Animal Antics 215x210mm_Layout 1 16/06/2011 17:45 Page 1
A
Written & Illustrated by Beryl Organ
Animal Antics 215x210mm_Layout 1 16/06/2011 17:45 Page 3
A
Animal Antics 215x210mm_Layout 1 16/06/2011 17:45 Page 4
No part of this
To my great grandchildren, who all love animals
Animal Antics 215x210mm_Layout 1 16/06/2011 17:45 Page 5
Published by Memoirs Books
Memoirs Books 25 Market Place, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 2NX www.memoirsbooks.co.uk info@memoirsbooks.co.uk Copyright ŠBeryl Organ July 2011 First published in England, July 2011 Edited by Chris Newton Book jacket design and layout Ray Lipscombe ISBN 978-1-908223-13-5
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of Memoirs Books. Printed in England
Animal Antics 215x210mm_Layout 1 16/06/2011 17:45 Page 6
The fieldmice are in luck today They found a bag of food Now they have plenty to take home To feed their hungry brood.
Animal Antics 215x210mm_Layout 1 16/06/2011 17:45 Page 7
This clever dog performs his tricks In a travelling circus ring And when the band begins to play He’ll even sit and sing.
Animal Antics 215x210mm_Layout 1 16/06/2011 17:45 Page 8
I’m just a little bear with no home anywhere So I’m looking for a person who will love me Will YOU give me a home, and take me for your own? To come down from the shelf would be so lovely! It’s dusty sitting here, no other toys are near So please – you’ll find I’m friendly, and so cuddly.
Animal Antics 215x210mm_Layout 1 16/06/2011 17:45 Page 9
Perched on a tree beside a lake Two pelicans search for fish Their catch of scaly wriggling shapes Will make a tasty dish They’ll eat their fill, then save the rest Their beaks were made for this.
Animal Antics 215x210mm_Layout 1 16/06/2011 17:45 Page 10
A big green frog, with fishing rod Sits on a big green lily What will he catch – a shark? A cod? A herring, something finny? The fish laugh when they see his catch The frog feels rather silly.
Animal Antics 215x210mm_Layout 1 16/06/2011 17:45 Page 11
This pig has found an apple To eat it up he tried But it seems to have a funny taste Oh no – someone’s inside! “Don’t eat me!” squeaked the little grub “Not me!” the pig replied.
Animal Antics 215x210mm_Layout 1 16/06/2011 17:45 Page 12
Mrs Mouse went shopping She missed the last bus home Now she has to walk a mile With her heavy bags, alone She heard a shout and turned around To see who it could be Her neighbour, come to rescue her! And home they drove to tea.
Animal Antics 215x210mm_Layout 1 16/06/2011 17:45 Page 13
This donkey’s giving rides today Up and down the beach This lovely sunny summer’s day The sea’s within her reach Before the boys and girls arrive She must do two things first A cooling, sandy paddle And a drink to quench her thirst.
Animal Antics 215x210mm_Layout 1 16/06/2011 17:46 Page 14
Morris Mouse got lost today He can’t think how he missed his way Up one path and down another Until he had to cry for mother She was so worried till she knew Poor Morris, he was all wet through A mouse should not go out in rain You silly boy – don’t stray again!
Animal Antics 215x210mm_Layout 1 16/06/2011 17:46 Page 15
In a farmhouse far away This little pig is going to stay So happy as along he strode What fun he’d have along the road! And when the holiday is done It’s off back home to see his mum.
Animal Antics 215x210mm_Layout 1 16/06/2011 17:46 Page 16
This sheep is going to market She wants to look her best She’s hoping everyone she sees Will be SO impressed She’s looking for a change of scene Lush green fields where she can dream And when her little lambs arrive She’ll settle down to see them thrive.
Animal Antics 215x210mm_Layout 1 16/06/2011 17:46 Page 17
This little duck is out of luck He’s found the village pond What’s this I spy? The pond is dry! No water to be found.
Animal Antics 215x210mm_Layout 1 16/06/2011 17:46 Page 18
Along the road on a windy day Went Mr and Mrs Bunny Now their umbrella’s blown inside out Don’t laugh, it isn’t funny! To ride the bus they’d have to pay They haven’t any money. They’ll have to try another day When the wind’s gone, and it’s sunny.
Animal Antics 215x210mm_Layout 1 16/06/2011 17:46 Page 19
This little bear, without a care Picks flowers for his mum Until a bee lands on his nose Now that’s not so much fun.
Animal Antics 215x210mm_Layout 1 16/06/2011 17:46 Page 20
This kitten’s found a ball of wool She’ll roll it, bowl it, tweak and pull Up and down the stairs she’ll run No one tries to spoil her fun Then Mum shouts “What a naughty kitten! I need that wool to do my knitting!”
Animal Antics 215x210mm_Layout 1 16/06/2011 17:46 Page 21
This little mouse, he had no house Until he found a glove Now he has five rooms he can use, A cosy home to love. “I’ll live in style, but wait a while” Said he. “It all depends If the other one turns up I’ll have Five rooms to let to friends.”
Animal Antics 215x210mm_Layout 1 16/06/2011 17:46 Page 22
Grandpa Hedgehog think it’s kind Reading bedtime stories But the little ones would rather play Than hear of pirate glories If they don’t behave, they’ll soon find out How loud Grandpa’s roar is!
Animal Antics 215x210mm_Layout 1 16/06/2011 17:46 Page 23
This baby donkey loves to be Beside the sea in summer He’ll give some rides to you and me Just like his dad and mother.
Animal Antics 215x210mm_Layout 1 16/06/2011 17:46 Page 24
A little bear cub climbed a tree Thought he’d seen a honey bee Hoped that he would find a nest Full of honey of the best But then he felt a sting behind... He went down faster than he climbed.
Animal Antics 215x210mm_Layout 1 16/06/2011 17:46 Page 25
Tortoise wanders far and wide To find a place to sleep inside She hopes to find a nice warm shed With lots of straw to make a bed.
Animal Antics 215x210mm_Layout 1 16/06/2011 17:46 Page 26
Brown rabbit found some carrots And being very kind He thought he’d ask his friends around To share he wouldn’t mind Round they came and had a feast They all had marvellous fun Each one went home with a happy smile And a big round happy tum.
Animal Antics 215x210mm_Layout 1 16/06/2011 17:46 Page 27
Handstands in the pond today Let’s show the babies how to play Says Mr Frog “I’m the best one ever!” But Mrs Frog says “That’s not clever”.
Animal Antics 215x210mm_Layout 1 16/06/2011 17:46 Page 28
Three cheers to all, it’s Christmas Day Tiggy only wants to play She has a stocking filled with fun So glad that Christmas day’s begun.
Animal Antics 215x210mm_Layout 1 16/06/2011 17:46 Page 29
This little lamb is running free From hill to hill and tree to tree Miles of space to run and play He’s hoping that he’s here to stay.
Animal Antics 215x210mm_Layout 1 16/06/2011 17:46 Page 30
Angel is a sleepy cat On her warm pink cushion she stretches flat When the children try to play She leaps right up and runs away.
Animal Antics 215x210mm_Layout 1 16/06/2011 17:46 Page 31
A
Animal Antics 215x210mm_Layout 1 16/06/2011 17:46 Page 32
Beryl E. Organ, born in Bristol in 1928, has been devoted to animals and flowers all her life. For many years she ran a modelling agency. In later life she took up writing and over he years she has produced a series of children’s books, all focusing on the © Concept Photography
natural world – some in prose, some in verse. An accomplished artist, she paints pictures of animals, birds and flowers, from pet dogs and cats to wild birds and butterflies, and accompanies them with short poems and stories. Animal Antics is aimed at 5 – 6 year olds who are just beginning to read and will find
encouragement to explore nature and the world of words. It is Mrs Organ’s fifth children’s book and is a collection of verse and pictures about some of the familiar animals, wild and domestic, that children love. With her son Colin, a professional photographer, she has also compiled Reflections, a collection of verses accompanying delightful photographs of rural and garden scenes. All her books are dedicated to her great grandchildren.
Acknowledgements: Les for his valued help. Dear daughters, Karen and Janet for their assistance on this and other books. Tiggys world, Benjys Magic Mantle 2010 Photograph courtesy of Mark , Concept Photography
ISBN 978-1-908223-13-5
Published by Memoirs 25 Market Place, Cirencester Gloucestershire GL7 2NX
9 781908 223135
A
TEL: 01285 640485 www.memoirsbooks.co.uk