Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Favorite Poems

Favorite Poems
by Eugene Field with illustrations by Malthe Hasselriis/ published 1940 by Grosset & Dunlap


Winding down to the last week staying with my Mom (she's very much on the mend by the way and thank you), and I'm desperately trying to find time to get to writing posts for all her books. (And desperately trying NOT to think about all my favorite local-vintage-book-hot-spots back home that have been pillaged in my absence.)

Favorite Poems has Mom's signature in pencil in the front cover, and the drawings within are beyond awesome. This is the illustration for Wynken, Blynken and Nod (a personal childhood fave), but the poem that is truly not to be missed is "Seein' Things" and it begins as follows...

I ain't afraid of snakes, or toads, or bugs, or worms, or mice,
An' things 'at girls are skeered uv I think are awful nice!
I'm pretty brave, I guess; an' yet I hate to go to bed,
For, when I'm tucked up warm an' snug an' when my prayers are said,
Mother tells me "Happy dreams!" and takes away the light,
An' leaves me lyin' all alone an' seein' things at night!


I would have posted the drawing from this one as well as the remainder of the copy, but that would spoil the fun. (Really... the picture of the menacing bedside spooks is classic!) These poems are timelessly fun, but definitely of a time... as my son likes to say, "Sounds like a great combo."

Also by:
The Gingham Dog and the Calico Cat
Wynken, Blynken and Nod

3 comments:

daysease said...

sounds like a fun one!

Anonymous said...

I have two beaten copies found over the years... my favorite book of all - still after 55 years. It is why I love poetry.
Includes the beautiful poem about the death of his young son. I wish I had a dozen copies to give to firends who are grandparents.

Anonymous said...

I have been looking through children's books of poems at the used book stores for this particular one. My husband was not familiar with it and I am amazed to find it after fifty some years of searching... Where could I possibly purchase a copy? Thank you so much for posting this.

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