A Child's Garden of Verses facts for kids
The Title Page of a 1916 Edition
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| Author | Robert Louis Stevenson |
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| Language | English |
| Genre | Poetry |
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Publication date
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1885 |
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A Child's Garden of Verses is a beloved collection of poems written by the famous Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson. It was first published in 1885. This book takes readers on a journey through the world of childhood. It explores the joys, games, and dreams that young people experience. Many of its poems are still very popular today.
Contents
About the Book
A Child's Garden of Verses is one of the most famous books of children's poetry ever written. It contains 64 poems. Stevenson wrote these poems based on his own childhood memories. He often wrote them from the perspective of a child. This makes the poems feel very real and relatable.
Themes in the Poems
The poems in this collection cover many different themes. They often talk about imagination and play.
- Nature: Many poems describe the outdoors, like gardens, swings, and shadows.
- Everyday Life: They show simple, everyday activities from a child's point of view.
- Dreams and Fantasy: Some poems explore a child's inner world of dreams and make-believe.
- Illness and Comfort: Stevenson was often sick as a child. Some poems gently touch on feelings of being unwell and finding comfort.
Famous Poems
Several poems from A Child's Garden of Verses are especially well-known. They are often taught in schools.
- "My Shadow": This poem describes a child's playful relationship with their own shadow. It wonders why the shadow sometimes grows big or small.
- "The Swing": This poem captures the exciting feeling of swinging high in the air. It describes seeing the world from a new perspective.
- "The Land of Counterpane": This poem is about a child who is sick in bed. They use their imagination to turn their bedspread (counterpane) into a whole world for their toys.
About the Author
Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–1894) was a Scottish novelist, poet, and travel writer. He is famous for many classic books. These include Treasure Island and Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Stevenson had poor health for much of his life. This often kept him indoors as a child. His experiences shaped many of the poems in A Child's Garden of Verses. He remembered his childhood clearly. This helped him write poems that truly connect with young readers.
Legacy and Impact
A Child's Garden of Verses has been loved by generations of readers. It helped to shape children's literature. The book showed that children's experiences were important and worth writing about. It continues to be a popular choice for reading aloud. It also inspires new poets and artists. Many editions of the book feature beautiful illustrations. These pictures help bring Stevenson's words to life for new audiences.
Images for kids
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Title Page of a 1916 US edition
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One of the poems, "Happy Thought", as used in A Little Book for A Little Cook, 1905
See also
In Spanish: A Child's Garden of Verses para niños
