Let’s sit down and write a book,

The first line matters — it’s called the “hook”.

Then off we go with Chapter One,

The words are flowing, isn’t it fun?

The story’s building, what a great plot,

With twists and turns, it’s got the lot.

There are so many stories to tell your friends,

With exciting beginnings and happy ends!

I bought a tube of toothpaste

and squeezed it from the top.

I was getting lots of toothpaste out,

till people yelled out “Stop!”

“You should squeeze it from the bottom,

then roll the tube up neatly.

That way you won’t waste toothpaste

’cause you’ll use it all completely.”

Myrtle McGuire

joined a choir,

because she thought

she could sing.

She sang soprano

by the piano,

and here’s the terrible thing:

her voice was a shriek

that lacked technique,

and started a chain of disasters;

the glass windows shattered,

and what really mattered,

down from the roof

came the rafters.

I can’t go out to play today,

it’s raining very hard.

And it rained the day before

and flooded my backyard.

My shoes are wet,

my socks are soaked,

my boots are green with mould —

I wonder how much water

this world of ours can hold?

Have you tried to tickle a pickle?

That’s the best way to make it giggle.

Or laughed at a big green lettuce?

We can eat it, if it will let us.

Have you talked to a ripe red tomato

That was grown by a man in Glasgow?

And as for a jolly cucumber,

Have you asked for its telephone number?

But be careful of every gherkin —

You never know where they are lurkin’.

I hope you’ve enjoyed his ballad;

Now go and eat your salad.

Erroll McDougall

Was given a bugle

And he began to play.

He blew out hard,

BLAAATTTTT, BLAAPPPPPP,

Then sucked in fast —

SLLLLLLRRRRPPPPPPPPP —

Oh no! Now that bugle

Is inside McDougall!

We turned a corner and there he was,

towering in the air,

a gorgeous dog with enormous eyes

and wheat dust in his hair.

He didn’t bark, he didn’t move,

he gazed out from the wall,

beside his master, for all time,

the biggest dog of all.

Teacher’s note: This silo art is at Nullawil, Victoria, so named because the local indigenous word “nulla” is a killing stick, while “willock” means a galah (a variety of Australian bird). Both items appear on the medal attached to the dog’s collar.

I sat and watched the night steal in,

across the barren plain,

where a bowl of salt and water

will seize the sky again.

The fire of day lies frozen

in water still and wide,

and the lake will paint the sky

and the two will scarce divide.

Teacher’s note: Lake Tyrrell, a vast salt lake, is located near Sea Lake in northern Victoria.

I wonder who lived here;

I wonder why they went?

What fate struck these pioneers

and left their spirit spent?

They built their dreams to last,

stone by golden stone,

but now these dismal relics

lie ragged and alone.

Teacher’s note: This abandoned settlement is near Burra, South Australia.

There’s plenty here for everyone

so peck away in peace,

no need to squawk and squabble,

all fighting has to cease!

There’s lots of seed for any bird

who flies in day or night;

so use your beak to pick up food

and not to pick a fight.