Marigold Garden - Pictures and Rhymes - Illustrated by Kate Greenaway

by Kate Greenaway

Marigold Pictures and Rhymes is a delightful illustrated children's book, first published in 1885. It contains many well-known and loved nursery rhymes, presented with Greenaway's delightful imagery. Rhymes include 'Blue Shoes', 'The Daisies', 'The Tea Party', 'To Mystery Land', 'When we went out with Grandma', 'When you and I grow up', and many more. It is a text sure to enchant both young and old. Kate Greenaway (1846 - 1901), was a children's book illustrator and writer, and remains one of the most popular illustrators of all time. Edmund Evans produced her first book ('Under the Window') in 1879, which was an instant best-seller and cemented her pre-eminent position. Her charming children in quaint costumes and idyllic scenes captured the imagination of the contemporary public - and continue to delight over a century after their initial publication. Appearing alongside the text of 'Marigold Garden', her illustrations (first published in 1888) further refine and elucidate this carefully collated anthology. Pook Press celebrates the great 'Golden Age of Illustration' in children's literature - a period of unparalleled excellence in book illustration from the 1880s to the 1930s. Our collection showcases classic fairy tales, children's stories, and the work of some of the most celebrated artists, illustrators and authors.

Genres: Poetry, Picture Books, Childrens, Classics, British Literature, Nursery Rhymes

60 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1885

About the author

Kate Greenaway (Catherine Greenaway) (1846-1901) was a children's book illustrator and writer. Her first book, Under the Window (1879), a collection of simple, perfectly idyllic verses concerning children who endlessly gathered posies, untouched by the Industrial Revolution, was a best-seller. The Kate Greenaway Medal, established in her honour in 1955, is awarded annually by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals in the UK to an illustrator of children's books. New techniques of photolithography enabled her delicate watercolors to be reproduced. Through the 1880s and 90s, in popularity her only rivals in the field of children's book illustration were Walter Crane and Randolph Caldecott, himself also the eponym of a highly-regarded prize medal. Amongst her other works are: A Day in a Child's Life (1881), Mother Goose; or, The Old Nursery Rhymes (1881), Little Ann (with Ann Taylor & Jane Taylor) (1883), Marigold Garden (1885), A Apple Pie (1886), Pied Piper of Hamelin (1888) and Kate Greenaway's Book of Games (1889).

Reviews

[La Coccinelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here's an old one! This is an illustrated collection of poems from 1885 by Kate Greenaway. I read another of her books recently, an alphabet book called A Apple Pie. I think my favourite thing about her books is the illustrations.

Many of the poems in this volume are rather dated and show some appalling attitudes toward children. (One in particular espouses the "children should be seen and not heard" idea, to an uncomfortable degree. It's a wonder children were able to develop their language skills at all, since they were apparently not allowed to speak!)

Some of the rhymes are charming, if simple and saccharine. The book is also very, very white. Blue eyes are worshipped, and all the illustrated children are fair-skinned and upper class. I do love the outfits they're wearing, though I don't know how historically accurate they are (the fashions seem to be from a lot earlier than those of the 1880s; maybe Greenaway was going for a historical look).

Overall, this isn't terrible, but it's quaint and kind of naive. It's interesting to see what passed for children's literature back in the 1880s, though.

[Melody Schwarting · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marigold Garden is Kate Greenaway at her best. Lovely illustrations and sweet rhymes about the natural world. A while ago I found a beautifully framed print of "From Market" (18) for $12 and I've been hunting for the book ever since. I found this one at an antique mall, in a stall filled with books that I swear is run by a kindred spirit. Gotta love a vintage children's book that rhymes "far" with "Grandmamma."

[Gerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a young bookseller, Kate Greenaway was always a best seller, her original editions fetching very good prices. And the fact that they still reprint them says that her popularity has not waned, although the poems are very dated.

'Marigold Garden' has some nice verses but the charm of the book for me are the illustrations, they far outshine the verse. The verses are typically Victorian aimed at children and some wander from the point at times but others have a few rather nice lines in them.

There is a sort of dedication poem to the book that sets the tone: 'You little girl,/You little boy./With wandering eyes,/That kindly look,/In honour of/Two noble names/I send the offering/Of this book.' 'Susan Blue' is quite sweet, 'Oh, Susan Blue,/How do you do?/Please may I go for a walk with you?/Where shall we go?/Oh, I know -/Down to the meadow where the cowslips grow!'

And so it goes on with these sweet little poems, 'On the Wall Top', 'Mamas and Babies', 'Tip-A-Toe' and a rather nice 'The Cats Have Come To Tea' - 'What did she see - oh, what did she see,/As she stood leaning against the tree?/Why, all the Cats had come to tea ...' and others in similar vein. Fortunately they are all enhanced by those delightful Kate Greenaway illustrations, which prompted me to upgrade the book from three to four stars!

[Hal Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

You couldn’t honestly say that none of these rhymes were inane, but what’s remarkable is how few of them are. Greenaway is perhaps more enamored than anyone alive today can be of garden parties and elegant teas, but she often successfully breathes some of the strangeness and mystery of nursery rhymes into these short poems. Compare them with the insipid products of an Eliza Lee Follen, for example, and see how strong is the oddity of the Sun Door, or Wonder World.

Also the art is without peer.

[Gina House · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 🌟 Delicate and lovely illustrations are paired with sweet, nostalgic poems in this vintage collection. This quaint Victorian book full of children’s poetry made me smile every time I turned a page. I’m very grateful to own this Frederick Warne & Co. first edition! (This particular book even included an additional booklet from 1946 celebrating 100 years of Kate Greenaway, along with a vintage photograph of her as well!)

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Borrowed it from the library I work at (a blessing and a curse to work at a library) and read it in a day. Some reviewers protest to it not being something actual children would enjoy. Well, I cannot determine if that is true or not for the children of today but I know this is something that I as a child would have loved. I would have memorized the words and dreamed up stories for all the images. In fact, I found myself a little sad that I didn't know the rhymes by heart already, that I had not grown up with this book gracing my bookshelf. It is definitely one that I hope to find and purchase for myself some day. It is lovely. I think the best word to use in correlation to this book is charm. It is chock full of charm indeed!

[Kirsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Greenaway's illustrations, and Marigold Garden proved such a lovely choice to read on a summer evening. The artwork is, as ever, the triumph; it is so stylistically Greenaway's. The verses are both sweet and amusing, and this is sure to charm every reader.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Published in 1886, this was the last of Kate Greenaway’s major books. She is best known for her illustrations of children in historic costume, which influenced children’s fashion. The illustrations-which are of women and children, I don’t think there’s a single man in the book—really are lovely. The accompanying poetry I found rather tedious. I don’t think it was a strength for her. But then, I know little about poetry, it rarely resonates with me, so maybe I’m missing something.

I did a bit of research about Greenaway. She was born into a working class family, and her father was a struggling engraver. Her mother opened a dress shop for upper class ladies which they lived above. I imagine both of these professions contributed to Kate’s talent for illustration particularly of fashion.

Another interesting point was that while she went to school for art, early on her colors looked gaudy because she wasn’t educated in the technical Chromoxylography process. I had to look that up. Basically, for each color in an illustration a carver had to create a wood plate where everything not that color was carved out. To get blended colors like green, they would do very fine carvings of that area on both the blue and yellow plates. It sounds a bit like pointillism. I can see how understanding this process would help an illustrator choose colors and design an illustration that could be printed effectively. Kate went to art museums to study the use of colors in paintings to improve.

I wish I could see one of the early printings using this process. But the modern edition is still quite nice. It’s published by Frederick Warne & Co. which also published the Beatrix Potter books, and I’ve found their books are particularly good quality.

[Susan Molloy · Rating 5 out of 5]

🖊The illustrations in this book are by Kate Greenaway, and the poems, too. It is a delightful, sweet, and gentle collection of lovely poetry. I got a kick out of this poem:

THE CATS HAVE COME TO TEA.

What did she see—oh, what did she see,
As she stood leaning against the tree?
Why all the Cats had come to tea.
What a fine turn out—from round about,
All the houses had let them out,
And here they were with scamper and shout.
"Mew—mew—mew!" was all they could say,
And, "We hope we find you well to-day."
Oh, what should she do—oh, what should she do?
What a lot of milk they would get through;
For here they were with
"Mew—mew—mew!"
She didn't know—oh, she didn't know,
If bread and butter they'd like or no;
They might want little mice, oh! oh! oh!

📙 This book was published in 1885.
🟢The full color illustrated e-book version can be found on Project Gutenberg.
🟣Kindle.
✿●▬●✿●✿●▬●✿

[Kristal · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Read on archive .org

Glad I read this for historical purposes, and I did like the illustrations. Unlike Kate Greenaway’s Mother Goose this one didn’t really have any problematic rhymes - I only rated it so low because it was just kind of boring to me.

[Christa Sorola · Rating 4 out of 5]

The pictures are gorgeous and typical of Kate Greenaway's work. The poems are reflective of the innocence of childhood. They have the feel of nursery rhymes, short and sweet. There are about 40 short poems, most of 1 to 7 stanzas of four lines.

[Lorie LovesBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was exactly what I was hoping it would be a great book to help me get in the mood for spring. The poems were sweet and simple, there were a lot of poems about little children being good, teatime and garden/ flower poems.

[Heather · Rating 1 out of 5]

yay illustrations! boo poems.

[Tweedledum · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love Kate Greenaway's art but rhymes.... Dire.

[Juniper Lily]

Pretty outdated but can skim and select gems. Beautiful illustrations.

[Robin Blankenship · Rating 1 out of 5]

So outdated. A little boy can be whatever they want even a little girl.

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Old-fashioned rhymes.

[Matt Sheffield · Rating 2 out of 5]

1001 Children's Books To Read Before You Grow Up - #40

[Miranda Norton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very quaint poetry from the late 1800’s. The illustrations are so beautiful!

[Jennifer Booth · Rating 5 out of 5]

One quick book

One quick book of poetry. I love the sole lines of beautiful poetic stances. It was simple and clear cut!

[Nicole Meeuwsen Reif · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have had this book since childhood. It was fun to read it again to see if I remembered any of it.

[Cherene · Rating 2 out of 5]

1001 Children's Books list
Age group: 3+
Their list: 40/1001
My list: 40/1001

Why they say you should read it? The rhymes considered poor in literacy style, but the illustrations considered superior and perfect for exploitative children.

I do wish that 1001 Books for Children would stop recommending these books. It is not that rhymes are not cherished by adults. It's simply that I have yet to find a child who enjoys them. I understand there is probably someone out there that is going to correct me and gush about how much their children loves these sorts of books.

In which case, that's wonderful. Majority wise, I think these rhymes are more intriguing to adults than children. Then again, that's just based on the children in my life.

My kids thoughts? Aside from that, the rhymes are classic. I just can't rate this novel higher knowing that I have yet to meet a child that cares to read these books. Maybe my daughter will and I will have to edit this review soon.

Edit: after the birth of my daughter and reading why the list recommended the book, the illustrations not the writing, the only thing I feel like adding is one was enough in terms of "essential children's reading."

[Evie · Rating 3 out of 5]

From a historical perspective, this book and its illustrations reflect the time it was written in: an age of very polite society in which every good, polite child must heed their beautiful pure mother, all while donning the frilliest frippery you can imagine. The illustrations are beautiful, to be sure, but there's no depth here; everything is meant to be pretty. And have I mentioned polite? Indeed.

As another reviewer has pointed out, the modern child will have some issues relating to its language and notions of good society. Also present is the Victorian divide between city and country, and the stress placed on the country ideal. There are also some issues when it comes to strict gender roles and the equally suffocating portrayal of young girls and women. A boy can never be a girl, as one poem points out, and all girls are delicate, well-dresed, and white. But this is becoming exceedingly nit-picky, so I'll just leave off here saying that it's a very attractive book, and is an excellent resource if you're a fan of the time period or need to understand how children's literature has developed since then. If you're looking for something to give to your child in the hopes they'll be eased into poetry, just be wary of what I've mentioned.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

https://openlibrary.org/works/OL53822...

Little girls were raised to be well bred, little girls. They had different books to little boys because, well, boys only read intelligent books. But don't get us started.

The illustrations of gorgeous golden curled, blue eyed girls are truly beautiful - if a little repetitive. There are no fathers, grandfathers or uncles. There's no brothers over the age of 2. Grandmamma features a number of times, and, with wry smile, I do like how Kate Greenaway thought Grandmammas were stuffy, boring and children needed room to breathe and run! Very funny.

Kids these days will not understand the old turns of phrase, so read it to your babes in arms and enjoy.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the original 1885 version from the antique section of the library and it felt like reading a secret, historical treasure. The whimsical poems and drawings deal with daily life for the upper class in the 1880s.

Unfortunately, daily life has changed dramatically since then and the book as a whole dosn't translate very well to the modern child. The young boys are wearing girls clothes. The girls don't do anything but drink tea and go to parties.

This book was facinating to me as a social record. What it includes is as interesting as what it dosn't include. No sweatshops, child laborers or coal pollution here, only whimsical white children meandering in lush gardens.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book of poems written and illustrated by Kate Greenaway is VERY 19th century. Words like "cowslip" and "gay" (as in happy)appear, and eye color is ALWAYS blue and hair is ALWAYS golden curls. Many of the poems are very nice, but I think this extremely feminine book will appeal to only certain kids. (I say feminine because the vast majority of the illustrations are of girls and most of the poems feature girls.)

I do sort of wonder if Kate Greenaway was the Shel Silverstein of her day!

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I owned more than one copy of this lovely book, I'd cut one of them up and frame the illustrations. So lovely. The poems are easier to appreciate than what was presented in Lavender's Blue. I could definitely imagine holding a tot in my lap and reading these poems to them and discussing the pictures.

[Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate Greenaway lived from 1846 to 1901. Her poetry is for young misses and masters of a different time and of some refinement~reading it gives us post-modernists a window into the Victorian era, a time when children were idealized as purity itself. However, I enjoy Greenaway as illustrator--hence a four star rating.

[Dominick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kate Greenaway is a delightful artist (though admittedly there is something vaguely kewpie-dollish about her moppets), but she's an indifferent poet, at best. The verses here are inoffensive but unmemorable, and not particularly sound, metrically. Nice to look at, but not much more to say, really.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly worthwhile for the illustrations, although I did enjoy a few of the poems.