Earliest Published Nursery Rhymes Book c.1744

Mary Cooper, whose two-volume Tommy Thumb's Pretty Song Book (1744) is the first known nursery rhyme collection, featuring early versions of well-known classics like ‘Bah, bah, a black sheep’, ‘Hickory dickory dock’, ‘London Bridge is falling down’ and ‘Sing a song of sixpence’.

The History of Little Goody Two-Shoes (1765) has a good claim to be called the first children’s novel. It tells the story of a poor orphan, Margery, who makes a career for herself as a teacher before, like a less glamorous Cinderella (with no fairy godmother, balls to attend, or glass slipper), she marries the local landowner whom she has impressed by her honesty, hard work and good sense.

Isn't this a much better story than Cinderella?

Click to enlarge the images found in a great article 

ORIGINS OF CHILDREN'S LITERATURE 

in the archives of The British Library

Enjoy.

xo

Flower Basket Engraving

Victorian Flower Basket

Vintage Victorian style flowers in a vase engraving. Original from the British Library.

via

Who Let The Dogs In?

via Badminton House UK

I love the casual pink and white ticking slipcovers. The books piled on the table reflect the real life living of these fortunate owners.

Beautiful gardens indeed. Be sure to click on the link under the first photo to see and read more.

Holly with Berries Botanical

Elizabeth Blackwell's A Curious Herbal

Flip through this early 18th century volume of hand-colored copper plate engravings HERE. Use the arrows to flip back and forth. What a treat! Merry Christmas. xo

See and listen to the whole book from the beginning, including the cover here courtesy of the British Library.