A Children's Treasury of Milligan: Classic Stories and Poems
not part of a series
on Goodreads (329)
What’s inside...
A delightful collection of classic stories and poems by Spike Milligan, the book is designed to captivate and entertain young readers while introducing them to the whimsical world of Milligan's imagination. Spike Milligan's publishing career began over forty years ago when Silly Verse for Kids was published in 1959. His poems were inspired by listening to his own children, and subsequently his grandchildren, and marveling at the way they could invent new words or incorporate sound effects into their everyday language. Spike did not regard children as small adults, but as entirely different species who lived in a secret, magical world that very few adults understood. For decades he delved into this world, delighting children - and adults - of all ages with his poems and stories. Illustrated throughout with Spike's own drawings and specially commissioned artworks, this book is an ideal read-alone or read-aloud book for Spike fans of all ages, including classic works such as Silly Verse for Kids (1959), The Bald Twit Lion (1968), A Book of Milliganimals (1968), Unspun Socks from a Chicken’s Laundry (1968), Sir Nobonk and the Terrible, Awful, Dreadful, Nasty Dragon (1982), and Startling Verse for All the Family (1987).
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
6-10
Length
208 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What parts of the stories or poems made you feel happy, sad, or excited? Why?
Which character would you like to be friends with the most, and what would you do together?
How do you think the characters felt in the stories? Can you relate to any of their feelings?
What lessons do you think the stories or poems are trying to teach us?
If you could create your own story or poem, what would it be about?
Tip: Role play these questions
Read along with your child; change your voice for different characters to make the reading more dynamic.
Ask your child to draw their favorite scene or character from the book. Discuss why they made those choices.
Encourage your child to express which parts they didn’t understand or had questions about, and explore the answers together.
After finishing a story or poem, ask your child to summarize it in their own words, which helps in enhancing their comprehension and retention.
Connect themes or lessons from the book to real-life situations or personal family experiences to make the content more relatable.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The value of creativity and imagination
Explanation: Spike Milligan’s works, such as the ones compiled in 'A Children's Treasury of Milligan', often push the boundaries of traditional storytelling with their whimsical and inventive style. His poems and stories encourage children to think outside the box and embrace their creative instincts.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by engaging in creative activities such as drawing, writing their own stories, or solving problems in unconventional ways, thereby nurturing their creative thinking skills.
Example Lesson: The importance of humor
Explanation: Milligan's stories and poems are suffused with humor, showcasing the necessity of laughter and levity in life. The clever wordplay and funny narratives help children understand the emotional and social significance of humor.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children recognize the value of humor in everyday interactions, helping them to develop a sense of empathy and easing social situations.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding different perspectives
Explanation: Through his quirky characters and narratives, Milligan often explores varied perspectives and emotions, teaching children to see the world through others' eyes.
Real-World Application: Children learn to empathize with others' feelings and viewpoints, which is crucial in building strong interpersonal relationships and fostering a compassionate community.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of adversity
Explanation: Many poems and stories in the anthology feature characters who overcome challenges or find humorous solutions to problems, epitomizing the spirit of resilience.
Real-World Application: Children can embrace this resilience in their own lives when dealing with academic challenges, changes in their personal lives, or in overcoming fear and anxiety.
Example Lesson: The importance of environmental consciousness
Explanation: Some of Milligan’s poems touch upon themes of nature and the importance of preserving it, subtly encouraging an awareness of environmental issues.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to be mindful of their environment, promoting activities like recycling, conserving water, and being aware of the impact of their actions on the natural world.