Buccanauts and Aquaneers by Nan McNab illustrated by Jiji Tibor Novak

"When Wanda crossed the railway line
Her briefcase in the back

Sprang open and her workers' card

Were scattered on the track.

Poor Wanda rushed to pick them up,

While people stopped to laugh,

But just before she reached the first ...

A train cut them in half."

This is a very old book (1994). I found it in a local street library. The cover is a little faded but the experience of this book is so much fun. I have popped this book into my book gift box ready for the right little child to enjoy this mischief. The pages are split in the middle.

You will have lots of fun with the rhyme and the mixed-up characters and you might find some interesting occupations or jobs to discuss with your young reading companion. 

Astrologer; artist; traveler; gardener; ballerina; buccaneer; doctor; fish monger; soprano; busker; electrician. The gender of the workers alternate between men and women. Now think about mixing these up doctor and gardener; ballet dancer and fish monger. 

Perhaps you are wondering about an aquanaut?

"I've fixed the base of bridges
Way down deep beneath the sea
And repaired the feet of oil rigs -
Underwater is just fine by me."

I wonder if this book is still held in many school libraries?

Jiri Tibor Novak arrived in Australia in 1970 from Czechoslovakia after the Soviet invasion. He has become a respected artist, teacher and community worker. He is also a children’s book illustrator. Tibor is well known for his quirky and engaging artworks which often pose more questions than they answer. Although he has embraced the Australian way of life, his Czech heritage and European influence are apparent in his work. Nan McNab is an editor with Ford Street Publishing. 

I'm trying to remember another book like Buccanauts and Aquaneers which used split pages - my memory is of clowns. Here is a companion books: