One, two buckle my shoe

The counting rhyme 'One two buckle my shoe', popular even today, first appeared in printed form in 1805, but is probably much older. Walter Crane's illustrations are clear and bright even after a century and his depiction of late 19th century children are lively and full of interest.

Unlike many nursery rhymes there appears to be no link to an historical event: it is simply a counting rhyme to assist young children to learn to count.

One, two Buckle my shoe; Three, four Knock at the door; Five, six Pick up sticks; Seven, eight Lay them straight; Nine, ten A big fat hen; Eleven, twelve Dig and delve; Thirteen, fourteen Maids a-courting; Fifteen, sixteen Maids in the kitchen; Seventeen, eighteen Maids in waiting; Nineteen, twenty My plate's empty.

There are several other variations and the rhyme is believed to have at one time counted up to 30.

Along with Kate Greenaway and Randolph Caldecott, Walter Crane was one of the most popular illustrators of the late 19th century. In 1863 he began working with the colour printer Edmund Evans, who was greatly impressed by Crane's talent. Initially he worked on a series of toy books for the publishers George Routledge and Frederick Warne such as The Railroad Alphabet and his New Toy Book published in 1873.

These books brought his work to the public's attention and with Evans as printer he was able to consider more ambitious work. The Baby's Opera, The Baby's Bouquet and The Baby's Own Aesop issued between 1877 and 1887 reflect this. Goody Two Shoes picture book published in 1884 is particularly lavish with its use of colour, including gold.

Crane was influenced by the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and also by Japanese art. He became a member of the Arts and Crafts Movement, worked with William Morris and his Kelmscott Press and was a designer of wallpaper: this is often evident in the design of his children's books. He later became Principal of the Royal College of Art and Design.

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