Little Bo Peep

Tail of Woe – Resourceful Bo to the Rescue

Here we find Bo Peep attired in a colorful dress with a blue bodice, a full skirt, and pantaloons just peeking out from below the hemline. She is wearing the ubiquitous hat which adorns the heads of nearly all the Bo Peeps throughout the long history of the rhyme. Her staff of responsibility is held high, a sign that she is in control of herself and can take command of the situation.

Wildsmith’s illustration is unusual in that it pictures the fourth stanza of the poem, “there she espied their tails side by side, all hung on a tree to dry.” This is the only example examined which chose to illustrate this moment alone, without any accompanying illustrations of other stanzas. Looking at this single image, without the text, one would not necessarily know what was hanging on that tree, so there is little shock to the viewer.

Seeing only her back, we can only imagine the expression on Bo Peep’s face; but her hand is held up to her face, perhaps expressing shock. It does not appear, however, that “she heaved a sigh and wiped her eye.” Her forward posture does not suggest more than pensive reflection, no horror or revulsion at the grisly discovery. Her shepherd’s crook is at the ready, indicating that she will quickly get on with the business of the fifth stanza and reunite her sheep with their tails.