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Beautiful lines from children's books

243 replies

NettJarrp · 14/05/2017 21:37

Just came across this line in DD's current favourite bedtime story:
"Then Christopher Robin and Winnie the Pooh walked hand in hand down the forest path and they said goodbye. So they went off together. But wherever they go, and whatever happens to them on the way, in that enchanted place on the top of the forest a little boy and his bear will always be playing."
I'm in tears. It's times like this that I wish that I could share these feelings with DD's father (I'm widowed - not a thread about that though).

What lines in children's stories pull at your heart strings?

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AllThePrettySeahorses · 14/05/2017 22:32

In the light of the moon, a little egg lay on a leaf ...

All of Peepo.

I spy ... Everyone! from Each Peach Pear Plum

Shirley Hughes' Colours and Noises

rainbowgiraffe · 14/05/2017 22:31

Last page of 'Guess how much I love you '

"Then he lay down close by
And whispered with a smile,
I love you right up to the moon-
And back"

Makes me sob like a baby every time.

NettJarrp · 14/05/2017 22:31

Thanks for sharing all of these breathtaking lines, everyone. I had to stop reading for a while, and then my eyes were too wet to read anyway!

Yes, I'm fine, thank you for asking. I just feel very lonely sometimes and I'm very grateful to chat to you all about such emotional and beautiful pieces of writing.

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Sweetooth92 · 14/05/2017 22:29

Saw the title and was coming to suggest "no matter what" debi Gilori but see I've been beaten too it. My husbands daughter (7 at the time) read the full story as one of our readings at our wedding in the and still can't read it without tearing up.

CryHavoc · 14/05/2017 22:28

Also, I've been reading Carrie's War with DD at bedtimes. I thought I knew it inside out from reading when I was a kid, but there's a bit where Carrie and Nick's mum thanks Auntie Lou for looking after them that made me sob. It's very different from a parent's point of view.

StealthPolarBear · 14/05/2017 22:27

I think I bought paper dolls for a younger relative , ds and dd were too big for it :(

Gwencooper81 · 14/05/2017 22:26

DD's class sang a song based on 'The snail and the whale'. I sobbed and sobbed all through the performance!
I can't read it now without tearing up.
The passage above from Tom's Midnight garden is my favorite.
Blubbing like a baby now!

RightOnTheEdge · 14/05/2017 22:24

All the ones I was going to say have been already been mentioned
Oh the places you'll go is brilliant!
The paper dolls
Can't you sleep little bear?
And No Matter What.

"Oh Small" said Big "I'm not that clever. All I know is I'll love you forever"

It makes me tear up a bit just thinking about it.

I always end up blubbing reading these threads!

ememem84 · 14/05/2017 22:24

Nothing to add but oh jeeez. Some of these are sad.

notbobmarley · 14/05/2017 22:23

Dontrocktheboat I came to say that exact line but couldn't have put it as well you you. This thread is making me miss my littles all tucked up in bed.

PanannyPanoo · 14/05/2017 22:23

"but the next baby born was truly divine,
a sweet little child that was mine all mine."

from 12 little fingers and 12 little toes.

I have had 9 pregnancies and have 2 living children. This line makes me sob. I am so lucky I get to keep these two.

CaptainBrickbeard · 14/05/2017 22:23

I came on to quote the same section of No Matter What as Misti - I love that bit.

ShinyGirl · 14/05/2017 22:23

Love these.

CryHavoc · 14/05/2017 22:22

The last lines from Winnie the Pooh were the first that came to mind when I saw the thread title. I can't read them aloud, I cry even thinking about them.

'Daddy, my daddy.' does it for me too. DH is in the forces, and spent four months abroad when our daughter was 3. The day he came home and knocked on the front door she bellowed 'It's my daddy!' I could barely manage to read The Railway Children before that, it's been impossible ever since.

WanderingTrolley1 · 14/05/2017 22:22

Peepo gives me a lump in the throat.

StealthPolarBear · 14/05/2017 22:21

There's something lovely in cave baby too , can't remember it
Ds reads big nate now :(

dementedma · 14/05/2017 22:20

When Grandma Came is a beautiful book about a travelling grandma who has seen amazing things and amazing places ,"but nothing as amazing as you".

StealthPolarBear · 14/05/2017 22:19

Yes to giraffes can't dance too. Haven't read that in years. Think I will bore te dc with it tomorrow.

Misty9 · 14/05/2017 22:17

Ooh we've got a different version of No Matter What by Debi Gliori - ours says "but what about when you're dead and gone? Will you love me then? Does love go on?" Large held Small tight as they looked out at the stars: "Small, look at those stars, how they shine and glow. But some of those stars died a long time ago. Still they shine in the evening skies; love, like starlight, never dies". I can't decide which version I prefer :)

The one which makes me tear up is I Love You Little Monster. The whole thing! But I do like: 'believe in yourself and believe in your dreams and you'll be what you dream you can be'

affectionincoldclimate · 14/05/2017 22:16

Always that one from Jungle Book

"For the strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack."

Such a beautiful way to express how community is key and no man is an island.

And "Now, don't be angry after you've been afraid. That's the worst kind of cowardice"

So much wisdom in this book.

cookiefiend · 14/05/2017 22:16

In giraffes can't dance "remember that that lovely moon is playing just for you. Everything makes music if you really want it to". Catches my throat. How I want my children to feel about the world.

Paper dolls and the lovely grandma. Sniff.

RonBurgundyspanpipe · 14/05/2017 22:16

Just bought the places you'll go for my dc and quotes for my classroom wall.

Golondrina · 14/05/2017 22:16

From the Big Big Sea, about a mum who wakes her little girl to walk by the sea in the moonlight one night. "and mum said to me, remember this time, it's the way life should be":

ilovepixie · 14/05/2017 22:16

'Daddy! My Daddy!' or was that just in the film?

Oh yes gets me every time.

Also The Silver Sword love that book. Gets me everytime too.

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 14/05/2017 22:14

Helenluvsrob - that's not A.A.Milne though, it's Disney. Poor old Milne. His actual Winnie the Pooh writing is sublime and subtle but he gets landed with all the Disney schmalz as well!