The Oxford Book of Children's Verse

by Iona Opie (Editor), Peter Opie (Editor)

A chronologically arranged anthology of 332 selections spanning five hundred years of American and British poetry, from Chaucer to Ogden Nash. Includes source and biographical notes.

Genres: Poetry, Childrens, Fiction, Classics

440 pages, Hardcover

First published May 17, 1973

About the author

Iona Margaret Balfour Archibald was born in Colchester, Essex, England. She was a researcher and writer on folklore and children's street culture. She is considered an authority on children's rhymes, street and playground games and the Mother Goose tradition. She was elected a Fellow of the British Academy (FBA) in 1998 and was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1999.

The couple met during World War II and married on 2 September 1943. The couple worked together closely, from their home near Farnham, Surrey, conducting primary fieldwork, library research, and interviews of thousands of children. In pursuing the folklore of contemporary childhood they directly recorded rhymes and games in real time as they were being sung, chanted, or played. Working from their home in Alton, Hampshire they collaborated on several celebrated books and produced over 30 works. The couple were jointly awarded the Coote Lake Medal in 1960. The medal is awarded by The Folklore Society "for outstanding research and scholarship".

Speaking in 2010, Iona speaks of working with her husband as being "like two of us in a very small boat and each had an oar and we were trying to row across the Atlantic." and that "[W]e would never discuss ideas verbally except very late at night."

Iona Opie died in 2017.

Reviews

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good example of a book that is both of scholarly interest as well as of interest to children. The Opies have collected children's poetry from the past few centuries and arranged them in rough chronological order. Excellent introduction (for the scholar) as well as the inclusion of the best in children's verse--a great reference book and one to read snippets of to your children along the way.

[Will Lyons · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thorough and comprehensive collection of children’s prose, arranged by the century, with title illustrations to introduce each period. Well arranged by order of publishing, with a thorough notes section at the back to educate on each poet and their background, as well as speculation on the anonymous verses. Overall, a brilliant compendium of nursery rhymes and instructional and devotional verse, dominated by British contributions, but with a few American poems too. The female contributions are largely limited (though not in number) to the 19th and 20th centuries.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Mum has found this for me at her house today .. It is my copy which would have been a childhood gift, but I obviously left it behind .. I remember reading it way back when, and a quick flick through today has brought some lovely prose back to me. No doubt I will dip into this time and again over the coming years ..

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gift from my uncle Xmas 1979.

[Helen Jervis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely book. A gift from my Mum when I was a child. I just love the smell if this old book as well. Full of classic children's poetry. Lovely.

[Francisco Becerra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magnificent. A wondrous collection of shining stars from all times that illuminates the inner child.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Edward Lear stands out.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful.