Book Review – A Book for Kids by C J Dennis
A Classic Australian Book of Short Stories and Verse for Children
Well known for his verses capturing the larrikin-spirit of Australia, C J Dennis published a book of amusing poems and short stories dedicated to ‘all good children over four and under four-and-eighty’ in 1921. A recent release of this classic, A Book for Kids (Black Dog Books, 2009) encourages a new generation to connect with Dennis’ timeless spirit of fun.
A Book for Kids by C J Dennis
As with others who recognise that humour is a powerful tool to engage the attention of children, Dennis’ A Book for Kids clearly seeks to cultivate a love of reading by entertaining. It is fitting that the introduction is written by Andy Griffiths, a modern Australian writer who connects well with a young audience through his use of humour.
The book features a mixture of poems of varying length and two short stories, The Little Red House and The Boy Who Rode into the Sunset. The illustrations are by Dennis and the cover illustration of this book is one that was prepared by Dennis for use with the original publication.
A Book for Kids includes a series of short, one stanza poems about a variety of occupations scattered through the book. These include The Tram-Man, The Sailor, The Teacher, The Postman and The Barber.
Even those adults unfamiliar with other entries may recognise the poem The Triantiwontigongolope, describing an imaginary insect. Other favourites include The Sulky Stockman, Upon the Road to Rockabout, The Band and The Long Road Home.
The poem A Very Charming Gentleman is reprinted inside the front and back covers of the books, carrying with it a worthwhile reminder about the value of books:
...”Take your books and make your books companions – never toys;
For they who so forsake their books grow into gawky boys.”
I didn’t know who he was. Do You? He snuffled at the end;
And said , “ Mark – me – boy! Your book should be your friend.”
Who is C J Dennis?
Born Clarence Michael James Stanislaus Dennis in 1876, C J Dennis was a prolific writer from an early age and spent most of his working life as a ‘journalist-in-verse’. He passed away in 1938 with no direct descendants.
Over his lifetime, Dennis had more than 4000 pieces of prose and poetry published and by 1917 was the richest poet in Australia. He and his wife never had children of their own, but his wife commented that “I never knew Den more happy than when he was doing A Book for Kids.”
His best known work, The Songs of a Sentimental Bloke, published originally by Angus & Robertson in 1915 and now the inspiration for a film and musical comedy, is written in Dennis’ familiar colloquial style. In the introduction to a 1992 reprint of this classic poem, well-known Australian actor and personality Barry Humphries describes Dennis as an ‘urban poet’, a title that suits him well.
Introduce Children to Australian Poetry
As with well-known Australian bush-poets Banjo Patterson and Henry Lawson, Dennis’ distinctive voice captures the Australian spirit of his time. His humorous and informal style ensures that these poems remain accessible to modern children as much as they were to children when the book was first published in 1921.
A Book for Kids (ISBN: 978-1-74203-094-4, 94 pages)
A Book for Kids by CJ Dennis
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