Treasury of Poetry

by Hilda Boswell

Treasury of Poetry Hilda Boswell Hardcover Collins 1968 Printed Great Britain approximately 10.8 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches.

Title note: Despite having the same title, this book is distinct from "Hilda Boswell's Treasury of Poetry" (1983) which is a small paperback containing a small selection of the poems from this original hardback treasury.

Genres: Poetry, Childrens

128 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 1968

About the author

Hilda Boswell (1903-1976) was a British illustrator and writer of children’s books.

She studied at Hornsey School of Art and the Regent Street Polytechnic. In the 1930s, she illustrated comics for Amalgamated Press, before moving into illustrating and writing children's books from the 1940s.

She is well-known for illustrating Enid Blyton's 'flower' and 'holiday' books in the 1940s and 1950s, an edition of Robert Louis Stevenson's A Child's Garden of Verses, and her own treasuries.

Her preferred medium was watercolour, and she was influenced by Beatrix Potter, Kate Greenaway and Arthur Rackham.

Reviews

[Jacqueline McNeil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book of my childhood, tracked down and now being read to my own children. Still as beautiful as I remember it.

[Jerise Fogel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have such fond memories of reading the poems in this book aloud as a child with my sister and mother at bedtime. Such beautiful poems--about fairies going shopping in the woodlands and giving everything back again, and small insects and animals going to the ball, and daring to defy one's comfy bourgeois fate to wander off "with the raggle-taggle gypsies-o"... or heading to sea in a sieve to adventure with the Jumblies, or just sitting with siblings watching flames in the fireplace come alive as each child imagines something different in them... Many were classics of the Romantic era, and instilled in me a sense that one's own courage, openness to life, and imaginative powers were the forces that would and should create and enrich one's life; and that considerations of wealth, social approval and status should always come second to those artistic impulses.

[Rina Larabie]

I've had my copy for as long as I can remember. I used to memorize and recite the poems for school and the illustrations inspired me for decades. I just came across a second copy with a damaged spine while helping a senior clear out her home and asked if I could revive it. She was thrilled I still knew some of the poems by heart and let me have it. I have now mended the spine and hope to pass it on to someone else who will love and treasure it.

[Alison Keogh · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I had a top 5 this would be in it - I was given it as a child in the early 1970s and I still love the poetry and the illustrations today - it was probably my first artistic inspiration - a love of which remains to this day as I am privileged to share my love of art with the children I teach ❤️

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite poetry book ever! This was a gift from my grandparents when I was 5, and I read it all the time!

[Suzanne Ashworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

my favourite childhood poetry book - managed to find a copy on Oxfam - original 1968 edition

[Rebecca Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favourite!

[Lottie Caldwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated book from my childhood.

[Michelle Kohuch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received this book as a gift when I was a child in the early 70s. I still have it, but it's falling apart from being so well read & loved. An absolute treasure.

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Most of the poetry was good to great. The illustrations were saccharine, sugary, and sentimental, so much so they detracted from the poetry.

[Danni · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most beautiful books l've ever read.

[Jessie Jellick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great treasures for kids :)