Forget modern sleep-training guides. 'Selected Lullabies' is your ticket to the 19th-century nursery. Eugene Field, a newspaper columnist famous for his poems about and for children, compiled these verses. The book isn't one continuous story, but a series of short, musical poems designed to be read aloud at bedtime. You'll meet the famous fishing trio in 'Wynken, Blynken, and Nod' and rock a crying baby in 'Japanese Lullaby.' But you'll also find poems where cheeky children get their comeuppance and where the shadows in the nursery corner seem a little darker.

Why You Should Read It

This book surprised me. I expected pure, sugary nostalgia, and while that's here, there's more. Field's lullabies show how people talked to children back then—with humor, a firm hand, and a touch of sadness about how quickly childhood passes. Reading them today feels like overhearing a conversation between a parent and child from another era. The language is beautiful and rhythmic, perfect for reading aloud, even if some of the sentiments feel dated. It made me think about what we try to comfort our kids with today versus what parents used a century ago.

Final Verdict

This is a gem for parents who love poetry, history buffs curious about daily life in the 1800s, and anyone who enjoys classic children's literature. It's not a manual for putting kids to sleep now, but a fascinating look at how we used to do it. Keep an open mind—some poems will charm you instantly, while others might make you scratch your head. That contrast is what makes this old book so interesting.