Mother Goose – The Old Nursery Rhymes is a collection of fairy tales and nursery rhymes, penned by the legendary (and only some claim imaginary), ‘Mother Goose.’ They have inspired many folklorists and illustrators (including Arthur Rackham, Jessie Willcox-Smith and Jennie Harbour) – as well as countless generations of children and parents. Harbour’s Mother Goose was originally published in 1900, to instant critical acclaim.Jennie Harbour (1893 – 1950) was an immensely talented and popular illustrator. Despite this, very little is known about her life. She managed to capture the public’s imagination with her delicate and ethereal illustrations. They most commonly featured subtle yet bold washes of colour, with few of the thick black outlines so common in other illustrations of the day. Vibrant colours and Art Deco patterns full of energy and emotion characterise Harbour’s work. The illustrations are presented in conjunction with the Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes – both aspects further refining and elucidating the other.Pook Press celebrates the great ‘Golden Age of Illustration‘ in children’s literature – a period of unparalleled excellence in book illustration from the 1880s to the 1930s. Our collection showcases classic fairy tales, children’s stories, and the work of some of the most celebrated artists, illustrators and authors.
