Cautionary Tales for Children

By Hilaire Belloc, B T B 1870-1917, B T B, et al.

Book Overview

Hilaire Belloc's "Cautionary Tales for Children" offers a delightful collection of humorous verse designed to entertain and subtly instruct. These classic poems, focusing on the conduct of life, present memorable, if slightly morbid, lessons through cautionary tales. Children and adults alike will revel in Belloc's witty and whimsical style. Each poem delivers a moral message wrapped in playful language and unforgettable scenarios.

A staple of children's literature, "Cautionary Tales" provides a timeless glimpse into Edwardian sensibilities, packaged with enduring charm. Perfect for anyone who enjoys humorous stories and clever verse, this edition preserves the original text for readers to discover (or rediscover) its unique blend of dark humor and lighthearted lessons. A cherished example of juvenile fiction and classic poetry.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1023183110
• ISBN13: 9781023183116
• Release Date: March 2025
• Publisher: Anson Street Press
• Length: 58 Pages
• Weight: 0.21 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Revisiting CAutionary Tales

This was one of the loved books of my childhood in the original edition, of course. I hadn't seen it for a very long time and was anxious to haev a copy for my younger grandchildren. Though old people can enjoy it as well. Now plesed to have it on my own shelves

Dark humor and delightful drawings

I got this to read to my nephews, and it did not disappoint when the time came to pick a story to read. I highly recommend this and the Gashlycrumb Tinies to anyone with children or nephews....

What you do comes back

I just gave this to a friends' one year old for her birthday. In the inscription I wrote that she ought to read and learn, as whatever she does in life will come back to haunt her. My friend thought the book hysterical. Her husband thinks we're both odd...

Completing the Edward Gorey library

JIM, who ran away from his nurse and was eaten by a lion. It's small wonder that Edward Gorey chose to illustrate Belloc's verses, written nearly a century ago - in fact, they were such a clear and strong influence on his work, it's hard to believe he didn't write them himself. 'Cautionary Tales' is a literary work that was years ahead of its time, parodying the overtly-strict educational children's verses of the time with tales of children whose punishment is wholly disproportioned to their crime. Gorey's illustrations, published only after his death in 2000, complete the ghoulish verses with his trademark naïve and refined black and white crosshatching. Already in his seventies, Gorey has lost none of his charm and style and these illustrations are as nasty and sarcastic as anything he's done, perfectly complimenting the ironic text. 'Cautionary Tales' is the first work of Gorey's published after his death, and it's a perfect conclusion to his illustrious career, and one of his finest works. It's an essential to any fan of this great artist.