The Buckle My Shoe Picture Book   By: Walter Crane (1845-1915)

Containing:

ONE, TWO, BUCKLE MY SHOE A GAPING WIDE MOUTH WADDLING FROG MY MOTHER.

With the original coloured pictures and a preface & new designs by WALTER CRANE

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London: John Lane The Bodley Head

New York: John Lane Company

CONTENTS

PREFACE

ONE, TWO, BUCKLE MY SHOE

A GAPING WIDE MOUTH WADDLING FROG

MY MOTHER

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PREFACE

Well, I must buckle to, and put a good face (pre face) on the matter as I have to introduce the latest addition to the already considerable family of Crane reprints.

Here we have those delightful rigmaroles "ONE, TWO, BUCKLE MY SHOE" and "A GAPING WIDE Mouth WADDLING FROG": but what, it may be asked is "MY MOTHER" doing in such company? I shrewdly suspect, if we knew the truth, that she is really the author of both. It is probable, however, that both legends have been transmitted through a long line of mothers, assisted perhaps, by nurses, but I had them direct from my Mother.

A pleasing romance of domestic incident runs through "One, Two, Buckle my shoe", while the "Waddling Frog" shows a rich and sumptuous imagination, if a little inconsequent, except numerically; but if he sets us agape with astonishment, his own "Wide Mouth" seems capacious enough to swallow all the marvels by land or sea which he enumerates.

These two are quite early Cranes almost pre historic (please notice, however, the up to date additions): "My Mother" is mid Victorian just after crinolines had gone out but mothers are always in fashion, bless them, and you also, dear children, whether of the old or the new world, who, having chosen your parents wisely, have become possessors of this book, may your shoes never want buckling, and if by any mischance you should lose one, may Good Luck always find a spare one for you, and so set you on your feet again.

Walter Crane

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Kensington, June 1910.

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[Illustration: 1, 2. 3, 4.]

One Two, Buckle my shoe.

Three, Four, Open the door.

[Illustration: 5, 6. 7, 8.]

Five, Six, Pick up sticks.

Seven, Eight, Lay them straight.

[Illustration: 9, 10.]

Nine, Ten, A good fat Hen.

[Illustration: 11, 12.]

Eleven, Twelve, Ring the Bell.

[Illustration: 13, 14.]

Thirteen, Fourteen, Maids are courting.

[Illustration: 15, 16.]

Fifteen, Sixteen, Maids in the Kitchen.

[Illustration: 17, 18.]

Seventeen, Eighteen, Maids in waiting.

[Illustration: 19, 20.]

Nineteen, Twenty, My plate is empty.

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A gaping wide mouth waddling frog, Two puddings' ends would choke a dog, Or a gaping wide mouth waddling frog.

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Three monkeys tied to a log, Two puddings' ends, would choke a dog, Or a gaping, wide mouthed, waddling frog.

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Four puppies with our dog Ball, Who daily for their breakfast call. Three monkeys tied to a log. Two puddings' ends, would choke a dog, Or a gaping, wide mouthed, waddling frog.

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Five beetles against the wall, Close to an old woman's apple stall. Four puppies with our dog Ball, Who daily for their breakfast call. Three monkeys tied to a log. Two puddings' ends, would choke a dog, Or a gaping, wide mouthed, waddling frog.

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Six Joiners in Joiners' Hall, Working with their tools and all. Five beetles against the wall, Close to an old woman's apple stall. Four puppies with our dog Ball, Who daily for their breakfast call. Three monkeys tied to a log. Two puddings' ends, would choke a dog, Or a gaping, wide mouthed, waddling frog.

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