Oct 27, 2009
Big Book of Verse for Aussie Kids by Jim Haynes (with a competition)
The Big Book of Verse is a fun book to read with Liam (my almost 4 year old). He enjoys the imagery, but he wishes there were some pictures in there… The poems are fun to hear, and fun to read, and already resonate with his ideas of the world.
This book is probably better suited for slightly older kids, there are many poems in here that we just have to skip over. I think it would be perfect for my niece and nephew (7 and 9) – and fantastic for in the classroom.
We read this one tonight, and it was probably his favourite. He asked me lots of questions though “What’s ‘gooze’?”
What hippos do by Anonymous
What can put a smile on a hippo’s dial?
What can make him run for a hundred mile?
No, it’s not a party with a paper hat
Or a cake and caramel that make him fat.I’ll tell you
Just what hippos do…They, ooze and gooze
They never get the blues
They wade in the water
Without any shoes.I’m telling you
That’s what hippos do…
Allen and Unwin have agreed to send 3 of my readers (Australian only) a copy of this book. So please write in the comments your favourite kids author and books, contest will be open for 7 days – please use a real email address.
I am a big fan of Bob Graham. Greetings from Sandy Beach was a gift given to our first child and it is now a dog eared and well worn favourite. Still on high rotation 5 years on. We have others of his too, Tales from the Waterhole and Jethro Byrde, but Sandy Beach is so evocative of my childhood. I just love it.
We’d love this book to read to various family member’s kids when we babysit!
Hi
My son Lachie would love it. He is age six and in his first year of school.
Excellent blog, thank you for the opportunity.
Cheers
Michelle
The book sounds like great fun. I love “What Hippos Do”.
My nearly six year old loves being read poems, I think this one sounds like an adventure.
I’d love to add this book to my families collection… I have 2 girls and we love books. This one sounds right up our alley…
“They ooze and gooze” – that line is almost edible. No wonder kids love this stuff. I’ll head out soon and get a copy.
What a wonderful book. It sounds like so much fun. Thank you for the lovely review.
Hi, I would love this book for my granddaughter who has been an ‘Aussie kid’ for a year now. We could read it together when I visit next month.
My three year old daughter’s favourite book is Richard Scarry’s “What Do People Do all Day”? But my favourite kids author and books is a tough one – probably a toss up between Eric Carle for the beautiful illustrations, and Dr Seuss for the joy of the words.
My kids are both slightly crazy and so both love Dr Seuss. They are aged 3 and nearly 5. They love the zaniness!! We would love to enter your competition. Cant wait to read the book either way. xxx K
I like to read the following books to my baby ‘How do dinosuars say goodnight?’ by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague, ‘The very hungary caterpillar’ by Eric Carle, and ‘Animal Orchestra’ by Ilo Orleans and ‘I can fly’ by Ruth Krauss (both Golden Books). All have beautiful illustrations and are fun for the out-loud reader too.
Hello, my daughter has just turned two. She recently nicked a book from the doctor’s – showing great taste in shoplifting already! It was one of the In the Night Garden books, from the TV series: she squeals at the opening credits when the stars turn into flowers ).
Hard to pick a favourite book just yet. Probably The Shy Little Kitten. It’s a Little Golden Book, an old one. Melbourne Writer Carmel Bird recently wrote an article in The Age about how wonderful these books are to read aloud, with their “roly poly writing”, their meter and cadence. Piaf just likes it because it has lots of pictures of cats, which prompt her to say “yum, yum, yum” – her version of “miaow”.
So yes, we love the sound of Jim Haynes’ book.
And I wish Little Golden Books were still sold at supermarket checkouts. Where the hell does one buy them these days?
Hello, my daughter is nearly 6 and my son is nearly 4. I would love one of these books for them. My daughter is reading at a very high level but I’m afraid the subject matter in the books she likes is over her head, and would love a book of verse for her. She likes the Daisy Meadows Fairy Collection books. Both children love Graeme Base’s Uno’s Garden, all Mem Fox books and Mo Willem’s Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus.
And to reply to eeloh, Big W sells the Little Golden Books.
Thanks! Carolyn
Hi there,
My twin boys love books and every day we read together before they go to sleep. This would make a lovely new addition on the bookshelf.
Thanks Eve
Looks like a gorgeous book. Duncan Ball and Selby are huge in my house. I personally love Morris Gleitzman but have yet to convince my kids.
Thanks