Roll Over Pavlova compiled by June Factor

Australian rhymes and chants, riddles, and wordplay are just a few of the things covered in this book compiled by June Factor. It contains common expressions you may well hear Australian children singing, chanting or just talking about. There is even a section for adults. Here is one I can remember chanting as a child although we used to sing pencil-case instead of pillow-case:

Fatty and Skinny had a race

Up and down the pillow-case,

Fatty said it wasn't fair

Because he lost his underwear.

and then there is this one:

Naughty child

Angry Mum

Wooden spoon

Sore bum.

Now for some insults, taunts and threats:

Ice-cream and jelly

And a punch in the belly.

Don't look so sad, don't look so blue,

"Cause Frankenstein was ugly too.

Liar, liar, pants on fire,

Nose as long as a telephone wire.