SOME CHILDREN'S BOOKS OF VERSE.
Our Nursery Rhyme Book. (Herbert and Daniel. 55. net.)-The preface tells us that Lotty and Frank Littlewood, aged three and six respectively, chose their favourite rhymes for this book, and were, in fact, the editors. We congratulate them on their good taste, and we feel sure that other children will call this a " sensible" collection of verses, riddles, and games. Some of them are well known, while others, such as the lines beginning- "Three young rats with black felt bats," are an agreeable addition to our usual repertory. The book is prettily illustrated by H. C. Appleton.-A Child's Book of Verses, illustrated by J. W. Wilcox Smith (Chatto and Windas, 3s. 6d. net), is an anthology for older children, in which we find poems by Blake, Coleridge, Tennyson, and many other writers.-A Child's Day, by W. de in Mare, pictures by C. and W. Cadby (Constable and Co., 5s. net), is an attractive book, printed on grey paper, with black-and-white illustrations, whose soft outlines compare agree- ably with the striking colours we are accustomed to in picture books. Children will like the verses, in which everyday things are described with a pleasant touch of fancy.-Kensington Rhymes, by C. Mackenzie, illustrated by J. R. Monsell (M. Seeker, 6s. net), is a book of verses on such subjects as Our Square," "The Dancing Class," "My Sister at a Party," from the point of view of a lively little boy.-----" To Knowledge" might be added to the title of Roundabout Ways. Verses by F. Wolfe, pictures by P. A. Staynes (Sidgwick and Jackson, 3s. 13d) It is clever, but we are afraid that it is hardly spontaneous enough to please children very much.-Mind Your Own Buzsiness, illustrated by G. James (Siegle, Hill and Co. 2s. 6d. net), is also instructive, and tells the story of a beehive in simple verses.-Stuart's Twins, written and illustrated by May Mulliner (Bickers and Son, Is. Od. net), is an amusing jingle of absurd adventures.
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