Now we are six - Exploring Childhood Joy and Wonder through Poetry

A. Milne

Summary

In "Now We Are Six," A. A. Milne invites readers into the charming, imaginative world of childhood with a collection of whimsical poems that celebrate the joys and trials of growing up. Employing a distinctive blend of playful rhythms and lyrical simplicity, Milne captures the innocent wonder of children while also touching on the deeper themes of time, friendship, and the bittersweet nature of life's transitions. This work not only showcases Milne'Äôs characteristic wit but also serves as a continuation of the beloved characters first introduced in his earlier works, further enriching their narratives within the context of early 20th-century British literature, where the joy of childhood was an increasingly prevalent theme. A. A. Milne, originally a playwright and novelist, found his voice through the lens of his own experiences as a father and during his time in post-war England, a period rich in reflection on childhood escapism. His desire to create a world where imagination trumps the mundane stems from his affinity for the splendor of youth, making his literary contributions both personal and universal. Milne's background in theatre and storytelling adds depth to his poetic approach, allowing readers to engage at multiple levels with the text. "Now We Are Six" is a quintessential read for anyone yearning to reconnect with the simplicity and breadth of childhood emotions. It is a delightful collection that not only entertains but also resonates with adults who recall their own youth. This book will enchant readers of all ages, reminding them to embrace the wonder inherent in every stage of life.

Available since: 07/10/2023.

Print length: 95 pages.

Poetry & Theatre

Other books that might interest you

My Father's Fable

Faith Omole

'Shall we have a real conversation? I am ready to stop pretending if you are.'
Peace didn't know what she needed when her father died. Then she found Bolu, her halfbrother from Nigeria, whom she didn't know existed. Filled with grief and a thousand questions, Peace ignores her mother's concerns, and invites Bolu to England. His arrival feels like something clicking into place.
But questions about this stranger's intentions and his mysterious past hang heavy in the air. Desperate to keep her fractured family – and herself – together, Peace must face the fact that the answers she desperately seeks might just lead to everything falling apart.
Faith Omole's play My Father's Fable is a gripping story of grief, belonging, and a family on the edge. It was first performed at the Bush Theatre, London, in 2024, directed by Rebekah Murrell.

Show book

Can You Hear Me

Anna Lyse Erikson

Before Guglielmo Marconi came along, there was no practical way to transmit telegraphic messages without wires. But when he harnessed the power of radio waves to send signals over long distances, what had once seemed impossible became a world-changing reality.

In this original L.A. Theatre Works commission, we’ll get a firsthand, intimate view of the precocious Italian inventor, and what he had to overcome in his quest to revolutionize the way we communicate.

Can You Hear Me is available as part of L.A. Theatre Works’ Relativity Series of science-themed plays, sponsored by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

Recorded at The Invisible Studios, West Hollywood in April, 2024.

Directed by Rosalind Ayres
Producing Director: Susan Albert Loewenberg

An L.A. Theatre Works full-cast recording, starring:

Lucy DeVito as Degna Marconi
Martin Jarvis as Mr. Preece, King Edward, Captain Smith
Kurt Kanazawa as Alfonso Marconi, George Parkin
Henri Lubatti as Giuseppe Marconi, Teddy Roosevelt
Moira Quirk as Annie Jameson
Darren Richardson as George Kemp, Jack Phillips
André Sogliuzzo as Guglielmo Marconi and Older Marconi
Mark Jude Sullivan as Luigi Solari, Harold Bride, Pagent

Senior Producer: Anna Lyse Erikson
Prepared for Audio by Mark Holden
Recorded and edited by Neil Wogenson
Designed by Neil Wogenson, Charles Carroll and Mark Holden, and mixed by Charles Carroll for The Invisible Studios, West Hollywood.
Technical Advisor and Morse Code Performer: Mark Holden.
Senior Radio Producer: Ronn Lipkin
Foley Artist: Stacey Martinez
Antique Morse Code and radio equipment provided by Ken Holden

Show book

A Rhyme A Dozen ― Fruit - 12...

Elinor Wylie, Mirabai, D H...

‘A dime a dozen’ as known in America, is perhaps equal to the English ‘cheap as chips’ but whatever the lingua franca of your choice in this series we hereby submit ‘A Rhyme a Dozen’ as 12 poems on many given subjects that are a well-rounded gathering, maybe even an essential guide, from the knowing pens of classic poets and their beautifully spoken verse to the comfort of your ears. 
1 - A Rhyme a Dozen - 12 Poets, 12 Poems, 1 Topic.  Fruit - An Introduction 
2 - Epigram on Fruit by Diodorus 
3 - Wild Peaches by Elinor Wylie 
4 - Moonlit Apples by John Drinkwater 
5 - The Pomegranate by Alice Corbin 
6 - Oranges and Lemons from Sicily by Abd-al-Rahman 
7 - The Plums Tasted by Mirabai 
8 - Sonnet 13 -  Summer Fruit by Rainer Maria Rilke 
9 - This Is Just to Say by William Carlos Williams 
10 - Apples by Jonathan Swift 
11 - Cherry Ripe by Robert Herrick 
12 - Figs by D H Lawrence 
13 - Quince by Shafer Ben Utman Al-Mushafi

Show book

Desert of Inspiration - Poems by...

Roger Blakiston

Anyone who has visited Sedona, in the high desert of Arizona, will know that it is one of the most beautiful townships in the world. I am fortunate to live there. My home is nestled midst spectacular scenery, with views of red rocks and ancient vortexes. It is the perfect environment to inspire a poet, and hence the title of this book, Desert of Inspiration. Many of these poems were written while I was out on my daily hikes.
The poems are in the exact chronological order that they were written. I averaged writing more than one poem a week over a two year period. You can follow my path of inspiration and imagination during this time. I take you through the four seasons of each year. You will find deep, thoughtful poems; poems of fantasy, and humorous poems, as you explore my magical world. I am a professional magician, but also have a strong connection with the magic and miracles of nature. I was born in Northumberland, England, the son of an Anglican clergyman. As a child, I lived in vicarages with large gardens, and always enjoyed outside activities such as climbing trees, playing amongst wildflowers, and creating rock gardens. I felt my spirit was in tune with Mother Earth and the elementals. During these early years, I was also performing magic tricks and writing poetry.
The last two poems were written in March 2020, when planet Earth was in a turbulent time with the pandemic known as COVID-19. How this was all going to play out was unclear when the book was published, but we were certainly going through times of great change. I am hopeful that many good lessons were learned by humanity from this experience. There are powerful, positive, and profound messages hidden within these chapters. By inviting my listeners to look inward, I hope to make them see their true light, where there often appears to be only darkness and shadows. Enjoy the journey!
Roger Blakiston

Show book

love letters to places

Anja Mujic

A poetry anthology inspired by passion, travel and love. 
there was presence in the stillness, 
and stillness in a constant state of transience 
where inner and outer worlds were shaped and traced 
by the fading echoes of a single breath left behind; 
a memoir of moments lingering far and wide 
mementos hiding in plain sight 
laying await for the next, 
new you to find 
- 
love letters to places...

Show book

The Tenderness of Silent Minds -...

Martha C. Nussbaum

The human body is the primary instrument of war, yet those waging war often confront soldiers' bodies in a detached or merely intellectual way. In The Tenderness of Silent Minds, Martha C. Nussbaum, a leading thinker on emotion, morality, and justice, conducts a pioneering study of Benjamin Britten's musical representations of the tender male body amidst the brutality of war, and their ability to transform consciousness by evoking potent, non-personal emotions. 
 
 
 
Offering a reading of Britten's views about the value and beauty of the body that situates these in the context of his thirty-nine year partnership with his lover, the singer Peter Pears, and also surveying pacifist themes in works written both before and after War Requiem, Nussbaum presents a compelling framework for critically assessing Britten's oeuvre. Nussbaum engages with a remarkably wide range of Britten's works, examining his treatment of aggression and its roots in his collaborations with the poet W. H. Auden, offering readings of the value placed on the body in early partnerships with Britten's beloved and singer Peter Pears, and surveying pacifist themes in Britten's earlier works. The analysis throughout is enriched with perspectives from Britten's personal letters and thoughtful study of the social and political backdrop of fear and homophobic disgust in mid-twentieth century Britain.

Show book