This is an adult book. Or a book for older kids…or a book for young kids. All the details of the story aren’t there…you must talk about what might have happened…which is a good thing. A woman riding a horse is crying and throws her ring into a meadow near the sea. Time marches on and the ring comes in contact with many things from the natural world. Finally it is found and unites a couple again. Beautiful line drawings with color throughout the story. (A fish is shown cut open with some blood. Could maybe be upsetting to some children.) ( )

Australian picture-book author/artist Bob Graham, who has crafted so many lovely stories from everyday people and events, turns to the enduring topic of love in this newest foray into the form. Following the adventures of a golden ring, thrown away by a heartbroken woman in 1830s Ireland (County Kerry), the narrative chronicles the slow passage of time around the ring - the changing seasons, the coming and going of animals and people, the falling of stars themselves. Eventually the ring finds its way to the water, and from thence into human hands again. Somehow winding up in New York City, it is sold, and once again becomes a token of love...

Having greatly enjoyed many of Graham's picture-books, from the poignant How to Heal a Broken Wing to the humorous "Let's Get a Pup!" Said Kate, I picked up The Poesy Ring: A Love Story with a feeling of pleasant anticipation. Unfortunately, given the heartfelt nature of the story, which is dedicated to Graham's wife, I wasn't as moved by this one as I expected to be. It's sweet, but not particularly evocative, and I'm at something of a loss to explain why, when so many of the author's other books have been. The artwork is lovely, and I like the story concept, but the end product just didn't impress that much. I don't want to overstate the case, this is still an engaging book, but judged against Graham's other work, it isn't quite up to standard. ( )

It doesn’t matter what form one might take, The Poesy Ring shows us that you can always have an adventure.

Whether if your adventure is sitting on top of a hill, in a field being plowed by a farmer, flying through the air with wings or even in the ocean.

Take your time and enjoy the adventure that you are on. ( )