Rhymes for the Nursery

work by Ann and Jane Taylor

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July 13, 2026

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"Rhymes for the Nursery" is a collection of poems by Ann and Jane Taylor, first published in 1806. It is a significant work in the history of children's literature, known for its sweet, humorous, and non-priggish tone. The collection includes the widely recognized poem "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star," which has been a favorite among children for generations. The Taylor sisters' work contributed to a shift towards more engaging and less strictly didactic literature for young audiences, moving away from the purely instructional style that had previously dominated.12

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children’s literature
From T.W. to Alice (1712?–1865)
…twinkle, little star,” included in Rhymes for the Nursery (1806), has not only been memorized but actually liked by many generations of small children. No longer read, but in its way similarly revolutionary, was The Butterfly’s Ball and the Grasshopper’s Feast (1807), by William Roscoe, a learned member of Parliament…
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…twinkle, little star,” included in Rhymes for the Nursery (1806), has not only been memorized but actually liked by many generations of small children. No longer read, but in its way similarly revolutionary, was The Butterfly’s Ball and the Grasshopper’s Feast (1807), by William Roscoe, a learned member of Parliament…
Read More