This collection seems to have all the old classical nursery rhymes that my mother used to recite. At some stage she had taken elocution lessons and I think they must have had her reciting these rhymes. But maybe much of it came from her dad (Ted Cole) who was a font of old English stories. I was quite convinced that the illustrations in this book were made by Kate Greenaway but have belatedly realised that they are all by Blanche Fischer Wright who was an American illustrator, active around 1910. This is probably her most famous work. And it is brilliant. I just love the illustrations: all hard inked outlines with watercolour wash added. But they are kind of classic in their rendition of the characters. I guess I must have been exposed to these pictures or some versions of them when I was very young because, for me, the rhymes and the illustrations just fit together and one of the rhymes engenders a picture in my mind....somewhat like the illustrations. Movement is a bit rigid in most of the pictures and the kids are generally far too neat and tidy ....but I guess it was idealising the situation for kids in the Edwardian era. (Interestingly, I equate the illustrations with England .....because that's where most of the rhymes seem to be related.....but Blanche, was American. So I guess these illustrations have also seeped into the psychology of Americans too). Bottom line is that I like it both for the rhymes ....and it's a huge collection ......and for the illustrations. Happy to give it five stars. ( )