children’s poetry bookshelf – Dolphin Book Blog for younger readers

Big Green Crocodile by Jane Newberry and Carolina Rabei

The DolphinMarch 30, 2020March 31, 2020

Rhymes to Play and Say, at any time throughout the day.

Devised to entertain and delight small children from breakfast to supper. Busy toddlers will love the pattern of rhymes and actions, it will fill their minds with new vocabulary and playtime activities.

Have fun with jungle animals, buzzing bees, tractors, rockets, aeroplanes and of course ... big green crocodiles.

Jane Newberry has spent many years working with young children, parents and carers. She has a wealth of play-songs, rhymes and activities that she has devised and Big Green Crocodile is a brilliant addition to her work.

Carolina Rabei always loved drawing and gained a BA in Graphic Design in Moldova and then went on to the Cambridge School of Art, Children's Book Illustration. her illustrations have a real appeal for young children and the colours and different creatures make every page a pleasure.

Published by Otter-Barry Books, publishers making a difference, pushing boundaries and publishing books that children will love.

We do love this book, and I am about to Face Time a 3 year old with .... which one shall I choose ... Big Green Crocodile

A great big green crocodile lay down for a nap.

I lay down beside him until he went... SNAP!

A great big brown lion lay down on the floor,

I lay down beside him until he went...ROAR!

A small furry teddy lay down with a yawn.

I lay down beside him and slept until dawn.

Sue Martin

Dolphinbooksellers.co.uk is part of SmithMartin LLP

A retail resource for the best children's books, entry point into our children's and community library procurement and supply service. Offering a miscellany of news and featured authors for all our readers, whatever their age.

If All the World Were… by Joseph Coelho & Allison Colpoys

The DolphinAugust 30, 2018December 31, 2018

If All the World were... - cover image and web link — Buy this book here...

'If all the world were springtime

I would replant my Grandad's birthday's

so that he would never get old'.

A stunningly beautiful book about missing someone.

From springtime to winter the pages travel with a girl and her Grandad, laughing smiling, sharing stories, Indian sweets and home-made toys. A book full of happiness.

Then one day his chair is empty, with only his slippers and a new notebook, but no Grandad.

If All the World Were… by Joseph Coelho & Allison Colpoys - cover image and web link — Free delivery!

In the wonderful illustrations the girl takes the new notebook and writes her memories and draws her best pictures, all of them with her Grandad.

This is just a beautiful book from Joseph Coehlo and Allison Colpoys, published by Lincoln Children's Books. The words and illustrations match the essence of the story; that happiness can be found again even if you lose someone very close.

Couldn't resist adding a video...

I love it!

Recommend for ages 3 and upwards....

Sue Martin

Books for younger readers- free delivery

Old Possum’s Children’s Poetry Competition

The DolphinDecember 17, 2010December 17, 2010

Poetry is back on the agenda!

It certainly was for all those who entered the Old Possum’s Children’s Poetry Competition. On Friday 10th December the winning young poets were presented with their book prizes.

There were twelve prize winners and a further eight received commendations. They were all between the ages of 7 and eleven. One of the poems is featured below.

Home

Hearing my dad on the computer.
Hearing the quiet buzz of the heater.
Hearing the cars rushing past.
I know I am home.

Smelling paint as I walk past the wall.
Smelling the food being cooked.
I know I am home.

Touching the peach wall when I walk in.
Touching my toys and start playing with them.
I know I am home.

Setting the food on the table ready to eat.
Seeing the furry stairs in the corridor.
I know I am home.

By Michael Hills, aged 8, from Yateley Manor, Hampshire

All winning entries are on Children's Poetry bookshelf . The judges of the Old Possum’s Children’s Poetry Competition, led by Chair Roger McGough, selected twelve children as winners of the Competition, with a further eight receiving high commendations. The judges awarded 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes to children in two age groups (7-8 and 9-11).

winners

This international Poetry Competition, now in its fifth year, is run by the Children’s Poetry Bookshelf, a poetry book club for young people run by the Poetry Book Society. To link with National Poetry Day on Thursday 7 October, children aged 7-11 were invited to submit poems on the theme of ‘Home’.

The partnership with the British Council boosted entries to the ‘International Learners’ category for children based outside the UK who are learning English as a foreign or second language. In total, well over 3,000 entries were received from schools and individual children worldwide, nearly a quarter of which were from 31 countries other than the UK.

Roger McGough said:

“’Home' proved to be a fruitful subject for this year's crop of young poets and the judges relished those poems in which the child's imagination was let loose. More than attention to domestic detail, the sounds and smells, the furnishings, the judges relished those poems in which the child's imagination was let loose. Above all, it was a delight to witness very young writers discovering the power and the joy of language.”

Sue Martin

Dolphin Booksellers, the best in children's books, always on line

Old Possum’s Children’s Poetry Competition

The DolphinDecember 22, 2009February 3, 2010

A great competition which had over 4000 entries this year from all over the world.
The awards and celebrations were held at The Unicorn Theatre in London on 14th December.
Children and parents mingled with poets and publishers.

Carol Ann Duffy, Poet Laureate and chair of the judging panel said,
'We left our meeting convinced that the true beginnings of poetry are to be found in writing by children.”

This international poetry competition, now in its fourth year, is run by Children's Poetry Bookshelf, part of Poetry Book Society , in partnership with the British Council.

grp Lots of excited faces, as the winners joined judges John Agard, Roger Stevens and Carol Ann Duffy at the presentation. As well as the prizes there will be a commemorative booklet, in which winning and recommended poems will be featured.

It is available from Children's Poetry Bookshelf, which is a great website as a resource and just good to read as well!

Some of the lines that have stayed with us are;

Men watching
Friends go forever

From A Soldier's Poem by Louisa, aged 8.

And,

He is the blow of a whistle
That can be heard all over the world.

About Barack Obama by Sarah, aged 8.

Children's writing has a way of finding the truth.....

Dolphin Booksellers – finding out more about books for children.

Crispy Juice

The DolphinDecember 6, 2009February 3, 2010

cj1

Crispy Juice – Love Music, Love poetry, Love kids.

A new concept bringing rhymes and poetry together in a beautifully presented package. Crispy Juice website has style, quality and is a real delight in the illustrations and the way rhymes and music are put together.

The music is available to listen to on the website and CD's can be purchased on line. If you are lucky enough to live near Bristol, there may be some markets where you can find a Crispy Juice stall.

When you buy a CD, a donation of £1 is given to Zambuko library .

calp Calico Pie is the first CD produced. There are over 20 rhymes and songs, old favourites and new ones too, set to music by Paul Bradley using a melodica, glockenspiel, guitar and piano.

Its very dreamy and as they say on the CD, 'Its best served warm with a cosy blanket'.

Just right for winter evenings and anytime that you and the children want to enjoy music and rhymes.
It would be great for nurseries 'sleepy times' just after lunch. You know that sort of time when you don't need to actually sleep, but music and a comfy chair and a good book are just right!

Dolphin Booksellers have information and lists of books for Christmas, plus you can buy them direct through the link to Amazon, so great books at good prices. A winning combination.

Heroes and Heroines

The DolphinAugust 28, 2009

old p Heroes and Heroines is the theme of the Old Possum's Children's Poetry Competition for for 2009. Time to get your imaginations fired up again after the summer break and get writing.

The Children's Bookshelf is organising the competition, they're part of the Poetry Book Society. Even if you don't want to get involved in the competition, its worth having a look at their website, it has all the details and much more beside.

The competition, now in its fourth year, is open to individuals and schools, and divided into 2 age groups,7- 8 yr olds and 9 - 11 yr olds. There are cash prizes as well as books and CPB memberships. A teacher's guide will be available from early September.

Entries will be accepted from 10 September until 19th October, so its just right for that first few days back in the classroom! On Thursday 8th October we have National Poetry day, the work cover 2 activities in 1!

Carol Ann Duffy, the new poet laureate will chair the panel, to include, John Agard, Antonia Byatt, Gillian Clarke, Janetta Otter Barry and Roger Stevens. They all have a fantastic achievements within their work and connections to children's poetry.

Support for the project also comes from Old Possum's Practical Trust. TS Elliot would undoubtedly enjoy the title of the competition, Heroes and Heroines. I'm just wondering which heroine I would choose?

Visit Dolphin Booksellers home page for information and books.