The Book of Nonsense by Edward Lear is a whimsical collection of limericks filled with playful absurdity, eccentric characters, and delightfully nonsensical scenarios. Originally published in 1846, the book features short, five-line poems accompanied by Lear’s own quirky illustrations. Each limerick follows a simple rhythm and rhyme scheme, often introducing peculiar people—like an old man with a beard so long that birds nest in it or a lady whose nose reaches the ground. The humor is lighthearted and silly, embracing the joy of language, sound, and imagination. Lear’s work helped popularize the limerick form and continues to entertain readers of all ages with its timeless nonsense and cheerful absurdity. Looking Glass Library DISTRIBUTED BY RANDOM HOUSE, INC. NEW YORK Published by Epstein and Carroll Associates, Manufactured in the United States of America, by The Colonial Press Inc., Clinton Massachusetts.