Product Description

This classic dictionary brings together over 500 nursery rhymes, songs, nonsense jingles, lullabies, and rhyming alphabets traditionally handed on to young children. All the items have been arranged alphabetically, from `A was an apple-pie' to `Yankee Doodle came to town' and include such favourites as `A frog he would a-wooing go', `Baa, baa, black sheep', `Dance to your daddy', `Jack and Jill', and `Old Mother Hubbard'. With each item comes a unique set of historical and bibliographical notes that record the earliest known publication of each piece, describe the circumstances of its origin, illustrate changes in wording over time, and indicate variations and parallels in other languages. In a detailed and fascinating introduction, the editors describe the different types of rhyme, the earliest published collections, theories of origins, and such questions as whether or not individual rhymes originally portrayed real people and who was Mother Goose. Complementing the rhymes are nearly a hundred illustrations, including reproductions of early appearances in ballad sheets and music books, which show the development of nursery rhyme illustrations over the last two centuries. For this revised edition, the notes have been updated and extended in the light of recent scholarship, providing an unrivalled wealth of literary and bibliographical information. There is also a new essay on the singing tradition of nursery rhymes by Cecily Raysor Hancock, making The Oxford Dictionary of Nursery Rhymes an indispensable source of reference for scholars and book collectors, and a volume to be treasured by parents and children alike. 'No reader's imagination could fail to be enriched by this book' - Sunday Times 'The classic on the subject' - Daily Telegraph

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #44344 in Books
• Published on: 1997-10-30
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 559 pages

About the Author
Iona Opie is a leading authority on children's lore and literature. With her late husband, Peter, she wrote the pioneering study of children's culture, The Lore and Language of Schoolchildren, followed by its companions Children's Games in Street and Playground and The Singing Game. The Opies have also edited The Oxford Nursery Rhyme Book, and The Classic Fairy Tales.

Customer Reviews

Interesting and weird
This book was very informative and was really interesting when describing where all the nursery rhymes originated and how some got changed over time . well worth the money and to those who enjoy poetry a must buy.

Excellent book - for research or pleasure.
I bought this book originally for my brother who was interested in the origin of nursery rhymes, but ended up buying another copy for myself! Well set out, clear type, and an explanation for every nursery rhyme you are ever likely to hear. Very interesting and informative - for all ages.

A must have compendium
I had this book as a child and absolutely adored it. Nursery rhyme books with pretty pictures are two a penny, but this is something else. In here, as well as the standard classics are hundreds of lesser known poems to keep any young child amused and occupied for hours on end. I had my copy stolen from me and was over the moon when I found this edition - not only does it contain many rhymes that brought back childhood memories, it is a vital piece in keeping them alive where they might otherwise be lost, forgotten or rewritten in the name of Political Correctness. I can't wait for my children to be old enough to discover it for themselves.

If you want a flimsy collection of illustrations, buy something else. If, like me, you delight in traditional children's rhyme, your collection won't be complete without this.