Seattle University Law Library Blog

Nancy Minton and Susan Kezele: “A Child’s Garden of Verses” by Robert Louis Stevenson

A Child’s Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson. PR5489.C5 1999

From Nancy Minton, Cataloger: “In my busy childhood, I loved sitting quietly, reading aloud A Children’s Garden of Verses. Perhaps it was the selection of poetry by the great poet Robert Louis Stevenson that brought me a calming comfort. The poems were seemingly simple, yet they universally related the experience of youth. Perhaps the illustrator’s soft etchings stilled my need for activity. Eloise Wilkins’ pictures were seemingly plain, yet they were perfected with such artistry so as to gently and perfectly allude to the poet’s words. Indeed together both the artist and author conveyed to me an identifiable, reassuring experience. To this day I cannot pass a swing without quickly recalling the joyful emotion Robert Louis Stevenson related in his poem, ‘The Swing.’ “Oh I do think it is the pleasantest thing ever a child can do!” he exclaimed. I found the experience of reading A Child’s Garden of Verses one of the ‘pleasantest’ things I could ever do.”

From Susan Kezele, Circulation/Resource Sharing Manager: “A Child’s Garden of Verses is filled with childhood dreams. Stevenson wrote about everyday occurrences in the life of a child but transformed each event into an adventure, an escape to faraway places. A child’s bed became a boat, sleep takes you to the Land of Nod, fairies play in the garden, the wind carries sailboats to distant shores. The verses are thoughtful but also magical. Two of my favorites are ‘Bed in Summer’ and ‘My Shadow.’”

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