One of the first English books of children’s rhymes to be known about is called A Little Book for Little Children. It was published more than 300 years ago, in the reign of Queen Anne and the author is only known by the initials T.W. The title page begins, “Wherein are set down, in a plain and pleasant way, Directions for Spelling, And other Remarkable Matters.” It is illustrated with woodcut prints, including a full-page image of Queen Anne herself. A Little Book for Little Children was printed in London in 1702 as a “chapbook” – a cheaply produced paper pamphlet. It contains some rhymes alongside examples of letters of the alphabet. It is primarily a teaching aid, but the pictures and rhymes make the learning more fun and attractive to youngsters. You can see images of an original copy on the website of the British Library.

[Sources: British Library website; Oxford Dictionary of Nursery Rhymes edited by Iona and Peter Opie.]