What do you think?
Rate this book
I Saw Three Ships
Little orphan Polly Flowerdew lives with her two elderly maiden aunts, Dorcas and Constantia. Christmas is coming and she is bursting with excitement. She is absolutely sure that something special is going to happen this year. What will she find in her stocking? Will the Three Wise Men visit as she has always hoped? Who knows what may happen at this special time of year? She leaves her bedroom window open on Christmas Eve, just in case the Wise Men decide to come visit. When she wakes up on Christmas morning, more than one miracle seems to have taken place. In the event, this Christmas isn't like any she has ever known, especially when three ships sail into the harbour.
71 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1969
5 people are currently reading
783 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Goudge
77 books870 followersElizabeth Goudge was an English author of novels, short stories and children's books.
Elizabeth de Beauchamp Goudge was born on 24 April 1900 in Wells, Somerset, in Tower House close by the cathedral in an area known as The Liberty, Her father, the Reverend Henry Leighton Goudge, taught in the cathedral school. Her mother was Miss Ida Collenette from the Channel Isles. Elizabeth was an only child. The family moved to Ely for a Canonry as Principal of the theological college. Later, when her father was made Regius Professor of Divinity at Oxford, they moved to Christ Church, Oxford.
She went to boarding school during WWI and later to Arts College, presumably at Reading College. She made a small living as teacher, and continued to live with her parents. During this time, she wrote a few plays, and was encouraged to write novels by a publisher. As her writing career took off, she began to travel to other nations. Unfortunately, she suffered from depression for much of her life. She had great empathy for people and a talent for finding the comic side of things, displayed to great effect in her writing.
Goudge's first book, The Fairies' Baby and Other Stories (1919), was a failure and it was several years before she authored Island Magic (1934), which is based on Channel Island stories, many of which she had learned from her mother, who was from Guernsey. After the death of her father, Goudge and her mother went to Devon, and eventually wound up living there in a small cottage. There, she wrote prolifically and was happy.
After the death of her mother, and at the wishes of Goudge's family who wished her to live closer to them, she found a companion who moved with her to Rose Cottage in Reading. She lived out her life there, and had many dogs in her life. Goudge loved dogs, and much preferred their company to that of humans. She continued to write until shortly before her death, when ill health, successive falls, and cataracts hindered her ability to write. She was much loved.
Goudge was awarded the Carnegie Medal for The Little White Horse (1946), the book which J. K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter stories, has said was her favorite as a child. The television mini-series Moonacre was based on The Little White Horse. Her Green Dolphin Country (1944) was made into a film (under its American title, Green Dolphin Street) which won the Academy Award for Special Effects in 1948.
A Diary of Prayer (1966) was one of Goudge's last works. She spent her last years in her cottage on Peppard Common, just outside Henley-on-Thames, where a blue plaque was unveiled in 2008.
Elizabeth de Beauchamp Goudge was born on 24 April 1900 in Wells, Somerset, in Tower House close by the cathedral in an area known as The Liberty, Her father, the Reverend Henry Leighton Goudge, taught in the cathedral school. Her mother was Miss Ida Collenette from the Channel Isles. Elizabeth was an only child. The family moved to Ely for a Canonry as Principal of the theological college. Later, when her father was made Regius Professor of Divinity at Oxford, they moved to Christ Church, Oxford.
She went to boarding school during WWI and later to Arts College, presumably at Reading College. She made a small living as teacher, and continued to live with her parents. During this time, she wrote a few plays, and was encouraged to write novels by a publisher. As her writing career took off, she began to travel to other nations. Unfortunately, she suffered from depression for much of her life. She had great empathy for people and a talent for finding the comic side of things, displayed to great effect in her writing.
Goudge's first book, The Fairies' Baby and Other Stories (1919), was a failure and it was several years before she authored Island Magic (1934), which is based on Channel Island stories, many of which she had learned from her mother, who was from Guernsey. After the death of her father, Goudge and her mother went to Devon, and eventually wound up living there in a small cottage. There, she wrote prolifically and was happy.
After the death of her mother, and at the wishes of Goudge's family who wished her to live closer to them, she found a companion who moved with her to Rose Cottage in Reading. She lived out her life there, and had many dogs in her life. Goudge loved dogs, and much preferred their company to that of humans. She continued to write until shortly before her death, when ill health, successive falls, and cataracts hindered her ability to write. She was much loved.
Goudge was awarded the Carnegie Medal for The Little White Horse (1946), the book which J. K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter stories, has said was her favorite as a child. The television mini-series Moonacre was based on The Little White Horse. Her Green Dolphin Country (1944) was made into a film (under its American title, Green Dolphin Street) which won the Academy Award for Special Effects in 1948.
A Diary of Prayer (1966) was one of Goudge's last works. She spent her last years in her cottage on Peppard Common, just outside Henley-on-Thames, where a blue plaque was unveiled in 2008.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
December 5, 2023
Another delightful Goudge story.
December 14, 2020
I’m not sure how I never heard of this small book because I do know of the Christmas carol, “I Saw Three Ships” which is actually a favorite of mine. Nonetheless, I found the book to be very delightful and dare I say “spiritual” with the true meaning of Christmas. Five ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️‘s and a must read for all! 🎅🏻🎄🤶🏻
December 16, 2024
I love this book, no reservations. It's perfection! Mentally, I set this in the same place as Green Dolphin Street. Goudge writes of childhood so well, and the spiritual insight here is just delightful.
December 24, 2014
Oh, this lovely - a beautifully and loving crafted warm security blanket of a book!
The story opens on Christmas eve, in a harbour town in the west of England, two centuries ago.
Polly was spending her first Christmas there with two maiden aunts, Dorcas and Constantia. She had lived with them since the death of her parents in an accident earlier in the year, and she was beginning to realise that her aunts' ideas about celebrating Christmas were rather different to hers. At her parents farmhouse home the door had been left unlocked day and night to offer hospitality to all: friends, neighbours, travellers, the needy ....
"But we always did it at home," said Polly.
"My dear," said Aunt Dorcas, "at home you had a man in the house."
"But we've got The Hat in the hall," said Polly.
"My dear," said Aunt Dorcas, "it is not such an adequate protection."
The aunts were eminently sensible; there hadn't been a man in the house since one of their brothers had married and the other had run away to sea. But Polly couldn't accept that. She believed that she would see three ships come sailing in, bringing three wise men to see them, and she believed that angels would visit them, because every Christmas she had heard their feathers brushing the panelling on the stairs.
The aunts locked the door and hid the key. It wasn't that they were unkind, they were just the opposite; they just wanted Polly to be safe and secure, and they'd had a lovely time creating the perfect Christmas stocking for her.
They would find that their niece had been right. They were visited by three wise men of a most unexpected kind, they brought three gifts that had the same symbolism as gold, frankincense and myrrh, and three ships did come sailing into the harbour on Christmas morning.
They couldn't have been happier - and neither could I - the ending was perfect!
It was a happy tears kind of ending ....
I'd love to say more, to re-tell the whole story, but I mustn't.
The story is beautifully written, it's very well thought out, it's full of lovely details, and it's told with warmth, understanding, and just a little bit of humour.
The characters - including a very amenable cat - are nicely differentiated and very well drawn, the historical setting is evoked so well, and the words of the carol that gives the story its title are threaded through.
You might say that the story is old-fashioned, and maybe it is.
And you might think that it sounds sentimental, but I'd say that it isn't. It's a story underpinned by real emotions and real faith.
It's a lovely story for Christmas. A very small book, written for children but very readable for grown-ups.
I just have to thank Lory for mentioning it and Open Library for lending me a copy.
The story opens on Christmas eve, in a harbour town in the west of England, two centuries ago.
Polly was spending her first Christmas there with two maiden aunts, Dorcas and Constantia. She had lived with them since the death of her parents in an accident earlier in the year, and she was beginning to realise that her aunts' ideas about celebrating Christmas were rather different to hers. At her parents farmhouse home the door had been left unlocked day and night to offer hospitality to all: friends, neighbours, travellers, the needy ....
"But we always did it at home," said Polly.
"My dear," said Aunt Dorcas, "at home you had a man in the house."
"But we've got The Hat in the hall," said Polly.
"My dear," said Aunt Dorcas, "it is not such an adequate protection."
The aunts were eminently sensible; there hadn't been a man in the house since one of their brothers had married and the other had run away to sea. But Polly couldn't accept that. She believed that she would see three ships come sailing in, bringing three wise men to see them, and she believed that angels would visit them, because every Christmas she had heard their feathers brushing the panelling on the stairs.
The aunts locked the door and hid the key. It wasn't that they were unkind, they were just the opposite; they just wanted Polly to be safe and secure, and they'd had a lovely time creating the perfect Christmas stocking for her.
They would find that their niece had been right. They were visited by three wise men of a most unexpected kind, they brought three gifts that had the same symbolism as gold, frankincense and myrrh, and three ships did come sailing into the harbour on Christmas morning.
They couldn't have been happier - and neither could I - the ending was perfect!
It was a happy tears kind of ending ....
I'd love to say more, to re-tell the whole story, but I mustn't.
The story is beautifully written, it's very well thought out, it's full of lovely details, and it's told with warmth, understanding, and just a little bit of humour.
The characters - including a very amenable cat - are nicely differentiated and very well drawn, the historical setting is evoked so well, and the words of the carol that gives the story its title are threaded through.
You might say that the story is old-fashioned, and maybe it is.
And you might think that it sounds sentimental, but I'd say that it isn't. It's a story underpinned by real emotions and real faith.
It's a lovely story for Christmas. A very small book, written for children but very readable for grown-ups.
I just have to thank Lory for mentioning it and Open Library for lending me a copy.
December 21, 2019
It is Christmas Eve in an English seaport town, and orphaned young Polly Flowerdew longs to leave one of the doors of her Aunt Constantia and Aunt Dorcas' house unlocked, in case the Wise Men decide to visit. Her maiden aunts are shocked - with no man in the house (only THE HAT), who will protect them? Although they love their vivacious young niece, and are in many ways indulgent of her, they do not totally understand her, or know what to make of her arguments. In the end, sly Polly has her way, and three men do indeed visit in the night. The strange gentleman, who turns out to be ; Polly's friend, the cat-loving Frenchman, who had recently lost his wife and daughter in the Terror of the French Revolution; and the old beggar "Rags-and-Bones," come to make his final call - this unlikely trio of Wise Men do indeed bring gifts. And when dawn comes, and Christmas Day arrives, three ships arrive in the harbor, one of them bringing a lady and child...
A beautiful, beautiful book, by turns poignant and amusing, with quirky but lovable characters, and a strong undercurrent of deeper meaning, I Saw Three Ships is a Christmas masterpiece! The classic Christmas carol, which gives the book its name, runs like a stream throughout the story, with various verses utilized at key moments, to draw out the themes of the tale. There is a sense of enchantment here, but not in any fantastical sense. It is the ineffable enchantment of the sacred, evoking that feeling of standing at once in two worlds - the world of an early 19th-century English seaside town, and the world of Christmas miracles, in which the Wise Men might indeed visit, and three ships might indeed come sailing in, bringing great blessing and joy with them. That sense of duality, of simultaneously inhabiting the physical world (marvelously and humorously described) and the world of the spirit (beautifully and poignantly evoked), makes this a truly outstanding work - one of Elizabeth Goudge's best!
This is a wonderfully written and descriptive book, with passages that made me stop and reread, sometimes chuckling, sometimes sighing with happy sadness. Consider this description of the Frenchman:
"When he was not kneeling in the old church by the harbor, saying Popish Latin prayers at the top of his high cracked voice and telling his Popish beads to the scandal of all good Protestants going in and out to polish the brass or beat the dust out of the hassocks, he was striding up and down the steep streets of the little town followed by all the cats of the neighborhood, who adored him not only for the fish heads he kept wrapped in newspaper in his pockets for them but for some quality in himself which appealed to their sense of breeding."
What flavor there is here! How one gets a sense of the little seaside town, with its parochial wariness of this outsider, with his "Popish" (AKA Catholic) ways. What a sense one gets of the outsider himself, deranged by his loss, and yet somehow still noble. And the cats! The cats who follow him - surely a sign of his good qualities!
I have had the pleasure of reading I Saw Three Ships on more than one occasion, although this is the first time I have reviewed it. My first reading was of the original British edition, illustrated by Richard Kennedy, whose artwork I found appealing, but not particularly memorable. This reading however, was of the American edition, with the artwork of Margot Tomes, and the visuals made the reading experience something extraordinary. I loved the story on both readings, but I greatly preferred the artwork here, which exactly fit the story, to my thinking. This is a book I would highly recommend, to anyone looking for beautifully written and beautifully illustrated Christmas stories.
A beautiful, beautiful book, by turns poignant and amusing, with quirky but lovable characters, and a strong undercurrent of deeper meaning, I Saw Three Ships is a Christmas masterpiece! The classic Christmas carol, which gives the book its name, runs like a stream throughout the story, with various verses utilized at key moments, to draw out the themes of the tale. There is a sense of enchantment here, but not in any fantastical sense. It is the ineffable enchantment of the sacred, evoking that feeling of standing at once in two worlds - the world of an early 19th-century English seaside town, and the world of Christmas miracles, in which the Wise Men might indeed visit, and three ships might indeed come sailing in, bringing great blessing and joy with them. That sense of duality, of simultaneously inhabiting the physical world (marvelously and humorously described) and the world of the spirit (beautifully and poignantly evoked), makes this a truly outstanding work - one of Elizabeth Goudge's best!
This is a wonderfully written and descriptive book, with passages that made me stop and reread, sometimes chuckling, sometimes sighing with happy sadness. Consider this description of the Frenchman:
"When he was not kneeling in the old church by the harbor, saying Popish Latin prayers at the top of his high cracked voice and telling his Popish beads to the scandal of all good Protestants going in and out to polish the brass or beat the dust out of the hassocks, he was striding up and down the steep streets of the little town followed by all the cats of the neighborhood, who adored him not only for the fish heads he kept wrapped in newspaper in his pockets for them but for some quality in himself which appealed to their sense of breeding."
What flavor there is here! How one gets a sense of the little seaside town, with its parochial wariness of this outsider, with his "Popish" (AKA Catholic) ways. What a sense one gets of the outsider himself, deranged by his loss, and yet somehow still noble. And the cats! The cats who follow him - surely a sign of his good qualities!
I have had the pleasure of reading I Saw Three Ships on more than one occasion, although this is the first time I have reviewed it. My first reading was of the original British edition, illustrated by Richard Kennedy, whose artwork I found appealing, but not particularly memorable. This reading however, was of the American edition, with the artwork of Margot Tomes, and the visuals made the reading experience something extraordinary. I loved the story on both readings, but I greatly preferred the artwork here, which exactly fit the story, to my thinking. This is a book I would highly recommend, to anyone looking for beautifully written and beautifully illustrated Christmas stories.
December 7, 2023
I know I’ve said this before, but I sure love how Elizabeth Goudge writes! Her descriptions are just so lovely!
Young Polly lives with her two old aunts in a sea town. She tries to persuade them to leave the door to their house unlocked the night of Christmas Eve so that *if* the Three Men Wise wish to come, they could gain admittance. But alas, Polly’s efforts prove fruitless. No matter. She’ll stay up and open the door after they’ve gone to bed.
Whether it’s three wise men or not, is left to you, the reader, to determine.
This is a sweet short story woven into an old Christmas hymn. Delightful illustrations to top it off.
Ages: 10+
Content Considerations: there is smoking and drinking. Someone steals food as they’re hungry.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! And be sure to check out my bio page to learn a little about me and the Picture Book/Chapter Book Calendars I sell on Etsy!
Young Polly lives with her two old aunts in a sea town. She tries to persuade them to leave the door to their house unlocked the night of Christmas Eve so that *if* the Three Men Wise wish to come, they could gain admittance. But alas, Polly’s efforts prove fruitless. No matter. She’ll stay up and open the door after they’ve gone to bed.
Whether it’s three wise men or not, is left to you, the reader, to determine.
This is a sweet short story woven into an old Christmas hymn. Delightful illustrations to top it off.
Ages: 10+
Content Considerations: there is smoking and drinking. Someone steals food as they’re hungry.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! And be sure to check out my bio page to learn a little about me and the Picture Book/Chapter Book Calendars I sell on Etsy!
December 14, 2017
This is an adorable Christmas short story by Elizabeth Goudge. Although I believe it was meant for children, I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to all ages.
Other than being a sweet story, it had some deep meanings, and of course Goudge is the master of spinning relationships and tales and all kinds of links between the characters. Very entertaining!
Other than being a sweet story, it had some deep meanings, and of course Goudge is the master of spinning relationships and tales and all kinds of links between the characters. Very entertaining!
December 5, 2020
I would give this 3 stars for the story, but I had to give it 4 because it's Elizabeth Goudge. 😂 Her usual beautiful writing and wonderful characters, just maybe not the best story ever. But still very enjoyable! I think young children would enjoy it the most.
December 13, 2020
Such a sweet story, with a Dickensian flavour to it! I am thankful to my wonderful book club for choosing this book for December🤗. This would be only my second book by Elizabeth Goudge though I hope "our"😄 relationship will flourish in the future, with more reads
P.S. The illustrations did turn out a bit weird, but I enjoyed them nonetheless😄
P.S. The illustrations did turn out a bit weird, but I enjoyed them nonetheless😄
February 11, 2015
This was lovely, but it is in the "child knows best" genre of children's story, which takes off a star for me. My children already think they know better than me, they don't need this notion reinforced!
Still, a small, cozy story for Christmas fireside reading...unless like me you live in the Southern Hemisphere, in which case it's pleasant long Summer evening with wakeful, story-hungry children sort of reading.
Still, a small, cozy story for Christmas fireside reading...unless like me you live in the Southern Hemisphere, in which case it's pleasant long Summer evening with wakeful, story-hungry children sort of reading.
December 10, 2024
I could read anything by Elizabeth Goudge, but this was an especially sweet read at this time of year as it tells of a little girl's first Christmas without her parents. living with her two maiden aunts in a seaside town. She believes in the words sung in the song, I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing In* bearing the Mother of God and the Christ Child on Christmas morning.
The words of the song are woven into the story which is full of Hope and Peace, Joy and Love, much like an Advent Wreath leading up to the Greatest Gift of all. It reminded me of a popular modern story, also about believing and how it is only through believing, we can see our beliefs confirmed, but in that case, it is about whether Santa Claus comes at Christmas. Here, it is about a belief in the Son of God Who was born on Christmas.
What does that say about us today, verses previous generations? Do we have a harder time these days believing in anything, so that we have to settle for believing in less? Or do so many today just live in ignorance of Mary and Her Divine Child and know of the jolly man in a red suit better? I don't know the answer to those questions, but I believe they are questions worth pondering in our hearts as Mary did. I happen to believe in both, Santa, the bearer of lesser gifts and, more importantly, the coming of THE GREAT GIFT, the Christ Child in the arms of His Blessed Mother. And the song is lovely too! I am soft on the old ones.
*This was the only video I found which included all the verses of the song which were in the book. Sadly, they are printed so that you can read them while you watch, but they are available online.
The words of the song are woven into the story which is full of Hope and Peace, Joy and Love, much like an Advent Wreath leading up to the Greatest Gift of all. It reminded me of a popular modern story, also about believing and how it is only through believing, we can see our beliefs confirmed, but in that case, it is about whether Santa Claus comes at Christmas. Here, it is about a belief in the Son of God Who was born on Christmas.
What does that say about us today, verses previous generations? Do we have a harder time these days believing in anything, so that we have to settle for believing in less? Or do so many today just live in ignorance of Mary and Her Divine Child and know of the jolly man in a red suit better? I don't know the answer to those questions, but I believe they are questions worth pondering in our hearts as Mary did. I happen to believe in both, Santa, the bearer of lesser gifts and, more importantly, the coming of THE GREAT GIFT, the Christ Child in the arms of His Blessed Mother. And the song is lovely too! I am soft on the old ones.
*This was the only video I found which included all the verses of the song which were in the book. Sadly, they are printed so that you can read them while you watch, but they are available online.
December 7, 2020
"The morning star still shone, and when Polly opened the window the air was crisp and cool. As she leaned out, breathing in its freshness, all the cocks began to crow. And then her lips parted and the tingling blood sent a warm flow of warmth to her very fingertips. She leaned out farther, her eyes wide, for three ships were sailing towards the harbor. One had a red sail and one had a brown sail, and one had a sail like the wing of a swan."
A sweet little children's story. I didn't like it as much as some of her other books, but I am still glad I had the opportunity to read it. ❤
A sweet little children's story. I didn't like it as much as some of her other books, but I am still glad I had the opportunity to read it. ❤
January 5, 2021
I was surprised to read that this was published in 1969 as it has a very Victorian sensibility about it. It was sweet and just a good Christmas read.
(on a side note: I vaguely remember reading it as a kid. I think it must have been the only, or one of the only, Goudge books I read then.)
(on a side note: I vaguely remember reading it as a kid. I think it must have been the only, or one of the only, Goudge books I read then.)
February 1, 2019
Some months after the death of her parents, Polly is living in England with her two elderly aunts, Dorcas and Constantia. Polly desperately wants to leave the door unlocked on Christmas Eve so that the wise men can enter if they so wish. She also wants to see the three ships arrive, bringing the Virgin Mary and the Child Jesus. The two aunts are nervous about leaving a door unlocked without a man in the house, and they are equally skeptical that any ships will arrive, let alone a ship bearing the baby Jesus and his mother. When Christmas Eve arrives, however, Polly's steadfast faith in the possibilities of the Christmas season is rewarded in ways no one would have expected.
The only other Elizabeth Goudge book I have read so far is The Little White Horse, which is beautifully written and a personal favorite. I Saw Three Ships is every bit as well-written and meaningful. Not a single word is out of place in Goudge's descriptions of her setting and characters, and she puts forth an inspiring Christmas story that is heartfelt, but neither cloying nor sentimental. Polly is a character for whom I developed instant affection, and despite their somewhat stodgy exteriors, her aunts are also endearing and amusing, as are some of the other surprising supporting characters. I also love that the lyrics for the Christmas carol, "I Saw Three Ships" are incorporated into the text of the story, just begging to be sung.
I like this book very much and would certainly like to read it to my girls during some future Christmas season, after they are past the age of believing in Santa Claus. It's a tale that can really appeal to kids of all ages, but I think the fact that Polly knows her aunts fill her stocking would spoil the magic and mystery of the holiday for them at this stage. But for Christian families, this is really an ideal story for emphasizing and celebrating the true meaning of Christmas.
This review also appears on my blog, Read-at-Home Mom.
The only other Elizabeth Goudge book I have read so far is The Little White Horse, which is beautifully written and a personal favorite. I Saw Three Ships is every bit as well-written and meaningful. Not a single word is out of place in Goudge's descriptions of her setting and characters, and she puts forth an inspiring Christmas story that is heartfelt, but neither cloying nor sentimental. Polly is a character for whom I developed instant affection, and despite their somewhat stodgy exteriors, her aunts are also endearing and amusing, as are some of the other surprising supporting characters. I also love that the lyrics for the Christmas carol, "I Saw Three Ships" are incorporated into the text of the story, just begging to be sung.
I like this book very much and would certainly like to read it to my girls during some future Christmas season, after they are past the age of believing in Santa Claus. It's a tale that can really appeal to kids of all ages, but I think the fact that Polly knows her aunts fill her stocking would spoil the magic and mystery of the holiday for them at this stage. But for Christian families, this is really an ideal story for emphasizing and celebrating the true meaning of Christmas.
This review also appears on my blog, Read-at-Home Mom.
January 4, 2025
A really lovely Christmas story.
February 3, 2018
Just got to this quote, which made me laugh out loud:
"Don't talk nonsense, child," said Dorcas impatiently. "And there are no wise men. I have never met a man yet who was not foolish."
Finished! What a sweet, sweet story. With a little wackiness
This is worth reading to young relatives, and then re-reading often. And beautifully illustrated.
"Don't talk nonsense, child," said Dorcas impatiently. "And there are no wise men. I have never met a man yet who was not foolish."
Finished! What a sweet, sweet story. With a little wackiness
This is worth reading to young relatives, and then re-reading often. And beautifully illustrated.
December 24, 2017
Meant to read this over Christmas but better late than never...
Elizabeth Goudge could be accused of being sentimental and there would be some truth to the accusation. Thus far I have only read two of her works (this and The Dean's Watch [and the Little White Horse to the kids in 2017, of which only our 7 year old daughter really liked a lot]). However, it is the same type of sentimental as Dickens' A Christmas Carol, so in my books at least, it's a good sentimental. The closest thing I could think of to compare this story to is George MacDonald's The Gifts of the Child Christ, although that work is much more of a tear-jerker and has some depths that Three Ships never plumbs.
This is a story of a girl who is spending her first Christmas with her two "old-maid" aunts after the death of her parents 10 months earlier. Her aunts love her but are a tad on the stern side. Little Polly believes that one must always leave one's door unlocked on Christmas Eve so the needy can find food and shelter and so that the angels can enter also to look after the poor inside, and the wise men can come and leave gifts. Polly believes that something miraculous is going to happen this Christmas and, without giving anything away, it does, and not just for Polly but for her aunts as well, although they never believed what they always silently longed for could ever really happen.
I plan to read this aloud to the whole family next Christmas. It can easily be read in an hour, although if reading it aloud to the whole family, I would recommend starting, then pausing just as Polly is about to go to bed (whatever chapter that is), getting some tea or hot chocolate for the kids, putting a fire in the grate, then reading the rest. Also, best to read it when its dark outside and if you can time it for a full moon during the Christmas season, even better (you'll know why when you read it).
[Ok, made good on my intention to read it to the whole family this Christmas. They all liked it (ages 13, 11, 9, almost 7) and my wife too. Yes, its sentimental, but God uses sentiment sometimes, when our intellect or will is too jaded, to make us act much better than we are and to remind us of what our hearts used to be like when they were softer. As for the kids, they want us to read it every year.]
Elizabeth Goudge could be accused of being sentimental and there would be some truth to the accusation. Thus far I have only read two of her works (this and The Dean's Watch [and the Little White Horse to the kids in 2017, of which only our 7 year old daughter really liked a lot]). However, it is the same type of sentimental as Dickens' A Christmas Carol, so in my books at least, it's a good sentimental. The closest thing I could think of to compare this story to is George MacDonald's The Gifts of the Child Christ, although that work is much more of a tear-jerker and has some depths that Three Ships never plumbs.
This is a story of a girl who is spending her first Christmas with her two "old-maid" aunts after the death of her parents 10 months earlier. Her aunts love her but are a tad on the stern side. Little Polly believes that one must always leave one's door unlocked on Christmas Eve so the needy can find food and shelter and so that the angels can enter also to look after the poor inside, and the wise men can come and leave gifts. Polly believes that something miraculous is going to happen this Christmas and, without giving anything away, it does, and not just for Polly but for her aunts as well, although they never believed what they always silently longed for could ever really happen.
I plan to read this aloud to the whole family next Christmas. It can easily be read in an hour, although if reading it aloud to the whole family, I would recommend starting, then pausing just as Polly is about to go to bed (whatever chapter that is), getting some tea or hot chocolate for the kids, putting a fire in the grate, then reading the rest. Also, best to read it when its dark outside and if you can time it for a full moon during the Christmas season, even better (you'll know why when you read it).
[Ok, made good on my intention to read it to the whole family this Christmas. They all liked it (ages 13, 11, 9, almost 7) and my wife too. Yes, its sentimental, but God uses sentiment sometimes, when our intellect or will is too jaded, to make us act much better than we are and to remind us of what our hearts used to be like when they were softer. As for the kids, they want us to read it every year.]
January 8, 2024
A sweet little Christmas story, based on a song of dubious theological origin. It is perhaps one that is best not read to children who are overly inclined to imitate their fictional friends (because while inviting strange men that you think might be the wise men into your house on Christmas eve without a grownup's knowledge works in fiction, it should NOT be tried in real life). The girls enjoyed it, and we all had fun singing the different verses of "I Saw Three Ships" that were scattered throughout the story.
Update, 1/5/24:
I had forgotten just how lovely this little Christmas story was. Perfect for the 12th Day of Christmas.
Update, 1/5/24:
I had forgotten just how lovely this little Christmas story was. Perfect for the 12th Day of Christmas.
December 21, 2018
This is my second reading and I loved it better this time around.
Polly has come to live with her elderly aunts. She is filled with the magic and wonder of Christmas, convinced that three wise men will come as well as the three ships sung of in the old carol. Her happiness, joy and belief in the goodness of man infect her aunts. Her generosity of spirit help to make possible a warm and wonderful Christmas where dreams really do come true.
Polly has come to live with her elderly aunts. She is filled with the magic and wonder of Christmas, convinced that three wise men will come as well as the three ships sung of in the old carol. Her happiness, joy and belief in the goodness of man infect her aunts. Her generosity of spirit help to make possible a warm and wonderful Christmas where dreams really do come true.
August 8, 2016
I adored this sweet Christmas offering. I will be reading it aloud to my family when Christmas time draws near. This is not only a happy little tale, it is a nice reminder of what is truly important in our Christmas celebrations and in our every day dealings with mankind.
October 29, 2014
A fun story that expands on the Christmas carol of the same name.
December 28, 2016
A lovely, sweet delightful book. Definitely worth reading every year.
November 30, 2018
A sweet Christmas story with a very happy ending.
December 27, 2018
lovely for Christmastime, I wish it were longer and the characters had a chance to be more developed!
December 29, 2018
This Christmas novella is likely to appeal to readers who love L. M. Montgomery's short stories.
The good: The author's undeniable love for humanity shines through. That is surely why her characters are so memorable despite the short page count. The not-so-good: For me, the sweetness is awfully close to sentimentality. In addition, the behavior of several characters is very creepy from a modern perspective (a strange man coming through the window at night and entering the bedroom of a little girl, unbeknownst to her guardians? etc).
The good: The author's undeniable love for humanity shines through. That is surely why her characters are so memorable despite the short page count. The not-so-good: For me, the sweetness is awfully close to sentimentality. In addition, the behavior of several characters is very creepy from a modern perspective (a strange man coming through the window at night and entering the bedroom of a little girl, unbeknownst to her guardians? etc).
December 25, 2018
25 DEC 2018 - Christmas Day read. A very lovely read.
July 30, 2019
Beautiful!!
December 17, 2020
Short and sweet.
December 22, 2022
I couldn't help but think of a particular and painfully long Hallmark commercial that aired during one of my favorite Hallmark Hall of Fame movies back in the 90s. I could tell you the plot of the commercial, but then it would spoil this story. Chances are, if you like Hallmark cards (or the messages therein), you will probably like this book.
December 15, 2024
Delightful little Christmas read. Perfect for middle elementary readers or super easy read aloud.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews