Songs with Music – R. L. Stevenson 1920s | Illus. Margaret Tarrant

“Songs with Music” by R. L. Stevenson, Illustrated by Margaret Tarrant is a delightful early 20th-century book that brings together the lyrical poetry of Robert Louis Stevenson with musical arrangements and the enchanting artwork of Margaret Tarrant. The volume features a selection of Stevenson’s verses—perhaps drawn from his famous A Child’s Garden of Verses—transformed into songs with accompanying sheet music, making it both a literary and musical treasure.

The illustrations by Margaret Tarrant infuse the book with her signature dreamlike charm, characterized by soft watercolors of children, fairies, and pastoral scenes. Her gentle, nostalgic style perfectly complements Stevenson’s themes of childhood wonder, nature, and imagination. The musical settings, likely simple piano arrangements, suggest the book was designed for family enjoyment, perhaps used in homes or schools to introduce young readers to poetry and music.

Published during the height of Tarrant’s career, the book reflects the aesthetic of classic Edwardian and interwar children’s literature. The design probably includes decorative elements, color plates, or delicate line drawings alongside the text and musical notation.

This book would appeal to collectors of vintage children’s literature, admirers of Golden Age illustration, and enthusiasts of Stevenson’s poetry. Its combination of verse, music, and art makes it a charming artifact of early 20th-century culture, evoking a time when such books were cherished for both their educational and imaginative value.