Original Poems for Infant Minds

work by Ann and Jane Taylor

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July 1, 2026

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Original Poems for Infant Minds, published in 1804 by Ann and Jane Taylor, is a collection of poems for young children. While many children's works from this era were didactic, the Taylor sisters' poems struck a new note of sweetness and humor, avoiding a preachy tone.1

One of their most famous poems, "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star," was included in their 1806 collection Rhymes for the Nursery and has been beloved by generations of children. These poems represent a shift towards more engaging and less strictly moralistic content in children's literature.21

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children’s literature
From T.W. to Alice (1712?–1865)
…century was not Blake but Original Poems for Infant Minds (1804), by “Several Young Persons,” including Ann and Jane Taylor. The Taylor sisters, though adequately moral, struck a new note of sweetness, of humor, at any rate of nonpriggishness. Their “Twinkle, twinkle, little star,” included in Rhymes for the Nursery…
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…century was not Blake but Original Poems for Infant Minds (1804), by “Several Young Persons,” including Ann and Jane Taylor. The Taylor sisters, though adequately moral, struck a new note of sweetness, of humor, at any rate of nonpriggishness. Their “Twinkle, twinkle, little star,” included in Rhymes for the Nursery…
Read More