Childhood is a time of wonder, joy, and discovery. In this enchanting anthology of poetry and prose, Susan Miles brings together some of the best-loved works of children's literature, from classic tales like Alice in Wonderland and The Wind in the Willows to beloved poems by Robert Louis Stevenson and A. A. Milne. With charming illustrations and delightful writing, this book is sure to delight readers of all ages. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

The new poetry collection by Fanny Howe, whose "body of work seems larger, stranger, and more permanent with each new book she publishes" (Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize citation) People want to be poets for reasons that have little to do with language. It's the life of the poet that they want. Even the glow of loneliness and humiliation. To walk in the gutter with a bottle of wine. Some people's lives are more poetic than a poem, and Francis is certainly one of these. I know, because he walked beside me for that short time whether you believe it or not. —from "Outremer" Fanny Howe's poetry is known for its lyricism, fragmentation, experimentation, religious engagement, and commitment to social justice. In Second Childhood, the observing poet is an impersonal figure who accompanies Howe in her encounters with chance and mystery. She is not one age or the other, in one time or another. She writes, "The first question in the Catechism is: / What was humanity born for? / To be happy is the correct answer."