Child's Garden of Verses

First published in 1885, A Child’s Garden of Verses has delighted generations of children and adults. The complete collection of these favourite and familiar poems is here, from Bed in Summer, The Swing and The Land of Counterpane to The Lamplighter, My Shadow and Escape at Bedtime. They capture the imaginative, transformative aspects of childhood with a unique freshness and innocence.

As Alexander McCall Smith says in his inspirational foreword, “Childhood is very brief. While the garden is still there, it should perhaps be visited.” This beautiful edition, with delicate and atmospheric watercolours by Kate Greenaway Medallist, Michael Foreman, will enchant a whole new generation of readers.

ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON (1850–1894) is one of the most widely-read authors of recent times – he is ranked the 25th most translated author in the world, ahead of Charles Dickens and Oscar Wilde. Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, the novelist, poet and travel writer wrote such world-famous books as Treasure Island and The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, as well as this classic and much-loved children's poetry collection.

MICHAEL FOREMAN, OBE has illustrated over 100 classic books by authors including William Shakespeare, J.M. Barrie, the Brothers Grimm, Charles Dickens and Oscar Wilde, as well as writing and illustrating many of his own books. He has won the Kate Greenaway Medal twice, and has twice been nominated for the international Hans Christian Andersen Award. His books include War Boy, War Game, Mia’s Story, One World and Dinosaurs and All That Rubbish as well as many classic story collections with Michael Morpurgo. Michael Foreman lives in London and Cornwall.

ALEXANDER McCALL SMITH, CBE, FRSE, has loved A Child's Garden of Verses since his own childhood in Bulawayo. Now Emeritus Professor of Medical Law at Edinburgh University, he has written many bestsellers for both children and adults, including The Number 1 Ladies Detective Agency and the Scotland Street series, admired all over the world for their "gentle wisdom and good cheer". He lives in Edinburgh.