A Frog He Would A-wooing Go, Page 20.

Category

Library Item

Item no

40198

Title

A Frog he would a-wooing go, page 20.

Description

A line illustration of the cat pouncing over the table aiming for the rat, who has his arms flung in the air. The food and cutlery has been thrown to the floor. The kittens mimic their mother and also pounce, aiming for the mouse. The accompanying text reads,
'The Cat she seized the Rat by the crown;
Heigho, says Rowley!
The Kittens they pulled the little Mouse down.
With a rowley-powley, gammon and spinach,
Heigho, says Anthony Rowley!'

Artist / maker

Caldecott, Randolph

Date

1883

Size

19.9 x 23.5 cm

Type

Publisher's print

Location

Art and Design Library

'A Frog he would a-wooing go' published in 1883, is one of a series of illustrated children's books by R. Caldecott that were so popular they were published every Christmas for eight years. Caldecott's work is considered to have transformed the nature of children's books in the Victorian era. His books such as this, are praised for their sense of fluidity and repeated phrases, which creates a sense of movement from one page to the other, a style which appeals to children.
His illustrations were exercised with a manner of humour and full of life, reflecting his own personality. Stylistically, 'A Frog he would a-wooing go' is written in the form of a cumulative tale. This is when a tale is told by repeating dialogue that builds up to allow the story to progress.

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Related subjects

Animals > Mammals > Cats

Animals > Mammals > Rats

Furnishings > Furniture > Tables

Sport and leisure > Activities > Reading and books

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