KIDS’ CORNER
POETRY IN MOTION
Poetry is one of those wonderful gateway literary genres that can instil a lifelong love of the written word in your children. Almost all kids will find it as exciting as any other fictional book; they will eagerly respond to the sounds, rhythms, surprises, story lines and jokes to be discovered in this anthology edited by former British Children’s Laureate Michael Morpurgo.
Illustrations are by the masterful Quentin Blake and the 101 poems are by a mixed bag of writers, including Spike Milligan, John Lennon, Robert Louis Stevenson, Lewis Carroll and Alfred Lord Tennyson.
Because A Fire Was In My Head (Faber and Faber), from R140 at leading bookstores.
THE SLOW LANE
Take things down a gear with this charming Vintage Cars wallpaper from the Young Ones collection. The weather-worn effect and mellow colour palette make it a jaunty choice for a boy’s nursery. R700/roll, Wallpaper Inn, (043) 726-1760, wallpaperinn.co.za.
HELLO DOLLY
French brand Peticollin has been making traditional toys for over a century. Particularly de rigueur is the range of dolls made with its signature soft vanilla-perfumed vinyl, lifelike hair and sleeping eyes. If it’s a very special present you’re looking for this holiday season, we’re certain that Câlinette Coquelicots will be a treasured childhood companion. Available in two sizes from R950, jelli.co.za.
RAZZLE DAZZLE
Why wear your heart on your sleeve when you can go for the full bling effect? These cute vests by Naartjie are just the thing for a summer of love. Available in blue, pink, green and white. R150 in stores or online at naartjie.co.za.
ANIMAL CRACKERS
Add some farmyard charm to your kid’s bedroom by adding one of these Barn or Animal scatters into the decor mix. Old MacDonald would approve. R295, Weylandts, weylandts.co.za.