As a compendium of good literature for children it is hoped that this book may interest parents and teachers, quite independently of the fact that it was prepared for classes of young men and women studying children's literature, and that it may be put into the hands of children.
There remains but the pleasant duty of acknowledging the advice and encouragement received from many persons interested in this subject. To the publishing houses who have granted permission to use copyrighted material and to the Librarian of Congress thanks are due for courtesies extended. To Mr. David Dale Johnson of West Virginia University for collating; to Mr. Hunter Whiting for a great deal of copying and collating; and especially to Professor Franklin T. Baker of Teachers College, Columbia University, Professor James F. Hosic of the Chicago Normal College, and Mr. John Cotton Dana of the Newark, New Jersey, Free Public Library, for advice and criticism on the manuscript,--to all of these the editor hereby expresses his gratitude.
CHARACTER SKETCHES Little Miss Muffet Diddle, diddle, dumpling Let's go to bed Jack Sprat There was a little girl
SCENES AND INCIDENTS Jack and Jill Hickory, dickory, dock There was an old woman Peter, Peter, pumpkin eater Little Jack Horner
TALES Old Mother Hubbard Little Bo-peep The Babes in the Woods
NONSENSE AND HUMOROUS RHYMES Old Dan Tucker Old Man John We're all in the dumps I had a little horse
SATIRES AND TAUNTS Georgy-porgy April fool Johnny's mad Cry, baby, cry Tell-tale-tit
TONGUE TWISTERS Peter Piper Swan swam over the sea
COUNTING-OUT JINGLES Ickity, pickity One-ery, two-ery Inty, minty Intery, mintery
GESTURE AND ACTION SONGS Trit-trot Hippity-hop This little mouse Here we go up, up, up
RIDDLES A Cherry A Fodder Field, a Hog, and a Dog Hens A Churn An Egg A Star
CATCHES There, was a man who had no eyes I am a gold lock As I was going to St. Ives
CHARMS AND SUPERSTITIONS Star of light Marble, marble, roll away Honest and true Come, butter, come Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John Mole on the neck
WEATHER WISDOM Rain before seven Evening red When the fog goes up the hill When the bees all homeward fly
AIDS TO MEMORY One, two, three, four Naught, one In fourteen hundred and ninety-two Thirty days hath September