Gorbunov-Posadov, I. For Little Children: Stories and Poems. Book 19 (Malym rebyatam: Rasskazy i stikhi), 1911. In Russian

Горбунов-Посадов И. И. Малым ребятам: Рассказы и стихи. Кн. 19-я. / Рис. Е. М. Бём и др.
4-е изд. — Москва : Посредник, 1911.
32 с. : ил. Мягкая издательская иллюстрированная обложка, обычный формат (195 × 120 мм). (Для детей младшего возраста).
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Gorbunov-Posadov, I. I. For Little Children: Stories and Poems. Book 19 (Malym rebyatam: Rasskazy i stikhi). / Illustrated by E. M. Boehm and others.
4th edition. — Moscow : Posrednik, 1911.
32 pp.: ill. Publisher’s illustrated softcover, standard format (195 × 120 mm). (For young children).

This 1911 edition, published by "Posrednik" (The Mediator), is an evocative artifact of the pedagogical and ethical movement led by Ivan Gorbunov-Posadov (1864–1940) under the spiritual guidance of Leo Tolstoy. The "Posrednik" publishing house was a unique phenomenon in the Russian Empire, dedicated to "enlightening the people" by providing affordable, high-quality literature that championed universal compassion, labor, and moral integrity.
Book 19 of the "For Little Children" series continues this mission through a carefully curated selection of short stories and rhythmic poems. The text is designed for the psychological level of early childhood, focusing on fostering empathy toward nature and animals—a core tenet of the Tolstoyan philosophy. The stories are brief and rhythmic, making them ideal for oral recitation or for children just beginning to master the Russian alphabet.
The artistic centerpiece of the volume is the work of Elizaveta Boehm (1843–1914), the most famous practitioner of silhouette graphics in Russia. Her distinct style—delicate black cut-outs against a white background—captured the essence of Russian peasant childhood with a charm and emotional depth that made her work beloved across all social classes. These illustrations do more than just decorate the page; they translate the ethical warmth of the text into a visual language that is immediately accessible to a child’s imagination.
Surviving copies of these early 20th-century "Posrednik" booklets are quite rare, as they were printed on inexpensive paper and intended for active use in peasant households and village schools. For collectors of Russian children's literature, followers of the Tolstoyan movement, and admirers of the graphic arts of the Silver Age, this 1911 4th edition represents a vital link to the progressive educational traditions of pre-revolutionary Russia.