Grammar is a difficult subject to teach, and even more difficult to illustrate. Punctuation necessarily fits within this difficult area. Punctuation personified; or, pointing made easy is perhaps the best known attempt to enliven the subject. Published in 1824 by the notable publisher of children's books, John Harris, it uses simple and memorable verses and attractive illustrations to teach the elements of punctuation. Other publishers and authors both in England and elsewhere in Europe attempted the subject with varying levels of success.

Mischa Brus and Matt Schlitz use the idea of a 'little full stop from the land of dot' spinning across the galaxy and arriving at the alphabet. As the letters bounce it on to the end of the alphabet, each proclaiming 'this is my special spot', this is a hint to the young learner that the full stop has its own special place. Finally 'little full stop' finds its own special spot, and the letters cry 'That's the right spot! Now we're easy to read ...', which is the reason for punctuation. The refrain as 'little full stop' is told to move on assists the learning and also provides a sense of anticipation.

The staff and children of Colonel Light Gardens Kindergarten and Childcare Centre, Unley Primary School and Pulteney Grammar School took part in preliminary book readings and provided wonderful reviews to the authors of Little full stop.

Truss, Lynne Eats, shoots & leaves: the zero tolerance approach to punctuation London, [England]: Profile Books, 2003

Kirkman, John Punctuation matters: advice on punctucation for scientific and technical writing 4th ed London; New York: Routledge, 2006

Punctuation personified by Mr Stops facsimile edition Scolar Press

State Library of South Australia: Mortlock Wing exhibitions. To be a child August 2004-