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Poesy Ring
From the multi-award winning Bob Graham comes a romantic, hopeful and exquisitely-illustrated story, perfect for giving as a gift to the one that you love. It's 1830 in County Kerry, Ireland, and a gold ring is thrown into the wind by a young woman on a black horse... And as the seasons pass, and then the years, the little treasure finds itself on the most astonishing journey, finally settling at the bottom of a deep sea. Will the ring, inscribed with “love never dies”, ever fulfil its destiny, and find the finger of a woman truly loved?
40 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2017
1 person is currently reading
44 people want to read
About the author
Bob Graham
91 books84 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
An Australian children's author and illustrator. His books include Max, which won the Nestlé Smarties Book Prize Gold Award, Jethro Byrd, Fairy Child, which won the Kate Greenaway Medal, and "Let's Get A Pup!" Said Kate which won the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award
An Australian children's author and illustrator. His books include Max, which won the Nestlé Smarties Book Prize Gold Award, Jethro Byrd, Fairy Child, which won the Kate Greenaway Medal, and "Let's Get A Pup!" Said Kate which won the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
May 2, 2019
This is a journey of a ring. This ring has the words love never dies written on the inside of the ring. The story starts with a woman riding a horse and flinging off her ring into the grasses where the ring and a tree get to know each other. This is in Ireland by the way. It’s also the year 1833. We see the ring go from place to place via an animal or in the end a person. It makes it’s way to NYC in 1976 where it finds its way to a fish market and a man finds him. I do love the ending.
The art is lovely. The story is rather magical and after reading this book, I did feel like love would always win in the end. This book made me happy.
The niece read it first and she enjoyed this book giving it 4 stars; high praise. Then my nephew read it and he got into the story too. It’s simply a ring and yet you really connect with the ring and its journey. He too gave this 4 stars which makes me happy since I think this shows he can like more than robots and monsters right now.
The art is lovely. The story is rather magical and after reading this book, I did feel like love would always win in the end. This book made me happy.
The niece read it first and she enjoyed this book giving it 4 stars; high praise. Then my nephew read it and he got into the story too. It’s simply a ring and yet you really connect with the ring and its journey. He too gave this 4 stars which makes me happy since I think this shows he can like more than robots and monsters right now.
December 11, 2018
Australian picture-book author/artist Bob Graham, who has crafted so many lovely stories from everyday people and events, turns to the enduring topic of love in this newest foray into the form. Following the adventures of a golden ring, thrown away by a heartbroken woman in 1830s Ireland (County Kerry), the narrative chronicles the slow passage of time around the ring - the changing seasons, the coming and going of animals and people, the falling of stars themselves. Eventually the ring finds its way to the water, and from thence into human hands again. Somehow winding up in New York City, it is sold, and once again becomes a token of love...
Having greatly enjoyed many of Graham's picture-books, from the poignant How to Heal a Broken Wing to the humorous "Let's Get a Pup!" Said Kate , I picked up The Poesy Ring: A Love Story with a feeling of pleasant anticipation. Unfortunately, given the heartfelt nature of the story, which is dedicated to Graham's wife, I wasn't as moved by this one as I expected to be. It's sweet, but not particularly evocative, and I'm at something of a loss to explain why, when so many of the author's other books have been. The artwork is lovely, and I like the story concept, but the end product just didn't impress that much. I don't want to overstate the case, this is still an engaging book, but judged against Graham's other work, it isn't quite up to standard.
Having greatly enjoyed many of Graham's picture-books, from the poignant How to Heal a Broken Wing to the humorous "Let's Get a Pup!" Said Kate , I picked up The Poesy Ring: A Love Story with a feeling of pleasant anticipation. Unfortunately, given the heartfelt nature of the story, which is dedicated to Graham's wife, I wasn't as moved by this one as I expected to be. It's sweet, but not particularly evocative, and I'm at something of a loss to explain why, when so many of the author's other books have been. The artwork is lovely, and I like the story concept, but the end product just didn't impress that much. I don't want to overstate the case, this is still an engaging book, but judged against Graham's other work, it isn't quite up to standard.
February 27, 2019
A very interesting story - it feels almost like a picture book for adults, rather than children. But it's definitely simple enough for a child, and I think a child will like the "and then this happened" nature of things.
But the story as a whole feels like it's much grander and universal, for some reason.
But the story as a whole feels like it's much grander and universal, for some reason.
August 13, 2022
Graham explores again one of his, and my, favorite themes. Connections. Through time and space, people and their stories are linked together. One never knows how one's actions will affect others, so endeavor to always act with kindness.
August 9, 2021
A sweet book about how a ring travels from the hand of a woman in Ireland all the way to New York City. Most of the book is sweet, showing how the ring endures the passage of the seasons and company of animals, but once it's found in a fish, pawned and sold to a young couple, it just...stops. The picture book set just won't grasp the continuity of love symbolized by the ending. What was enchanting was how the ring "lived" and traveled, and after all that, being sold just fell flat.
However, this could spark interest in found objects for young readers, wondering where they came from, who owned them, and how they were used and cared for. As a lover of antiques myself (and wearer of an heirloom wedding band), I am fully sympathetic to this. The couple at the end just didn't capture my imagination, though other readers might find them more enchanting. Maybe if the pawn shop was left out entirely, and the couple found the ring by happenstance, it would have struck a better chord with me. The pawn shop element just felt too intentional, I guess, not whimsical enough. After spending years growing by an oak tree, being caught in a fawn's hoof, and being carried across the ocean by a bird, ending up in something as ho-hum as a shop was a little boring.
However, this could spark interest in found objects for young readers, wondering where they came from, who owned them, and how they were used and cared for. As a lover of antiques myself (and wearer of an heirloom wedding band), I am fully sympathetic to this. The couple at the end just didn't capture my imagination, though other readers might find them more enchanting. Maybe if the pawn shop was left out entirely, and the couple found the ring by happenstance, it would have struck a better chord with me. The pawn shop element just felt too intentional, I guess, not whimsical enough. After spending years growing by an oak tree, being caught in a fawn's hoof, and being carried across the ocean by a bird, ending up in something as ho-hum as a shop was a little boring.
January 13, 2018
Beautiful...
February 20, 2020
Ring was engraved with “love never dies” but at the start the ring was thrown? Lmao the irony.
Would recommend this book for adult readers and perhaps children who might appreciate the philosophical meaning behind this beautifully crafted, timeless tale of how love transcends time and place.
The illustrations are gorgeous too! I had fun looking for the ring (more so than the actual story itself) 🙈
Would recommend this book for adult readers and perhaps children who might appreciate the philosophical meaning behind this beautifully crafted, timeless tale of how love transcends time and place.
The illustrations are gorgeous too! I had fun looking for the ring (more so than the actual story itself) 🙈
October 18, 2019
Charming in only the way that Bob Graham has mastered. I loved the historical perspective to this picture book story.
March 1, 2018
The Poesy Ring: a love story by Bob Graham (Walker Books)
http://www.walker.co.uk/The-Poesy-Rin...
Poesy Ring - badger in field illustration.pdf
Bob Graham has such a quietly magical way of telling stories than span generations. In his latest book, a gold ring inscribed with the words Love never dies is thrown away in anger in County Kerry on the west coast of Ireland in 1830. It is caught by the wind and ‘tumbles end over end, and settles deep in a meadow in the sea’. Each page tells a gentle story of the times and circumstances of the ring’s location. There are many little clues, sometimes in the foreground of Graham’s illustrations and sometimes as background what the written text is focussing on, as to where & when the ring is and the reader is encouraged to predict where it will go next. Illustrated in his instantly recognisable style, Graham uses watercolour pencils and ink, and a well paced combination of full page spreads and story-telling blocks or scenes, laid over one another, to tell this haunting story of this ring and its journey. The dedication reads, “ For Carolyn. Us. 50 years”, it is such a beautiful and personal glimpse into the love with which this story has been told. A book that will span generations in families. Loved it.
BIGGEST CRIME in 2017 - it wasn't entered in CBCA Book of the Year Awards!!!!
http://www.walker.co.uk/The-Poesy-Rin...
Poesy Ring - badger in field illustration.pdf
Bob Graham has such a quietly magical way of telling stories than span generations. In his latest book, a gold ring inscribed with the words Love never dies is thrown away in anger in County Kerry on the west coast of Ireland in 1830. It is caught by the wind and ‘tumbles end over end, and settles deep in a meadow in the sea’. Each page tells a gentle story of the times and circumstances of the ring’s location. There are many little clues, sometimes in the foreground of Graham’s illustrations and sometimes as background what the written text is focussing on, as to where & when the ring is and the reader is encouraged to predict where it will go next. Illustrated in his instantly recognisable style, Graham uses watercolour pencils and ink, and a well paced combination of full page spreads and story-telling blocks or scenes, laid over one another, to tell this haunting story of this ring and its journey. The dedication reads, “ For Carolyn. Us. 50 years”, it is such a beautiful and personal glimpse into the love with which this story has been told. A book that will span generations in families. Loved it.
BIGGEST CRIME in 2017 - it wasn't entered in CBCA Book of the Year Awards!!!!
February 20, 2019
The story itself feels almost like a translation (from the Scandinavian area or German) but is not. What I mean is, the story does not always flow smoothly and that tends to be what translations feel like to me. (Not to say they are bad, but there is a different feel to the story in my mind).
Spoiler: the story starts in the middle. Graham does not explain why the Rider in Ireland throws away the ring that says that love is forever. The ring, somehow, stays shiny and perfect through the years after being grown into a tree after it tangles with an acorn, was on a deer hoof, was in the ocean, in multiple fish.... to find its way to 1960s New York and a new set of lovers.
The illustrations are a treat, however. If you look closely the glowing ring can be spotted. (I liked the fisherman net pulling up the lump of grey with that one piece of yellow). A delightful mixture of colors and details grace the page.
Spoiler: the story starts in the middle. Graham does not explain why the Rider in Ireland throws away the ring that says that love is forever. The ring, somehow, stays shiny and perfect through the years after being grown into a tree after it tangles with an acorn, was on a deer hoof, was in the ocean, in multiple fish.... to find its way to 1960s New York and a new set of lovers.
The illustrations are a treat, however. If you look closely the glowing ring can be spotted. (I liked the fisherman net pulling up the lump of grey with that one piece of yellow). A delightful mixture of colors and details grace the page.
November 22, 2017
It doesn’t matter what form one might take, The Poesy Ring shows us that you can always have an adventure.
Whether if your adventure is sitting on top of a hill, in a field being plowed by a farmer, flying through the air with wings or even in the ocean.
Take your time and enjoy the adventure that you are on.
Whether if your adventure is sitting on top of a hill, in a field being plowed by a farmer, flying through the air with wings or even in the ocean.
Take your time and enjoy the adventure that you are on.
May 3, 2019
Adult readers and perhaps more sophisticated children with philosophical predilections will fully appreciate this beautiful, gracefully crafted tale of a gold ring’s survival through space and time as a powerful symbol for the enduring force of love.
January 4, 2018
The perfect combination of beautiful illustrations, history and a timeless message. The perfect picture book!
June 14, 2018
Such beautiful illustrations.
January 10, 2019
A beautiful picture book about a lost ring.
March 26, 2022
2.5 stars
Lovely and intricately detailed illustrations. It's worth looking at the book for the artwork.
The story shows readers the story of a ring thrown away by a young woman. It starts before the title page so don't let readers miss that. From there, readers see what happens to the ring as it is moved around the world until it ends up with a young couple decades later.
The text didn't flow smoothly though it was fun to locate the ring on each page from its golden glow.
Lovely and intricately detailed illustrations. It's worth looking at the book for the artwork.
The story shows readers the story of a ring thrown away by a young woman. It starts before the title page so don't let readers miss that. From there, readers see what happens to the ring as it is moved around the world until it ends up with a young couple decades later.
The text didn't flow smoothly though it was fun to locate the ring on each page from its golden glow.
August 26, 2021
In 1830 a jilted lover throws her engagement ring as far away from her as possible and rides away in tears. The ring, emblazoned with the phrase "Love Never Dies," remains unnoticed by human eyes for 137 years. It's discovered by mice and badgers, sits next to an acorn that turns into a large oak tree, gets kicked by a deer, picked up by a bird, dropped into the ocean, eaten by a fish, and finally found by a fishmonger who cuts open the fish. He sells the ring at a pawn shop and walks away with cash in hand. A couple enters the shop and buys the ring. The man puts it on his girlfriend's hand and walk away happy.
Beautiful illustrations! In every picture, the ring gives off a soft golden glow so that it can be seen even within the flock of birds and the school of fish. Sweet story about a treasure lost and found.
Beautiful illustrations! In every picture, the ring gives off a soft golden glow so that it can be seen even within the flock of birds and the school of fish. Sweet story about a treasure lost and found.
February 10, 2022
It was cute. This book would make a good lesson on story events, how the ring got from the field to the couple. I liked the art work and all the detail on the background. I thought the story was easy enough to understand and would be good for any children 2nd grade and up, though the message of ‘love never dies’ may need elaborating on
January 22, 2024
Such a lovely story with one of my favorite structures, following an object through time, in this case a golden ring cast off by a heartbroken lover. The illustrations by the author are lovely as always and the quietness of the book as it concludes with a renewal of love is welcome. I appreciated that most of the story of this treasured object made by humans takes place in nature.
September 7, 2019
chandler 5 stars
I enjoyed reading it with my kids, they loved finding the ring on every page however I thought the story was lacking something. I wish there would have been more about the couple at the end.
I enjoyed reading it with my kids, they loved finding the ring on every page however I thought the story was lacking something. I wish there would have been more about the couple at the end.
March 27, 2021
This book was recommended by the librarian. It is a story about how a lady in the 1800s threw a golden ring. This ring was sitting in the land for hundreds of years until someone found it and it got a new home. A great book!
December 15, 2018
I dunno, man. Love sure seemed to die for that person at the beginning of the book.
February 20, 2019
Neat story.
December 28, 2017
Delightful - another great masterpiece of whimsy from Bob Graham to rival my personal favourites "Rose Meets Mr Wintergarten" and "A Bus called Heaven". This one is a little different as it is more plot driven with a lesser focus on memorable characters. It is however made all the more poignant by reading Bob Graham's published letter in which he refers to his own personal connections to the romance of giving rings as a symbol of commitment ie the loving relationship with his wife of fifty years and the story of their engagement ring lost down the drain in their Cremorne flat - along with his own son's purchase of a love ring for his girlfriend in a second hand shop in New York .
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February 10, 2019Bob Graham is a wonderful, whimsical picture book writer whose books are worthy of poring over: How to Heal a Broken Wing; A Bus Called Heaven; April and Esme, Tooth Fairies; and more! The Poesy Ring traces a gold ring from County Kerry in 1830 through its various travels until it ends up in a pawn shop in New York City on the Lower East side where it was purchased by some street musicians to make their commitment real. The book is dedicated to Bob Graham's wife of 50 years. Too romantic; too good! Just right for Valentine's Day.
March 27, 2019
This was a sweet little story about a poesy ring & the passage of time.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews