Along with Kate Greenaway and Randolph Caldecott, Walter Crane was one of the most popular illustrators of the late 19th century. In 1863 he began working with the colour printer Edmund Evans, who was greatly impressed by Crane's talent. Initially Crane worked on a series of toy books for the publishers George Routledge and Frederick Warne such as The Railroad Alphabet and his New Toy Book published in 1873.

These books brought his work to the public's attention and with Evans as printer Crane was able to consider more ambitious work. The Baby's Opera, The Baby's Bouquet and The Baby's Own Aesop issued between 1877 and 1887 reflect this. In The Baby's Opera Crane brings grace and verve to a number of old rhymes, some of which are not so familiar today. His Goody Two Shoes picture book published in 1884 is particularly lavish with its use of colour, including gold.

Crane was influenced by the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and also by Japanese art. He became a member of the Arts and Crafts Movement, worked with William Morris and his Kelmscott Press and was a designer of wallpaper: this is often evident in the design of his children's books. He later became Principal of the Royal College of Art and Design.

This copy was owned by a young member of the Gilbert Family and donated to the State Library in the late 1960s.

Spencer, Isobel. Walter Crane, New York: Macmillan, 1975

Konody, Paul G. The art of Walter Crane, London: George Bell, 1902

The Golden age of children's book illustration, [compiled by] Richard Dalby, London: O'Mara Books, 1991

Carpenter, Humphrey. The Oxford companion to children's literature, Oxford [Oxfordshire]; New York: Oxford University Press, 1984

State Library of Queensland: Talbot Family Treasures Wall. Walter Crane 1845-1915

The Whitworth Art Gallery: The wonderful world of Walter Crane

State Library of South Australia: Treasures of the State Library. Alphabet of old friends

State Library of South Australia: Mortlock Wing exhibitions. To be a child August 2004-