Faith, Hope and Love – Poems to Fall in Love with
Hello dear friends and readers. Recently, I purchased a book online entitled Love – Poems to Fall in Love with , chosen and illustrated by Chris Riddell.
He’s a master illustrator from the UK, South African born and a political cartoonist for the Observer. His proud awards see him with the Kate Greenaway Medal and Nestle Smarties Book Prize for 6-8 years. His achievements and books are on a grand scale – quite impressive. And I love his lined drawings with movement, atmosphere and emotion.
When my beautifully pink covered copy arrived at home, I devoured the pages and poems.The book is divided into themes, such as Love and friendship, Beginnings, Valentine, Let’s Stick Together and My Life Closed Twice.
There’s an index of first lines at the back with 193 pages. Poets such as Emily Bronte, William Shakespeare, Kate Tempest, Nick Cave, Lord Byron, Robert Burns and more.
To charm the children, why not read, The Owl and the Pussycat by Edward Lear. A love story. His sketch of the pig is quirky and amusing.
The above illustration is created for Robert Burn’s the Scottish poet whose famous lines echo in this collection. My Love is like a Red, Red Rose.
My luve is like the Melodie,
that’s sweetly play’d in tune.
She Walks in Beauty by Byron is both romantic and sensual. His portrait of a girl’s face is sweetly sketched to perfection.
Love After Love
The contrast between sweet, innocent to gothic and ghostly is seen in this book. His dark cross hatching technique stands out. Every line, swish of pencil stoike is carefully executed. There can be a hint of the sinister too. Animals are illustrated brilliantly such as the otter, bear, dog or dragon.
If you are stuck for a gift to give to anyone who has everything, why not buy one of Chris Riddell’s poetry books. Poems to Save the World was released in 2020 after the pandemic. It’s a beauty with a blue cover and gold lettering.
Have a great week, enjoy Autumn colours and write a poem.
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