An Anthology of Shells by Simon Aiken

A few weeks ago I was browsing the Non-Fiction section of Gleebooks Kids. I found some fabulous titles which, if I was still working in a school library, I would have grabbed to add to my collection.

Shells bookseller blurb: A beautiful collection featuring informative notes, spectacular photographs, and colourful illustrations of more than 100 types of shells. Find out how to identify, where to find, and what to know about the diverse shell species with this gorgeous anthology. Transportable in size and crammed with profiles of different shell species, this beginner's anthology showcases a wide range of shells from around the world that no collection would be complete without. Learn all about the shell shapes, colours, and textures, and get up close with the snails, crabs, and clams that live in them.

There are a number of things that I am slightly obsessive about - puffins, lighthouses, pelicans, picture books, and shells. I guess that is why this book caught my eye and then I saw there were others on terrific topics like beetles, fungi and rocks. My delight in shells links with the book Junonia by Kevin Henkes. 

If you have a library budget that can stretch to approx. AUS$27 per book it would be great to add a few of these to your library - pick out the ones that match the interests of the children in your school. I am sure the Gems one, for example, would have been a massive 'hit' in my library.

Gems (due November 2026) publisher blurb: Unearth the enchanting world of gemstones and discover the stories behind Earth’s most brilliant treasures! What secrets lie hidden within a shimmering amethyst? Which legendary gems have adorned crowns and royal collections for centuries? How do seemingly ordinary rocks transform into breathtaking jewels? An Anthology of Gems invites young readers on a thrilling journey through the world of precious stones – from deep red rubies and ocean-blue sapphires to opalescent moonstones and sparkling emeralds. Uncover the secrets behind every stone’s sparkle – how it forms beneath the earth’s surface and is enriched by the myths and meaning that make it timeless. Filled with vibrant photographs, detailed illustrations, and engaging text, this book is perfect for budding gemologists, history buffs, and anyone who dreams of discovering hidden treasures.

Bookseller blurb: Discover how to identify, where to find, and other details about more than 100 beetles that exist the world over. Did you know one in every four living things on our planet is identified as a beetle? Explore the fascinating world of these tough creatures in the beautifully packaged An Anthology of Beetles. Featuring colourful photographs and vibrant illustrations, this marvellous book helps you discover the lively world of beetles. From the ones that crawl under your feet to those that fly by your eyes or glide in the water, the book showcases these amazing creatures in all their incredible variety. Learn how different species of beetles help pollinate plants, improve soil health, and control pests - all while playing a key role in maintaining nature's balance.

You could pair the Beetles title with this fantastic series:

Beetle Boy; Beetle Queen

Here are all ten titles from the DK Little Anthologies series:

And a page from Fungi:

January 1st and the Possibility of 365 Poems

On my shelf I have four poetry anthologies which provide you with a poem for each day of the year. If you know someone beginning their career as a teacher this year one of these would be a fabulous gift or if you work in a school library why not use these as a way to share poems with the teachers in your school or share one each day in your library.

 I decided to look at 1st January and here is a poem that appealed to me from A Whale of a Time:

The First Book by Rita Dove

Open it.

Go ahead, it won’t bite.

Well … maybe a little.

More a nip, like. A tingle.

It’s pleasurable, really.

You see, it keeps on opening.

You may fall in.

Sure, it’s hard to get started;

remember learning to use

knife and fork? Dig in:

you’ll never reach bottom.

It’s not like it’s the end of the world–

just the world as you think

you know it.

I am the seed that grew the tree

And Everything will be glad to see you

The Walker Treasury of First Rhymes

There are twenty-three rhymes, nursery rhymes, action rhymes, nonsense rhymes and poems in this small anthology. Many come from picture books such as a double page spread from Ten Little Fingers Ten Little toes illustrated by Helen Oxenbury. This book was also released with a different cover and title - The Walker Book of First Rhymes. 

The Walker Treasury of First Rhymes is from 1996 (my edition 2002) so it is out of print but I am talking about it here because this book is a perfect springboard to discover authors and illustrators - hopefully you already know lots of these names - but in my mind, in a family, if you do find this book you could make a list of the contributors and then take that list to your local library and find more books to share with your young reading companions. This also harks back to one of my topics this year - building your field knowledge. I have read that this book is the second in a series from Walker Books - there was also one filled with Animal stories; The Walker Book of Bear stories; and The Walker Book of Bedtime stories.

This is a very distorted picture of the contents:

Who is inside this book? There are lots of names I know really well. Creators who have written and illustrated books that I highly recommend:

Helen Craig is famous for her Angelina Ballerina book series. I also love her three books that begin with The Night of the Paper Bag monsters. 

Suzie and Alfred in The Night of the Paper Bag Monsters

Nicola Bayley has illustrated other nursery rhyme books, but my personal favourite is The Mousehole Cat.

Emma Chichester Clark has illustrated so many books but for this post I will mention her Blue Kangaroo series which are perfect to read aloud.

It was You Blue Kangaroo

Sarah Fox-Davies another illustrator whose work I love. Look for Little Beaver and the Echo.

Arnold Lobel this is one hugely famous name - think of Frog and Toad and his Little Bear series. I also own a wonderful poetry anthology with his illustrations.

Michael Foreman illustrates a wide range of books. You often see his work inside books by Michael Morpurgo. My own favourite is for slightly older readers:

War and Peas

Charlotte Voake - check out my recent Meet the Illustrator post.

Clara Vulliamy is the daughter of Shirley Hughes. She has created some terrific junior book series which I highly recommend you add to your school library such as Mango and Bambang and Dixie O'Day.

Mango and Bambang

Shirley Hughes - here is my tribute post.

Michael Rosen - you know him for so many books but probably his most famous is We're going on Bear hunt illustrated by Helen Oxenbury. And this year they have teamed up again to create another picture book together very reminiscent of the classic book by Pat Hutchins Don't forget the Bacon.

Helen Oxenbury - read more here. My favourites are the very old series about Tom and Pippo - if you ever find these hold them close - they are truly SO special and should never have gone out of print.

Catherine and Laurence Anholt have written over 200 books. You are certain to find some in your local library. 

Quentin Blake has written and illustrated over 500 books. Right now you can visit exhibitions of his work in Dorset UK, Salford UK and in Marseille in France! You have seen his work in books by Roald Dahl.

Nick Sharratt

Read-Aloud rhymes for the very young selected by Jack Prelutsky illustrated by Marc Brown

I picked this up at a recent Lifeline charity book fair for only $2. It is no longer in print because it was first published in 1986, but I am sure it would have originally cost over $30 so I picked up a true bargain. I have some friends with two young granddaughters and recently their mum asked for some suggestions of poetry books to share with the girls aged three and five. This one will be perfect, and it might even have been given as a Christmas gift yesterday.

Look inside here (the cover on this site is from the paperback edition).

From the Introduction - Children have a near-genius capacity to absorb and process language between twelve months and six years of age, learning an average of nine new words a day. Research further shows us that the richer and more plentiful the language environment, the richer will be the child's vocabulary. ... Next to hugging and talking to children, reading aloud is the greatest gift we can give them. ... Unlike the toys we buy our children, poems cannot break. Their flavour will last longer than a hundred boxes of sweets. They come ready assembled and new only one battery, a reader connected to one child. And that read can start a glow that lasts a lifetime. - Jim Trelease

As you would expect this book has a title index, a first line index and an index of poets.

Two Sad by William Cole

It's such a shock, I almost screech,
When I find worm inside my peach
But then, what really makes me blue
Is to find a worm who's bit in two!

Fairies by Eleanor Farjeon

Don't go looking for fairies,

They'll fly away if you do.

You never can see the fairies

Till they come looking for you.

Silverly by Dennis Lee

Silverly,

Silverly,

Over the 

Trees

The moon drifts

By on a

Runaway

Breeze

Dozily,

Dozily,

Deep in her

Bed.

A little girl 

Dream with the

Moon in her

Head.

The Butterfly by Clinton Scollard

Up and down the air you float

Like a little fairy boat;

I should like to sail the sky,

Gliding like a butterly!

Reviews:

• "All truly easy to read aloud." The Horn Book Magazine
• "Bound to develop an appreciation for poetry at a very young age." School Library Journal
• "Parents will discover it is as much fun to read as it is for the little ones to hear." Chicago Tribune
• "Marc Brown's pictures of children and animals, each lovingly depicted, convey the universal childhood exuberance found in each rhyme." Boston Sunday Globe
• A Horn Book Fanfare Honor Book
• A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

Book seller blurb: America's favorite children's poet and anthologist, Jack Prelutsky has selected more than 200 poems for every occasion, every event, every experience that a young child encounters, from waking up in the morning to going to bed at night, all written by popular and well-known twentieth century poets. Each poem is artfully brought to life in the bright, playful illustrations of award-winning artist Marc Brown. From cover to cover, this fantastic anthology is filled with timeless fun that will open young minds to the magic and meaning of words and enchant both parents and children for generations to come.

Here are some poetry hints from Jack Prelutsky:

1. The first few years of a child’s life are extremely important to their emotional and intellectual growth. Reading to your child during these vital years is an essential tool to provide a nurturing and language-enriched environment. In Read-Aloud Rhymes for the Very Young, I have selected short poems with wonderful sounds to keep even the youngest child entertained while acknowledging their short attention spans.

2. Make reading a daily practice–a special time for both of you to look forward to. It could be during the afternoon to provide quiet quality time, or perhaps right before bedtime to calm the child after an active day. Find a special place in your home to sit together while you read–snuggling together while listening to a parent read makes the child feel safe, loved, and happy.

3. Read through the whole book to become familiar with the poems before choosing which ones to read to your child. This will help you pick the perfect poem that relates to the day, the weather, or an upcoming event–for example, read a poem about animals before visiting the zoo.

4. Choose rhythmic poems and vary your tone to keep the attention of very young children. While they may not understand the words yet, they will respond to the sounds. As your child gets older, begin to encourage your child to repeat the words you read to them. Point out the pictures that relate to what you are reading. If they start enjoying a particular poem you may look into other books by that poet.

A Whale of a Time - a funny poem for every day of the year selected by Lou Peacock illustrated by Matt Hunt

An Attempt at Unrhymed Verse by Wendy Cope

People tell you all the time,

Poems do not have to rhyme.

It's often better if they don't

And I'm determined this one won't.

Oh dear.

Never mind, I'll start again.

Busy, busy with my pen...cil.

I can do it if I try--

Easy, peasy, pudding and gherkins.

Writing verse is so much fun,

Cheering as the summer weather,

Makes you feel alert and bright,

'Specially when you get it more or

less the way you want it.

See inside this book on the Nosy Crow webpage. There are 350 pages in this enormous poetry book and 366 poems. It is divided into twelve months with a poem for every day and includes an index of poets, an index of poems, and an index of first lines. 

From the introduction:

"In a poem the arrangements of words create lovely melodies through rhythm and rhyme or free verse. They might be slow, soft and soothing, like a lullaby, or quick-march to get your heart racing. And a really funny poem might give you the giggles."

 "Of course, humour is a very individual thing. What makes one person laugh might leave another cold. So, I've done my best to find poems to tickle all sorts of readers. There are slapstick silly poems and tongue-twisters to get tangled in and nonsense poems full of riddles."

There are lots of familiar names in this book: Allan Ahlberg; Maya Angelou; Hiliare Belloc; Charles Causley; Joseph Coelho; Julia Donaldson; TS Eliot; Max Fatchen (Australia); Vivian French; AF Harrold; Russell Hoban; Ted Hughes; Karla Kuskin; Edward Lear; Margaret Mahy; Roger McGough; Spike Milligan (Australia); Tony Mitton; Ogden Nash; Linda Sue Park; Jack Prelutsky; Michael Rosen; Christina Rossetti; Roger Stevens; Colin Thiele (Australia); Judith Viorst; and Jane Yolen. Plus, many many more. 

This Poem by Elma Mitchell

This poem is dangerous: it should not be left

Within the reach of children, or even of adults

Who might swallow it whole, with possibly

Undesirable side effects. If you come across

An unattended, unidentified poem

In a public place, do not attempt to tackle it

Yourself. Send it (preferably in a sealed container)

To the nearest centre of learning, where it will be rendered

Harmless by experts. Even the simplest poem

May destroy your immunity to human emotions.

All poems must carry a Government warning. Words

Can seriously affect your heart.

When you think about using the months of the year you will expect many seasonal poems in this book - Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter along with Easter, Halloween and Christmas. You could flip through every page in this book, or turn to today's date, or look up your birthday, or just randomly flip to any page. All of these are great ways to access this huge book.  And when you find your favourite page, you can mark it with the ribbon marker (I do love these).

Image Source: Matt Hunt

I have not yet read every poem but here are a few pages I enjoyed:

Page 100 April 11th and 12th

"This is just to say" by William Carlos Williams sits side by side with a rift on this famous poem by Matthew Sweeney:

I have eaten
the chicken

you had on the sideboard

defrosting

and which you were hoping

to roast

and serve with wine

to your friends

forgive me

I'm a cat

we have no manners

we're always like that

Page 298 August 1st - 4th 

A celebration of bananas

Page 226 September 5th 

I don't like Poetry by Joshua Seigal (extract)

I don't like similes

every time I try to think of one

my brain feels like a vast, empty desert,

my eyes feel like raisins floating in the ocean

my fingers feel like sweaty sausages.

...

I don't like alliteration.

We learnt about it in school

but it's seriously, stupendously silly;

definitely drastically difficult;

terribly, troublingly tricky.

Page 216 August 24th - 26th

Poems about taking a bath

Page 182 July 15th - 17th

Poems about shoelaces

Page 148 June 14th - 16th 

Poems about hippos

Page 134 May 22nd 

I'm absolutely full tonight by Kenn Nesbitt

I’m absolutely full tonight.

I couldn’t eat another bite.

I couldn’t eat a half a bean,

or even taste a tangerine.

I couldn’t lick a lettuce leaf

or bite the slightest bit of beef.

I couldn’t polish off a pea

or sip a single drop of tea

or nibble on a nanogram

of pickled ham or candied yam

or lamb or clam or jam or Spam.

Yes, that’s how full I truly am.

To even think of eating more

would leave me lying on the floor

and surely make my stomach hurt

unless, of course, you’ve got dessert.

Page 78 March 17th 

Today, I feel by Gervase Phinn

This might be one you could use for an assembly item:

Today, I Feel as:

Pleased as PUNCH,

Fit as a FIDDLE,

Keen as a KNIFE,

Hot as a GRIDDLE,

Bold as BRASS,

Bouncy as a BALL,

Keen as MUSTARD,

High as a WALL, 

Bright as a BUTTON,

Light as a FEATHER,

Fresh as a DAISY,

Fragrant as HEATHER,

Chirpy as a CRICKET, 

Sound as a BELL,

Sharp as a NEEDLE,

Deep as a WELL,

High as a KITE, 

Strong as a BULL,

Bubbly as BATH WATER, 

Warm as WOOL,

Clean as a new PIN,

Shiny as MONEY,

Quick as LIGHTNING,

Sweet as HONEY,

Cool as CUCUMBER,

Fast as a HARE, 

Right as RAIN, 

Brave as a BEAR, 

Lively as a MONKEY,

Busy as a BEE,

Good as GOLD, 

Free as the SEA.

I’M SO HAPPY- I’M JUST LOST FOR 

WORDS.

Page 316-7 December 15th - 17th

Poems about sneezing

Hunt’s cartoon illustrations, which feature a large and diverse cast of children in lively poses, add bright notes of energy and action to the spacious page layouts. Kirkus

I dream of finding a talented teacher or two or three and gifting them this book (A Whale of a Time) plus one of these to use every day in their classroom - what a glorious way to share funny, poignant, important, delightful, joyous, and wonderful poems every day with a group of students. Each of these books are expensive but they would also be a wonderful investment. I agree they are too large and heavy to loan to individual students in your school library, but each could be placed in a classroom (for the whole year!).

Matt Hunt illustrated this counting book which I adored:

How to Count to One

Lou Peacock is the author of Marvellous Margot (yes I do recognise this name!).

The Hush Treasure Book and exhibition

This travelling exhibition designed by Books Illustrated showcases the original art for The Hush Treasure Book, created by 20 of Australia's best-loved illustrators. You'll see preliminary sketches and developmental work, as well as the final published art in all its forms, bringing to life this treasure trove of stories, poems and pictures by Australia's favourite storytellers. Scroll to the end of this post for an exciting IBBY Australia art auction with pieces by some of these famous names!

The authors and illustrators in The Hush Treasure Book and exhibition include – Nick Bland, Karen Briggs, Kevin Burgemeestre, Michael Camilleri, Jackie French, Jane Goodwin, Bob Graham, Jacqui Grantford, Mark Greenwood, Ann James, Danny Katz, Frane Lessac, Alison Lester, Chris McKimmie, Doug McLeod, Glenda Millard, Stephen Michael King, Tohby Riddle, Victoria Rohan, Judith Rossell, Paul Seden, Craig Smith, Shaun Tan, Jane Tanner, Karen Tayleur, Mitch Vane, Julie Vivas, Anna Walker, Bruce Whatley, Margaret Wild.

If you subscribe to The Story Box Library you will enjoy hearing and seeing several stories and poems from this anthology. 

Entries vary from very short to moderately long, from the heart-achingly emotive to the fun, fast and fantabulous. Illustrations are also varied in style and type, making this a true feast of endless surprises as pages are flicked. The book includes a bonus CD featuring a special compilation of Hush music compositions. Kids' Book Review

This is a book that will be adored by families, should have wide use in schools, and is perfect for anyone who appreciates the amazing range of talent we have in Australian children’s books. Readings

I first heard Dr Catherine Crock, a pediatrician at the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne talk about her project of music to help children in hospital back in 2018 at a talk at our Sydney City Recital Hall as a part of their series This Sounds like Science. 

Read more about The Hush Foundation here. They have many CDs with music played by the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. You can buy the book from 2015 on their website too. I think this book might already be in many school libraries - I remember seeing it in my former school library. 

Now to talk about the book. This is a splendid anthology for all ages. There are several very special poems, a story with no words, a brilliant ghost story and a magical ride on a seahorse.

The book opens with a poem by Jane Godwin illustrated by Anna Walker.  Here is a tiny extract:

"Let us go then, take my hand,
Let's run down the track and onto the sand.
Let's crawl through the tunnel, let's cross the sea,
We'll go together, you and me."

The story The Best horse of all features a carousel ride and a magical seahorse. The story is by Margaret Wild illustrated by Julie Vivas.

Dot the Tot is a lively little girl who cannot sit still.  Ann James perfectly captures her bounce and energy.

Bob Graham has written a gentle and poignant poem about a man and his old dog. 

The ghost story by Jackie French will give you shivers - it would be a perfect story to read aloud to a group of children in your class or library aged 9+.

Here is an extract from the poem by Glenda Millard (you know I love her language skills):

"I am the falling star

you are the wishful hands

catch me."

I do love anthologies - they are perfect for casual teachers, classrooms, libraries and also for families. My most favourite story and poetry anthology from here in Australia (sadly long out of print) is this one - it is the same book with two different covers:

If you love Australian children's picture book illustrators save the date - IBBY Australia are holding a mini masterpiece art auction and many of the famous names in The Hush Treasure Book have pieces in our auction including Ann James, Bob Graham, and Frane Lessac.

Here's a Little Poem collected by Jane Yolen illustrated by Polly Dunbar

Here's a little Poem: A very first book of Poetry

Collected by Jane Yolen and Andrew Fusek Peters

Publisher Blurb: This exuberant celebration of poetry is an essential book for every young one’s library and a gorgeous gift to be both shared and treasured. Sit back and savor a superb collection of more than sixty poems by a wide range of talented writers, from Margaret Wise Brown to Gertrude Stein, Langston Hughes to A. A. Milne. Greeting the morning, enjoying the adventures of the day, cuddling up to a cozy bedtime — these are poems that highlight the moments of a toddler’s world from dawn to dusk. Carefully gathered by Jane Yolen and Andrew Fusek Peters and delightfully illustrated by Polly Dunbar, Here's a Little Poem offers a comprehensive introduction to some remarkable poets, even as it captures a very young child’s intense delight in the experiences and rituals of every new day.

Your Birthday Cake by Rosemary Wells

Your birthday cake is made of mud

Because I cannot cook

I cannot read a recipe or follow in a book

I’m not allowed to use the stove

To simmer, roast or bake

I have no money of my own to buy a birthday cake

I’m sure to get in trouble if I mess around with dough

But I’ve made your birthday cake with mud

Because I love you so

Grandpa by Berlie Doherty

Grandpa's hands are as rough as garden sacks

And as warm as pockets.

His skin is crushed paper round his eyes

Wrapping up their secrets.

The Swing by Robert Louis Stevenson

How do you like to go up in a swing,

Up in the air so blue?

Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing

Ever a child can do!

Up in the air and over the wall,

Till I can see so wide,

Rivers and trees and cattle and all

Over the countryside—

Till I look down on the garden green,

Down on the roof so brown—

Up in the air I go flying again,

Up in the air and down!

I picked up this delicious poetry book at a recent charity book sale for just $2 and it is in brand new condition. I suspect (but of course I really don't know) that this book was a gift for a new baby and the family never opened it? This is a huge format book (288 x 258 mm and 108 pages) with one poem (there are 60) on each page and wonderful illustrations by Polly Dunbar. I did plan to gift this book to a friend but for now I think I might keep it for my own collection. The hardcover edition of this book (my copy is hardcover) retails for nearly $60.

If you have a young child or a new grandchild or you work in a preschool this is a book you MUST consider purchasing. It is available in paperback for a better price of around $30 [9781406327113].

Image Source: Polly Dunbar

“Achieves picture book nirvana…a richly entertaining book. The real joy of this book is how it makes poetry look like fun. Every page sings…” Sydney Morning Herald

"Imagine you wake up one sunny morning and someone brings you a plate, only instead of holding scrambled eggs, you are served up a dish piled high with more than sixy little presents to unwrap, each one more lovely and surprising than the last. That’s what’s being served up in this oversized collection of bright spots in a young child’s life"  Planet Esme

Image Source: Polly Dunbar

Read this review from Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast. Read more about Polly Dunbar here. This is what she said about Here's a little Poem:

It was so lovely to wake up each day with a large empty page and a new poem to challenge me. I wanted each page turn to be a surprise, to keep myself entertained as much as the reader. At times it was quite daunting, working on such a big project it’s hard to see it as a whole, and I hoped it would all hang together in the end. It was great spending time with the poems. They would go round and round my head. A lovely world to get lost in.