This publication is an amazing phenomenon, even unique, in many aspects. Full composition of writings. The author is Edward Lear (1812–1888), the famous English poet and artist of the 19th century. The founder of nonsense poetry. The father of the literary limerick. The translator is Boris Arkhiptsev, who accomplished a kind of creative feat, having spent almost a quarter of a century working on the book. A significant part of the texts has been translated into Russian for the first time. Everything translated anew takes Russian interpretations of E. Lear to a new, previously unattainable level. Arkhiptsev's translations (he also owns all the other Russian materials in the book - the preface, comments, etc.) are distinguished by a rare fusion of accuracy, fidelity to the author, his plan and will, with amazing freedom of presentation, lightness and grace of style. The book is bilingual: translations are accompanied by the author's texts in the original language and Edward Lear's own illustrations.