Bestselling historian Robert Lacey brings together 82 of our most beloved nursery rhymes in this collection inspired by the original drawings of Claud Lovat Fraser, vividly updated by artist Ben Coppin. Robert writes on the magic of nursery rhymes, the meaning of their not-so-childish nonsense and the history behind them.
With Christmas on the way (sorry, I know it's still early!) the gift books are starting to make an appearance. This book is going to be high on the 'best of' lists this year. Hardback, A4, and packed to the gills with coloured illustrations, this is one for everyone's shelf.
Every house needs a really good book of nursery rhymes, and this is a fantastic choice. The classic style illustrations will appeal to children, parents and teachers, while the history section is a fascinating read for anyone with an interest in literature or history.
It's amazing, when reading through this, just how many nursery rhymes there really are. All the classics are here - Humpty Dumpty, Three Blind Mice, Baa Baa Black Sheep - and there are plenty that I didn't know, such as Three Wise Men of Gotham and One Misty, Moisty Morning. I've really enjoyed scrolling through to learn some new ones!
The illustrations, inspired by Claud Lovat Fraser’s original work and beautifully updated by Ben Coppin, are nothing short of delightful. They evoke the charm of vintage Ladybird books, with characters adorned in stockings, frock coats, top hats, and shawls—perfectly complementing the rhymes.
What truly sets this collection apart is the fascinating section at the back, starting on Pg 89, where Robert Lacey unearths the real-life historical events and figures that possibly inspired each rhyme. We all know, of course, that Ring a'Rosie is about the plague, but did you know that Humpty Dumpty was probably a cannon, not an egg? Or that the 'lion' and the 'unicorn' stand for England and Scotland? While younger children might not be as interested in these details, older readers and anyone with a passion for history or children's literature will find this section captivating.
This is going to be a fabulous Christmas gift. Any family will children will love it, and adults with an interest in children's literature or art will find it a wonderful addition to their collections. The large size and full colour make it a very attractive package. This is the kind of book that children will return to over the years, finding new things to appreciate in the illustrations or the historical information.
This is a wonderful book and I'm really looking forward to sharing it with other people. It brought me back to the books of my childhood, and I hope it will do the same for other readers.
Nursery Rhymes publishes on the 10th of October, 2024.
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