An Edwardian Holiday

by John S. Goodall

Delicately detailed watercolor paintings bring to life the diversions and pleasures enjoyed by two children and their parents in Edwardian England during a summer visit to the seashore

Genres: History, Picture Books, Edwardian, Summer, British Literature

64 pages, Hardcover

First published September 7, 1978

About the author

John S. Goodall (7 June 1908 – 2 June 1996) was a British author, watercolour painter and illustrator, best known for his wordless picture books such as The Adventures of Paddy Pork, although his output included more conventional pictures, and illustrations for a wide range of publications (including the Radio Times) and books by the "fictitious village schoolmistress Miss Read". Goodall became one of England's most beloved artists due to the subject matter of his works, the Victorian and Edwardian eras.

Reviews

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful John. S Goodall book. No text but beautiful detailed paintings of an Edwardian family going for a summer holiday to a beach, we presume Dover and crossing the channel to visit France. There is so much to look at, these books are wonderful for a child to look at alone or to look at together and talk about what's happening. As with many of this author's books there's usually a dog on each page somewhere and we enjoy playing spot the dog! This is a welcome addition to our John. S Goodhall collection.

[Fern A · Rating 5 out of 5]

A childhood favourite rediscovered. I found this at a coffee morning as a young child and absolutely loved it! It’s a book of beautiful painted illustrations telling the story of two children and their holiday adventures in the Edwardian era. The pictures are incredible pieces of art and as there are no words there’s the option to slightly alter the story every time. Still love it over 20 years later.

[Shiloah · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exquisitely beautiful wordless book. ❤️

[Vivi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely charming depiction of how people spent their holidays at the beginning of the 20th century. The beautifully drawn illustration give you a feeling of what that time must have been like and you almost feel like part of it all - that's how vivid it is.

[KC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goodall takes a brother and sister on a grand vacation.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming little children’s book from the 1970s that I found at an antiquarian book fair. There’s no text, just lavishly detailed illustrations of an Edwardian family on vacation. They go to the beach and the countryside, visit relatives, and even take a trip to France. The only thing that bothered me is that mother seemed to have just brought the one yellow dress which she wears daily for weeks, and for all activities. (Obviously, its is so readees can find the family in the crowded scenes, but I felt sorry for her.)

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are so weird and little and I love them. That's it, that's the review.

[Bert Huisman]

5 t6

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful pictures.