pothe meaning Four and Twenty Blackbirds by Helen Dean Fish

pothe meaning Four and Twenty Blackbirds by Helen Dean FishSing a song of sixpence, a bag full of rye; Four and twenty blackbirds baked in a pie {HISTORY} Capturing folk songs on the verge of extinction, Helen Dean Fish's Four and Twenty Blackbirds is a children's book about nursery rhymes steeped in 18th and 19th century literature. First published in 1937, this rare, now hard find book, contains 24 story rhymes, that can be sung as well as read encouraging both children and adults to escape into the magical

Sing a song of sixpence, a bag full of rye; Four-and-twenty blackbirds baked in a pie...

{HISTORY}

Capturing folk songs on the verge of extinction, Helen Dean Fish's Four and Twenty Blackbirds is a children's book about nursery rhymes steeped in 18th and 19th-century literature. First published in 1937, this rare, now-hard-find book, contains 24 story rhymes, that can be sung as well as read encouraging both children and adults to escape into the magical world of make-believe where animals take center stage.

Helen came to write this book because she found it difficult to find a complete volume already printed of such creative storytelling through rhyme. Fascinated by these colorful vignettes passed down through generations, she realized they were almost as obscure in attribution as regional folk music tended to be. Afraid they might become lost forever, she compiled this word-of-mouth-treasury, simply so that it could be recorded for all to enjoy no matter the decade or the century.

Gorgeously illustrated by award-winning writer and illustrator Robert Lawson (1892-1957), the combination of Helen's collection of nursery rhymes and Robert's illustrations is stunning. The winner of a Caldecott award in 1938, this gorgeous reprint edition published in 1965 retains all the original character of the debut version printed 30 years before. 

Featuring rhymes by Mother Goose, and others of English, Irish and Appalachian origin this collection includes unique themes that involve love, bravery, loyalty, death,  intelligence, and morality. 

A note to parents: Based on the origin of many of these rhymes some images and verses may be disturbing to modern-day children. In context everything works together, but there there are situations where animals perish and illustrations which might now be triggering including a cat loading a gun, a dead goose and a snake swimming after a frog. Having said that, anyone who collects books for their artistic merit alone will be enthralled with Robert's artwork. 

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

- 1965 reprint of 1937 original

- 104 pages

- Decorated coverboards and endpapers

- Illustrated throughout by Robert Lawson

- Ex-library edition 

{CONDITION}

In lovely vintage condition. Pages are clean and bright. The spine is tight and pages are intact. Please note: This is an ex-library copy, so there a re affew various library stamps and markings in the book including a paper pocket in back. 

{SIZE}

Measures 10.25" inches (length) x 7.85" inches (width) x .5" inches (thickness) and weighs 1.3lbs