ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND & THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS

"Drink me!" "Eat me!" When Alice follows the White Rabbit down the rabbit hole leading to Wonderland, she is invited to resize herself by drinking and eating the magical potion and cake. Once inside, she meets the classic characters that have delighted millions of readers, starting with the Mouse and the Dodo, followed by the Caterpillar smoking a hookah, the Duchess with her constant refrain of "Chop off his head!", and the glorious disappearing smile of the Cheshire Cat. The Mad Hatter's Tea Party, the Queen of Hearts with her tarts and her crazy game of Croquet played with flamingos, and finally the Mock Turtle with his word-games all enter the parade before Alice wakes up. Her next adventure takes her through the looking glass above the mantelpiece where she meets the twins Tweedledum and Tweedledee with their interminable song "The Walrus and the Carpenter" featuring a crowd of Oysters who come to a regrettable end. The Oysters are so pathetic that the Walrus can hardly bring himself to eat them: "With sobs and tears he sorted out / Those of the largest size". Humpty Dumpty takes umbrage at being described as egg-like, but is finally persuaded to explain the meaning of the poem "Jabberwocky" with such portmanteau words as "slithy" and "mimsy". When Alice shakes the Red Queen in exasperation she wakes up to find she is shaking a kitten. A glorious read, presented in mock-leather with the original illustrations and marbled endpapers. 233pp, softback, numerous back and white drawings.