The Voyage of the Ludgate Hill: Travels with Robert Louis Stevenson - Hardcover

Kindergarten-Grade 6 This is an enchanting book! Willard has once again teamed with the Provensens to create another jewel in the crown of children's picture books. In ringing verse that begs to be read aloud, Willard tells her version of Robert Louis Stevenson's voyage from London to New York. Based on letters written by Stevenson in 1887 describing his trip on a cargo-carrying steamer, the Ludgate Hill, the poem introduces children to such unforgettable characters as ``a horse who admired my clothes/ but decided my vest was too hard to digest/ and my socks too involved with my toes.'' The Provensens use misty backgrounds against which are painted clearly defined figures and blend subtle hues with touches of bright, pure color in a style uniquely their own. Each illustration is filled with fascinating details that amplify and extend the story woven by Willard's verse. Both children and adults will be delighted with the humor that these illustrations display. The book, which blends fact and imagination, provides a wonderful way to introduce speculation, one of the higher order thinking skills. A nice entree into Stevenson's work, either the verses for younger children or the novels for older ones. Don't pass this book up. It's a sure winner! Constance A. Mellon, Department of Library & Information Studies, East Carolina University, Greenville, N.C.
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