Books

London: Methuen, 1928. First Editions. Illustrated by E.H. Shepard. 4 vols. Sm 8vo. Original cloth, t.e.g. Very Good. Housed in a custom cloth slipcase and chemise. First Editions. Illustrated by E.H. Shepard. 4 vols. Sm 8vo. First editions of Milne's wonderful "Pooh Quartet,". "Although Alan Alexander Milne wrote novels, short stories, poetry and many plays for adults, in addition to his work as assistant editor for Punch from 1906 to 1914, it is his writings for children that have captured the hearts of millions of people worldwide and granted Milne everlasting fame" (Silvey, 461). Milne wrote most of these poems at the request of friend and fellow poet Rose Fyleman, who was planning a new children's magazine. "On a rain-blighted holiday in Wales, [Milne] escaped from the crowd of fellow guests to the summerhouse, and for 11 days wrote a set of children's verses, one each day... 'There on the other side of the lawn was a child with whom I had lived for three years [his son,…

When We Were Very Young is a best-selling book of poetry by A. A. Milne. It is the first volume of verse written for children, for which Milne is most widely known. The book is filled with verses that reflect a playful innocence that has been enjoyed by both young and adult readers.

To determine if a copy of 'When We Were Very Young' is a first edition, look for the publisher Methuen & Co. Ltd. on the title page, the absence of a dust jacket, as these were not always issued with the book, and whether it states 'First Edition' or 'First Published in 1924' with no subsequent printings mentioned.