Stevenson, Robert Louis (1850–1894). A Child’s Garden of Verses and Underwoods. 1913.

4. Picture-books in Winter

SUMMER fading, winter comes—

Frosty mornings, tingling thumbs

Window robins, winter rooks,

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 pictyure story-books.

How am I to sing your praise,

Happy chimney-corner days,

Sitting safe in nursery nooks,

Reading picture story-books?