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When We Were Very Young
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Table of Contents
About The Book
Before there was Winnie-the-Pooh, there was Mr. Edward Bear, a rotund teddy bear who was proud of his stature. Meet him and many other lovable characters in this verse collection that launched A. A. Milne’s career as a children’s author and led to the creation of his novels about Winnie-the-Pooh and Christopher Robin.
Full of whimsy, humor, and imagination, these children’s poems tell of visits to the zoo and Buckingham Palace, the romance between Little Bo Peep and Little Boy Blue, the shenanigans of peculiar characters, quiet afternoons in nature, and more.
Excerpt
Down by the corner of the street,
Where the three roads meet,
And the feet
Of the people as they pass go “Tweet-tweet-tweet—”
Who comes tripping round the corner of the street?
One pair of shoes which are Nurse’s;
One pair of slippers which are Percy’s…
Tweet! Tweet! Tweet!
Buckingham Palace
They’re changing guard at Buckingham Palace—
Christopher Robin went down with Alice.
Alice is marrying one of the guard.
“A soldier’s life is terrible hard,”
Says Alice.
They’re changing guard at Buckingham Palace—
Christopher Robin went down with Alice.
We saw a guard in a sentry box.
“One of the sergeants looks after their socks,”
Says Alice.
They’re changing guard at Buckingham Palace—
Christopher Robin went down with Alice.
We looked for the king, but he never came.
“Well, God take care of him, all the same,”
Says Alice.
They’re changing guard at Buckingham Palace—
Christopher Robin went down with Alice.
They’ve great big parties inside the grounds.
“I wouldn’t be king for a hundred pounds,”
Says Alice.
They’re changing guard at Buckingham Palace—
Christopher Robin went down with Alice.
A face looked out, but it wasn’t the king’s.
“He’s much too busy a-signing things,”
Says Alice.
They’re changing guard at Buckingham Palace—
Christopher Robin went down with Alice.
“Do you think the king knows all about me?”
“Sure to, dear, but it’s time for tea,”
Says Alice.
Happiness
John had
Great big
Waterproof
Boots on;
John had a
Great big
Waterproof
Hat;
John had a
Great big
Waterproof
Mackintosh*—
And that
(Said John)
Is
That.
* Raincoat
About The Illustrator
Ernest Shepard (1879–1976) was an English painter and book illustrator. Encouraged by his parents to pursue art, he attended the Royal Academy Schools and began his career illustrating for Punch magazine. During the First World War, he aided the Intelligence Department by sketching combat areas, and he was later awarded the Military Cross for his service with the Royal Artillery. In addition to his work as an artist, Shepard wrote two autobiographies and two novels for children. He is best remembered for his anthropomorphic animal illustrations in The Wind and the Willows and the Winnie-the-Pooh series.
Product Details
- Publisher: Aladdin (August 6, 2024)
- Length: 128 pages
- ISBN13: 9781665947732
- Grades: 1 and up
- Ages: 6 - 99
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- Book Cover Image (jpg): When We Were Very Young Trade Paperback 9781665947732