Cobwebs to catch flies or, dialogues in short sentences was at the time it was originally published in 1783 groundbreaking in its layout with ample white space on the page, uncrowded text and large print. It was the author's intention to progress the child's reading from simple three to six letter words in volume 1, to one to four syllable words in volume 2.

While the text is didactic, the primary purpose was amusement; to increase the child's reading pleasure. This particular page is a conversation between a mother and daughter about a wax doll and the care that is required to ensure the wax face is not damaged.

The girl continues with a description of the doll's clothing, which adds further detail to the illustration of mother, child and doll.

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

King, Constance Eileen. The collector's history of dolls, London: R. Hale; New York: St. Martin's Press, 1978, c1977

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

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

Hampshire Museums Service: Childhood collection. Brief history of toys: Dolls and soft toys

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

Victoria and Albert Museum: Museum of Childhood. Collections: Dolls