Edward Lear

Age 3+. Brilliant rhythmic nonsense from Edward Lear with superb illustrations by Helen Oxenbury.

Edward Lear, the 20th child of a London stockbroker, entered the household of Lord Stanley as little more than a servant, but his sense of humour soon made him welcome above stairs and he began to amuse the children with comic drawings and rhymes. This book was first published in 1846.

Owl sets out to woo Pussycat in a boat laden with fruit from their Caribbean island and with a guitar at his side, ready for serenading. As they sail off across the sea, another story unfolds in the water beneath the boat. One by one, exotic sea creatures swim into the picture and a small yellow fish seems to be looking for someone. Jan Brett brings the magic of the Caribbean to her exquisitely detailed illustrations of Edward Lear's charming poem.

"'How pleasant to know Mr. Lear '⁠Who has written such volumes of stuff Some think him ill-tempered and queer, ⁠But a few think him pleasant enough." -Edward Lear (1887)The Book of Nonsense (1887) by Edward Lear is a collection of 109 limericks that are considered among the immortal classics of English literature. These nonsense rhymes which were both written and illustrated by Edward Lear are uniquely inspired by whimsical creatures-both human and animal-and are as quirky and fun as they are rich in character. Although often classified as children's literature, they are universally enjoyed by adults as well.

"I wish I were an egg and was going to be hatched." -Edward Lear Illustrations of the Family of Psittaidae, or Parrots (1832) consists of 42 lithographs that were produced by Edward Lear at the London Zoo beginning when Lear was only 18 years old. By the age of 20 he was able to publish the entire collection. It is considered among Lear's greatest because he created it before he started to lose his sight. Thanks to this new jacketed hard cover edition, which is being released in full color, readers will have access to a unique replica of Lear's unparalleled art.Art lovers and naturalists, especially birdwatchers, will be enchanted.