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    A Child's Garden of Verses
    A Child's Garden of Verses
    A Child's Garden of Verses
    Ebook90 pages40 minutes

    A Child's Garden of Verses

    By Robert Louis Stevenson

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    About this ebook

    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
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRead Books Ltd.
    Release dateNov 27, 2015
    ISBN9781473375307
    Author

    Robert Louis Stevenson

    Robert Louis Stevenson (Edimburgo, Gran Bretaña, 1850 – Vailima, Samoa, 1894), hijo de un dominante constructor de faros, tuvo desde niño varias crisis pulmonares que le llevaron a una constante y nostálgica peregrinación en busca de climas más cálidos, hasta que en 1888 embarca hacia los mares del Sur y se establece en Samoa con su mujer, cumpliendo así el sueño de su corta vida. Sus estudios de náutica, que más tarde abandonaría por los de derecho, le permitieron entrar en contacto con las gentes y costumbres marineras, ingredientes fundamentales en algunas de sus obras más conocidas, como La isla del tesoro, La flecha negra o El extraño caso del Dr. Jekyll y Mr. Hyde.

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    Reviews for A Child's Garden of Verses

    4/5

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    • 4/5

      Apr 1, 2019

      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.
    • 3/5

      Apr 1, 2019

      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.
    • 5/5

      Apr 1, 2019

      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.
    • 4/5

      Apr 1, 2019

      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..."
    • 4/5

      Apr 1, 2019

      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.
    • 5/5

      Apr 1, 2019

      Two of my favorite poems are in this book. The swing poem and my shadow.
    • 5/5

      Apr 1, 2019

      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.
    • 5/5

      Apr 1, 2019

      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.
    • 4/5

      Apr 1, 2019

      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.
    • 3/5

      Apr 1, 2019

      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.
    • 5/5

      Apr 1, 2019

      Delightful, a classic
    • 2/5

      Apr 1, 2019

      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.
    • 4/5

      Apr 1, 2019

      A great collection of children's poetry.
    • 5/5

      Apr 1, 2019

      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
    • 5/5

      Apr 1, 2019

      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.
    • 5/5

      Apr 1, 2019

      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.
    • 5/5

      Apr 1, 2019

      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.
    • 5/5

      Apr 1, 2019

      Outstanding poetry for kids and their parents, this edition is the most delightfully illustrated (by Gyo Fujikawa).
    • 3/5

      Apr 1, 2019

      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".
    • 5/5

      Apr 1, 2019

      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!
    • 5/5

      Apr 1, 2019

      Great poems about childhood. They remind me of how I felt as a child. With wonder at every corner.
    • 5/5

      Apr 1, 2019

      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.
    • 5/5

      Apr 1, 2019

      Belonged to Gramma Spray. She inscribed it and gave it to my daughter in 1991.
    • 2/5

      Apr 1, 2019

      Pretty boring and lacking in any evidence of technical ability. But occasionally cute, I guess.
    • 5/5

      Apr 1, 2019

      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!
    • 4/5

      Apr 1, 2019

      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.
    • 5/5

      Apr 1, 2019

      i loved this book when i was a child and i love it just as much now
    • 4/5

      Apr 1, 2019

      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.
    • 5/5

      Apr 1, 2019

      An amazing author puts together amazing poems! This is a wonderful book for any aged reader & makes poetry very fun. Shows how beautiful poetry can be!
    • 4/5

      Jan 28, 2025

      My edition different cover, with an assortment of classic illustrations chosen by Cooper Edens.
      My review from the Children's Books discussion for Poetry month:

      Emphasizes the sentimental and the nostalgic. That may be appropriate, and a good way to sell the book to the ppl with the money... but I'm not sure if it helps today's children appreciate the timelessness of the verses.

      I would have loved any edition of this when my children were tiny. Reading it now, I feel as if I deprived my kids!

      Even nursing infants could appreciate the sounds, the rhythm, rhyme, and alliteration of the poems as read aloud. It won't be long before some of the lines stick in their heads... even if they don't understand them.

      And toddlers can enjoy many of the concepts... and preschoolers more... and some of the poems are worth a teen student's time. Owning whichever edition of this you prefer is like owning a big book of Mother Goose rhymes, and another big book, or collection, of famous fairy tales... it's almost a must!

      Many of the poems have been reprinted in other collections, including the Nat'l Geog. we read upthread. But many are new to me, too.

    Book preview

    A Child's Garden of Verses - Robert Louis Stevenson

    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

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