Published by the Platt & Munk Company in New York, the classic children’s collection Nursery Tales Children Love brings together a cherished selection of timeless stories, beautifully presented by editor Watty Piper and adorned with the delightful illustrations of Eulalie. The book first appeared in 1925, and a 1933 second edition became particularly well-known, its large, folio-sized format making it an impressive and inviting volume for young readers. By 1955, the work had reached its seventeenth printing, a testament to its enduring popularity.
The heart of the book lies in its curated contents, which gather a beloved group of classic tales that have been read to generations of children. Within its pages, readers will find “The Little Red Hen and the Grain of Wheat,” “The Tale of Peter Rabbit,” “The Three Little Pigs,” “The Story of Little Black Sambo,” “The Gingerbread Boy,” “Chicken Little,” and “The Three Little Kittens”. These narratives, with their memorable characters and simple moral lessons, perfectly embody the kind of foundational storytelling that defines a childhood.
The visual experience of the book is equally significant, thanks to the substantial artistic contribution of Eulalie. The illustrator, also known as Eulalie Minfred Banks, provides a lavish array of artwork that includes a color frontispiece, numerous full-page color plates, and extensive line drawings throughout the text . Her work, which fills the book’s large pages, is credited with bringing the stories to life with charm and vibrancy. The book’s design is completed by a striking blue cloth cover, often featuring a large, full-color pastedown illustration that immediately captures the imagination.
