The Nursery “Alice”

6C Text by Lewis Carroll adapted to nursery rhymes. Illustrations from Tenniel’s Illustrations. Cover by Gertrude Thomson. London: Macmillan and Co., 1890.

Notes

The Nursery "Alice" is a version of Lewis Carroll's famous Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, adapted for younger children and first published in 1890. The book was reimagined by Carroll with simple, rhythmic language and accompanied by delightful illustrations by renowned artist John Tenniel. In this adaptation, the complex narrative and wordplay of the original were modified to suit the needs of a younger audience, focusing more on nursery rhyme structures and playful, accessible language. The stories were condensed and transformed into a format that would appeal to small children, while still retaining the whimsical spirit and imaginative quality of the original.

The nursery rhyme adaptation was also notable for its visual elements. Tenniel’s illustrations, originally created for the full version of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, were adapted with new, colorful drawings tailored to this simplified version. These illustrations, along with the rhyme-like language, helped to introduce the world of Wonderland to an even younger generation. The Nursery "Alice" is considered a charming, early introduction to the fantastical world that Carroll created, making it one of the many ways in which his iconic story has been reinterpreted and loved across different ages and generations.

Description 

Pictorial boards with white canvas spine. Beautiful colored illustrations throughout. Some staining to the boards and bumping to the corners. Some separating of the spine but remains fully intact. Very good condition overall.