A Child's Garden of Verses

By Robert Louis Stevenson

80 illustrations, some color, some black-and-white. According to Wikipedia: "A Child's Garden of Verses is a collection of poetry for children by the Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson. The collection first appeared in 1885 under the title Penny Whistles, but has been reprinted many times, often in illustrated versions. It contains about 65 poems including the cherished classics "Foreign Children," "The Lamplighter," "The Land of Counterpane," "Bed in Summer," "My Shadow" and "The Swing."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Seltzer Books
• Release date: Mar 1, 2018
• ISBN: 9781455373864

Robert Louis Stevenson

Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894) was a Scottish poet, novelist, and travel writer. Born the son of a lighthouse engineer, Stevenson suffered from a lifelong lung ailment that forced him to travel constantly in search of warmer climates. Rather than follow his father’s footsteps, Stevenson pursued a love of literature and adventure that would inspire such works as Treasure Island (1883), Kidnapped (1886), Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (1886), and Travels with a Donkey in the Cévennes (1879).

Book preview

A CHILD'S GARDEN OF VERSES BY ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON

Illustrated by Jessie Willcox Smith

published by Samizdat Express, Orange, CT, USA

established in 1974, offering over 14,000 books

Books by Robert Louis Stevenson:

Across the Plains

The Art of Writing

Ballads

Black Arrow

The Bottle Imp

Catriona or David Balfour (sequel to Kidnapped)

A Child's Garden of Verses

The Ebb-Tide

Edinburgh

Essays

Essays of Travel

Fables

Familiar Studies of Men and Books

Father Damien

Footnote to History

In the South Seas

An Inland Voyage

Island Nights' Entertainments

Kidnapped

Lay Morals

Letters

Lodging for the Night

Markheim

Master of Ballantrae

Memoir of Fleeming Jenkin

Memories and Portraits

Merry Men

Moral Emblems

New Arabian Nights

New Poems

The Pavilion on the Links

Four Plays

The Pocket R. L. S.

Prayers Written at Vailima

Prince Otto

Records of a Family of Engineers

The Sea Fogs

The Silverado Squatters

Songs of Travel

St. Ives

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Tales and Fantasies

Thrawn Janet

Travels with a Donkey

Treasure Island

Underwoods

Vailima Letters

Virginibus Puerisque

The Waif Woman

Weir of Hermiston

The Wrecker

The Wrong Box

feedback welcome: [e-mail]

visit us at samizdat.com

Originally published by

CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS, New York

Copyright, 1905, By CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS

Printed in the United States of America

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without the permission of Charles Scribner's Sons

TO ALISON CUNNINGHAM

FROM HER BOY

For the long nights you lay awake

And watched for my unworthy sake:

For your most comfortable hand

That led me through the uneven land:

For all the story-books you read:

For all the pains you comforted:

For all you pitied, all you bore,

In sad and happy days of yore:—

My second Mother, my first Wife,

The angel of my infant life—

From the sick child, now well and old,

Take, nurse, the little book you hold!

And grant it, Heaven, that all who read

May find as dear a nurse at need,

And every child who lists my rhyme,

In the bright, fireside, nursery clime,

May hear it in as kind a voice

As made my childish days rejoice!

R. L. S.

BED IN SUMMER

In winter I get up at night

And 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 see

The birds still hopping on the tree,

Or hear the grown-up people's feet

Still going past me in the street.

And does it not seem hard to you,

When all the sky is clear

Reviews for A Child's Garden of Verses

[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.

[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.

[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

[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.

[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!

[conuly · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

There is a reason Robert Louis Stevenson is so well-remembered. He had a knack for finding the right word in the right place, and his poems about childhood always hit the right spot.The illustrations in this book complement the rhymes perfectly.Please note that this edition is oversized, and it may be difficult to put on your bookshelf.

[elizajane_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I have mixed opinions of this collection of poems. I read this aloud to my older son several years ago and he loved the poems, he even memorized several of them. He especially had fun memorizing My Shadow. I've just now finished reading it to my 8yo and have to say he was not impressed. We read a two-page spread every school day as part of our homeschool. Though the poems are written for children, they are written for Victorian children and the 8yo didn't understand half of the words used so we spent a lot of time discussing what each poem was really about and how it applied to things he would recognize in his life today. Sometime he'd think the poem was OK and he didn't dread me reading it but mostly he just thought they were boring. Myself, there are several of the popular poems that I think are wonderful: Bed in Summer, My Shadow, and Picture Books in Winter especially. Some others I'd rather do without.This edition is particularly nice as it is profusely illustrated with sometimes several pictures per poem by contemporary children's book artists of the time such as Jessie Wilcox Smith and C.M. Burd along with a host of others. I just love the illustrations and could pull this book off the shelf and just browse through it for pure enjoyment. The 8yo though did not appreciate the old-fashioned pictures especially when he couldn't tell the boys from the girls. However, this is poetry I think every child should be exposed to, some will enjoy, others will not. For one, my son will forever remember the name "Robert Louis Stevenson".

[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.

[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.

[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.

[comfypants · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Pretty boring and lacking in any evidence of technical ability. But occasionally cute, I guess.

[heidimaxinerobbins · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Most of these poems were timeless. They were written for and about children from the 1800's, but can apply to children in 2018. Examples include poems about bed time, playing, imagination, and adventures. That being said, there are some poems that are not culturally acceptable in 2018. I think that this book of poetry can be used as a great teaching tool. It is also a great chance to show students how far we have come.

[deckla_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was given to me in 1977 by my good friend Melanie from Pittsburgh, who was replacing one of the few books I owned in childhood. The illustrations have been seared into my memory since I was five. Robert Louis Stevenson's poems are just right for children to wonder and to love. More than forty years later, I have to say--Thanks, Melanie!

[rolyat-2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

i loved this book when i was a child and i love it just as much now

[homeschoolbookreview · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Who wrote, "The world is so full of a number of things, I'm sure we should all be as happy as kings"? Did you guess Robert Louis Stevenson? Poetry is not my favorite form of literature. However, Stevenson is one of my best-loved authors, and I have always liked his poetry because, unlike some other poetry that I have read, it makes sense to me. One of my favorites is “The Swing”:How do you like to go up in a swing,Up in the air so blue?Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thingEver a child can do! Of course, one would buy this edition of A Child’s Garden of Verses not only for Stevenson’s poetry (this is not a complete version but a newly revised selection) but also for Brian Wildsmith’s gorgeous, whimsical illustrations. Wildsmith, born in 1931 at the mining village of Penistone in Yorkshire, England, has been called one of the greatest living children’s book illustrators. Stevenson’s poems perfectly capture the make-believe imagination of childhood. What child has not pretended at one time or another that his bed is a ship sailing the wide seas? And Wildsmith’s stunning, colorful paintings perfectly capture the joyful childhood innocence of Stevenson’s poetry. While the language may be upper class Victorian England, the appeal is universal. This would make a wonderful book for a parent to read aloud while the child gazes at the pictures.

[esquetee_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I love this edition - a Dover hardback with beautiful dark green cover, vellum-like dust jacket and red satin bookmark ribbon. Looking forward to enjoying these poems - naive and playful, though tinged with some ominous subtle melancholy.

[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.

[weeksie50_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A great collection of poetry for young children.The artwork is also very delightful.

[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.

[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.

[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.