Blackie & Son’s New Publications. 15

 

CHEEP AND CHATTER:

Or, Lessons FRom Fietp anp Tree. By Auice Banks. With
54 Character Illustrations by Gorpoy Browns, of which four
are full-page size. Small 4to, cloth, handsome design on
cover, 3s. 6d.; gilt edges, 4s.

 

About a dozen highly dramatic sketches or little stories, the actors in
which are birds, beasts, and insects. They are instructive, suited to the
capacities of young people, and very amusing. The curious and laughable
thing is the clever way in which mice, sparrows, and butterflies are made
to act and talk. We take an absorbing interest in the adventures of
“Peepy” and ‘‘Cheepy,” and ‘‘ Birdie” and “ Pecky,” in the opinions
they express and the characters they develop, just as if they were papas
and mamas, and boys and girls; and whether we are in Fairy-land, or
Mouse-land, or Bird-land, or in real Boy-and-girl-land, we cease to be sure,
or, for the matter of that, to care. The character drawings, with which
the book is profusely illustrated, are delightfully funny.

“The real charm of the volume lies in the illustrations. We have more than once
approved Mr. Gordon Browne's pencil. Here we can give it unstinted admiration.
Now of these fifty-four illustrations every one is a success. With birds and mice and
insects the artist is equally at home; but his birds above all are inimitable.”—
Academy.

“This isa very pleasing book for the young. The morals of the stories are very
sound, and by no means obtrusive. Of the illustrations it is sufficient praise to say
that they are worthy of the good-natured drollery, the invention, and the sense of the
humorous side of the ways of the lower animals which the author displays.”—Daily
News,

“The author has done her work extremely well, and has conveyed very many
admirable lessons to young people in an excellent way. The illustrations are capital
—full of fun and genuine humour.”—Scvtsman,