Tag: rhyme

The World That We Want, by Kim Michelle Toft

The World That We Want is an awe-inspiring offering, with a message about caring for the environment which is neither preachy nor watered down. Instead it combines a simple, but catchy text with some of the most beautiful illustrations to grace a picture book.

The text is a repetitive rhyme, in the style of The House That Jack Built. The first page, showing birds flying against a deep blue sky, tells us: This is the air, that circles the world that we want. The next spread moves to the rainforest, with a cassowary, frogs, snakes, butterflies, trees and more, and the text: This is the forest that filters the air that circles the world that we want. From here, text and illustrations move from forest to the river, beach, water and more, with young listeners quickly picking up on the repetition and joining in.

Each double page spread features detailed images of the animals and plant life of the particular environment. The final spread folds out into a four page spread and shows all of the different environments, moving from air and forest through to ocean and reinforces the message that all the different environments are connected to make one world.

The illustrative technique is unusual for a picture book – each illustration has been hand-painted on silk – but the print quality is superb, with vibrant colours and life-like definition throughout. The adition of a four page guide, providing the name of each animal pictured and giving further information, adds an extra educational benefit.

This picture book is simply breathtakingly beautiful, and sure to delight children and adults alike.

The World That We Want, by Kim Michelle Toft
UQP, 2005

Bird, by Annette Lodge

I once met a bird, who stared out to sea
As strange and as still as a bird could be.
I sat down beside him and asked him why.
Shortly he answered, “Because I can’t fly.”

Bird, it turns out, is afraid of the sky and afraid that his strange shape will render him unable to fly. The boy who meets him realises he can’t criticise Bird because he too has been afraid to change and to try new challenges.

It is a fish who eventually helps the pair, enticing them both in to the water. Caught up in the joy of their swim, both bird and boy realise that they can take risks and be happy.

Bird is an invigourating tale, told in whimsical rhyme and perfectly complemented by the watercolour illustrations. The pages are filled with vibrant purples, greens and oranges and with delightfully odd fish, birds and other creatures.

While the story may be aimed at older readers, children of all ages will be fascinated by the illustrations, which eclipse the story. The message of the story is, however, an important one and this would be well-suited to middle and even upper primary classrooms.

Lovely.

Bird, by Annette Lodge
ABC Books, 2004

Two Hairy Maclary Titles, by Lynley Dodd

There are few dogs more loved in children’s literature than Hairy Maclary. For years they have been read aloud by parents, grandparents and teachers, made into a television series for littlies and generally enjoyed. Now ABC Books has released two beautiful titles in board book format.

In Hairy Maclary, Sit, Hairy and his friends are attending obedience classes in the park. Hairy, however, is feeling “breezily bad, jittery, skittery, mischievous, mad.” When the leader tells him to sit, he scampers away instead. As he chases two ducks he is joined by more and more of the obedience-class escapees – Bottomley Potts, Muffin McLay, Hercules Morse, Nitzer Maloney – in fact all of the dogs who make regular appearances in Dodd’s stories.

In Hairy Maclary and Zachary Quack, Hairy Maclary meets a mischeivous duckling who wants to play. Hairy isn’t so sure, and tries to hide from the yellow intruder, until he finds himself in a bind that Zachary can help him out of.

Both stories ooze appeal and readability. Dodd’s whimsical use of words and rhyme, coupled with her bright, joy-filled illustrations make these titles that parents will love to read and chidlren will love to listen to. The board-book format makes them sturdy, which is great – because these are books which will be read again and again for a long time to come.

Hairy Maclary, Sit and Hairy Maclary and Zachary Quack, both by Lynley Dodd
ABC Books, 2003

Wicked Jokes and Wicked Rhymes & Knock Knocks

What do you call a sick bird?
An ill-eagle.

What does a hippy pea say?
Peas dude!

Kids love jokes, and these two little books are filled with jokes contributed by kids from all over the world. From the plain silly to the hilarious, kids of all ages will find plenty of jokes they haven’t heard, as well as revisiting some they have.

The jokes have been chosen by webmistress Kate Booker, from those contributed to her highly succesful website wicked4kids. With 70 000 children visiting the site every month, wicked4kids is a great success. Booker, in recognition of the popularity of the jokes section of the site, invited children to contribute jokes for consideration and received an overwhelming response. The result is these two books.

Each book has 125 pages of jokes and is small enough to be slipped in a pocket or backpack. At just $7.95 (rrp) they are also a great buy!

Wicked Jokes 4 Kids and Wicked Rhymes & Knock Knocks 4 Kids, by Kate Booker (&Kids)
ABC Books, 2003

Cowtime, by Kim Barnes

When the sun goes down and the farmers go to bed – it’s COWTIME!

The girls in the cowshed really go to town, dancing and mooing up a storm. But that’s not all – soon the pigs start jumping, horses start wiggling, and the goats, sheep, ducks – even kangaroos and possums – all join in.

This high energy book, by talented writer/illustrator Kim Barnes, is guaranteed to thrill every young reader. The rollicking rhyme, compelte with mooing chorus, is silly enough to have the most serious listener smiling and mooing along.

There are even actions, demonstrated on each page by a dingo, making the book an excellent resource for preprimaries, playgroups and child care centres.

The illustrations are outstanding. Every page is packed full of colour and action. The detail is exceptional, with loads of surprises to be discovered on rereadings. A cat (who refuses to take part in the silliness of the dance) is cleverly hidden on each page, and other clever touches, include the multicultural faces of the human characters, as well as one who is wheelchair-bound.

Cowtime is sure to be an enduring classic.

Cowtime, written and illustrated by Kim Barnes
Scholastic Press, 2002

The Moon in the Man, by Elizabeth Honey

Rhyming is fun. Kids love the magic of a poem – whether it tells a story, plays with a rhythm or simply explores the fun of words.

The Moon in the Man is a magical new collection of poetry from Elizabeth Honey, which kids will adore, and parents and teachers will love reading and sharing.

Full of fun and simple rhymes and finger plays, accompanied by bright colourful illustrations, the book will help students to enjoy and improvise with language.

Poems include short whimsical rhymes and loads of finger plays complete with diagrams to show the actions. And if these aren’t enough you can see Elizabeth Honey performing these rhymes on the net at www.allenandunwin.com/moonintheman.asp.

If that is not enough, there are also longer poems perfect for clapping, clicking or tapping along to, building on children’s love of rhythm, and, to finish the books, a couple of quieter, reflective ones.

This is poetry collection which should have a place in every kindergarten, playgroup, child care centre and school, but which is also perfect for sharing at home. Children will love to come back to their favourite rhymes over and over, and will quickly start to memorise the words and read the poems along with you. The poems are also excellent for creative writing sessions, with easily repeatable patterns which children could use to add on extra verses.

Elizabeth Honey is a prize-winning author of novels, poetry and picture books, with a style and energy of her own. Her last picture book Not a Nibble! was the Children’s Book Council of Australia Picture Book of the Year in 1997.The Moon in the Man continues her tradition of excellence.

The Moon in the Man, written and illustrated by Elizabeth Honey
Allen & Unwin, 2002.