Wednesday, December 5, 2012


Picture-Books in Winter 


Summer fading, winter comes-
Frosty mornings, tingling thumbs,
Window Robins, winter rocks,
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


illustration by Eulalie Banks c1929