Benny's Animals and How He Put Them in Order (1966), Let's Get Turtles (1965), and A Time for Sleep; How the Animals Rest. There are galleys for Terry and the Caterpillars (1962) and How Animals Sleep, A Time for Sleep (1953).There are also dust jackets for How Animals Live Together (1979), The Language of Animals (1962), and Stars, Mosquitoes, and Crocodiles (1962).
Ms. Selsam also wrote articles for a periodical called the "Book of Knowledge" series. Each year a list of proposed topics was presented to authors for consideration. The list sent to Ms. Selsam, her correspondence with the editors at Grolier and the typescripts for four articles are included in the collection.
