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See the delights of 400 years of children’s poetry, nursery rhymes and songs from the still popular lullaby Golden Slumbers which appeared in print in a play in 1603, to the present day.
Drawing on the British Library’s extensive collection, this exhibition demonstrates that whilst humour plays an important role in children’s poetry, poets from the 18th century onwards have not been afraid to tackle serious issues such as slavery, the environment, war and racism.
An area is also set aside for children of all ages to read books as part of the exhibition.
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Displaying volumes of poetry from the 17th Century to the present day, the exhibition features many of the UK’s favourite poems, including some beautifully-illustrated examples. The earliest surviving printed collection of nursery rhymes, Tommy Thumb's pretty song-book (1744), is on display, as well as copies of other classics such as Robert Louis Stevenson’s A Child’s Garden of Verses; William Blake’s Songs of Innocence; Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland; Michael Rosen’s Don’t Put Mustard in the Custard and Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes.
Visitors will also be able to hear recordings of poets reading their own works at various points throughout the exhibition.
The accompanying events programme offers visitors the chance to hear first hand popular poems and classics read by some of their favourite poets:
Exhibition opening hours