Here is the wind sheep, and here is the wave sheep. Here is the scared sheep. And here is the brave sheep. But where is the green sheep? Author Mem Fox has chosen an animal whose name in the singular and plural are the same – and then has made that word the anchoring rhymeContinue reading “Where is the Green Sheep? 2004”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
The Moon in the Man 2002
A queen wave A baby wave A wave on the sea A mad wave A sad wave A microwave on three – ding! The disparate elements represented in this rhyme are somehow crammed without crowding into one exuberant page – the seated baby and the dressed-up kindergartner ground readers and invite them in. Let’s lookContinue reading “The Moon in the Man 2002”
Letterland Book by Ms May 2001
In this illustration of the Letterland character Golden Girl, Ms May has drawn a green G to be her head, before gluing long lemon-coloured yarn as hair. Are the Girl’s arms reaching to catch it or comb it? Who knows. She stands, in her hand-crayonned beauty, between two puddles of very carefully applied glitter. ThisContinue reading “Letterland Book by Ms May 2001”
Mother Goose Remembers 2000
Note: The Oxford Dictionary of Nursery Rhymes identifies this rhyme as first appearing in print about 100 years ago, but Mother Goose herself is older than that. Clare Beaton‘s Mother Goose and the Pretty Fellow converse on the half-title. Mother Goose’s shawl is knotted tightly at her throat to keep it secure in flight, andContinue reading “Mother Goose Remembers 2000”
The Magpies 1999
Year in year out they worked while the pines grew overhead and Quardle oodle ardle wardle doodle The magpies said The magpies sing their song in the centre of the doublespread looking at both Elizabeth and Tom. Elizabeth is pinning up Tom’s longjohns, with the essential long-drop in the background. There are no frills inContinue reading “The Magpies 1999”
The Bush Jumper 1998
“This is a bushland jumper, Mitti. Yellow for wattle blossom, green for gum leaves, pink for boronia flowers and blue for summer skies.” Mitti stared at the striped sleeve. It was horrible! But she couldn’t tell her mum that, not when she had knitted and knitted all day long. “Thank you, Mum,” Mitti said. Mitti’sContinue reading “The Bush Jumper 1998”
Big Bob and Books 1997
Generally between 18 and 24 months of age, hyperlexic children demonstrate their ability to identify letters and numbers. Quite often by three years of age, they see letters grouped as words and begin to read them. It does not matter in what context the words appear: the child will recognise them whether typed or handwritten,Continue reading “Big Bob and Books 1997”
The Story of Little Babaji 1996
And Little Babaji said, “Oh! Please Mr Tiger don’t eat me up, and I’ll give you my beautiful little purple shoes with crimson soles and crimson linings.” But the Tiger said, “What would your shoes be to me? I’ve got four feet, and you’ve got only two. You haven’t got enough shoes for me.” ButContinue reading “The Story of Little Babaji 1996”
Math Curse 1995
THE WHOLE morning is one problem after another. There are 24 kids in my class. I just know someone is going to bring in cupcakes to share. … Jake scratches his paper with one finger. How many fingers are in our class? Casey pulls Eric’s ear. How many ears are in our class? The newContinue reading “Math Curse 1995”
The Dumb Bunnies 1994
Once upon a time there were three dumb bunnies who lived in a log cabin made out of bricks. A cover note on this Scholastic edition by Kirkus Review says, ‘Let’s not elevate this by calling it wit.’ The Great Green Room retains its original folded blanket, the bowl full of mush and a ladyContinue reading “The Dumb Bunnies 1994”
40 Years of Picture Books 