15 NOVEMBER 1913, Page 13

ALPHABETS AND PICTURE-BOOKS.

A NEW Edward Lear's A.B.C. (Henry Frowde and Hodder and Stoughton, ls. net) is sure of a warm welcome from every- body. This book, we are told in the preface, " was done by Lear for a child friend about the year 1857," and is now pub- lished for the first time. It is reproduced in facsimile, and bears a family likeness to his other• alphabets.-The Peter Pan A.B.C. (same publishers, 3s. 6d. net) is introduced by a short version of the story. Then come rhymes, such as :- " A for the arrow that Tootles let fly Which brought down poor Wendy with a bump from the sky." The full-page coloured illustrations by Miss Flora White are drawn with spirit, and the vividness of the three-colour Process is kept within reasonable limits.-The Peek-a-Boos are as lively as ever this year. We can follow the doings of The Peek-a-Boos in Town. (5s. net), as drawn by Chloe Preston and told by May Byron ; hear "the thrilling adventures" of The Peek-a-Boo Twins, drawn by 0. Preston and told by Tom Preston (3s. 6d. net) ; or read of The Peek-a-Boos and Mr. Plopper, drawn by C. Preston and George Howard- Vyse (2s. 6d. net). These three books are published by Henry Frowde and Hodder and Stoughton.-From the same publishers we have Farmyard Puppies, by Cecil Aldin (1s. 6d. net), in his well-known manner ; also The Pretty Book of verses and coloured pictures, by Millicent and Githa Sower•by (Is. net), and Ellaine's Party (1s. net), an attractive little book with soft paper covers tied with ribbon, contained in a cardboard case. It is written by Georgette Agnew and illustrated by Lancelot Speed.-Nip and Flip, by Jack Goring (0. W. Daniel ; ls. net), tells in verse of various "make-believe" adventures.-Animal Happyiand contains pictures by Mr. Louis Wain and others, and verses and stories by A. W. Ridler (J. Clarke ; ls.).