This is a very special book. It was given to me by my Mother for my 8th birthday in 1962. She bought it at the Farmers Market on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. In 47 years it has never been far from me.The book is comprised of 85 Children's poems. "The Walrus and the Carpenter", "Who Has Seen the Wind", "The Animal Store", "The Land of Counterpane", "The Owl and the Pussycat", "Wynken, Blynken and Nod", they are all here.
And inside the front cover there is a little inscription from my Mom that says simply "To Robert." It appears that she never finished writing whatever it was she had planned to write. She was ill a good deal of the time and actually was in the hospital the morning of my birthday. I remember waking up that morning and going to the kitchen for breakfast. My Dad had left early to see her but there was a card and some presents for me on the table. I don't remember what else I got that day- but the book, with it's unfinished inscription from my Mom, was the one which I cherished the most.
I still return to its' pages now and again to read the innocent rhymes and be carried away by their cadence. And sometimes when I hold the book I am 8 years old again- lost in the magic of the poems.
Hi, Robert. I ran across this post today and it struck several chords in me. First, my mom was a children's librarian (now retired) and I have a great affinity for the profession. In fact, I have several children's book manuscripts in process.
ReplyDeleteSecond, we own a small family pet shop in Lincolnwood, IL that was named for the Rachel Field's poem — The Animal Store.
Finally, are you familiar with Esme Raji Codell and her wonderful children's book blog called The Planet Esme Plan? In addition to being a fabulous children's book writer herself, Esme has a personal collection of more than 10,000 volumes of children's books that she keeps in The Planet Esme Bookroom. She is in the process of getting her MLS even as we speak.
Loved your post and your treasured book of poems. I also just saw this same volume for sale in eBay.
I love this book - I still have my childhood copy, and I read it to my two children when they were little. I have the illustration for Moon Song tattooed on my left arm, and am likely to end up with Owl and the Pussycat on my right.
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