Did you step into the story last week? Our artistic and imaginative librarians created a Wonderland of activities for children to explore based on Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. Kids went through the rabbit hole, attended a tea party, made a Mad Hatter hat and more during last week’s program.

I recently read the original story and enjoyed the nonsense and imagination.  I wanted to explore further the poetry in the book. The poems Alice recites throughout are based on works that were once well-known by children and adults alike. The versions in the story are actually meant to be parodies. Unfortunately, the joke is lost on most modern readers, but I am providing the two versions here for your enjoyment. More poem comparisons can be found at this link: http://www.durrant.co.uk/alice/

How Doth The Little Crocodile
Lewis Carroll

How doth the little crocodile
Improve his shining tail,
And pour the waters of the Nile
On every golden scale!

How cheerfully he seems to grin,
How neatly spread his claws,
And welcome little fishes in
With gently smiling jaws!

Against Idleness And Mischief
Isaac Watts

How doth the little busy bee
Improve each shining hour,
And gather honey all the day
From every opening flower!

How skillfully she builds her cell!
How neat she spreads the wax!
And labours hard to store it well
With the sweet food she makes.

In works of labour or of skill,
I would be busy too;
For Satan finds some mischief still
For idle hands to do.

In books, or work, or healthy play,
Let my first years be passed
That I may give for every day
Some good account at last.