Kittens

These are the results of our drawing lesson yesterday!
From left to right are kittens by Emily, Bethany & Ainsley.

Poet of the Week - William Blake

This week we have chosen to read some poems by William Blake. He wrote some beautiful poems for children. This is one I love:

The Lamb

Little Lamb, who made thee?
Dost thou know who made thee,
Gave thee life, and bid thee feed
By the stream and o'er the mead;
Gave thee clothing, woolly, bright;
Gave thee such a tender voice
Making all the vales rejoice;
Little Lamb, who made thee?
Dost thou know who made thee?

Little Lamb, I'll tell thee.
Little Lamb, I'll tell thee.
He is called by thy name,
For He calls Himself a Lamb:-
He is meek and He is mild;
He became a little child.
I a child, and thou a lamb,
We are called by His name.
Little Lamb, God bless thee;
Little Lamb, God bless thee.

The poem is taken from Anthology of Best-Loved Poems, selected by Andrew Lang.
It is a lovely hardcover book with poems by many of the great poets:

Drawing DVD pics

We enjoyed another lesson with Graham Braddock via his wonderful DVD last week. The latest lesson was how to draw a still life picture. We were all pleased with the results!

Top left: Ainsley (8yrs), top right: Me (30+yrs), bottom left: Bethany (12 yrs) and bottom right: Emily (10 yrs). Ainsley was allowed to use a layout guide, but the rest of us were on our own (apart from Graham's exceptional instruction of course!)

Book Review: One Hand, Two Hands by Max Lucado, illustrated by Gaby Hansen

I have recently signed up with Booksneeze, to recieve free books for review on my blog.

After a few weeks of waiting, our first book finally arrived. It appears that somehow the small detail of our country of abode had missed the address on the box! The book went all the way to Japan, but eventually managed to find its way to us here in New Zealand!

One Hand, Two Hands is a gorgeous, hardcover book written by Max Lucado. Aimed at pre-schoolers, the book tells about how little hands can used practically in everyday life, then goes on to give suggestions on how little hands can be used to bless others, thereby also glorifying God. Written as a poem, it lends itself to memorisation:

"Button your shirt. Tie your own shoe.

Play in the band! Do-dee do-dee-do!"

and

"One hand, two hands, five fingers, ten...

God, thanks for my hands. Please, use them again."

The watercolour illustrations by Gaby Hansen are just beautiful. This book would make a great gift for a pre-schooler; my littles really enjoyed this book, and I'm sure it will become a favourite read aloud.

Disclaimer: Booksneeze have sent me a complimentary copy of this book. I am under no obligation to publish a positve review, and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Poetry a la Dr. Suess

To those who have had copious instruction,
I am sure Dr. Suess needs no introduction!
Last week we were privileged to view for our pleasure
Many of Dr. Suess's prints, at our leisure.
We travelled by car - a short expedition,
To Woodville, to see this great exhibition.

We thought that an opportunity like this
We would be very sorry and silly to miss!

Enough of that! The exhibition was fun to visit, rather like looking at giant pages out of Dr. Suess's books hanging on the wall. There were also what he calls "unconventional taxidermy" - sculptures of some of the strange creatures he invented.

Along with the exhibition the local library is running a poetry competition. here are the girls' entries:

Skandagupta Clovis

by Emily

Skandagupta Clovis is a funny sort of man,

He went with Marco Polo, to see a far-off land.

He travelled with Mansa Musa, to Mecca and back again,

For he was indeed in charge of all the great king's men.

He helped William Caxton write his book of chess,

In the Wars of theRoses, he fought with the rest.

Oh Magellan's ship he sailed, to discover India at last!

He was one of the lookouts, high up on the mast.

Then he settled down in Brazil, where he works at a mill,

And he lives there happily still.

The End.

Dixie Cook

by Bethany

Dixie Cook was a cook.

Dixie Cook was a rook.

Dixie Cook was a rook who could cook.

Dixie Cook cooked for the King.

Thrice every day the King would ring

A bell for his favourite snack.

Herb-sprinkled, sun-dried, smoked lamb rack.

He ate it for breakfast, for dinner and tea.

In the morning, at night, whenever, really.

At last Dixie Cook made a decision.

“Lamb rack, O King, is bad for your vision.

Why not eat something different instead?”

The King was having breakfast in bed.

He threw back the bed-clothes.

“Certainly, Cook! You are a very intelligent rook.

Make a new dish in time for my dinner!”

Dixie set to work. It had to be a winner.

She mixed up a pie made of beef and cheese.

Lettuce and breadcrumbs and lemon and peas.

The King ate the pie. He let out a sneeze.

“Dixie Cook! This won’t do! Disgusting! Please

Cook something different without any cheese.”

Dixie Cook mixed a soup, with vegetables and meat.

She tasted it. It was tangy and sweet.

The King sipped the soup. His face went green.

“Horrible! Awful! Disgusting! How mean!

You meant to poison your King and your Queen!

Guards, take Dixie away! You’ll stay in prison

For a year and a day!”

Poor Dixie. In prison, she thought very hard,

Then sent the King an apology card.

The King sent one back to Dixie Cook,

It read, “To Criminal Rook Dixie Cook,

You’ll be freed if you can do as I say.

You have a whole year and one day.

Think of a dish that I would like.

Call it Super Extreme Delight.

Cook it and send it to me,

And I will eat it for afternoon tea.

Dixie Cook was a brilliant rook,

So she thought for a year, very hard,

Then sent the King the dish and a card.

The King ate the dish, “Fantastic!” he cried.

“It’s super! It’s brilliant! It can’t be denied!

Guards, release Dixie cook. She’s a very clever rook!”

He rewarded her with a golden crown.

She became the Head Cook in the town.

Many years later, the King still likes

Eating the Super Extreme Delight.

But once when he rang for his favourite snack –

“If you don’t mind, can I have some lamb rack?”