A Child's Garden of Verses

By Robert Louis Stevenson

From the author of Treasure Island, this wonderful book of Robert Louis Stevenson’s poetry for children is brought to life with splendid illustrations by Jessie Willcox Smith.

A Child’s Garden of Verses is Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1885 collection of cherished children’s poems. Over 60 lyrical pieces are featured in this anthology, alongside glorious illustrations by Jessie Willcox Smith. The illustrator is known for her beautiful soft lines and colours, and the artwork in this volume brings much joy to Stevenson’s poetry.

This volume features the following poems:

• Foreign Children
• The Lamplighter
• The Land of Counterpane
• Bed in Summer
• My Shadow
• The Swing

• Language: English
• Publisher: Read Books Ltd.
• Release date: Nov 27, 2015
• ISBN: 9781473375307

Robert Louis Stevenson

Robert Louis Stevenson was born in Edinburgh in 1850, the only son of an engineer, Thomas Stevenson. Despite a lifetime of poor health, Stevenson was a keen traveller, and his first book An Inland Voyage (1878) recounted a canoe tour of France and Belgium. In 1880, he married an American divorcee, Fanny Osbourne, and there followed Stevenson's most productive period, in which he wrote, amongst other books, Treasure Island (1883), The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, and Kidnapped (both 1886). In 1888, Stevenson left Britain in search of a more salubrious climate, settling in Samoa, where he died in 1894.

Book preview

A Child’s Garden of Verses

by

Robert Louis Stevenson

Copyright © 2013 Read Books Ltd.

This book is copyright and may not be

reproduced or copied in any way without

the express permission of the publisher in writing

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

Contents

Robert Louis Stevenson

To Alison Cunningham - From Her Boy

I. Bed in Summer

II. A Thought

 III. At the Sea-Side

IV. Young Night-Thought

V. Whole Duty of Children

VI. Rain

VII.  Pirate Story

VIII. Foreign Lands

IX. Windy Nights

 X. Travel

XI. Singing

XII. Looking Forward

XIII. A Good Play

XIV. Where Go the Boats?

XV. Auntie’s Skirts

XVI. The Land of Counterpane

 XVII. The Land of Nod

XVIII My Shadow

XIX. System

XX. A Good Boy

XXI. Escape at Bedtime

XXII. Marching Song

XXIII. The Cow

XXIV. Happy Thought

XXV.  The Wind

XXVI. Keepsake Mill

XXVII. Good and Bad Children

XXVIII. Foreign Children

XXIX. The Sun Travels

XXX. The Lamplighter

XXXI. My Bed is a Boat

XXXII. The Moon

XXXIII. The Swing

XXXIV. Time to Rise

XXXV. Looking-Glass River

XXXVI. Fairy Bread

XXXVII. From a Railway Carriage

 XXXVIII. Winter-Time

 XXXIX. The Hayloft

XL. Farewell to the Farm

 XLI. North-West Passage

1. Good-Night

2. Shadow March

3. In Port

THE CHILD ALONE

I. The Unseen Playmate

II. My Ship and I

III. My Kingdom

IV. Picture-Books in Winter

 V. My Treasures

VI. Block City

VII. The Land of Story-Books

VIII. Armies in the Fire

IX. The Little Land

Garden Days

I. Night and Day

II. Nest Eggs

III. The Flowers

IV. Summer Sun

 V. The Dumb Soldier

VI. Autumn Fires

VII. The Gardener

VIII. Historical Associations

ENVOYS

I. To Willie and Henrietta

II. To My Mother

III. To Auntie

IV. To Minnie

 V. To My Name-Child

1

2

VI. To Any Reader

Robert Louis Stevenson

Robert Lewis Balfour Stevenson was born in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1850. Aged seventeen, he enrolled at the University of Edinburgh, but he was a disinterested student whose bohemian lifestyle detracted from his studies, and four years later, in April of 1971, he declared his decision to pursue a life of letters. A keen traveller, Stevenson became involved with a number of European literary circles, and had his first paid piece, an essay entitled ‘Roads’, published in 1873.

Stevenson suffered from various ailments and a weak chest for the whole of his life, and spent much of his adult years searching for a place of residence suitable to

Reviews for A Child's Garden of Verses

[seriousgrace · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A Child's Garden of Verses is the epitome of poetry for and about children. The imagination of a child grows wild and free among the pages. Hopes and fears are expressed as only children can. The sense of wonder and innocence resonates as reminders to all adults about how the world once was.

[lsieber_4 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is the perfect first poetry book to add to a child's personal library. The poems range from very short to page long, with focus on nature, fantasy, make-believe, and other fun activities of childhood.

[ajterry24 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

4PAge range: 4-8 years.Radical Change: I don't think radical change applies to this book.Selected poem: "Foreign Lands" (p. 22)

[allawishus_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The poems mostly have to do with going off to imaginary lands, utilizing common things in a playful fashion, and enjoying the wonderous time of childhood while it lasts. It's all touched very heavily by nostalgia - I don't know anything about Robert Louis Stevenson's life, but it seems he really wanted his adult life to be simpler and less soul-destroying, ha ha. I think it's kind of funny how adults wax nostalgic about the simpleness of childhood; quite clearly children don't feel it's simple or wonderous very much of the time. ;)The illustrations by Gyo Fujikawa are also sweetly nostalgic, full of cherubic boys and girls, lush grasses, delicately pretty flowers, butterflies, and birds, etc. I think the artwork was originally published in the 1950's and you can tell - very emblematic of that time. Quite a lovely gift book; some classics could serve as read alouds during a storytime.

[sdbookhound · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love Child's Garden of Verses and have several copies with different illustrations. This one is one of my favorites with illustrations by George Trimmer. My favorites are The Cow, The Swing, The Land of Counterpane, and My Shadow.

[jwhenderson_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is one of the first books I read while I was still in grade school. It was part of the reading of Robert Louis Stevenson that made him one of my lifetime favorite authors. "I have a little shadow". I still have the copy of this book that belonged to my mother when she was a young girl.

[aconant-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is a must and I love Gyo's beautiful, child-like illustrations. "The Land of Counterpane" is a particular favorite- this is childhood as it is meant to be, not stuck in front of a television or attached to a device. Children and parents alike will be transported to a sleepier, gentler land.

[brookemattingly-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Summary: A Child’s Garden of Verses is a book comprised of many different short children’s poems about childhood. In this book there are sixty-six different poems that children all around the world can relate to. Many of the poems are about nature, the world and fantasy play. All written by Robert Louis Stevenson, he retells the stories of his childhood in poem form. There are poems about seasons, imaginary characters, traveling, boats, planes, bedtime, animals, nature, family, etc.Comments (opinions/arguments):I find this book to be very wonderful and useful because it’s simple and beautifully illustrated. Although it’s simple, the poems have a lot of depth, meaning and relation to childhood. I really like that the author wrote a wide variety of poems, ones that could be realistic and ones that are imaginary. I think this book could be really fun for children who are learning about poems because it offers poems that are very short and simple, as well as ones that are longer and more complicated. I think this book could serve as a good guide for children learning to write their own poems. I also like that all the poems are about different aspects of childhood and that they’re grouped together in different chapters. The wide variety of poems about nature, family, travel, imagination and childhood are great for children to learn about the world around them. I think this books central message is to help children become more familiar with poem styles of writing and to encourage children to use their creativity and imagination.

[meditationesmartini · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I'm glad I waited to review this one. I picked it up to read to my son, and his attention wandered, and he was just not up for it, and I was like "no wonder, Robert Louis Stevenson, your whole book is obviously aimed at Victorian grown-ups and their nostalgia for things like climbing trees and visiting the farm that baby Emmett hasn't even experienced yet." But my mum kept telling me how much I loved this book when I was small, and we kept reading, and over nights Stevenson worked his weirding way on both of us: Emmett (as I fancy it--let's face it, he can't even talk yet) feeling himself into the poems through the big, splashy, soft-focus fairy-pictures with their blues and greens and weird perspectives and distant horizons (and the fact is, if he doesn't know yet from farms or trees or penny-cannons, there are a lot of things here that are already part of his everyday: blocks, the rain, the moon, his little shadow, bedtime. And if the prescriptive intent behind all the "nursie" and fairyland and "ships at sea" stuff can get a little cloying--English childhood is an English garden, practice for when English children will leave to conquer and catalogue and administrate the earth!--it is certainly not that Stevenson was an overt imperialist, merely a man of his times. And the ships speak to me too, and remind me to be vigilant to the ways in which children open the door for their parents to embrace conservatism via halcyon-days sentimentality. And in fact, the overt prescriptiveness can be charming: in 2015 we are already more than primed for a statement of creed like "kids love blocks," it has moved from cliché to archetype and needs the merest oblique mention to activate our frames around it. In 1885? The sentimentalization of children as a whole was a relatively new thing; and Stevenson's way of talking about blocks as though no one has ever talked about blocks before in the history of childhood has a courtly formality: "What are you able to build with your blocks?" his opening gambit in the elaboration of the highly moral thesis "blocks are a tool of the imagination." Like, every time I get to the poem about the enigmatic rider I have to remind myself that he's not a headless horseman (although this does, of course, postdate Ichabod Crane); today he would have to be to get the kids to put down the ipad and listen, and the HH has become in fact a stock character, familiar/lovable/entirely unremarkable/not even scary. The fact that a mere headful horseguy riding by night can conjure up a world of mystery feels so fresh and sincere and simple, like drinking cold water, and if I didn't manage to avoid the curmudgeonly ipad grumbling entirely in this review, I will just say that horseman–ipad–starry night sky, it's all equally as new to my boy.And the ultimate point here is that now the soft trundling doggerel of it is the only book he has that actually puts him to sleep and doesn't stir up the blood like Go Dog Go! and suchlike, and when you read to him from A Child's Garden he cuddles up and looks at the pictures and drifts away and he is happy.

[rmckeown_9 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Over the years, I have heard a number of authors mention the poetry of Robert Louis Stevenson, and none were more impressive than the mention and admiration of the renowned poet, W.S. Merwin. In an interview a few years ago with Bill Moyers, he recounted how his mother read to him every night. He especially loved A Child’s Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson. I have been coveting a copy of this collection for some time, but somehow, other things always got in the way. While wandering through the offerings of Amazon, I came across a copy illustrated by none other than the marvelous children’s book illustrator, Tasha Tudor. The book arrived today, and I dropped everything to read it aloud, as Merwin suggested. Some of these poems sounded vaguely familiar, although I cannot recall my mother reading me any poetry. She liked stories, and so did I.This simple and endearing collection is a wonderful way to introduce children to the magic and beauty of poetry. Here is an example of one I vaguely remember from my childhood, “Bed in Summer”:In winter I get up at nightAnd dress by yellow candle-light.In summer, quite the other way,I have to go to bed by day.I have to go to bed and seeThe birds still hoping on the tree,Or hear the grown-up people’s feetStill going past me in the street.And does it not seem hard to you,When all the sky is clear and blue,And I should like so much to play,To have to go to bed by day? (10).Another brief poem I especially liked was “Looking Forward”:When I am grown to man’s estateI shall be proud and very great,And tell the other girls and boysNot to meddle with my toys.” (18).Of course, I would make one minor change – the last word should now be “books.” Robert Louis Stevenson’s collection,A Child’s Garden of Verses is an enchanting source for reading to children and helping them understand the beauty and playfulness of verse. The delightful illustrations by Tasha Tudor, the renowned children’s book illustrator, only adds to the experience. 5 stars.--Chiron, 5/25/15

[psjones_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Two of my favorite poems are in this book. The swing poem and my shadow.

[dhardy_55 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A beautiful collection of Children's poems; the author accurately captures children's games, thoughts and feelings perfectly. They will definitely relate to many of the poem’s themes and will enjoy the fun carefree mood used throughout the verses.I like the simple illustrations throughout the book and the way each page border is covered with vines and flowers. The author gives us a better view or glance into children’s imagination and thought patterns.Can be used to explore a child’s imagination and their views on the stories presented in the poem.

[ginac_75 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a book of poetry by the author of the classic novel ‘Treasure Island’, Robert Louis Stevenson. In this collection, Stevenson recalls his childhood using easy language that manages to take readers to another time. Illustrations by Tasha Tudor also give the book that ‘Precious Moments’ look, adding to the book’s appeal and classic appearance. I think fans of Robert Louis Stevenson will enjoy this book but the poetry is written well enough to appeal to a wider audience.

[hnebeker_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a must have book for every library. I recently purchased one for my own. I had this book read to me over and over again as a child and was told not too long ago that it was one of my mother's favorites. If an adult can read something to a child "over and over" and still keep it as a favorite, it must be great- right? My favorite poem is still "how I love to go up so high on my swing..."

[royhartcentre · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Delightful, a classic

[ieliasson_2 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A Child’s Garden of Verses (Ages 4-8) by Robert Louis Stevenson is an unabridged collection of 61 poems evoking the world and feelings of childhood based on Stevenson's earliest memories. The anthology includes seasonal verses, bedtime rhymes, and poems of make-believe adventures, as well as an index. The illustrations are antique pictures by twenty well-known children's book illustrators, published between 1896 (Charles Robinson) and 1940 (Ruth Mary Hallock) and include Jessie Willcox Smith, Henrietta Willebeek Le Mair, and Willy Pogany's enchanting cover/end papers. Most of the art work has more sentimental appeal to adults and may be less captivating to children. Perhaps since these poems are perennial classics, they do come off as clichéd and patronizing, approaching childhood by looking down on it in a sentimental and nostalgic way. The rhyme of many of the poems sounds contrived and cloying, and the rhythms can soporific in their monotony. Thus, A Child’s Garden of Verses is one of those classic poetry anthologies adults think children should read, but probably will have limited appeal for its young readers.

[thornton37814 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I remember owning an abridged version of this book as a child. I later located a copy of the complete version in a library to read. I just re-read the complete version. The poems are age appropriate for children, but I suspect many of them are a bit dated for today's children. Still many of the poems stand the test of time. The edition I read was from 1905 with illustrations by Jessie Willcox Smith. These are watercolor plates chosen to illustration some of the poems. Most poems are accompanied by line drawings as well.

[gold_gato-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Stevenson can not simply sit quietly on a shelf. His works beg to be lifted and opened for new worlds to discover. As a child, he was lonely and ill and many of the poems in this collection for children exude that sense of isolation.

I'm sure everyone has their favorites, but mine was always THE LAMPLIGHTER. At my school in Melbourne, we would have a midday break of tea and biscuits, and my teacher would recite the beginning of this poem. It was Stevenson's ode to a world quickly changing, as electricity replaced gaslamps in the late 19th century.

My tea is nearly ready and the sun has left the sky

[amanda7holt · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Whether your child has difficulty falling asleep, or wants to escape into fairyland, this book will satisfy all those desires. Short poems to amuse, long ones to lull and quiet; poems about singing, swinging, and travelling - everything a child does in his young life are detailed in these poems. The illustrations are simple, but give the poem just enough visual detail to entrance the listening child, or reading child. Colours are expressive, and reflect the mood of the poem. Sneaking robbers hush howling dogs and swings soar into the wild blue to join the birds.Though this set of poems might be a bit old fashioned nowadays, they still have merit in lives. There are still swings, windy nights, forests and jungles (real and imaginary) and there is always bedtime.

[a9stone5 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

These poems are whimsical and easy for children to relate to. It was easy to understand the subjects of the poems. This book would be appropriate for children in 4th grade and up.

[elliebstevens · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A great collection of children's poetry.

[jillsmith23 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a book of poems that is suitable for children in the early childhood level. Kids will love the catchy poems and colorful pictures in this book.

[sweetbeebecky · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A hardcover version of this collection of poems written by Robert Louis Stevenson over 100 years ago entertained me and my siblings when we were children, and this version, with its watercolor illustrations by Tasha Tudor, brought back many memories. Stevenson's poems were among the first for children, and are all about simpler times, when children sent model sailboats down rivers, played in the garden until the lamplighters came out at dusk, and played with toy soldiers for hours on end. I think that these poems would be wonderful to share with a class as a read aloud, and could be compared with what children do often nowadays for entertainment and play. Because most of the poems are fairly simple, this collection might also be a vehicle for introducing students to writing their own poetry.

[nancystorm · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a personal favorite book of poetry from my childhood. I treasure this book, share it with my grandchildren and will leave it to Damon when I pass. Highly recommended.

[moonbridge · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Outstanding poetry for kids and their parents, this edition is the most delightfully illustrated (by Gyo Fujikawa).

[merrymary_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Belonged to Gramma Spray. She inscribed it and gave it to my daughter in 1991.

[katrinafroelich · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This delightful collection combines 19th century poetry with simple illustrations that capture the innocence of childhood. The images are colorful with clean lines, multicultural children, and appropriate pictures expressing the mood and tone of each poem, and infusing the language with light and love. The images seemed to be inspired by the 1950’s and upon further research I discovered they were originally done in 1957.

[eecnelsen · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great poems about childhood. They remind me of how I felt as a child. With wonder at every corner.

[sharese_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Summary:A great book of classic poetry that describes what children do during the day, listening to their elders and being thankful for what they have. This is a classic book with wonderful drawings by Eloise Wilkin to go along with the very 1950's style poetry. For example: "A child should always say what's true, and speak when he is spoken to, and behave mannerly at table: at least as far as he is able." Review:I loved this book as a child but did not read it to my kids. It is really outdated but I love the pictures and find that I am drawn to anything Eloise Wilkin put her hands on. I also have the version of Hilda Boswell's illustrations that are similar but have a different quality. These books will always be around because they are classics but every verse may not be read to children because the parents may have different views of a child's role in the world being much more active than passive.

[anneofia · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The poems in this edition are selected for the modern child from Stevenson's popular collection. I had these poems memorized as a child, and loved reading them to my own children. Now, here's a shorter version that my grandkids can enjoy. The poems are beautifully illustrated with paintings that evoke those same feelings of childhood as the poetry does. What a wonderful introduction to both poetry and painting!