Cloud Busting: Puffin Poetry

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Compare the effectiveness of books for younger audiences where difference and fitting in are depicted, for example, Elmer by David McKee and The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister. Sam is still embarrassed to be seen with Davey, but little by little he has to admit, when it’s just the two of them, he is a lot of fun. Images Donate icon An illustration of a heart shape Donate Ellipses icon An illustration of text ellipses. We celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories, traditions and living cultures; and we pay our respects to Elders past and present.

It reminded me a lot of when I worked with students with autism and how they were a breath of fresh air to me and got me to look at the world more closely !You can’t taste a star beam; you see it – the effect is achieved by mixing sensory experiences, and it takes a great deal of imagination. Children further explore this in their independent activities, where they identify what they have personally learnt from these themes in the story.

My favourite part of the book is when we get to really experience the way that Davey sees the world through the intense descriptions he offers to Sam, this progresses throughout the book and allows us to experience this alternate perception of reality along with them. For example, favourite food becomes “…daydreams in your mouth…Or wishes down your throat…” Discuss everyday items and experiences, or use photos of familiar places, and help children develop their use of metaphor by exploring senses and linking one positive idea with another: a delicious taste is wonderful, as are star beams, so favourite food could become “star beams on your tongue”. Further, Blackman has very creatively utilised one of the poems in the book to demonstrate how teachers can transform poetry-averse children into enthusiastic budding poets.This will be useful to children who are developing their poetry techniques in English, by having relatable characters and different use of poetry.