Yours Till Niagara Falls: A Book of Autograph Verses

by Lillian Morrison, Sylvie Wickstrom (Illustrator)

An illustrated collection of funny, sentimental, insulting, and witty verses traditionally used for signing autograph books.

Genres: Poetry, Humor, Nonfiction, Romance

183 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1959

About the author

Lillian Morrison's interest in poetry resulting from playing rhyming games with her friends such as jump rope and patty cake. As an adult, she wanted to make poetry fun and accessible for children. In her quest to become a writer, she earned one of her bachelor's degrees at Rutgers University in New Jersey and then another at Columbia University in New York.

She worked for many years at the New York Public Library in young adult services and was recognized as the recipient of the American Library Association's Grolier Award in 1987 for her contributions to stimulating the interests of young people through reading. She was particularly interested in folk rhymes, outdoor sports, dance, jazz and film, saying, "I love rhythms, the body movement implicit in poetry, explicit in sports--I am drawn to athletes, dancers, drummers, jazz musicians, who transcend misery and frustration and symbolize for us something joyous, ordered, and possible in life."

She spent nearly fifty years working at the New York Public Library and, during this time, also served as a lecturer at the schools where she developed her education, Rutgers and Columbia Universities.

Reviews

[Joanne G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The poems amused me as a child and stayed with me as an adult. I can remember reciting this one to myself when paying bills during the lean years:

Poor little Ida
Sitting on a fence.
Trying to make a dollar
Out of 99 cents.

I know my children heard me quote:

You love yourself, you think you're grand.
You go to the movies and hold your hand.
You put your arm around your waist
And when you get fresh, you slap your face.

It's not Shakespeare, but if you had me sign your yearbook back then (or autograph book--remember those?), you might have gotten something from this book.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always wished people would write more elaborate sayings in my elementary school yearbooks. I would use this book for all sorts of nerdy stuff, and then they'd write "your really sweet."

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another gem from my childhood, borrowed from my sister. Loved reading these little poems! So much fun. So much entertaiment.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have such fond memories of this book. Thinking about it always puts a smile on my face.

[Robynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite childhood books. Autograph books were a popular thing when I was young and I wore this little book out.

[Carol Landers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this book so much. It was given to me as a little girl and it's luckily survived all the changes that have happened in my life. It's cute and quirky and I'd recommend it to anyone!

[Stacy · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you are a person who still uses autograph books or are at an age where you still get yearbooks this might be a book you'd like to look at. Some of the rhymes and verses may sound funny or rude, but others are fun. If nothing else it's a neat look at what people used to write in autograph books.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book. Too bad I've never ONCE used any of the lovely verses in yearbooks despite the many I have accumulated over the years.

[Marcia]

Used to love this book in elementary school

[Lori Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book so much! I read it in 5th grade and checked it out from the library many, many times that year! I remember it being witty and funny and a quick, enjoyable read.

[Stacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was at my elementary school, I remember it being yellow and where it would be found. I loved this book & borrowed it often. I wish I could have kept it, but surprised that 40 years later I can remember it so well.