There is as usual an abundant supply of picture-books, grave
and gay, for the benefit of young children. Stories from the Bible, by Mrs. L. Haskell (Blackie and Son, 2s.), Scripture Stories (same publishers, 6d.), and The Star in the East T. Nelson and Sons, id.) may be mentioned together. Mrs. Haskell is surely wrong in saying that Moses's mother kept him "till he was a big boy." She kept him till he was weaned. In the second book the Isaac pictured on the altar looks like a child of seven or so. According to Josephus, he was twenty; anyhow, he was old enough to carry the wood. This artist, however, does try to remember that he is representing Jews. If we are to have these pictures, let there be some attempt to be accurate.—The familiar fairy-tales are represented. From Messrs. Blackie we have The Dear Old Nursery Tales (1s.), with some good pictures by John Hassell. Here are "Cinderella," "Puss in Boots," and "Jack and the Beanstalk," also to be had in two parts, 6d. each; also My Book of Nursery Rhymes (1s.), illustrated by the same hand ; also the new stories, which may fairly rank with the old, Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales, selected and edited for little folk (28. 6d.) Here are "The Ugly Duckling," "The Tin Soldier," "The Wild Swans," &c. Miss Helen Stratton supplies some pretty pictures. —Messrs. Nelson send us The Story of Robinson Crusoe, with some good illustrations.
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