
An Alphabet of Old Friends
by Walter Crane
- First published
- 1874
- Reading level
- Easy
- Price
- Free
About the book
"An Alphabet of Old Friends" by Walter Crane is a charming collection of children's verses and rhymes written in the late 19th century. This book serves as an engaging introduction to traditional nursery rhymes, exploring a delightful assortment of whimsical characters and scenarios. Its primary aim is to entertain and educate young readers through rhythm and rhyme. The content of the book is structured as an alphabet, where each letter corresponds to a different story or rhyme featuring beloved classic characters. For instance, the letters present memorable figures such as the "carrion crow," "Black Sheep," and "Little Bo-peep," alongside various cheerful narratives and moral lessons. Through this playful collection, readers encounter a delightful blend of imagination and storytelling, making it not just a literary exploration but also a joyful reading experience for children and their families. The rhymes are both fun and easy to remember, fostering a sense of nostalgia while introducing new generations to the charm of classic children's literature.
- Children's poetry
- Nursery rhymes
- Alphabet
Updated September 2026. Public domain in the USA. Text and summary from Project Gutenberg eBook #17282.
More free books by Walter Crane
About Walter CraneLine and Form (1900)
The Baby's Own Aesop
The Bases of Design
William Morris to Whistler
The Baby's Opera
Of the Decorative Illustration of Books Old and New
The Baby's Bouquet
Ideals in Art
The Frog Prince and Other Stories
India Impressions, With some notes of Ceylon during a winter tour, 1906-7.
A Flower Wedding
Walter Crane's Painting Book











