LAVENDER'S BLUE: A Book of Nursery Rhymes

While nothing could dislodge the new DeAngeli from first place in my heart this English import has a distinctive place of its own. There's definitely a nostalgic quality, a recall of Kate Greenaway and Caldecott in the quaintly mannered, pastel-tinted Illustrations. The text includes more than standard nursery rhymes; the versions of the old favorites are not always according to orthodox acceptance, but the claim to special notice lies in the inclusion of much that is unusual in such things as cradle rhythm games (with action described -- as in This little pig went to market, etc.); counting rhymes; alphabet rhymes; riddles; and such classics -- hard to find- as On the first day of Christmas and so on. There's a decorative quality and a kind of humor in most of the pictures. Definitely carriage trade snob appeal.