Baby's Opera (HC): A book of old rhymes with new dresses (Applewood Books)

This wonderful collection of nursery rhymes was originally published in 1914 by McLoughlin Brothers of New York. Lavishly illustrated with more than 50 color drawings by Walter Crane, the most prolific and influential children's book creator of his generation, the book includes the words and musical scores for thirty-six favorites, among them "Little Jack Horner," "Ye Song of Sixpence," and "Hush-a-by Baby." The combination of the simple and musical rhymes with the colorful illustrations is sure to delight both little children and their parents. Nursery rhymes often had their origin in Britain or France and reflected events in history, parodying royal and political events of the day. While some rhymes, like "The Mulberry Bush" and "Oranges and Lemons" were simple children's games, others were more pointed. "Three Blind Mice" was originally about King Henry the VIII's daughter, the Catholic Queen Mary who persecuted Protestants, and it is said that "Jack and Jill" referenced France's King Louis XVI and his Queen, Marie Antoinette.

Walter Crane (1845-1915) was one of the most popular English illustrators of children's books in the late nineteenth century. He was one of the first book artists to experiment with color in picture books.