Wynken, Blynken, and Nod and Other Bedtime Rhymes

by Eugene Field (Contributor), Bob Petillo (Illustrator)

A collection of three of Field's story-poems, including "Wynken, Blynken, and Nod", "The Gingham Dog and the Calico Cat", and "The Sugar Plum Tree".

Genres: Poetry, Childrens, Picture Books, Fantasy, Fiction, Classics

44 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1992

Reviews

[Anne Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a collection of 3 very charming poems for children by Eugene Field. The 1st tells the story of 3 fishermen named Wynken, Blynken, and Nod who go sailing in a wooden shoe. Wynken, Blynken, and Nod are revealed to be the eyes and the head of a dreaming child and the shoe is the child's bed. The 2nd poem is an imaginative story about what happened to a gingham dog figure and calico cat figure when they disappeared from the table where they sat. Inanimate objects are personified and the author even tells us he heard the story of what happened from a Chinese plate. We learn that the cat and dog had a big fight and ate each other, although some people think they were stolen. The 3rd poem in this collection details how to get to the fruit of the very tall Sugarplum Tree by causing the gingerbread dog below the tree to bark at the chocolate cat in the tree who would then move and knock the candy down to you.

I loved this book and I think many others will too. The stories are enhanced by beautiful illustrations that really add to the fun and fantastical feeling of the stories. Even though the illustrations show the fantasy clearly, they are also interestingly realistic, which helps to bring the fantasy to life for the reader. The artist used real models for the people in the illustrations, including some family members, helping to give the stories more life. This book speaks to each child reader as if they are in the story. The book brings children into new and impossible worlds and encourages them to dream and use their imaginations. The book can be used to teach about language, rhymes, and art. Children can be inspired by the lovely lines of poetry and the beautiful images and the book can also be used to teach some new vocabulary they probably haven't come across before.

[Set · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a treasure to have, I found it in an thrift store by my house. The illustrations are darling and the rhymes are timeless classics. Also, if you were a fan of The Misadventures of FlapJack, you might enjoy The Sugarplum Tree nursery rhyme.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give this book six stars, I would. It’s one of my all time favorite reads, and I love being able to share it with my children. A beautiful bedtime story with gorgeous, awe inspiring illustrations, and whimsy stories. I would be devastated to ever lose this one from our library.

[Roger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I especially love Clare McKinley’s illustrations in this edition.

[Siskiyou-Suzy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not so impressed with Eugene Field's poetry. I mean, it's old, but I don't think it translates that well to today's time, and the subject matter isn't all that charming. This is basically all bedtime stuff. The only one I like is the calico cat and gingham dog. I love the idea that they vanished by eating each other. But that silly nonsense doesn't really extend to the other poems.

Fern Bisel's Peats' illustrations are nice, old-fashioned, and sometimes a little strange.

[K. Axel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a beautiful little book that contains three small poems within. It is perfect for children age 6-10. There are some difficult words that may be hard for them to read, but the poems rhyme and then there are the beautiful pictures.

[R.L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations are amazing in this book. The story Wynken, Blynken, and Nod I do not remember from my childhood. I discovered it when my children were little and I played Joanie Bartle's "Lullaby Magic" tape for them.

[R.L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A slightly old-fashioned picture book full of nursery rhymes that my grandchild loves.