The Voyage of the Ludgate Hill: Travels with Robert Louis Stevenson

by Nancy Willard, Alice Provensen (Illustrator), Martin Provensen (Illustrator)

A poem inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson's letters describes how the author and his wife survived a stormy ocean voyage with a shipload of exotic animals.

Genres: Picture Books, Poetry, Childrens

96 pages, Hardcover

First published April 15, 1987

About the author

NANCY WILLARD was an award-winning children's author, poet, and essayist who received the Newbery Medal in 1982 for A Visit to William Blake's Inn. She wrote dozens of volumes of children's fiction and poetry, including The Flying Bed, Sweep Dreams, and Cinderella's Dress. She also authored two novels for adults, Things Invisible to See and Sister Water, and twelve books of poetry, including Swimming Lessons: New and Selected Poems. She lived with her husband, photographer Eric Lindbloom, and taught at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York.

Reviews

[Serena · Rating 3 out of 5]

When the kindle® app on my phone won't open, I grab something I can read quickly while I eat dinner. The poetry of this tale is just what I needed on a cold, rainy, and blustery day.
This tale of Robert Louis Stevenson's journey to the United States by tramp-ship is told as a poem and well illustrated. It is meant to be read to or by elementary aged children, but adults who read it may find themselves wondering how much of it is actually true.

[David Dunlap · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book is inspired by an Atlantic crossing Robert Louis Stevenson and his wife made in 1887, aboard a cargo-carrying steamer named the Ludgate Hill. The text, in poetic form, relays the adventures of sailing on a ship with a variety of animals and produce. The real gem of the volume, though, in this reader's opinion, are the wonderful illustrations, full of whimsy and fun. Recommended!

[Anna Sangrey Roussel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A picture book written by Nancy Willard, instructor at Bread Loaf Writers' Conference, that details Robert Louis Stevenson's trip from London to America on a cargo steamer.

A picture book to learn about real lives.

[Hanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations were gorgeous!! By a (I recently learned) well-known husband-wife illustrator duo. The story itself was very rhyme-y and rollicking. A bit more silly than I was in the mood for, but fun enough if you’re into it!

[KaitandMaddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I definitely liked this one better than the kids did.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming!

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a charming picture book that tells of the writer Robert Lewis Stevenson's voyage on the ship Ludgate Hill to America. It uses rhyme and paintings to tell the story. I personally liked the art and how the illustrator would pay homage to the works of Robert Lewis Stevenson by giving the books that were in pictures the title of of his different works. I also thought the little eel that appeared on the ship after the storm was really cute. This is a book that I could see appealing to younger children because of the rhymes and pictures that showed the mischief the animals on the ship got up to.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Delightful rhyming adventure and humorous illustrations make this a fun read

[Danielle]

Those Provensen illustrations!!