y separately published work icon Cobbler's Pegs selected work   poetry   children's  
Issue Details: First known date: 1944... 1944 Cobbler's Pegs
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

A collection of poems for children about childhood routines, games and fears.

Notes

  • Dedication: 'To my little son Anthony.'
  • 'Cobbler's pegs' refers to the immature seed head of Bidens pilosa, a weed prevalent in New South Wales, the spines of which are distributed by catching on the legs of animals (and people).

Contents

* Contents derived from the Brisbane, Queensland,:Watson Ferguson , 1944 version. Please note that other versions/publications may contain different contents. See the Publication Details.
Cobbler's Pegsi"I know the place where a rabbit lives", Maureen Clare Meadows , single work poetry children's
While hunting for the origin of cobbler's pegs (the spiny seed head of the weed, Bidens pilosa), a child finds wonderful places filled with local flora and fauna.
(p. 1)
Swingingi"Here I go", Maureen Clare Meadows , single work poetry children's
This poem relates the joys of playing on a swing, the imagination of flying, and the views across the countryside.
(p. 2)
Fairy Cobbleri"Tippety Tap! Tippety Tap!", Maureen Clare Meadows , single work poetry children's
The happy little fairy cobbler taps away at the tiny shoes of the wallaby, snail and pixie.
(p. 3)
In Disgracei"They say that I've been naughty", Maureen Clare Meadows , single work poetry children's
A child ponders the reasons for punishment when he feels he was merely being curious about the workings of a clock.
(p. 4)
In the Wateri"The houses wriggle and shiver", Maureen Clare Meadows , single work poetry children's
A child discovers an topsy-turvy, duplicated world while looking into water.
(p. 5)
Fed Upi"In the tale of the hare and the tortoise", Maureen Clare Meadows , single work poetry children's
Young Jane is fed up with accusations that she is fat and lazy, and slow like a tortoise. She is also very sad because she feels she tries very hard.
(p. 6)
Sand Crabsi"They play on the beach in the afternoon", Maureen Clare Meadows , single work poetry children's
A four year old sits very still and quietly, watching the sand crabs marching on the beach in rows.
(p. 7-8)
Walkingi"There's nothing at all for me to do", Maureen Clare Meadows , single work poetry children's
When there's noone to play with and nothing to do, a child walks among the daisies with no specific destination in mind.
(p. 9)
Straight Hairi"God made some hair curly", Maureen Clare Meadows , single work poetry children's
Katie deems God unfair for making her hair straight and dull, while others have luxurious curls; though she concedes that she should be grateful that God gave her hair at all!
(p. 10)
Thingsi"I don't like the things", Maureen Clare Meadows , single work poetry children's
Bugs and spiders and frogs and insects are not easy to like!
(p. 11)
Impi"I'm an imp", Maureen Clare Meadows , single work poetry children's
A child is determined to be 'a natural-born, mischievous, impossible imp' rather than '[c]lean, boring and cheerful, good-tempered and kind'.
(p. 12)
Judy's Weeki"I never do like Mondays", Maureen Clare Meadows , single work poetry children's
This work consists of 7 sections of verse, each titled by a day of the week. On Monday, Judy doesn't like Mondays because she can't do the things she wants to do. On Tuesdays, she visits the cook, reads and watches Hop Lee the kind 'chinaman' who brings the fruit and vegetables. Wednesday is the day that Miss Grimwade comes to the house to give Judy lessons in geography, history and 'sums'. On Thursday, Judy gets dressed up and goes visiting with her mother. Friday is shopping day with Mummy. Judy's favourite day is Saturday, when Priscilla comes to play and they play at being pirates, then Judy helps her father in the garden. On Sundays, the family goes to church and Judy observes the congregation, thinks about her 'wickedness' and resolves to do better in the following week.
(p. 13-21)
A Penny to Spendi"With a penny to spend, on dancing toes", Maureen Clare Meadows , single work poetry children's
A young girl has a penny to spend in the candy shop. She delights in looking at all of the different types of candy, before finally choosing an all-day sucker.
(p. 22)
Relationsi"There's Aunt Jemima on daddy's side", Maureen Clare Meadows , single work poetry children's
A child describes her aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents, understanding their differences, but also their connections in belonging to family.
(p. 23-24)
Fears at Nighti"When everyone has gone to bed", Maureen Clare Meadows , single work poetry children's
At night, there are many things to fear. Furry rugs might turn into bears; the coat behind the door may be a leering dwarf; strange voices sound in the darkness. Yet in the morning sun, it is difficult to believe them true.
(p. 25-26)
Wind Spiriti"There's a spirit of wind in the house to-night", Maureen Clare Meadows , single work poetry children's
In the night, the wind takes on a human form, impishly threatening the sleepy child.
(p. 27)
Rainy Dayi"Pitter, patter, on the rooftops", Maureen Clare Meadows , single work poetry children's
A young child loves to be outdoors with 'daddy's big umbrella' when the rain dances and sings.
(p. 28)
Holy Nighti"Were the stars that shone in Bethlehem", Maureen Clare Meadows , single work poetry children's
A child kneels before the window contemplating if children knelt like this before the star of Bethlehem when the Saviour Christ was born.
(p. 29)

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

Last amended 24 Nov 2008 08:09:39
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