This charming illustration is the frontispiece to Adelaide O'Keeffe's book of poetry. The poems are all about children's playthings such as tops, kites, pets and books. In the poem about the book the child reader is admonished to 'be kind' and 'not turn my pages down!...do not tear my tender leaves,...' (p. 4) Despite this, this copy shows the signs of constant use, with some pages stained and others lost.

The illustrations are delightful with the admiring young girl clutching a doll or a skipping rope while she watches her brother play with his tops or a kite.

The book was issued in two parts and could be purchased 'plain or coloured'. This copy is uncoloured.

O'Keeffe first had her poetry published in 1804 in Original poems for infant minds 'by Several Young persons', which is better known for containing the work of Ann and Jane Taylor. Harvey Darton claims this compilation was responsible for awaking 'the nurseries of England' to the value of poetry for children.(p. 181) O'Keeffe published a number of books of poetry for children and several novels.

Darton, F. J. Harvey. Children's books in England: five centuries of social life, Cambridge [Cambridgeshire]; New York: Cambridge University Press, 1982

Muir, Percy H. English children's books, 1600 to 1900, London: Batsford, [1954]

Thwaite, M. F. From primer to pleasure in reading: an introduction to the history of children's books in England from the invention of printing to 1914, with an outline of some developments in other countries, London: Library Association, 1972

Whalley, Joyce Irene. Cobwebs to catch flies: illustrated books for the nursery and schoolroom, 1700-1900, London: Elek, 1974

Historical survey of children's literature in the British Library

Picturing childhood: the evolution of the illustrated children's book

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