The Baby's Own Aesop

by Walter Crane, Edmund Evans (Illustrator)

Walter Crane (1845-1915) was an English artist. Born in Liverpool, he was part of the Arts and Crafts movement. He produced paintings, illustrations, children's books, ceramic tiles and other decorative arts. In 1862 his picture The Lady of Shalott was exhibited at the Royal Academy, but the Academy steadily refused his maturer work; and after the opening of the Grosvenor Gallery in 1877 he ceased to send pictures to Burlington House. In 1864 he began to illustrate a series of sixpenny toy-books of nursery rhymes in three colours for Edmund Evans. He was allowed more freedom in a series beginning with The Frog Prince (1874) which showed markedly the influence of Japanese art, and of a long visit to Italy following his marriage in 1871. From the early 1880s, Crane was closely associated with the Socialist movement. He provided the weekly cartoons for the Socialist Organs Justice, The Commonweal and The Clarion. One of his last major works would be his Lunettes at the Royal West of England Academy which were painted in 1913.

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Picture Books

88 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1887

About the author

Walter Crane was an English artist and book illustrator. He is considered, along with Randolph Caldecott and Kate Greenaway, one of the strongest contributors to the child's nursery motif that the genre of English children's illustrated literature would exhibit in its developmental stages in the latter 19th century.

His work featured some of the more colorful and detailed beginnings of the child-in-the-garden motifs that would characterize many nursery rhymes and children's stories for decades to come. He was part of the Arts and Crafts movement and produced an array of paintings, illustrations, children's books, ceramic tiles and other decorative arts. Crane is also remembered for his creation of a number of iconic images associated with the international Socialist movement.

Reviews

[Martyn]

Absolutely brilliant. I was really surprised. It's a charming book in itself, with all its attractive and colourful illustrations. But I was amazed at how well the fables could be summed up in such a succinct and yet powerful and engaging and interesting manner. They provide great food for thought and I am sure would make an excellent book for parents to read to their children, to discuss what the rhymes mean, to discuss what is going on in the pictures, and to explain the proverbs which the fables are illustrating.

[Janet]

I would love to have a high quality print version of this book, but I had to settle for reading it online at http://publicdomainreview.org/collect...

Walter Crane's illustration, layout, and hand lettering are amazing. The fables are condensed to limericks, most of which are pretty good, and there is a lot of humor throughout. Take a look - it is worth it.

[Ella Dijle]

After watching Pan's Labyrinth my flat mate gave me a huge pile of books to read, this was the first. And how beautiful the illustrations and how wonderful the words!

[K Morlando]

I definitely enjoyed these little rhymes. Also, the illustrations were beautifully done.

[Lisa]

An older book, published in the late 1800's/early 1900's, this story has rhymes and stories that have the moral written below them. Neat illustrations.

[Marianne]

Limerick Aesop remains my favorite Aesop 40 years later. Also I love Crane’s art style.

[Kathleen]

A very abridged version of the tales, but the morals still apply!

[Mckinley]

Great illustrations to accompany tales; even the text is written.

[Shivakukatla]

Excellent fables with Good morals at the end of each and exceptionally beautiful illustrations.