BEST LOVED NURSERY RHYMESIllustrated by TEDDY WILLIAMS

Okay, I admit it. Even though I am well into my dotage now and at times read some pretty sophisticated books, such as Stephen King and Louie L’Amour novels and their ilk, I am still a big push-over for the nursery rhymes I grew up with. I love the rhythm and cadence of them, love the simple, if not always logical stories they tell, and at this time, love the warm nostalgic feelings they give me. I, like many of my generation, was first introduced to the written word, the oral traditions of our society and, yes, imagination, by having these read to me by my mother and various other adults in my life…the giants who shaped me.

How many miles to Babylon?
Three-score miles and ten.
Can I get there by candle light?
Yes and back again.
If your heels are nimble and light
You may get there by candle light.

or

Hark, hark, the dogs do bark,
The beggars are coming to town,
Some in rags, some in tags
And some in velvet gowns.

Now tell me, does it get any better than that? I don’t thinks so. But if those are not to your taste, there are 43 others to pick from in this wonderful volume published in 1971. Best Loved Nursery Rhymes which has been illustrated by Teddy Williams is one of my favorite collections of these old, tried and true ditties. Now please keep in mind. Many of these rhymes are very, very old, dating back centuries. Also remember that there are probably a dozen versions of the same rhymes, at the very least. This, really, is as it should be. The origin of some many of these small children’s poems have, in many cases, been completely lost. Others we can trace, more or less, to their origin. Quite a number apparently have several origins, different countries, different times and different cultures.

This volume contains such favorites as Little Bo Peep, Lucy Locket, Humpty Dumpty, A Diller, a Dollar, Pussy Cat, Pussy Cat, Jack and Jill, Old King Cole and many, many more. Each rhyme is accompanied by a wonderful, fully colored painting which is quite detailed in a mode fit for children. I got sort of tickled when I first read this book and viewed the pictures. There is no doubt that the illustrator/artist was heavily influenced by Grim Natick, the originator of Betty Boop, one of my all time cartoon characters. The paintings are colorful, cute and funny and go perfectly with the text.

There is much to be said of nursery rhymes. They teach, they entertain, they stimulate imagination and they give old men and old women something to remember when they read them to their grandchildren and other wee ones.