Generations have gone "up in a swing, up in the air so blue" with these timeless poems, savoring their images of the delights, fears, and wonders o...
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reviews
Jan 10, 2009
Chandra
rated it: 
I have to say that I don't love the poems in this collection and not just because some are old fashioned and/or culturally insensitive, but mainly because they just don't really appeal me all that much. BUT having said that the illustrations by Tasha Tudor are to die for! They are really the main reason why I wanted this book and I why I'm glad I own it. We've enjoyed just flipping through the pages and talking about all of the lovely drawings. And it's not that the poems are awful, I just do
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Aug 25, 2011
Austin
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I love these poems. My older son was entranced by them when he was 4--he liked the rhythm and the rhyme--and we were inspired to make up our own. The Stevenson poems name lovely, simple elemental things in a child's experience--toys, the seasons, rain, the beach, etc.--in simple, lulling rhythms and rhymes. The edition I like best is one my mother read to me with illustrations by Virginia Tiffany. The illustrations are photographs of yarn and string, felt and paper, embroidered onto (I think
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Feb 11, 2012
Amanda
rated it: 
Summary: This book is comprised of many different children's poems.
Sounds: This book of poetry is mainly written in verses.
Images: Images in this book were very easy to picture not just from the illustrations but also from the words it self. The poems did a great job at painting a very clear picture.
Insight: A lot of these poems seemed to be very similar and very dry! I do not think they were very up lifting and they really didn't expand my awareness or give More...
Sounds: This book of poetry is mainly written in verses.
Images: Images in this book were very easy to picture not just from the illustrations but also from the words it self. The poems did a great job at painting a very clear picture.
Insight: A lot of these poems seemed to be very similar and very dry! I do not think they were very up lifting and they really didn't expand my awareness or give More...
Dec 18, 2010
Kirsten
rated it:
This is the most beautiful, most wonderful book of poetry I know of. The poems are short and perfectly sweet and imaginative. The hardest part is choosing which edition to read because so many different artists have illustrated it. I think the Classic Illustrated edition is my favorite. I also love the Brian Wildsmith version, but there are many others you can see on Amazon.com to choose what pictures you like best. Some versions contain the complete poems from the original Child's Garden of Ver
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Mar 23, 2011
Ron
rated it: 
A classic in the field of poetry for children. I wish I could say that this is still a common and viable concept in the world today, but verse, whether for children or adults, is a dying breed.
This is not a perfect book, nor is much poetry for children immortal poetry. If truth be told, verse for children tends to have a sing-song pace, and much of this collection fits that description. Having said that, I'm not sure that it's fair to expect children to walk fully grown emotionally int More...
This is not a perfect book, nor is much poetry for children immortal poetry. If truth be told, verse for children tends to have a sing-song pace, and much of this collection fits that description. Having said that, I'm not sure that it's fair to expect children to walk fully grown emotionally int More...
Apr 03, 2008
Joanna
rated it:
This was another book for my recent children's lit class, but I wasn't so crazy about it. Stevenson is a great author (Treasure Island), but these poems were a little bit too sappy-sweet for me. They reminded me of the types of poetry that Lewis Carroll mocks. They seemed technically sound, but they just didn't appeal to me . . . I'm more of a Shel Silverstein kind of gal.
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Sep 19, 2010
Kirei
rated it:
I give this book two stars and I think that is being pretty darn generous. The poetry is very old-fashioned and filled with difficult words--words that are even difficult for me like "paven pools" and "gabies". I doubt these will show up on future SAT's. The poems are good if you are old enough to understand them, but the children they are meant for are probably too young for them.
We read Gyo Fujikawa's edition. The illustrations are so cute but, despite be More...
We read Gyo Fujikawa's edition. The illustrations are so cute but, despite be More...
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Aug 25, 2011
Cheri
rated it:
Tasha Tudor is the kind of benign, crazy, old lady that I will likely become. Living in Vermont in a period house, wearing turn of the century clothing and doing everything as it was done back when, (seriously, everything - churning her own butter included) it's not surprising that her books evoke a gentler time and sensibility. She's a modern day Beatrix Potter.
Nov 11, 2011
I am of two minds, or more, on this book.
As a book, this smallish Dover hardcover is generally excellent. The illustrations by Charles Robinson are delightful. The text is laid out nicely and has a few delightful quirks in its placement of punctuation. The printing is generally of high quality but there are a couple of places where it is light, or even missing a character or two on the inside margin, in one or two poems. For the price, and given the overall high quality of the physic More...
As a book, this smallish Dover hardcover is generally excellent. The illustrations by Charles Robinson are delightful. The text is laid out nicely and has a few delightful quirks in its placement of punctuation. The printing is generally of high quality but there are a couple of places where it is light, or even missing a character or two on the inside margin, in one or two poems. For the price, and given the overall high quality of the physic More...
Feb 16, 2010
max
rated it:
When I was sick and lay a-bed,
I had two pillows at my head,
And all my toys beside me lay,
To keep me happy all the day.
* * * * *
I was the giant great and still
That sits upon the pillow-hill,
And sees before him, dale and plain,
The pleasant land of counterpane.
Once upon a time, when I was a child home sick one day from school, my mother encouraged me to memorize this poem. I had no idea what a counterpane was, More...
I had two pillows at my head,
And all my toys beside me lay,
To keep me happy all the day.
* * * * *
I was the giant great and still
That sits upon the pillow-hill,
And sees before him, dale and plain,
The pleasant land of counterpane.
Once upon a time, when I was a child home sick one day from school, my mother encouraged me to memorize this poem. I had no idea what a counterpane was, More...
Nov 29, 2008
Wayne
rated it: 
I really tried to give this at least TWO stars, but when you're really glad you have finished a book I think that's a pretty good indication of the star rating.
Perhaps it might be thought that a poetry book should be read in small bites??
Yes, much poetry is dense in terms of compacted thoughts and image and metaphor. After reading one Shakespeare sonnet(reviewed) one has to gasp for breath. (What was that semi-trailer that just passed over me!??!!) An immediate reread is neces More...
Perhaps it might be thought that a poetry book should be read in small bites??
Yes, much poetry is dense in terms of compacted thoughts and image and metaphor. After reading one Shakespeare sonnet(reviewed) one has to gasp for breath. (What was that semi-trailer that just passed over me!??!!) An immediate reread is neces More...
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Dec 04, 2011
Susan
rated it:
As a child it was my Mom who who read to me many bedtime stories, except for Christmas eve when my Dad would read us "The Night before Christmas", and every so often, my Dad would read from this book! His favorite was "The Lamplighter" The book had beautiful illustrations and I can still hear my Dad saying with great voice inflection "O Leerie I'll go round at night and light the lamps with you". Some other favs of mine in this book: The Swing,The Wind, My Bed is a
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Sep 05, 2009
Shay
rated it:
I must say I hate poetry in all its forms, it seems a perversion of literature to me. I only picked this up because a line from the poem 'My Kingdom' caught my eye in a quote from A History of Reading and it felt just right to describe the escapism of reading. To say the least I was disappointed to find that the beautiful description of escapism was used in reference to a child's imaginary play things.
That being said, I still recognize that this poetry is well written, classic, and w More...
That being said, I still recognize that this poetry is well written, classic, and w More...
Jan 03, 2012
Natalie
rated it:
I love this book. Addie's great-grandma gave it to her when she was born, but I had never pulled it out. It was a beautiful book (not kids book to rip and chew on) and I just didn't think she would be interested in it. I thought I'd pull it out when she was older. Well, I just pulled it and and I LOVE it! The illustrations are beautiful and the poems are so fun! Addie and I just sat done and read a bunch today. I'm usually not a poetry person. But this is making me into one. Who knew Ro
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Oct 13, 2011
Cher
rated it:
This is a sentimental review because of how personally I cherish this collection. My grandfather had a old edition of this book like from the 1940s and whenever my sister and I slept over, he would read the different poems over and over again until we fell asleep. So to say I adore this book is a bit of an understatement as I can't read the poems without hearing my grandpa's voice. The poems themselves are utterly charming, harking back to an older childhood, perhaps a more innocent one, a time
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Dec 23, 2008
Janene
rated it:
I'm surprised at how Zach sits and loves to listen to these, perhaps for the song-like quality of the poems, because some of them are quite long. This is a book I choose to read to the kiddos even if it is supposedly too late. :o)
The depth of this author's talent is so evident, just from this collection of poems, mainly about his childhood. I was sad to return it to the library today, and may add it to my book wish-list. I loved reading these to my children, in installments, and More...
The depth of this author's talent is so evident, just from this collection of poems, mainly about his childhood. I was sad to return it to the library today, and may add it to my book wish-list. I loved reading these to my children, in installments, and More...
Jan 21, 2012
Sarah
rated it:
I have a beautiful old version of this that I read as a child (I think it might have been my Mum's it certainly wasn't given to me,it was in the house when I was growing up). It might have been the first book of poetry I ever read but it has certainly stayed with me. Some of the poems I not only remember but I can visualise how the look on the page.
The love of poetry has stayed with me and for that alone I think this book will always be special to me.
If you want a book o More...
The love of poetry has stayed with me and for that alone I think this book will always be special to me.
If you want a book o More...
Oct 10, 2011
Nichole
rated it:
My version is the one with the art noveau illustrations, it has a red cloth cover and my mom owned it as a little girl so either she or her 8 siblings were the one(s) who made additions to the illustrations in blue ink pen. The language is "old-timey" and several of the lines make no sense at all to children these days so they are great for discussing "A long, long time ago" without having to invoke Disney and princesses. They also hold up great (somewhat subtle) gender stere
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Jul 03, 2011
Along with Stevenson’s beautiful imagery and simplistic style, children will be enchanted by the illustrations of Brian Wildsmith, an award-winning illustrator whose whimsical and colorful style of creating adds intrigue and depth to this collection of poetry. Stevenson’s use of language may be difficult for children to follow, but Wildsmith will hold their attention with his unique style. Favorites in the collection that are sure to please include Summer Sun, Escape at Bedtime, Pirate Story,
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Jul 02, 2011
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Dec 29, 2010
Katie
rated it:
A lovely collection of poems - imaginative, playful, and full of delight. Many of his poems brought me back to my childhood - one of my favorites, "Bed in Summer," reminded me of of having to go to bed early in September after school started, and seeing the light coming through the curtains and hearing the neighbor children playing in the street. I almost laughed when I read that little Robert Louis Stevenson found this just as unfair as I did!
I feel I should note that thes More...
I feel I should note that thes More...
Feb 21, 2010
anonymous
rated it:
Stevenson's book of verse for children is a delight to read and a childhood classic.
The poetry explores the child's imagination - from the microcosm of garden to the mysteries of the wind, skirts, and a boy's own shadow.
It's nice to get a picture of a world seen from a child's eyes and the curiosity that raises. Stevenson follows a somewhat strict rhyming scheme in most of his poems, however some of them pleasantly take a different turn in rhythm, which I thought was a n More...
The poetry explores the child's imagination - from the microcosm of garden to the mysteries of the wind, skirts, and a boy's own shadow.
It's nice to get a picture of a world seen from a child's eyes and the curiosity that raises. Stevenson follows a somewhat strict rhyming scheme in most of his poems, however some of them pleasantly take a different turn in rhythm, which I thought was a n More...
Jul 18, 2008
Maureen
rated it:
I read this book so many times as a child, I memorized about a third of the poems in it. There cannot be a better recommendation for a book than that. With topics like red cows, picture books and the summer sun, Stephenson speaks to the wonders that every child beholds. Here is one of my favorites:
My Shadow
I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me,
And what can be the use of him More...
My Shadow
I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me,
And what can be the use of him More...
Apr 03, 2008
Ebookwormy
rated it:
I enjoyed these verses, though I must confess poetry neither strikes me in themoment nor stays with me beyond like prose does. These whimsical looks at childhood were delightful tl read in sessions, but not all the way through (for me). I noticed references to the seasons, all sorts of imaginative play, the nursemaid, the boyish tone of the work as a whole. The compilation also highlights how much childhood has changed.
There was one verse at the end that did strike me. It reminds m More...
There was one verse at the end that did strike me. It reminds m More...
Feb 05, 2011
Debbie (Readerbuzz)
rated it:
A 1001 CBYMRBYGU.
I’m obligated to read all of Stevenson’s oeuvre. My school is named after this man.
This book contains a variety of short poems for children written by RLS himself. The poems range from the proscriptive:
“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.”
To:
“The world is so full of a number of things,
I’m sure we should all be as happy as kings.”
I’m obligated to read all of Stevenson’s oeuvre. My school is named after this man.
This book contains a variety of short poems for children written by RLS himself. The poems range from the proscriptive:
“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.”
To:
“The world is so full of a number of things,
I’m sure we should all be as happy as kings.”
Aug 07, 2010
Kari
rated it:
I was given the Little Golden Books edition of this when I was very young, and it's one of the few books from my childhood that gives me goosebumps to remember it. I loved pouring over the warm and beautifully detailed Eloise Wilkin illustrations. She created the world that these poems will always live in, in my mind.
(edit - Here is the actual edition we owned: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60717...)
(edit - Here is the actual edition we owned: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60717...)
Aug 29, 2011
Christi
rated it:
I am sure I read some of these as a child, although not many of them seemed very familiar to me. I love the way imagination and a child's play are portrayed here. I also really enjoyed the letter poems at the end of the book as it was nice to see a personal touch. I wasn't as much of a fan of the poems themselves, as they are a bit simplistic for my tastes, but then again they are for children.
Sep 28, 2011
Stephanie
rated it:
This is my kids favorite book. It is poetry at its finest! I have six kids and we found this when we were homeschooling, and it has so many wonderful childrens poems. I cannot stress enough how wonderful this book is. I have memorized so many of them from reading this aloud to my kids so often. They have some they can also quote from memory. It is a must have.
Sep 21, 2011
Cydni
rated it:
When I was a little girl I remember picking this book up in the library and looking through it. I remember thinking that the poems were really idiotic. I tried to keep reading, but eventually I just tossed it aside in disgust. There are many books, like the Chronicles of Narnia, that I hated as a child but they've grown on me since then. This isn't one of them.
