Category Archives: Poetry

Nov25

Moon Sailors – Naomi Woodward. Illustrated by Rachel Gregg

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Ford St Publishing

October 2022

ISBN: 9781922696182

RRP: $16.95

If you are exploring the depths of the ocean or the limitless skies or if you simply are looking for a beautiful lyrical book to share with our kiddos, this would be a wonderful choice. It offers so much for even very young readers with elegant poetical prose, enchanting descriptive language and a richness of imagination that will provide much scope for exciting conversation.

As well as this gorgeous linguistic aspect there are the creatures to be discovered and researched – many of them not so well-known: chitons, periwinkles, and jelly moons along with such wondrous aquatic marvels as Neptune’s necklace or iridescent algae. I can already picture a beautiful wall of art going up in the classroom or library to reflect this

But the two children on their journey of imagination are not just relishing the ocean, they are sailing across the night sky, past the constellations and heading towards Earthrise. The illustrations are every bit as captivating as the text with the subtle shades of ocean greens and blues and the night skies’ indigos, blues and pinks. Each spread is a feast for the eyes and you and your readers will delight in close examination of them picking out delicate details.

I have yet to share this one with a class, but hoping I get to visit my little school just over my back fence this coming week or so, with its strong focus on the ocean, being right on the waterfront as it is. I know the children there will just love it as much as I do.

There are some activities free to download but you will be able to conjure up so many follow-up activities to this one as it just lends itself to so many learning experiences whether English, science, STEAM or Environmental studies.

Highly recommended for little readers from Prep upwards.

Click to access GleamingAbaloneColouring.pdf

Click to access RockpoolColouring.pdf

Click to access MoonSailorsWordSearch.pdf

Dec31

Rapperbee: poems to give you a buzz – Harry Laing. Illustrations by Anne Ryan.

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Ford St Publishing

October 2021

ISBN: 9781925804775

RRP: $14.99

Harry’s poems are a delight for both young and old. If you and your kiddos enjoyed his previous books, including MoonFish, this one will equally entertain you. Particularly for rollicking read-alouds or, for performances, (think 2022 assembly pieces!) this collection of funny and quirky verses will become part of your standard repertoire.

Rhymes, raps, songs, cheese poems, animal poems, shape-poems...combined with Anne Ryans’s highly creative illustrations will ensure this is not just a book for the classroom and teaching, I can guarantee your kiddos will want to claim this for their own reading pleasure.

Given I still have my childhood copy of Spike Milligan’s Silly Verse for Kids, much dilapidated and clearly well-loved, you will understand why I think this is just a gem of a book. My suggestion is that you grab a copy for your collection, either personal or professional and, may I also suggest that if you are a relief teacher this would be a super addition to your ‘bag of tricks’ for those one-off days in unknown classrooms.

Highly recommended for readers from around 7 years upwards.

Click to access RapperBee-Teaching-Notes.pdf

Apr22

Can I Touch Your  Hair? : Poems of Race, Mistakes and Friendship – Irene Latham & Charles Waters,  Sean Qualls & Selina Alko

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can-i-touch-your-hair-

 

January 1st 2018 by Carolrhoda Book

ISBN: 9781512404425
ISBN-10: 151240442X

Publisher: Lerner Publishing Group

RRP $29.99

 

I’ve been fortunate enough to have a few children’s poetry books come my way of late and this is certainly one of the most interesting.

In a world where we are constantly reminded of the intolerance and bigotry of some it is incumbent upon us as educators to guide our students towards accepting and embracing differences.

When Irene and Charles are put together to complete a poetry project, neither is very thrilled. One white, one black with seemingly nothing in common, they are both reluctant and reticent at first. But as they choose topics to write about – school, family, church, friends and so on – they begin to see points of similarity and more than that commonalities that develop into an unexpected friendship.

Cleverly written by authors who are themselves black and white, this book explores a theme of turning ignorance into understanding and takes it further.

Not only is this a volume worth sharing with students but it could easily become a fascinating springboard into shaping similar experiences for our own children.

Recommended for children from around Year 4 upwards.

 

Jan3

Henry Lawson Treasury – illustrated by Oslo Davis

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HenryLawsonOslo

Random House Australia

ISBN: 9780857985132

Published: 03/11/2014

Imprint: Random House Australia Children’s

Extent: 160 pages

RRP $19.99

I grew up with a dad who loved both Lawson and Paterson and I loved them too. Standard party pieces were recitations from these two legendary Australian writers. And now, we are able to introduce the ‘Poet of the People’ to a new generation via this beautiful anthology, illustrated by Oslo Davis in a simple but stunning monochromatic style.

This new volume contains not only well-known pieces from the great Lawson but also some that may be new for readers. A brief three page biography gives newcomers some insight into the man who, of course, features on our $10 note. One of the joys of visiting my aunt in her former locale was to be able to pass by the Budgee Budgee Inn where Lawson staged ‘The Loaded Dog’ – just around the corner! I would also pay my respects as I drove by.

Four ragged, dried-up looking children are playing about the house. Suddenly one of them yells, “Snake! Mother, here’s a snake!”

The gaunt, sun-browned bushwoman dashes from the kitchen, snatches her baby from the ground, holds it on her left hip, and reaches for a stick.

“Where is it?”

“Here! Gone in the wood-heap!;” yells the eldest boy – a sharp-faced urchin of eleven. “Stop there, mother! I’ll have in . Stand back! I’ll have the beggar!”

The Drover’s Wife. First published in The Bulletion, 23rd July 1892

As we seek to inform our students of all aspects of the history of Australia, Lawson’s work remains triumphantly eloquent of the folk of the bush, their success and despair, their comradeship  and their isolation and above all their indomitable spirit.

If it has been some time since you dipped into our bush writers, this would be a perfect chance to do so but aside from that, this is a most elegant and well presented album to grace your library shelves. This copy is staying firmly on my own bookshelf – thank you Dad for just one of many wonderful memories.

Highly recommended for both primary and secondary school students – from around Year 5 upwards.

Photos taken at the Henry Lawson memorial, remains of his old childhood home, on Henry Lawson Drive, Mudgee.

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