I Saw Three Ships

A classic for young readers, and parents, who believe in the magic of Christmas. “I absolutely adored it. It had a cracking plot and a perfect tone throughout.”—J. K. Rowling

Little Polly Flowerdew lives with her two maiden aunts, and she is absolutely sure that something special is going to happen this Christmas. Her aunts will not leave the door unlocked on Christmas Eve so Polly leaves her bedroom window open, just in case the three wise men decide to come visit.

When Polly wakes up on Christmas morning…

The morning star still shone, and when Polly opened the window the air was crisp and cool. 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.

Their cottage is visited by three wise men, one of whom has come home to stay after a long absence. This is a moving, lyrical, and endearing chapter book treasure, celebrating the magic as well as the mystery of Christmas. Charmingly illustrated with ink drawings by Margot Tomes, it is a perfect Christmas read-aloud for young children and parents.

Elizabeth Goudge was born in Somerset, England, in 1900. She is the author of many best-selling books for children and adults, including The Little White Horse, which won the Carnegie Medal for Children's Books, and I Saw Three Ships.

Margot Ladd Tomes was an American artist and illustrator of children’s books. Two books that she illustrated were cited by The New York Times as one of the best children’s books of the year, Jack and the Wonder Beans in 1977 and If There Were Dreams to Sell in 1984.

She was born in Park Hill, Yonkers, New York City cousin of painter Guy Pène du Bois and illustrator William Pène du Bois. She grew up in rural Nassau County. Before illustrating books she designed wallpaper and fabric. In 1959 she illustrated her first book The Breaking Point by Daphne du Maurier before specialising in children’s books from 1963; illustrating over sixty during her career. They included books by Jean Fritz (Homesick: My Own Story winning a Newbery Honor), Judith St. George and Aileen Fisher.