Old French Nursery Songs (1915), compiled by Horace Mansion and illustrated by Anne Anderson, is a delightful treasury of traditional French children’s rhymes and songs brought to life through one of the Edwardian era’s most beloved illustrators. Published in London by George G. Harrap & Co., London, 1915. This charming volume showcases Anderson’s distinctive artistic style through a series of delicate watercolor paintings that perfectly capture the innocence and playfulness of childhood. Each song—from the familiar “Au Clair de la Lune” to lesser-known regional rhymes—is accompanied by Anderson’s exquisite illustrations featuring rosy-cheeked children in authentic provincial costumes, idyllic countryside settings, and whimsical anthropomorphic animals. The artist’s mastery of floral borders and decorative elements frames each composition with an Art Nouveau sensibility, while her soft, muted palette evokes the gentle nostalgia of pre-war Europe. The book’s production reflects the high standards of early 20th-century children’s publishing, with quality paper stock, careful color reproduction, and Anderson’s illustrations thoughtfully integrated with the musical notation and bilingual French-English texts.
About Anne Anderson (1874-1930):
This Scottish illustrator became one of Britain’s most prolific children’s artists during the golden age of gift books. Trained at Glasgow School of Art, Anderson developed a signature style blending Art Nouveau elegance with a warm, approachable charm. Her career flourished through collaborations with publishers like George G. Harrap and Raphael Tuck, producing illustrations for over 100 children’s books, postcards, and calendars. Unlike her contemporaries who often depicted idealized children, Anderson’s work celebrated real childhood moments—messy, playful, and authentic. Her illustrations for this 1915 songbook demonstrate her particular genius for capturing movement and music through visual art, with dancing figures and singing children that seem to leap off the page. Beyond nursery rhymes, Anderson’s legacy includes her popular “Painted Nursery Rhymes” series and enduring Christmas card designs that remain collectible today.
For readers who enjoy this book, these similar works may appeal:
- The Big Book of Fairy Tales (1910s) – Edited by Walter Jerrold, illustrated by Charles Robinson
A beautifully compiled collection of Fairy Tales with elegant Art Nouveau illustrations, ideal for readers who appreciate classic children’s literature. - The Water-Babies (1915 edition) by Charles Kingsley with illustrations by Jessie Willcox Smith offers another beautiful example of early 20th century children’s book art
- Fairy Tales from Hans Christian Andersen (1914) illustrated by Edmund Dulac presents more lavish Art Nouveau interpretations of classic stories
Art Gallery: Anne Anderson – Old French Nursery Songs 1917
