Six of the Best! Wonderful New Picture Books to Share

1. 'Good, Night, Good Beach', by Joy Cowley & illustrated by Hilary Jean Tapper

"An evocative and beautiful bedtime picture book that distills the essence of summer at the beach―skin sticky with salt, sandy feet, waves hush-hushing and a shell under the pillow."

This simple poem of just 42 words by Joy Cowley and illustrated by Hilary Jean Tapper will transport readers to the seashore and the fun of the beach.

It is quite a gift to be able to use so few words and yet, so clearly evoke from the reader the wonderful joy of the beach in summer. The rhythm of the poem reflects so perfectly the rhythm of such a special day.

Hilary Jean Tapper’s water colour drawings offer a corresponding 'simplicity' to the text. This can only be achieved by a very accomplished artist. I just love this book.

2. 'Always Never Happens' by Meg McKinlay & illustrated by Leila Rudge

"A poetic and quirky one-of-a kind classic-in-the-making, that encourages readers to explore their world, from two award winning creators."

Not to be outdone, Meg McKinlay and Leila Rudge have created another wonderful picture book. This text has over 250 words and uses rhyme so well. It is aimed at slightly older readers. But once again, author and illustrator create a wonderful picture book. Leila Rudge's images offer delightful detail and an older key character who is very relatable.

 

I love the 'wisdom' McKinlay communicates in her story. Sometimes with tongue in cheek, but also with a special message. For example:

"Always carry useful things - a torch, a notebook, fairy wings."

"Never throw a key away. Who knows what lock you'll meet today?" 

"Always follow secret tracks – the paths that wind and wend through cracks."

"Never worry where they go. When you get there, then you’ll know."

This is a wonderful book that every library needs. Any lucky child who owns one will treasure it.

3. 'A Way to the Stars' by David Almond & illustrated by Gill Smith

In this book David Almond Hans - a Christian Andersen Award winner - shows how a father and son bond as they collaborate to "defeat gravity and realize a dream."

Joe is starstruck, and determined to find his way up, up, up to the magical lights in the night sky. 

“In your dreams!” his pals say. But when Joe and his dad put their heads and hearts together, there is no stopping them. Together they climb ladders, construct towers, and launch rockets in a tireless quest to reach the unreachable. 

David Almond's wonderfully playful book, and Gill Smith’s dynamic illustrations, lead to a story of great courage, and the power of the imagination.

4. 'Mr Clownfish, Miss Anemone and the Hermit Crab', written & illustrated by Sean E. Avery

There is often something special about a picture book where the author and illustrator are the same person! Sean E. Avery is both. The text is delightful and tells the tale of a Clown fish with a special relationship to a Sea Anemone.

Mr Clownfish gains protection from Miss Anemone by hiding amongst her tentacles as she sits fixed to a rock. And Mr Clownfish gathers special food for Miss Anemone. But when Mr Clownfish comes back one day with a special gift for Miss Anemone, they have no idea that something is inside the special shell. 

Does this spell danger for Miss Anemone? You'll need to read the book to find out. Children aged 4-6 will love this book so beautifully illustrated with a wondrous use of colour. 

A wonderful and surprising story from the author of 'Frank's Red Hat'.

5. 'Dasher Can't Wait for Christmas', written & illustrated by Matt Tavares

Matt Tavares’s sequel to the New York Times best-selling Dasher is a joyful ode to helping others—and another holiday classic in the making.

“If you ever get lost, just look for the North Star.”

With only one sleep left before Christmas Eve, Dasher can’t contain her excitement for her favorite holiday. With the sound of Christmas carols on the breeze and twinkling lights radiating from a nearby city, she sneaks off to visit the festivities. But as night deepens and snow starts to fall, Dasher realizes she can no longer spot the North Star in the sky to lead her home. Will the kindness of a child, an unexpected gift, and a dose of Christmas spirit get her back in time to help guide Santa’s sleigh? The New York Times best-selling creator of Dasher has crafted another delightful journey featuring everyone’s favorite reindeer doe, in a story full of giving, joy, and holiday magic.

6. 'Cosmic Wonder: Halley's Comet and Humankind', written & illustrated by Ashley Benham-Yazdani

I love this book! And when I learnt that Ashley Benham-Yazdani worked on it while pregnant with her second child, I was even more impressed. Unlike many of us, she can clearly do many things at the one time. A wonder in itself!!

As the sub-title indicates, this beautiful picture book is about Halley's Comet. It was first recorded on Earth in 240 BCE. While it only 'appears' every 73-75 years I was fortunate to 'see' it when it last appeared in 1986. Even then it was hard to see, and was little more than a bright star without a telescope. We caught sight of it from the banks of the Murrumbidgee using telescopes of enthusiasts in the dark of night and could see its blazing tail.

 

This innovative and visually stunning picture book imagines Halley’s Comet observing Earth and its inhabitants at every pass, tracing human evolution over millennia. It tells the story of the comet when it showed itself in 1986, but also traces the history of the Earth through its 'eyes'. It follows on a journey with the comet 200,000 BC to the present. If the comet 'looked down' what would it have seen?

Some Great New Books from Newer Publishers

 1. 'Riz Chester: The Fingerprint CODE' by R.A. Stephen and illustrated by Em Hammond

I'm pleased to be able to review some books from Wombat Books a new Australian children's book publisher. 'The Fingerprint Code' is a fascinating little short chapter book for young readers (aged 8-10) just beginning to embrace longer 'chapter books' as many children call them.

The main characters are 'Lachie A', Lachie B' and 'Lachie C'. Yes, they all have the same first names. As well, we meet other friends along the way including 'Sabrina', 'Lizzie' and a key character 'Riz'.

Riz and her friends have successfully led a Counterfeit Bust, and discovers she has a passion for forensic science. One day she has the opportunity to use a new forensics kit to solve a mystery. On her way to school with her friends they notice a commotion outside the music room. Something has been stolen! Riz’s notices the principal, deputy, office staff, and their music teacher speaking with removalists outside the classroom window. Riz tries to lipread their conversation and deciphers it at break with the help of her friends and Peiter from Grade 6. Some Instruments had been stolen from the music room during renovations! They need some fingerprints. Riz and her friends sneak in to collect them.They need to find a match...

This is a delightful book of 89 pages with relatively large text that will engage many readers. It's delightful.

2. 'Pepper Masalah and the Giant Bird' by Rosanne Hawke & illustrated by Jasmine Berry

Pepper Masalah and the Flying Carpet by Rosanne Hawke is a series of five or more chapter story books featuring an adventurous black cat called Pepper Masalah, and her nine-year-old friend, Zamir. Pepper Masalah lives with Zamir and his family on an olive farm in Australia. Zam’s grandmother is from the old country (Kashmir) and she brought with her an ancient carpet. She believes the carpet can fly, and that it will try to find its previous master in Kashmir. 

It hasn’t flown for hundreds of years so it is shaky at first, and can’t find its bearings. It lands in many countries on the way to Kashmir, where Pepper Masalah and Zamir have dangerous but exciting adventures. In the 3rd book in this series, Pepper Masalah and the Giant Bird, the ancient carpet is closer to finding Kashmir and flies over Afghanistan. A huge bird (the Simurgh from Persian folklore) whisks Pepper off the carpet and up to her nest of eggs, high on a mountain. The carpet is disorientated without Pepper and disappears after Zam falls off. Zam makes the long climb to save Pepper before she becomes food for the bird’s huge chicks. 

Pepper makes a friend in the nest, a girl called Dana. When a cobra comes to eat the eggs, Pepper manages to save the chicks by telling the cobra riddles. But Pepper and Zam still need to find the carpet in order to get home to Australia. But will they make it?!

3. 'Butterfly Girl' by Ashling Kwok & illustrated by Arielle LI

Olivia lives in the country with her Mother and enjoys time in their garden; a special garden where butterflies become her friends. She spends many hours in the garden until one day her mother decides to move to an apartment in the city. Olivia is heartbroken.

On her balcony in the city she waits for the butterflies to come and visit, but they didn't. She tried everything. She danced, sang out to the butterflies, and then filled the balcony with pot plants and many flowers that she knew were their favourite things. Then one day, an old lady begins to plant things on her balcony and then other children, until one... then two... then rainbows of butterflies danced across the sky. "Olivia now had more friends than she could ever have imagined."

4. 'Giovanni' by Crystal Corocher & Illustrated by Margeaux Davis 

This delightful picture book is based upon the true story of a four year old boy named Giovanni who left Veneto in Italy with his family in 1880 to seek a new life. They were promised 'paradise' by a corrupt people smuggler. But instead of disaster, with the help of Sir Henry Parkes, the Premier at the time, they were to find safety and a new life.

Combining extensive research, family anecdotes and gentle narrative prose, his Great Great Granddaughter Crystal Corocher, shares this true story of resilience and courage. This is a story that resonates with anyone whose ancestors came from another land. And other than our Indigenous first people, that's all of us!

The wonderful watercolour drawings of Margeaux Davis help to bring the story to life.

5. 'Xander and the Pen' by David Lawrence & illustrated by Cherie Dignam

 Xander is a small 12 year old boy with bushy hair and a special sense of humour. He wishes he could be brave like many super heroes but he's a wimp. But one day, he buys a pen that gives him special powers to change his family's fortunes. But there is also a key lesson, having special powers can also bring problems.

He uses his powers for the good of the people around him like his family and friends. But as his secret is slowly revealed and he is trapped in the need to keep using his powers, he faces many problems and dilemmas.

This is a clever idea for a book has many connections to bullying, family dynamics, disability and the environment. While I felt, it took a little long (it has 267 pages) to reach a  resolution and it felt (for me), just a little contrived, I think readers aged 10-12 will find it enjoyable. The many wonderful illustrations of Cherie Digman add much life and interest to support the story.

 

Two Fabulous Books for Younger Readers

 1. 'Ruby and The Pen' By David Lawrence

David Lawrence was a financial analyst, but turned his hand and considerable talent to writing books for children. He has written 13 children's books and 'Ruby and The Pen' is his most recent release. This is a wonderful book for readers aged 10-12 years. The quirky story is so well supported by Cherie Digman's wonderful cartoon style drawings.

Ruby is sent off to boarding school for the first time after the death of her much loved father and the arrival of her mother's fourth boyfriend who is determined to move Ruby to a boarding school to get her out of the way. Ruby is a marvellous character who is picked on from day one at the exclusive school for the children of the rich and famous.

But her life changes after she buys an old pen at a market stall and is to find that it has some unusual and remarkable powers. Her battles with the many students who constantly pick on her, moves from being painful for her to comical as the story progresses.

Any 12-year-old who picks up this delightful book will find it hard to put down. While girls will be the first to pick up the book, boys who have experienced the challenges of school life if non-conformist, will also enjoy the twists and turns in this entertaining illustrated novel. At 272 pages it might seem long, but the brilliant cartoon illustrations from Cherie Dignam, that make up about 40% of the book help to keep the reader turning the pages.

It's wonderful to see a smaller company like Exisle Publishing continuing to publish such marvellous books for children.

2. 'Meet Mim' by Sandra Severgnini

I watched a documentary recently that focussed on the amazing ability of the 'Mimic Octopus' (Thaumoctopus Mimicus), I was blown away by this special creature. Teachers and their students who share this book will also be 'blown away' by this beautiful and informative picture book.

'Mim' is one of the world’s master of disguise. Sandra Severgnini sets up a delightful guessing game for the reader while showcasing the abilities of this little-known creature. Just where is Mim?

 

 

What is incredible about Mim is that she doesn't just hide in the background of the sea floor. No! She actually makes herself at times look like creatures that look like those sea animals that are friendly to them and actually scare away their natural enemies. Until the protector 'becomes' a different enemy!!

 

The mimic octopus can change colour, shape and skin texture in all kinds of amazing ways. It deters predators by shapeshifting into creatures that are known to be poisonous, such as the Spiked Lionfish and the Banded Sea Snake. She can even pretend that she's just a harmless anemone waving gently in the sea currents. Or maybe a jellyfish and sea stars. 

 

Parents and teachers will learn along with their teachers about this amazing creature. 'Where's Mim' would be a marvellous springboard to a whole class integrated unit using art, craft, drama, music, reading and writing. You can find examples of integrated units on my blog (e.g. 'Quizzical and Querrelsome Quails: An Integrated Unit for Grades 2 & 4').

 

 

Children's Book Week Australia - Awards Announced!

 'Theme - Read Grow Inspire'

 

As usual, the Children’s Book Council Awards in Australia has had a large number of very worthy books submitted. Sadly, only some can be named as winners and honour books. The CBCA also publishes a list of other 'Notable Books'. This year I have reviewed books for all categories.

CBCA Book Week runs from 19-25 August. In 2023 the theme is "Read, grow, inspire".

 

1. Older Readers (Ages 13-18 years)

Entries in this category may be fiction, drama or poetry and should be appropriate in style and content for readers in their secondary years of schooling. 

Note: Books in this category are for mature readers and some may deal with particularly challenging themes including violence and suicide. Parental guidance is recommended.

And the winner is...?

Neverlanders by Tom Taylor (Penguin Random House Australia)

"A contemporary 'found family' tale embedded within the metatextuality of a Peter Pan narrative with a clever, action-oriented storyline and gloriously rich illustrations. Discerning readers will unpack the hints of the adults' destruction of the world, parental failure, gun violence and domestic violence to add a more serious dimension to the fantasy plot. A stunning book with a potent message wrapped up in a ripping good yarn package."

 

Neverland has become a war zone and it will need a group of lost teenagers to change things. This is a young adult graphic novel series from #1 New York Times bestselling Australian author Tom Taylor and powerhouse Australian comic artist Jon Sommariva! 

 

Scott Snyder of the New York Times says and Eisner award-winning author of "Batman" says it is: 

"Epically imaginative and strikingly fresh."

Similarly, Jay Kristoff the bestselling author of 'Empire of the Vampire' and 'The Nevernight Chronicle' says:

 

"The work of a master at the height of his craft. There is no one out there right now doing it like Tom Taylor. NO ONE."

 

Honour Books

 

'Completely Normal (and Other Lies)', by Biffy James, Hardie Grant Children's Publishing

'The Other Side of Tomorrow' by Hayley Lawrence

 

2. The CBCA Book of the Year: Younger Readers

 

Entries in this category may be fiction, drama or poetry and should be appropriate in style and content for readers from the middle to upper primary years (aged 7-12). And the winner is...

'Runt' by Craig Silvey

 

Winner Younger Readers (Ages 7-12 years)

 

'Runt' is a dog with a mind of its own. It will only obey Annie’s commands when nobody else is watching. But Runt has a chance to become the fastest dog in the world. Annie and Runt must beat the odds to save her farm. Runt is a heart-warming and hilarious tale of kindness, friendship, hurdles, hoops, tunnels, see-saws, being yourself and bringing out the best in others.

Annie  lives in a country town with her best friend, an adopted stray dog called Runt. After years evading capture, Runt is remarkably fast and agile, just right for herding runaway sheep. But when a greedy local landowner puts her family’s home at risk, Annie directs Runt’s extraordinary talents towards a different pursuit. They set out to win the Agility Course Grand Championship at the lucrative Krumpets Dog Show in London.

 

The plot and characters are straightforward in 'Runt', but there are deeper issues that only older readers will fully grasp. It is strong, funny and engaging, but it might also evoke a reflection on the meaning and purpose of life. What are the things that really matter? The story touches on the challenges of country life. It is a wonderful story about the human spirit, as well as the love of family love and the need for the support of others.

 

Honour Books 

'Evie and Rhino' by Neridah McMullin & illustrated by Astred Hicks

 

'The Raven's Song' by Zana Fraillon & Bren MacDibble

 

3. The CBCA Book of the Year: Early Childhood (0-6)

 

Entries in this category may be fiction, drama or poetry and should be appropriate in style and content for children who are at prereading or early stages of reading. Ages 0-6 years. And the winner is?

'Where the Lyrebird Lives' written by Vikki Conley and illustrated by Max Hamilton  

"High in the mountains through the sleepy clouds. Deep in the forest past the chiming birds. Will we see the lyrebird? I don’t know. Tip-toe, tip-toe."

The beauty of the Australian rainforest and the magic of family-time come together in this lyrical and delightful story of intergenerational connection, habitat and adventure.

This is a wonderful book that will delight. The illustrations are wonderful and the text well crafted. The reader is drawn into the story, and won't escape!

"Readers are encouraged to slow down, listen and look. Metaphors and similes add richness, and the enlarged text for action words and onomatopoeia increases engagement. A well-crafted narrative that encourages children to read aloud themselves."

 

Honour Books

 

'Bev and Kev' by and illustrated by Katrina Germein & Mandy Foot

4. The CBCA Picture Book of the Year

And the winner is:

My Strange Shrinking Parents by Zeno Sworder

This book celebrates how many immigrant families deny self to help give their children the best chance in life. Immigrant children will recognize this theme in their own lives.

"What shape does love take? And what happens when your parents sacrifice a part of themselves for you? In this heartbreaking and heart-warming story, CBCA award-winner Zeno Sworder reflects on his own migrant parents’ sacrifices to create a universal story about what it means to give to those you love. Drawing from the sacrifices his Chinese mother made to raise her young family in a small country town, Sworder’s drawings are full of beautiful detail and fairytale settings that explore his own journey from child to parent. With humour and pathos."

Children of immigrant families will be touched by this book and hopefully see parallels with the sacrifice of their own families. 

Honour Books

'Completely Normal (and Other Lies)' by Biffy James

 

'The Other Side of Tomorrow' by Hayley Lawrence

 

5. The Eve Pownall Award

Entries in this category should be books which have the prime intention of documenting factual material with consideration given to imaginative presentation, interpretation and variation of style. Ages 0-18 years. The winner is:

 

DEEP: Dive into Hidden Worlds by Jess McGeachin

This imaginatively presented hardback reference book seamlessly brings together a large variety of information about the unseen elements of Earth’s sea and land life, outer space and the human body. The integration of text and illustrations is very cleverly managed, and the layout of the content works both as a dip-in-dip-out resource, as well as a read-through narrative. The front cover is incredibly appealing, and overall, this non-stereotypical information book is of a very high quality that will sustain readers’ interest throughout.

Honour Books

'Come Together: Things Every Aussie Kid Should Know about the First Peoples', by Isaiah Firebrace & illustrated by Jaelyn Biumaiwai

 

6. The CBCA Book of the Year: Early Childhood

Entries in this category may be fiction, drama or poetry and should be appropriate in style and content for children who are at prereading or early stages of reading. Ages 0-6 years. And the winner is?

 

'Where the Lyrebird Lives' written by Vikki Conley and illustrated by Max Hamilton  

"High in the mountains through the sleepy clouds. Deep in the forest past the chiming birds. Will we see the lyrebird? I don’t know. Tip-toe, tip-toe."

The beauty of the Australian rainforest and the magic of family-time come together in this lyrical and delightful story of inter-generational connection, habitat and adventure.

This is a wonderful book that will delight. The illustrations are superb and the text well-crafted. The reader is drawn into the story. 

"Readers are encouraged to slow down, listen and look. Metaphors and similes add richness, and the enlarged text for action words and onomatopoeia increases engagement. A well-crafted narrative that encourages children to read aloud themselves."

 

Honour Books

'Bev and Kev' by Katrina Germein and illustrated by Mandy Foot

 

'Snap!' written and illustrated by Anna Walker 

7. The Eve Pownall Award (Non-fiction)

'DEEP: Dive into Hidden Worlds' by Jess McGeachin

 

"This imaginatively presented hardback reference book seamlessly brings together a large variety of information about the unseen elements of Earth’s sea and land life, outer space and the human body. The integration of text and illustrations is very cleverly managed, and the layout of the content works both as a dip-in-dip-out resource, as well as a read-through narrative. The front cover is incredibly appealing, and overall, this non-stereotypical information book is of a very high quality that will sustain readers’ interest throughout."

 

Honour Books

 

'Come Together: Things Every Aussie Kid Should Know about the First Peoples'. It is illustrated by Isaiah Firebrace and iIlustrated by Jaelyn Biumaiwai

 

'Wild Australian Life' by Leonard Cronin. Illustrated by Chris Nixon

 

8. The CBCA Awards for New Illustrator

The award for the best New Illustrator was won by Sally Soweol Han for "her complimentary visual storytelling in 'Tiny Wonders'. 

This is an excellent award that recognises an new children's book illustrator. Sally Soweol is a gifted artist, who I am sure will illustrate and write many more wonderful children's books.

Selling our Kids Short: Educating the Disadvantaged

This is a topic that has been around since I was a teacher many years ago. How do we support and help children who are disadvantaged to learn and flourish? The challenge is close to my heart, for I was one of those children. Born with a father who was a coal miner, as was his father, grandfather and great grandfather. Before that my family was growing potatoes in Ireland.

There were nine boys in my father's family, and when they came to Australia in 1922 they were all highly literate. They were all readers, performed reasonably well at school and went on to become leaders of a movement seeking to support and promote the needs of the worker, by helping to build strong unions. Two built the nation's largest poultry farm. How were a bunch of mine workers whose ancestors struggled, and lived in a two room miner's cottage with only shared a outside pit toilet and washroom able to do these things (my Father's town below). 

           Above: Main street of Caldercruix (Scotland)

Beyond the amazing resilience of the miners and their families, there was a strong commitment in Scotland to school education. In the late 18th and early 19th Century the government set out to educate the poor. Its public education system was a leader around the world. What about today? How well do our public systems compare today?

Why was their education so good?

I discovered an old post that I didn't quite finish back in 2011! In it I reported the comments of Alfie Kohn titled "Poor Teaching for Poor Children". The following snatch from it is still very current:

"Love them or hate them, the proposals collectively known as 'school reform' are mostly top-down policies ... pitting states against one another in a race for federal education dollars...  offering rewards when test scores go up ... firing the teachers or closing the schools when they don’t."

I hear many echoes of this today. Alfie Kohn continues:

"Policy makers and the general public have paid much less attention to what happens inside classrooms - the particulars of teaching and learning - especially in low-income neighborhoods."

 

Education Week was held just three weeks ago in NSW. We put our best face forward for the general public, and rightly celebrated all the good things about our schools and our teachers. What we didn't hear much of were the inner groans of our teachers, who find it hard to teach the way many would like to, due to the pressure politically to ensure children do well on public testing published for all to see. Every time, bureaucrats and governments groan about "falling standards", we are back on a familiar merry go round.

 

Meanwhile, how are our teachers using their time?

 

In Australia, our teachers are typically buried in paperwork, helping their students prepare for public testing (national and state), ticking boxes, writing reports etc. Where is the time to prepare the lessons they might plan, and the opportunities to form creative young people to become the leaders of tomorrow?

 

As a young teacher, in my first appointment in a difficult community in Western Sydney in the 1970s, this wasn't the case. I found myself with primary school classes of 30-36 students with mixed ability students. No classes were graded. What to do? Thankfully, we were not hounded to teach to the test. So my plan was to work hard to excite my students about learning, to get them to enjoy school and be challenged. Along the way, I still taught them the basic skills for life. Yes, reading, writing, mathematics, knowledge of the world etc.

Above: My first class

But I had a fair degree of autonomy to vary my routine when something exciting happened. These opportunities occurred often in my classrooms with questions and comments like "I don't get it", "Sir, did you know that...", "have you ever seen a Wedge Tailed eagle" and so on. I had the chance to follow some of these interests and questions, and be creative myself. I wrote a book over 30 years ago in which I shared some of my ideas and strategies for making literature and reading exciting. 'Other Worlds, the Endless Possibilities of Reading'. You might still find a copy on Amazon.

 

For example, one day on my way to school, I saw an old 1930s gramophone on the footpath, being tossed out. I asked the owner could I have it, he said yes! I jostled it into the back of my car and took it to school. With the help of another teacher we carried it to my room. I just sat it at the front of the room. As the children arrived, they saw it and questioned, "what's that Sir?" I asked them to tell me.

 

Above: Gramaphone restored

One child finally recognized it; there was one in his grandfather's garage. He went home for lunch and brought back some old 78 Bakelite records. I set aside most of the day to help them find out more about it. We played the records, discussed the differences between the player and the records. We then spent the rest of the day in varied exploration, drawing, writing, researching etc. Sadly, this type of spontaneous activity is hardly possible today. Paperwork, reporting and preparation for public exams take up far too much of teachers' time (not by choice).

 

Finding ways to break this cycle

 

The life of the teacher has been discouraging for quite some time in Australia. Things seem to be getting worse as a direct result of the “reform” and strategies pursued by governments in most countries. Most are promoting getting back to skills, 'the basics', testing students and schools against the standards of other unlike groups. Sadly, such reforms are cheered on by education departments, many parents and journalists.

 

 

It's hard to see how we change things, but we need to look for opportunities. I am so happy that during 'Book Week' in Australia this month, we can return (in a sense) to celebrating and enjoying learning with a creative focus on literature. We can try to recapture the joy, and challenge of education which can occur by reading for pleasure and enjoyment. No test afterwards, just the joy of reading, responding to it, sharing it with friends and so on. 

 

One of our key performance goals in schools, should always be to influence our students to become avid readers. That was something the Scottish system in the 18th and 19th centuries understood. We need to recapture this in Australian schools, and work to enable our students to explore, enjoy and perhaps even write inspired by literature. I'll write a post on our award winning children's books when they are announced next week.

The last word

Alfie Kohn's thoughts helped frame this post. He offered good insights from varied educators and scholars, including Deborah Meier. I'll let this educator and author who founded extraordinary schools in New York and Boston have the last word:

 

"...The very idea of 'school' has radically different meanings for middle-class kids, who are “expected to have opinions,” and poor kids, who are expected to do what they’re told. Schools for the well-off are about inquiry and choices; schools for the poor are about drills and compliance. The two types of institutions barely have any connection to each other".

How can we work to achieve this in our varied countries? I can't say I recognize it in many schools. Do we just keep enduring the stress on skills and testing, or in the interest of our children's education, will we take a stand to see some changes made?

I may offer a second post on this in the future.

 

Above: One of my early primary school classes (41 students)