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If
Bees Rode Shiny Bicycles by
Michelle A. Taylor. University
of Queensland Press, St. Lucia, 2003. ISBN
07022 3382 X. R.R.P.
$14.95. |
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Children
burst into laughter when hearing the words from Michelle
A. Taylor's recent publication If Bees Rode Shiny Bicycles.
The award-winning poet and Brisbane-born author currently
lives in London with her husband and two young daughters,
but was here in Brisbane during the 2003 Brisbane Writer's
Festival and Queensland Poetry Festival to promote her
newest title. If Bees Rode Shiny Bicycles brings
together images, objects, animals and words that entertain
and capture the imagination of adults and children alike.
Her hilarious expressions introduce children to poetry
in an entertaining and humorous way, creating images and
sounds that jump off the page.
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As
an author, Taylor has the advantage of having many years
of interactive experience with people, and has already
shared much of her work with students and teachers in
the classroom. This particular work is completely charming,
and generated giggles and squeals of delight from the
young souls that gathered with interest around me as I
read from the text. Their eyes lit up as they asked for
more. And more. We shared the author's dance through various
themes -- in the garden, at the sea, with families, at
school, out and about, from dusk 'till dawn and more.
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The
author has organised this delightful piece into twelve
colourful chapters, with poems that include the innovatively
titled Snugly bugly, Grandpa and the steamroller, Red
raincoat, The sausage that would not sizzle, The upside-down
fish, Dig dig dig, The dreams of dogs and, of course,
If bees rode shiny bicycles. Taylor also enhances her
poetry by integrating Australian flora and fauna into
her verses in which she also honours the Anzacs, serves
up the fair-dinkum tucker and, in her original way, captures
the Australian way of life. Taylor writes in a unique
and innovative way, keeping us laughing while also 'telling
it like it is' through realistic pieces such as Goodbye
butterfly, Nana's rosebush, The day the ride on caught
fire and Chasing the clock.
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This
poetry is playful, original, eccentric and energetic,
and I recommend it to anyone wishing to entertain young
children with creative adventures, fantastic visualisations
and witty satire all perfectly pitched at a child's level.
If Bees Rode Shiny Bicycles is a beautiful piece
of literature that can be shared by all, but is a must
for any child's book collection. This is an experience
that your children should not miss out on. When you taste
the distinct flavour of quality, you will understand my
enthusiasm. Try it for yourself. |
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