"Struwwelpeter"
by Heinrich Hoffmann
Dover Publications, Inc.

Emigrating from Germany with my ancestors, this timeless classic has been enjoyed by over six generations of our family. This collection of ten rhymes was written and illustrated by Heinrich Hoffmann in 1844 as a Christmas present for his 3 year old son. Translated as "slovenly" or "shock-headed" Peter, it has since gone through hundreds of editions and been published in almost every European language. Each rhyme, accompanied by charming illustrations, details the (sometimes gruesome) fates of children with nasty habits (i.e. thumb sucking, playing with matches, bullying, etc.) Definitely "pre-Politically Correct"; this book may be a little scary for younger children who can not see the humor in the exaggerated fates of the children. For school age children and adults, the verses and illustrations are wonderfully funny and engaging. This book is sure to liven up story time, as your children learn to laugh at themselves and their foibles…No children's book collection is complete without this time-honored classic