The 1945 Book of The Month Club edition of Many Long Years Ago by Ogden Nash with cover art by Maurice Sendak.
Written by Ogden Nash. Jacket design by Maurice Sendak. 1945 Book of the Month Club edition (BCE). Little, Brown & Company.
Poet Ogden Nash (1902 - 1971) was a singular crafter of word pictures whose easy-going way of taking himself lightly allowed him to take people, conventions, and life in general less seriously. Yet he was taken quite seriously by fellow poets and millions of readers as a genius with language who could both entertain and provoke with clever, whimsical rhyming and wordplay and insightful observation.
As the New York Times wrote, quoted on the jacket:
"Few of our national bards, past or present, have so consistently, with so light and sure a touch, illuminated the inconsistencies and capriciousness of contemporary life."
For Many Long Years Ago, Nash selected poems from previously published works, including Hard Lines, Free Wheeling, and The Bad Parent's Garden of Verse, and added 31 new (in 1945) poems, among them pieces that he'd written for children.
THE TALE OF CUSTARD THE DRAGON
"Belinda live in a little white house,
With a little black kitten and a little gray mouse,
And a little yellow dog and a little red wagon,
And a realio, trulio, little pet dragon.
Now the name of the little black kitten was Ink,
and the little gray mouse, she called her Blink,
and the little yellow dog was sharp as Mustard,
But the dragon was a coward, and she call him Custard.
Custard the dragon had big sharp teeth,
And spikes on top of him and scales underneath,
Mouth like a fireplace, chimney for a nose,
And realio, trulio daggers on his toes.
Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears,
And Ink and Blink chased lions down the stairs,
Mustard was as brace as a tiger in a rage,
But Custard cried for a nice safe cage."
Learn more about Ogden Nash at The Poetry Foundation.
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/ogden-nash
Other books by Ogden Nash at The Charmed Bookshop:
Etsy.com/listing/597776808/im-a-stranger-here-myself-by-ogden-nash
Condition*: Near Fine/Very Good. There is a bookplate from previous owner on the front endpaper. The dust jacket is price-clipped, with a small tear on back and minor shelf wear.
* Based on guidelines of the Independent Online Booksellers' Association.
Etsy.com/shop/TheCharmedBookshop
Visit TheCharmedBookshop.com for more first edition children's books.
Shipping from United States
Processing time
1-3 business days
Estimated shipping times
- Australia : 1 - 3 business days
- United States : 1 - 3 business days
- North America : 1 - 3 business days
- Europe : 1 - 3 business days
- Australia, New Zealand and Oceania : 1 - 3 business days
- Asia Pacific : 1 - 3 business days
- Latin America and the Caribbean : 1 - 3 business days
- North Africa and the Middle East : 1 - 3 business days
- Sub-Saharan Africa : 1 - 3 business days
I'll do my best to meet these shipping estimates, but can't guarantee them. Actual delivery time will depend on the shipping method you choose.
Customs and import taxes
Buyers are responsible for any customs and import taxes that may apply. I'm not responsible for delays due to customs.
Payment Options
Returns & Exchanges
I gladly accept returns, exchanges, and cancellations
Just contact me within: 7 days of delivery
Ship items back to me within: 14 days of delivery
Privacy policy
* I will not share your personal information with third parties.
* I will contact you only through Etsy or an email address you provide to convey information about your order and news exclusive to The Charmed Bookshop.
* In placing your order, please provide Etsy with an active email address to ensure that I can get in touch with you about your order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Gift wrapping and packaging
I wrap every book with care and ship it in a padded mailing envelope or sturdy box. If you're purchasing a gift, please advise when ordering and include a gift message.
Care instructions
1. I lightly clean books, as needed, but I don't attempt repairs or restoration. If you'd like a book restored, you'll find trustworthy, qualified experts in your area through libraries or museums.
I also recommend the following care instructions.
American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works -
https://goo.gl/6CZ9zA
2. Photos are cropped and resized to Etsy guidelines but are otherwise unedited. Please contact me if you'd like additional photos of book details.
3. Descriptions of condition are based on guidelines from the Independent Online Booksellers' Association.
Order processing time
I'll process and ship your purchase in 1 - 3 business days, and I'll ship anywhere in the world via any mail or delivery service that Etsy offers. (Please refer to the Shipping section for average shipping turn-around times by region.) If I encounter any delays in processing your order, I will advise you in advance.