Sadly, I cannot recall the name of the children’s book, but it contained Robert Louis Stevenson’s ‘From a Railway Carriage’. This was the beginning of my lifelong love of poetry. I very much enjoyed your essay.
Thank you, Maureen. Do you think you had A Child's Garden of Verses, by Stevenson? I've just gone off to read the poem, and it's a good one. I'll place a link here for anyone who needs a poem for a child. This would have hooked me, too. :-)
Your delightful essay brought to mind the vibrant illustrations and beloved stories from my first fairy tale collection— which I still treasure today. Not content to merely read the works, every afternoon I would act out the stories as the lead actress, with my long-suffering mother playing all of the secondary roles! Her emotionally charged reading & exuberant sharing of the tales she loved so much certainly inspired my own impassioned response to literature as an active reader & English teacher. Could there be anything more rewarding than encouraging this type of invested appreciation & love of language in others?
That title has just fired a memory for me, it was the word ‘garden’ that did it ! Thank you so much, Tara. Every time I take a train journey, I still recite the poem to myself.
In my outdoor adventures I sometimes bring a spork. This ugly utilitarian appellation by the manufacturers will never pass my lips again as I will forevermore say runcible spoon. Thank you.
If a gifted book meant something to you as a child, I hope you'll leave a comment about it. Do tell!
Sadly, I cannot recall the name of the children’s book, but it contained Robert Louis Stevenson’s ‘From a Railway Carriage’. This was the beginning of my lifelong love of poetry. I very much enjoyed your essay.
Thank you, Maureen. Do you think you had A Child's Garden of Verses, by Stevenson? I've just gone off to read the poem, and it's a good one. I'll place a link here for anyone who needs a poem for a child. This would have hooked me, too. :-)
https://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poem/railway-carriage/
Great story about your book and the poems inside . II loved it .Hugs and peace to you Tara
Thank you, Mitch. I'm very glad you enjoyed it. 🙏 🥰
Your delightful essay brought to mind the vibrant illustrations and beloved stories from my first fairy tale collection— which I still treasure today. Not content to merely read the works, every afternoon I would act out the stories as the lead actress, with my long-suffering mother playing all of the secondary roles! Her emotionally charged reading & exuberant sharing of the tales she loved so much certainly inspired my own impassioned response to literature as an active reader & English teacher. Could there be anything more rewarding than encouraging this type of invested appreciation & love of language in others?
Thank you for that memory! What a wonderful family activity. I love it! Possibly there was more fun than suffering for your mother, too! 🥰
I hope that was true—although her many roles must have been very draining! 😉
That title has just fired a memory for me, it was the word ‘garden’ that did it ! Thank you so much, Tara. Every time I take a train journey, I still recite the poem to myself.
I love that about poems! I have some that have stayed that long, too. I hope you can get your hands on the book and it brings back more memories.
Thanks, will be ordering it tomorrow!
Gorgeous, Tara. Thank you for letting us hitch a ride in your cushioned brougham. A magical journey.
In my outdoor adventures I sometimes bring a spork. This ugly utilitarian appellation by the manufacturers will never pass my lips again as I will forevermore say runcible spoon. Thank you.