Fairytale World

Fairytale worldFairytale World (title mine) by Sasoli @pixdaus.com

Picture-books in Winter
by Robert Louis Stevenson

Summer fading, winter comes--
Frosty mornings, tingling thumbs,
Window robins, winter rooks,
And the picture story-books.
Water now is turned to stone
Nurse and I can walk upon;
Still we find the flowing brooks
In the picture story-books.
All the pretty things put by,
Wait upon the children's eye,
Sheep and shepherds, trees and crooks,
In the picture story-books.
We may see how all things are
Seas and cities, near and far,
And the flying fairies' looks,
In the picture story-books.
How am I to sing your praise,
Happy chimney-corner days,
Sitting safe in nursery nooks,
Reading picture story-books?

~Robert Louis Stevenson

 Ink drawing from the original book by Stevenson

When I was a child, my grandfather gave my sister and me A Child’s Garden of Verses for Christmas one year. It became my favorite book for a long time and it taught me to love the cadence and rhythm of poetry. Stevenson’s poetry always gave me comfort, hope and a sense of stability in what to most children would have been considered a less than secure situation. I loved the idea of being a child with a nurse to care for me and the safety of two parents, a comfortable home and lots of leisure time. Perhaps this book provided that sort of feeling for many children who read it growing up.

~Noelle Renee

Comments

  1. Noelle such a perfect picture accompanying a beautiful R L Stevenson verse!! I'm sure your facial expression while reading your 'favorite book' must have been the same :) Totally engrossed and lost in a different world!!

    We did a lot of poetry during school days and I remember R L Stevenson as one of my favorites, even remember his poem "From a Railway Carriage" Loved the speed and imagery this poem created.

    "Faster than fairies, faster than witches,
    Bridges and houses, hedges and ditches;
    And charging along like troops in a battle
    All through the meadows the horses and cattle:
    All of the sights of the hill and the plain
    Fly as thick as driving rain;
    And ever again, in the wink of an eye,
    Painted stations whistle by....etc..etc.."

    Enjoyed what you shared today!!
    xoxo
    Nanka

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  2. I agree -- and while I had quite an idyllic childhood, I remember this book with such intensity. Thank you for reminding me of it --

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  3. You are welcome, Elizabeth. I think that it carries us back to moments of childhood in a very special way. I still have a copy with illustrations by Jessie Wilcox Smith. I found it in a used bookstore. I treasure it.
    xo,
    Noelle

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  4. Photo and poem make me so nostalgic for my chilhood and the pleasure of being read to.
    So sad to hear Borders is on the verge of bankruptcy; 24 stores in my area are to shut down. WIll "not reading" be far behind? I guess the kindles will remain. me

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