
The Book of the Little Past - by Josephine Preston Peabody - Illustrated by Elizabeth Shippen Green - Houghton Mifflin Company Boston 1910 New York
COPYRIGHT 1903 BY JOSEPHINE PRESTON PEABODY COPYRIGHT 1908 BY JOSEPHINE PEABODY MARKS ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Illustrations
Making a house
The Busy Child
Sunset
Wind
Late
Cakes and Ale
The Journey
A gentle, picture‑rich collection invites listeners to step into the imaginative world of childhood. The verses capture moments of simple wonder—watching smoke curl from a imagined chimney, tracing sparrows on rooftops, and building entire cities on a bedroom floor. Each poem glows with the rhythm of a child’s voice, turning everyday sights like rain on a windowpane or a distant ship into tiny adventures.
The illustrations weave seamlessly with the words, adding soft, turn‑of‑the‑page charm that feels both nostalgic and fresh. Themes of curiosity, play, and quiet observation run through pieces about wind, pigeons, and the fleeting shapes of clouds, while occasional hints of tenderness—such as a shared song with a friend—root the collection in warm, relatable feelings. Listeners will find a tender echo of their own youthful wonder, making the book a comforting retreat into the little past that still lives inside us.
Language
en
Duration
~23 minutes (22K characters)
Release date
2012-03-13
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1874–1922
An American poet and dramatist whose work moved from dreamy, musical verse to writing touched by social conscience. Best known for the prizewinning play The Piper, she also wrote poetry for adults and children with unusual warmth and clarity.
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