Illustrated by Debra McFarlane and L. Leslie Brooke
Introduced by Michael Rosen
A lively collection of nursery rhymes, both familiar and little known, collected by Andrew Lang, the acclaimed folklorist and editor of the Rainbow Fairy Books.
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In his introduction to this collection, former Children’ Laureate Michael Rosen describes nursery rhymes as ’a gift we pass on to each other’; these verses, part of our shared literary heritage and oral history, remain as vital and engaging today as when they were first composed. This beautifully illustrated book of nursery rhymes, selected by folklorist Andrew Lang, is published in series with the enormously popular Folio editions of Lang’s Rainbow Fairy Books. It is an essential companion volume to a collection that celebrates childhood literature.
‘As the years go by, and the summers rush on while the winters lengthen, how greatly do we value the songs we read in what Mr Lang describes as “my first library, a wooden box full of loose, floppy picture-books”’
Spectator, 1898
Production Details
Bound in metallic cloth blocked with a design by Debra McFarlane
Set in Founder’s Caslon
280 pages
Frontispiece and 106 integrated black & white illustrations by L. Leslie Brooke, and 6 colour illustrations by Debra McFarlane
Printed endpapers
Coloured tops
10" x 7½"
The last of the collection
Nursery rhymes, much like fairy tales, are part of our shared literary heritage. Although now traditionally sung or taught exclusively to young children, their roots – like fairy and folk tales – go deep, drawing on a rich and varied history. These songs, riddles, lullabies and stories are innocent and merciless by turns; they can be witty, sly, fantastic or banal. Many contain historical comment, political criticism or a piece of ancient wisdom, while others are simply a joyful expression of surrealistic nonsense or poetic charm. This beautifully illustrated collection has been produced in series with the enormously popular Rainbow Fairy Books. It is an essential companion to a collection that celebrates childhood literature.
Andrew Lang’s nursery rhymes
Lang’s Nursery Rhyme Book, first published in 1897, collects more than 300 rhymes and presents them in categories: Historical, Literal and Scholastic, Tales, Proverbs, Songs, Riddles and Paradoxes, Charms and Lullabies, Gaffers and Gammers, Games, Jingles, Love and Matrimony, Natural History, Accumulative Stories, and Relics. Within these sections readers will find old favourites such as ’Mistress Mary, quite contrary’ and ’Sing a song of sixpence’, as well as less familiar gems. Peppered throughout are over 100 black-and-white line drawings by L. Leslie Brooke, a leading children’s book illustrator of the period. These expressive illustrations bring the human and animal characters to life, and highlight the curious and contrary nature of nursery rhymes. Debra McFarlane, illustrator of the much-loved Pink Fairy Book, has supplemented these images with six colour illustrations and a delightful binding design that incorporates the characters from ’Hey diddle diddle’ and Mother Goose.
The original preface
Also included is Lang’s original preface, along with his notes on the rhymes, charmingly addressed to his young readers. Michael Rosen, a former Children’s Laureate and champion of poetry for young people, has provided a new introduction that comments on the social history of these rhymes, examining their origins and unique use of language. Lang’s scholarship, evident in his notes and his careful selection, makes this both a book for children to read, recite from and enjoy, and a fascinating text for anyone with an interest in oral history and folklore.
Reviews Powered By
Average Score for 88 Review(s)
A beautifully illustrated book of Nursery Rhymes and I know it will be cherished through the years. 1 downside, not enough colour but where there is colour, it is stunningly traditional. Very nice
Review by
Paul Jones
on 28th April 2025
i have not recieved this special birthday present - it was sent to 23 Choumert Road instead of 57a Choumert Road. you keep asking how you all did - well sadly not good at all as i cannot find the gift
Review by
Debbie Travis
on 13th April 2025
Product is lovely
Review by
Daniel Isherwood
on 19th December 2024
Beautiful illustrations and binding, would love to give as gifts of price werent so high. Truly a collector's item.
One of the most magical and memorable children’s stories ever written, J. M. Barrie’s Peter Pan and Wendy will delight young readers in this stunning large-format Folio edition with Debra McFarlane’s nostalgic etchings.
The inhabitants of the fairy realm are beautifully imagined in Charles van Sandwyk’s tales; exquisitely illustrated and brought together as a collection for the first time by The Folio Society.
