All Our Yesterdays compiled by Gervase Phinn is a delightful collection of reminisces from childhood.
The snippets are arranged under various headings and include quotes from the famous and the not so famous. The time periods range from the Middle Ages to the mid twentieth century. The majority of quotes are from the latter time period.
Each section begins with a passage by Gervase Phinn. Some of his poems are included.
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A Wayne In A Manger by Gervase Phinn is a very charming and amusing account of school nativities as seen through the eyes of small children when Gervase Phinn was school’s inspector for Yorkshire.
Nativities are always a very charming part of school life. Much hilarity is found when small children improvise. “Mary sighed and thrust the large doll representing the Baby Jesus, with a fair bit of force, on to the lap of Joseph with the words, ‘You ‘old Him a bit. ‘E’s gerrin dead ‘eavy.’”
There are wise words coming from young mouths. “Allus speak tha mind. Say what tha’s got to say an’ then shurrup.”
And we hear of the Good News of Christmas. “There’s summat special abaat it [Christmas], isn’t there?… People smile more, they look ‘appier.”
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Twinkle Twinkle Little Stars by Gervase Phinn is the most enchanting little book about the hilarious tales the author has come across in his years as school inspector for Yorkshire.
Told in a very down to earth, personable style, the reader sniggers and titters throughout. The children are straight faced as they inject humour into what they say. “Can you tell me how many sheep you can see in that field?” “Aye, I can… I can see all on ‘em.”
As well as being literal, the children sometimes mispronounce words. One young one refers to ‘Old Timers Disease’ instead of Alzheimer’s’. It certainly has a friendlier tone to that.
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Love Songs: The World As I See It Vol 2 by Kirby Lee Davis is a powerful and beautiful compilation of images and poems celebrating love in all its’ forms.
We see the love within a family; for a spouse; for children; and for God. There is even the love (tongue-in-cheek) for a doughnut – it does look particularly yummy in the photo!
Although there are original poems to God, there is also a slight variation of 1 Corinthians: 13.
All the poems fall into the categories of: Love & Family; Fantasies; Hardships; True Love. A wide variety of topics as you can see. There really is something to appeal to everyone.
Did I have a favourite poem? I actually had two! Wherever I Go which shows true love as a gift from God. And also, He Couldn’t Be Better about the birth of a son and the pain of letting go as he grows but knowing that God looks after him. This poem is beautiful and incredibly easy to empathise with as a parent.
There were some really fun poems too. A Tick-Yankin’ Woman was in the style of a limerick and incredibly funny. It had a rhythm as I read it.
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