tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-92008087695554303112024-03-18T20:15:32.131+11:00Literacy, families and learningPractical, timely & sound advice on literacy, learning, families & education for parents, media, teachers & studentsTrevor Cairneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743409298855125040noreply@blogger.comBlogger544125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9200808769555430311.post-21686811551759395152024-03-07T16:23:00.004+11:002024-03-07T19:07:43.906+11:002024 Newbery and Caldecott Awards Announced!<p></p><p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k7AR19oTyW4/TyIdtjGj7XI/AAAAAAAAFDw/Xys6SzXW9Tk/s1600/Newbery-Front-A.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k7AR19oTyW4/TyIdtjGj7XI/AAAAAAAAFDw/Xys6SzXW9Tk/w192-h193/Newbery-Front-A.jpg" width="192" /></a></p><a href="http://www.ala.org/">The American Library Association </a>has
announced its 2024 annual award winners for books, videos, and
other outstanding materials for children and teens. Committees
of librarians and other literature and media experts, chose the award
winners on behalf of the Association for Library Service to Children <p></p><p><br />
The Newbery Medal was named after the eighteenth-century British bookseller <a href="http://www.answers.com/topic/john-newbery">John Newbery</a>.
It is presented to the author of the book judged to have made the most
distinguished contribution to American literature for children. It can be a work of fiction, non-fiction, or poetry.
</p><p>
The Caldecott Medal was named in honour of nineteenth-century English illustrator <a href="http://www.randolphcaldecott.org.uk/who.htm">Randolph Caldecott</a>. It is awarded annually to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children. <br />
<br />
There are also a number of other specialist awards for fiction and non-fiction that were announced on the same day.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Newberry Awards</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> <br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">1. Newberry Medal 2024 </span></b>(Most Outstanding Contribution to Children's Literature)</p><p><b>'The Eyes and the Impossible' </b>by Dave Eggers, illustrated by Shawn Harris.</p><p style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv12PFqM80lw2d3cjBY8PEOEklFFHRAwcv5__ukvB_5IikFvXV5rLh5nbAf-m4cxr1vvO_tFettWtSSGK2GwJ2eARvTRamfULGWWJnFUABYIgLJ5nV4xJSb8_QOmda3lRQMq65GSzO7_Sqnun3tn0yk-MLmGE31wNwRqSOCbNjCcv8UubLjxSDN3HBJ98T/s1500/TheEyes&TheImossible.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1227" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv12PFqM80lw2d3cjBY8PEOEklFFHRAwcv5__ukvB_5IikFvXV5rLh5nbAf-m4cxr1vvO_tFettWtSSGK2GwJ2eARvTRamfULGWWJnFUABYIgLJ5nV4xJSb8_QOmda3lRQMq65GSzO7_Sqnun3tn0yk-MLmGE31wNwRqSOCbNjCcv8UubLjxSDN3HBJ98T/w410-h500/TheEyes&TheImossible.jpg" width="410" /></a></div> <p></p><p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">This is a story about a dog named Johannes. He is free and fast! A real dog about town he lives in a park by the sea. Every day, he does his rounds of the park, checking everything out. But the Equilibrium has been disrupted.</p><p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Humans are building something new, and a new kind of animal arrives in the park; hundreds of them! Johannes sets out to liberate those he loves.</p><p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The highly engaging story is beautifully illustrated by Shawn Harris the illustrator of <i>'Her Right Foot'</i> by Dave Eggers and many others. <i>'The Eyes and the Impossible'</i> is a wonderful book filled with wit and passion. The story will engage readers of all ages.</p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> 2. Newberry Honour Award Winners </b></span><span style="font-size: small;">(Notable Books)<b><br /></b></span></p><p><b>'Eagle Drums'</b> – Nasuġraq Rainey Hopson (Author, Illustrator)</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE4mX-IWOuzMy0Tj0ku87O3sxE-LvqHRgwtqDk0DjlrBFuPVIAp7AoorNZy7MDPY9tVSmjBjp9C3tvFeHvt7jjQv23U3eUQ9O9oDN_yzxgFhmOCO6nxdPLOLvtGPwHAvP6m5CSbMyAlespzvhNPObPsoQ1HpIdC9Bf0duxqERYPlmLtGUI1-igCYkOV_Uu/s674/EagleDrums.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="445" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE4mX-IWOuzMy0Tj0ku87O3sxE-LvqHRgwtqDk0DjlrBFuPVIAp7AoorNZy7MDPY9tVSmjBjp9C3tvFeHvt7jjQv23U3eUQ9O9oDN_yzxgFhmOCO6nxdPLOLvtGPwHAvP6m5CSbMyAlespzvhNPObPsoQ1HpIdC9Bf0duxqERYPlmLtGUI1-igCYkOV_Uu/s320/EagleDrums.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>The Iñupiaq is an origin story of the 'Messenger Feast' and a boy who was kidnapped by eagles. It is a haunting story about the dangers of strangers, and an unknown
presence in the mountains near his family’s sod house. <p></p><p>His two older brothers Atau and Maliġu are his missing. His parents show their grief by projecting the successes of the brothers’ onto Savik. But he is often just silent thinking, <i>“how can you
compete with someone’s memories, anyway?”</i> One day, Savik, who
shape-shifts between man and golden eagle, offers Piŋa a choice: death
or captivity. Piŋa reflects on the pain his death would cause his
parents. He decides to go with Savik and try to return someday. The
eagles teach Piŋa singing, drumming, and dancing. He also learns how to
build a giant sod house and host a huge feast. </p><p>The lessons aren’t easy,
and his ego is challenged. He shares, <i>“I learned not to lead with demands. I
learned to lead with connections.”</i> Piŋa struggles with fear and distrust
instilled by his family, overcomes self-doubt, and becomes both
“creator and learner.” While the story is rich in cultural
teachings, Hopson enhances the story with
full-page color illustrations that visually connect readers with Piŋa’s
journey and emphasize the importance of connections to nature,
spiritual beings, and human relatives. </p><p>This wonderful book offers life lessons that should help our younger readers to cope with their challenges in the years ahead; in particular, the fear of others.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>'Elf Dog and Owl Head'</b> – M.T. Anderson (Author), Junyi Wu (Illustrator)<span class="Formatted"><i><br /> </i></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span class="Formatted"><i>A magical adventure about a boy and his dog—or a dog and her boy—and a forest of wonders hidden in plain sight.</i> </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span class="Formatted"></span></p><span class="Formatted"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-enWsJR8ryT1cJTepcxf4FKlYHVH-uZ4Umes5F58phGUgebE_xCyNkziAQL_zt1hUtXlpyDDPFRkuUYa0GaZDSP4X6BM4X9HprR4lQhKlrI_5skZfSTQ4CPCFLBl5oPV3AuzUKUBX_hjwpHt8372ynK88DhnJzDTh6en_EtFObU8TWlG77_NY4_rJPD7/s2475/Elf%20Dog%20&%20Owl%20Head.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="1833" height="383" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-enWsJR8ryT1cJTepcxf4FKlYHVH-uZ4Umes5F58phGUgebE_xCyNkziAQL_zt1hUtXlpyDDPFRkuUYa0GaZDSP4X6BM4X9HprR4lQhKlrI_5skZfSTQ4CPCFLBl5oPV3AuzUKUBX_hjwpHt8372ynK88DhnJzDTh6en_EtFObU8TWlG77_NY4_rJPD7/w284-h383/Elf%20Dog%20&%20Owl%20Head.jpg" width="284" /></a></div></span><p></p><p><span class="Formatted">From the moment the elegant little dog
with the ornate collar appears like an apparition among the trees, Clay
sees something uncanny in her. With this mysterious 'Elphinore' as guide,
he glimpses ancient secrets folded almost invisibly into the forest.
Each day the dog leads Clay down paths he never knew existed, deeper
into the unknown. But they aren’t alone in their surreal adventures.
There are traps and terrors in the woods, too, and if Clay isn’t
careful, he might stray off the path and lose his way forever.</span></p><p>Anderson’s introduction to this strange world, is complemented by Wu’s bold crosshatched pencil
illustrations. They have a simplicity that is as mysterious as the story. Young readers will want to continue to
revisit this book many times. Each time they will see something that might just be a little different or new, as they reflect on the story, and the mystery of the images. This book is a triumph! </p><p><b>'The Many Assassinations of Samir, The Seller of Dreams</b><i><b>'</b> </i>– Daniel Nayeri (Author), Daniel Miyares (Illustrator) </p><p><span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhn1GU4MoMfkqmvragMX5E7KqVC-Wyvs0xJDfuxTzL9Nftzk6VwHfATuFcIRLAdwFW5hmjSy-cFSdDe0JRHjzdLj669W-riHLR-raXkAe7Pju8HpJS-RhoztmHI6GLSs6Z2xvnGZVSmrD13vsB2AuUKz1XRPSERgreqM2EFH_2LfW08WlFb8HHm5zmqu2i/s1500/ManyAssasinationsOfSamir.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1174" height="347" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhn1GU4MoMfkqmvragMX5E7KqVC-Wyvs0xJDfuxTzL9Nftzk6VwHfATuFcIRLAdwFW5hmjSy-cFSdDe0JRHjzdLj669W-riHLR-raXkAe7Pju8HpJS-RhoztmHI6GLSs6Z2xvnGZVSmrD13vsB2AuUKz1XRPSERgreqM2EFH_2LfW08WlFb8HHm5zmqu2i/w271-h347/ManyAssasinationsOfSamir.jpg" width="271" /></a></span></div><span>The Silk Road comes to life in this picaresque epic adventure with
twists and turns and a wonderful surprise ending. </span><span>Surprisingly, this book by Printz Medalist
Daniel Nayer</span><span>, has had very mixed reviews for a Newbery Honour Book. <br /><br /> It is the tale of an exciting journey along the
Silk Road with a young Monk and his newfound guardian, Samir, a larger
than life character and the so-called “Seller of Dreams”. But the man is a
scammer; his biggest skill being the ability to talk his way into
getting what he wants. While talking does save Monkey’s life, it leaves a lot of people furious — furious enough to hire
assassins. Monkey decides to try and save Samir from the attempts on his
life, to pay off a debt! If he can save Samir six times,
he’ll be a free man...but will they all survive that long?<br /><br /> <i>Fans of Salman Rushdie's </i></span><i><span class="a-text-italic">Haroun and 'The Sea of Stories'</span><span> and </span><span class="a-text-italic">'The Little Prince'</span><span> will fall in love with the bond between Monkey and Samir—in this
swashbuckling all-ages page-turner. </span></i><p></p><p><span>But some have asked, is this book suited to the category it is in? The ages in the category have never been clearly defined but it was intended to be for Middle school and this is defined as Grades 6-8 (i.e. aged between 11-13). One reviewer recently suggested:</span></p><p><i><span class="Formatted">"We come to the question of audience: very very
few middle schoolers are reading novels purely for the pleasure of
beautiful language, and even if there are, there are books with
beautiful writing that are more exciting and/or relatable. There's
something to be said for stories in settings and time periods that are
not commonly seen... but they have to be engaging.</span></i><span><i>"</i> </span></p><p><b>'MexiKid: A Graphic Memoir</b><b><i>' </i></b>– Pedro Martin (Author, Illustrator)</p><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"> <div style="text-align: left;"><span class="a-text-bold"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4APbGr4FtQCcjZ9fNRWeFQmbzRhoEsHqtzWGFEmu47tnQa4xXpYXcWAa2Mv-Oi6Bd_VnNUBeQd-jTx6PgRGoJjfzXRAkYNSCdYLNuoYRz_yOVO2s2OIzg10sz_iBE6I2mtaa67Ha-fKKy9jyjB8niilS8wGGGKGUXxLyu0RsSkAKOjpXgGYDdJrJm_My5/s1280/Mexikid.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="870" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4APbGr4FtQCcjZ9fNRWeFQmbzRhoEsHqtzWGFEmu47tnQa4xXpYXcWAa2Mv-Oi6Bd_VnNUBeQd-jTx6PgRGoJjfzXRAkYNSCdYLNuoYRz_yOVO2s2OIzg10sz_iBE6I2mtaa67Ha-fKKy9jyjB8niilS8wGGGKGUXxLyu0RsSkAKOjpXgGYDdJrJm_My5/s320/Mexikid.jpg" width="218" /></a></div></span></div><span class="a-text-bold">This wonderful book is a graphic novel (memoir) about a Mexican
American boy’s family and their adventure-filled road trip to bring
their 'Abuelito' (Grandfather) back from Mexico.</span><span><br /> </span><span><br /> </span><span class="a-text-bold">It is “one
of those books that kids will pass to their friends as soon as they
have finished it.”—says Victoria Jamieson, creator of the National Book Award
finalist </span><span class="a-text-bold a-text-italic">'When Stars Are Scattered</span><span>'.<br /> </span><span><br /><i>"Pedro
Martín has grown up hearing stories about his abuelito—his legendary
crime-fighting, grandfather who was once a part of the Mexican
Revolution! But that doesn't mean Pedro is excited at the news that
Abuelito is coming to live with their family. After all, Pedro has 8
brothers and sisters and the house is crowded enough! Still, Pedro piles
into the Winnebago with his family for a road trip to Mexico to bring
Abuelito home, and what follows is the trip of a lifetime, one filled
with laughs and heartache. Along the way, Pedro finally connects with
his abuelito and learns what it means to grow up and find his grito.</i></span> </div><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;">This is an exciting book that moves at a good pace and will warm the hearts of children (& adults)!</div><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>'Simon Sort of Says'</b></span><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span>– Erin Bow (Author)</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9HhR56axG7UhNTgV8MENT74i7QVbv4p3N3TJqSuM-2eXQnATkGb-FxpVTUxvVUGj4G0TEP7b3LsibHkNwf4BcXsxAOCp7VUSzlw7Yczq0D2iekpfeSudtnx8bdSY9d4mqyfhP_I7896l16MqGEpXBVPBjDt0ExCdyU6HzEIR5_8U2QFHkGM_MnpX4VWvI/s2475/SimonSortOfSays.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="1650" height="483" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9HhR56axG7UhNTgV8MENT74i7QVbv4p3N3TJqSuM-2eXQnATkGb-FxpVTUxvVUGj4G0TEP7b3LsibHkNwf4BcXsxAOCp7VUSzlw7Yczq0D2iekpfeSudtnx8bdSY9d4mqyfhP_I7896l16MqGEpXBVPBjDt0ExCdyU6HzEIR5_8U2QFHkGM_MnpX4VWvI/w321-h483/SimonSortOfSays.jpg" width="321" /></a></div><span class="Formatted"><i>Simon O’Keeffe’s biggest claim to fame should
be the time his dad accidentally gave a squirrel a holy sacrament. Or
maybe the alpaca disaster that went viral on YouTube. But the story the
whole world wants to tell about Simon is the one he’d do anything to
forget: the story in which he’s the only kid in his class who survived a
school shooting.</i></span><p></p><p><span class="Formatted"><i></i></span><span class="Formatted">Just two years after this horrific event, Simon (age 12) and his family move to the
only place in America where the internet is banned! It is a zone where astronomers come to listen
for signs of life in space. Simon and a new friend decide to to give the scientists what they’re looking for. But will their story have 'legs'? Will it find its way to the rest of the world? </span></p><p><span class="Formatted">We shouldn't be surprised that Erin Bow could produce such a wonderful story that speaks to the long term effects of trauma, and how humour can provide a way forward for sufferers. Wonderful!<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;">Randolph Caldecott Awards</span><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">1. Randolph Caldecott Medal <i><br /></i></span></b></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Big-David-Bedford/dp/0241561906/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?crid=KWA6X0EST8XF&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.UDrVJrCSZdtOtUtKHyXtkAyTKpX9HXy5HU9xH1x_2EnGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps._Lr9foqQjXryjipSaNZCSdT0UY6EJ15e-N_ZMIfCioY&dib_tag=se&keywords=Big%2C+by+Vishti+Harrison&qid=1709618714&s=books&sprefix=big+by+vishti+harrison%2Cstripbooks%2C918&sr=1-1-fkmr1"><i>'Big</i>',</a> written and illustrated by Vashti Harrison.</p><div aria-expanded="false" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content"> <span class="a-text-bold"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6V_cdfM1qlslu6A7ZE9YE7iSse2q6YoAWgxSJ8d5gfNkSUzcha-ccB9gdrsw9-8UoibQ_8-mq3BH-6gIDsKZz3uF8HsHSZmhQzK9RaMSuu1cKMD_hffGNt9E8KQ3Q8CaOFfDsa4sF6sLMJ95JCVABoNTAKcHsZv9hZEBmb6jUWd6wzoWXqEnqJ0r7baeV/s960/BIG-Caldecott-Award%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6V_cdfM1qlslu6A7ZE9YE7iSse2q6YoAWgxSJ8d5gfNkSUzcha-ccB9gdrsw9-8UoibQ_8-mq3BH-6gIDsKZz3uF8HsHSZmhQzK9RaMSuu1cKMD_hffGNt9E8KQ3Q8CaOFfDsa4sF6sLMJ95JCVABoNTAKcHsZv9hZEBmb6jUWd6wzoWXqEnqJ0r7baeV/s320/BIG-Caldecott-Award%20copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Winner
of the Caldecott Medal! A Coretta Scott King Award Author and
Illustrator Honor book, a National Book Award finalist, and a </span><span class="a-text-bold a-text-italic">New York Times</span><span class="a-text-bold"> bestseller!</span><span> </span><span class="a-text-bold">This
deeply moving story shares valuable lessons about fitting in, standing
out, and the beauty of joyful acceptance, from an award-winning creator.</span><span><br /><br />
It is the first picture book written and illustrated by award-winning creator
Vashti Harrison. It traces a child’s journey to self-love and shows the
power of words to both hurt and heal. With limited text and exquisite
illustrations, this emotional exploration of being big in a world that
prizes small is a tender portrayal of how you can stand out and feel
invisible at the same time.</span> </div><p></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">2. Caldecott Honour Books</span></b></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Every-Life-Marla-Frazee/dp/1665912480/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1DFC2G83SJESL&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.6mFivk-2IPthhOk0uBbqL2l6De-0wkCqfsi7NfRY6ZPNLcgVaFqPe1GKlQ89pu-n2xnKAmoUr-vEn0xBqteo1Z8Mgmcccitz-PINsgsnepXJPv_42o_F77jsRIprIJqa.hRuaicqKiVIE_gkKqanbZKBrsNv5mrSO8itVfeTq7EA&dib_tag=se&keywords=%27In+Every+Life%27%2C+Marla+Frazee&qid=1709618776&s=books&sprefix=in+every+life%27+marla+frazee%2Cstripbooks%2C244&sr=1-1"><b><i>'</i></b>In Every Life<b><i>'</i></b></a>, Marla Frazee (Author, Illustrator)</p><p><span class="Formatted"><i>A simple and profound meditation on the many wonders of life from two-time Caldecott Honor recipient Marla Frazee.</i> <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Formatted"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijeI04g_QDONpyjKzU0bL1iNijW2zY5FBt2gPpDAq5gbOl_c6Xze5RYQq6xQHqnbkwzUid6GdLHymk_fTGGDGiPz6mt_ePpfRp5_Oc3EZiH1FBcqQ46lS6Z592ozo1cZ0zKO0FrfqBXB8eAobyHIW3eGulrxa8S8s3WFQ-VtcYDOYEo7DMqNFYIM9n-sqy/s1024/InEveryLife3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1021" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijeI04g_QDONpyjKzU0bL1iNijW2zY5FBt2gPpDAq5gbOl_c6Xze5RYQq6xQHqnbkwzUid6GdLHymk_fTGGDGiPz6mt_ePpfRp5_Oc3EZiH1FBcqQ46lS6Z592ozo1cZ0zKO0FrfqBXB8eAobyHIW3eGulrxa8S8s3WFQ-VtcYDOYEo7DMqNFYIM9n-sqy/s320/InEveryLife3.jpg" width="319" /></a></span></div><span class="Formatted"> </span><p></p><p><span class="Formatted">This books looks at the way life can challenge us, but it can have many seasons. There is love and loss, but also "hope, joy, wonder and mystery".
With beautiful illustrations and a powerful text, the creator Marla Frazee unpacks the joy and diversity of life with many parts, including rare moments and feelings, special experiences that together are the substance of life.</span></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Jovita-Wore-Pants-Mexican-Freedom/dp/1338283413/ref=sr_1_1?crid=U400VIDPPQ6B&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.orAf1YnHA6SzKa1y4OqAZk-qjQOllWED4ubVFN6tsQQ.sldXXS5zsWGT89GCeKFfhmYxRuOJDZm6I3xXe4T-ZKM&dib_tag=se&keywords=%27Jovita+Wore+Pants%3A+The+Story+of+a+Mexican+Freedom+Fighter%27%2C+Aida+Salazar&qid=1709775191&s=books&sprefix=jovita+wore+pants+the+story+of+a+mexican+freedom+fighter%27%2C+aida+salazar%2Cstripbooks-intl-ship%2C599&sr=1-1">'Jovita Wore Pants: The Story of a Mexican Freedom Fighter'</a>, Aida Salazar (Author), Molly Mendoza (Illustrator)</p><p><span class="a-text-bold">This wonderful book tells the true story of Jovita Valdovinos, a Mexican revolutionary who disguised herself as a man to fight for her rights! Some comments from other reviewers:</span></p><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9vR9Ijy6O2yvDhwjjncI5jR2pYiyAD9PiNHbvRtzTPNyyL46gL0g5-Ddg7WRkoAl5qocVVC4gDdpYnkP1ZfpU05-7Peekr7e1cBBAoW9BXmZ-yKA7d9a6MRGJjuvBCPLZl-OgQrrCw0r9l5rdzt1Sto_lqsQqLUH2Rj_w0ZnkY1hYdSWR0LI8w0NUbiy7/s1114/Jovitajpg.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1114" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9vR9Ijy6O2yvDhwjjncI5jR2pYiyAD9PiNHbvRtzTPNyyL46gL0g5-Ddg7WRkoAl5qocVVC4gDdpYnkP1ZfpU05-7Peekr7e1cBBAoW9BXmZ-yKA7d9a6MRGJjuvBCPLZl-OgQrrCw0r9l5rdzt1Sto_lqsQqLUH2Rj_w0ZnkY1hYdSWR0LI8w0NUbiy7/s320/Jovitajpg.jpg" width="287" /></a></div><p></p><p><span class="a-text-bold">* "<i>Graceful . . deft . . . mesmerizing. . . . Bravery and determination prevail in this inspiring tale.</i>" </span><span class="a-text-bold a-text-italic">Kirkus Reviews</span><span class="a-text-bold">.<br /></span></p><p><span class="a-text-bold">* <i>"Gorgeous...hits the perfect balance of lively and lyrical...outstanding."</i> -- </span><span class="a-text-bold a-text-italic">School Library Journal</span><span class="a-text-bold">.<br /></span></p><p><span class="a-text-bold">* <i>"Exquisite prose. . . . stunning spreads."</i> -- </span><span class="a-text-bold a-text-italic">BookPage</span><span class="a-text-bold">.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span>Jovita refused to fit into a mould. She would not simply conform to the stereotype that the world would seek to apply to this young woman. She wanted to discard dresses and wear pants! She had many 'different' ambitions like climbing the tallest mesquite tree, riding horses and more. </span></div><p></p><p><span>As her Father and brothers joined the Cristero War to fight for religious
freedom, she wanted to go, too! The answer was No! But she defied her father's
rules. She would be
revolutionary and "wear pants". What a remarkable story.</span></p><p><a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/There-Was-a-Party-for-Langston/Jason-Reynolds/9781534439443">'There Was a Party for Langston'</a>, Jason Reynolds (Author), Jerome & Jarrett Pumphrey (Illustrator)</p><p><span class="a-text-bold">This wonderful book was chosen as a Caldecott Honor Book and also a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book. </span><span class="a-text-bold a-text-italic">New York Times</span><span class="a-text-bold">
bestselling author Jason Reynolds’s, has given us the joy of his first
children's book. </span></p><p><span class="a-text-bold"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="a-text-bold"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOyIS4sVebNYrApFeUOtZ04m6iHMhmzeWCAjYfpanvVKgQo_DoP7UKzKaOkw_KSC8nVXh_29wKsZi7f0dRHoNQuTLjM2MF9QY9psl8Fs4Cz9SPbKMr3LIv1-RiNdscccnNVZ0N7nolWc8i9Qj3x26UUrD8NCg1qpLzqNwFHAiRrXxZPg04IdSVkwSIxN7X/s1647/there-was-a-party-for-langston.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1647" data-original-width="1399" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOyIS4sVebNYrApFeUOtZ04m6iHMhmzeWCAjYfpanvVKgQo_DoP7UKzKaOkw_KSC8nVXh_29wKsZi7f0dRHoNQuTLjM2MF9QY9psl8Fs4Cz9SPbKMr3LIv1-RiNdscccnNVZ0N7nolWc8i9Qj3x26UUrD8NCg1qpLzqNwFHAiRrXxZPg04IdSVkwSIxN7X/w301-h354/there-was-a-party-for-langston.jpg" width="301" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span><i>Back
in the day, there was a heckuva party, a jam, for a word-making man.
The King of Letters, Langston Hughes. His ABCs became drums, bumping
jumping thumping like a heart the size of the whole country. They sent
some people yelling and others, his word-children, to write their own
glory.</i> </span></p><p><span>In those days, Maya Angelou, Amiri Baraka, and more came be-bopping to
recite poems at their hero’s feet at the Schomberg
Library. <i>And there would be dancing and stomping, in praise and
love for Langston, world-mending word man.</i> <i>Oh, yeah, there was hoopla
in Harlem, for its Renaissance man. A party for Langston.</i></span></p><p><span>This wonderful story is so well supported by </span>t<span>he Pumphrey brothers who provide illustrations that support the text and apply stylized typography
throughout. They manage to draw together</span><span> the
text and graphic art, and make a wonderful contribution through images to underscore the power of
the subject’s poetry.</span><span> </span></p><p><span> </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Truth-About-Dragons-Julie-Leung/dp/1250820588">'The Truth About Dragons'</a>, Leung (Author), Hanna Cha (Illustrator)</p><p><span class="a-text-bold"> 'Caldecott Honour Book' and also </span><span class="a-text-bold">Winner of the 'Asian Pacific American Award for Literature'. </span><span><br /></span></p><p><span></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQr0-tFEa-uO8_6BKrqkHc3L791T39HDF-qE4qH1e_rxIlkAmpiCCKVe3yE3WtmweEHGtPW0T-DiJ4obkkIzvmehHOV029-EZuNrT4vt1qmNN3DqdndL6smT4g-fNAEno5eI7VMIXyF3s6zizeOg2Rx4YUEi4kvZ3c1CEQNu7PRDtPmFQg_bAn2S0CSvAf/s788/TruthAboutDragons.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="788" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQr0-tFEa-uO8_6BKrqkHc3L791T39HDF-qE4qH1e_rxIlkAmpiCCKVe3yE3WtmweEHGtPW0T-DiJ4obkkIzvmehHOV029-EZuNrT4vt1qmNN3DqdndL6smT4g-fNAEno5eI7VMIXyF3s6zizeOg2Rx4YUEi4kvZ3c1CEQNu7PRDtPmFQg_bAn2S0CSvAf/w477-h393/TruthAboutDragons.jpg" width="477" /></a></div><span><br /></span><span class="a-text-bold">This is an unforgettable lyrical picture book that celebrates biracial identity. It is from Julie Leung, the award-winning author of </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Paper-Son-Inspiring-Immigrant-Artist/dp/1524771872"><span class="a-text-italic">'Paper Son: </span></a><span class="a-text-bold a-text-italic"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Paper-Son-Inspiring-Immigrant-Artist/dp/1524771872">The Inspiring Story of Tyrus Wong, Immigrant and Artist'</a>. <br /></span></div><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px; text-align: center;"><i><span class="a-text-italic">Lean in close,<br />my darling bao bei,<br />and I will whisper<br />a most precious secret<br />about a powerful magic<br />that lives inside you.</span></i><span><br /></span></div><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><span class="a-text-italic">'The Truth About Dragons' </span><span>is
a story that follows
a child on a journey shaped by his mother's bedtime storytelling. With
the help of his two grandmothers he is able to discover two different,
but equally enchanting, truths about
dragons as he sets out on two quests."</span></div><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><span>Hanna Cha's wonderful illustrations help to bring this wonderful story to life. </span><span class="a-text-italic">And what a great story. His mother's reading of the story to him opens up the world of dragons and a wonderful journey takes place fueled by his two </span><span>two grandmothers who help
him discover two different, but equally enchanting, truths about
dragons.</span></div><p> <br /></p><p> </p>Trevor Cairneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743409298855125040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9200808769555430311.post-38973781262273439052024-02-12T20:30:00.000+11:002024-02-12T20:30:27.168+11:00The Power of Story to Teach, Enrich and Transform <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6z8LJjqJ2K6dUKqzxMtAzmrErhjMosEOLN8_WDZ-vjhEbq_BC89Tj0fBwt9zzSVAnl6c53yXXrlVDGV7xYWoq79lvqjFY986RcFolGwcUTwxSqlV22S_aQJO7Zo8nFGJxqNvPaRaCHlYvYDsZ7iOQSBEdS3zXs2kQnTAYuORhaAfeQjpmK6uT_wkKuuum/s1712/IMG_JournalOfBook.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1712" data-original-width="1203" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6z8LJjqJ2K6dUKqzxMtAzmrErhjMosEOLN8_WDZ-vjhEbq_BC89Tj0fBwt9zzSVAnl6c53yXXrlVDGV7xYWoq79lvqjFY986RcFolGwcUTwxSqlV22S_aQJO7Zo8nFGJxqNvPaRaCHlYvYDsZ7iOQSBEdS3zXs2kQnTAYuORhaAfeQjpmK6uT_wkKuuum/s320/IMG_JournalOfBook.jpeg" width="225" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">I want to draw attention to the power of story in this post by discussing my work shared in two separate articles over 10 years ago. In 2013 I wrote an article for the <a href="https://cgscholar.com/bookstore/cgrn/189/190">'International Journal of the Book'</a>. In it I discussed the power of literature not just to offer engaging stories, but to actually <i>"Teach, Enrich and Transform"</i> us. <span>The article was inspired by the work of D.W. Harding (1937, p. 257) who suggested
<i>“reading, like daydreaming and gossiping is a means to offer or be offered
symbolic representations of life”</i>. </span>
</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><style><span style="font-family: arial;">@font-face
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{page:WordSection1;}</span></style><span> </span><span>I quoted Harding NOT to relegate reading, and
specifically literature, to the status of any representation of lived
experience </span><span>(quite the contrary)</span><span>. I'll come back to this.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">In the second article that I wrote in 2010, I pointed to the "...<i>folly of Deconstructive Post-modernism, whose most
extreme advocates argue that all texts are equal, that the TV advertisement,
graffiti, the bumper sticker, the poem, a Twitter ‘tweet’, blog posts, a play and
the newspaper editorial are all texts that can have equal value.</i>" </span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAlYUlE7Jd0dn-S8OnxS_toTDQ7m_Tyuwa4qadSGupZqhwkeT_SS05xuTswjb3ZZckaT_v5HrnJDLOwCyLSuVGW5SkpEDiW02ONXZEb_9SP_nXhEtwmZJBjSo4dANBIrpAO0HuUMf7fk2W6JycDcirpcmY81fMAm_sqkyf59UDjBv75nq3op9nf4y_u7Sa/s2187/TweetBird.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2187" data-original-width="2186" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAlYUlE7Jd0dn-S8OnxS_toTDQ7m_Tyuwa4qadSGupZqhwkeT_SS05xuTswjb3ZZckaT_v5HrnJDLOwCyLSuVGW5SkpEDiW02ONXZEb_9SP_nXhEtwmZJBjSo4dANBIrpAO0HuUMf7fk2W6JycDcirpcmY81fMAm_sqkyf59UDjBv75nq3op9nf4y_u7Sa/s320/TweetBird.png" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Of course, all 'texts' have meaning and we can learn from them, but they are not "equivalent" or "equal" (but let's not get side-tracked)! Story has a special place. I'm going to share my thoughts in two posts on this topic I will argue that:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">• The storybook still has an undiminished role to play in
early literacy development even in the age of digital literacy.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">• Literature has a value well beyond its important
utilitarian function as an excellent vehicle for the learning of literacy.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">• Reading is acquired in the context of relationships with
other significant people.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">• Literature has the power to teach, enrich and transform.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">I believe that any
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><style><span style="font-family: arial;">@font-face
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{page:WordSection1;</span></style><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>"civilized
society which relegates literature to just one possible means to know and communicate
is making a significant mistake"</i> (T.H. Cairney, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">
<span>’The International Journal of the Book Volume 8,
2010</span>)</span><style><span style="font-family: arial;">@font-face
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{page:WordSection1;}</span></style><span style="font-family: arial;"> Why is this a mistake? </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Let me share my first two reasons in this post (and two more in the next). <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><b>Reason 1 - Literature offers <span>opportunities to reflect on life and see it in new ways<br /></span></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span>Just as I am affected by human
tragedy in my world, I can also be affected by the tragedy of characters in books. In a sense, as we read stories we can 'live through' the events, and experience emotions like joy, success, loneliness, pain, disappointment and sadness. </span></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span>As a reader we can ‘enter into’ the lives of others through literature and deepen our understanding of life. It can help us to reflect on and understand our lives. And of course, we must never lose sight of the special place literature or story has</span><span> </span>as a
vehicle for learning about written language and the shaping of human character.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihSXVm4HVM1MoJWrvhLlTYODsCl0nkIQFUUkBwuKJctPgn7Utu589vYlQgReEQI9rEZsMm_Z5cEqIrkQBZPy2MoPc67DBX5zEtcZlwYGDOZ25OBOz0vomLxE7w9ofT-6DurOunea8QRcTIepcTrskfSxzXsdgTc76sXyY0NHXqz7uZzEnI8IhKkQ-Kpd1z/s2936/BoyReading.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2202" data-original-width="2936" height="405" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihSXVm4HVM1MoJWrvhLlTYODsCl0nkIQFUUkBwuKJctPgn7Utu589vYlQgReEQI9rEZsMm_Z5cEqIrkQBZPy2MoPc67DBX5zEtcZlwYGDOZ25OBOz0vomLxE7w9ofT-6DurOunea8QRcTIepcTrskfSxzXsdgTc76sXyY0NHXqz7uZzEnI8IhKkQ-Kpd1z/w541-h405/BoyReading.jpg" width="541" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">I have been motivated to write this paper by a growing
concern that in our excitement to consider the possibilities of digital
literacy of all kinds, we might just forget about the importance of narrative as a
vehicle for learning about written language and the shaping of human character. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span>Stories <i>"...allow us to
reflect on these and other experiences and come to a greater understanding of
our world and ourselves. As well, literature can act both as mortar to build rich
personal and textual histories, and as a bridge between our lives and the lives
of others"</i> (Cairney, 2010).</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><b>Reason 2 - The undiminished role of Story</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><b> </b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Children today experience stories in varied forms. They have opportunities to engage in stories by reading, but also through television, radio, online games and a myriad of pictures, images, signs, advertising etc. More than ever, today's readers, are confronted by stories in new forms and through multimedia of varied types. They also write in diverse forms and genres. Perhaps just a few words via emails, Facebook, Twitter, Blogs and so on with images and signs to support text. But equally they share stories through music, jokes, symbolic language, movement and so on.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">We still enjoy stories, but we use many varied forms, as well as different platforms and devices to receive them like Air pods, headsets etc. Some still read a paper or digital book, while others only ever listen or watch using devices. But there is still a common element; all centre on story!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">As parents and teachers we need to engage children in the sharing of stories, delivered via whatever platform. As well, we must encourage them to share stories with others.<br /></span></p><p>
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCeBW4f5YzfFQHpzGAnCxI4Z72RTRSfJ5yaJv5i2AWnYRtFl0v17Bh3G_Fv7st7GmK17p1Cb4_a7qO8wXZhJBzXimNya0dcvDRdD1UCcV4QGkSxZBh9yzR1C8N9Bd3LYNp-JpSJVdCJ4BrgxPDKoeAnmKdJSa4RNZZ4tkFbAjtYAF07R3Jtjrv-VcCTHMB/s562/Dungeons&Dragons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="562" data-original-width="437" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCeBW4f5YzfFQHpzGAnCxI4Z72RTRSfJ5yaJv5i2AWnYRtFl0v17Bh3G_Fv7st7GmK17p1Cb4_a7qO8wXZhJBzXimNya0dcvDRdD1UCcV4QGkSxZBh9yzR1C8N9Bd3LYNp-JpSJVdCJ4BrgxPDKoeAnmKdJSa4RNZZ4tkFbAjtYAF07R3Jtjrv-VcCTHMB/s320/Dungeons&Dragons.jpg" width="249" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">In our contemporary literacy world, there is greater interaction
between multiple sign systems, particularly print, sound, image, and physical
context etc. As I listen to one of my grandsons playing games online like <a href="https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?&q=Minecraft+gameplay&&mid=0ABD4DE3F392DAE102F40ABD4DE3F392DAE102F4&&FORM=VRDGAR">Minecraft,</a> or watch another preparing to lead a game of <a href="https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=dungeons+%26+dragons+online+game+play&&view=riverview&mmscn=mtsc&mid=FA6866501C1DB93785D1FA6866501C1DB93785D1&&aps=63&FORM=VMSOVR">Dungeons and Dragons</a> with her friends, I'm always struck by how much interaction there is between players as they create live stories on computers while sitting in separate locations. This still is story making and reflects a primary need as humans.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"> Having shared the above, I will expand the discussion in the next post by considering two other ways Story has the power to teach, enrich and transform:<br /></span></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Reading is rarely a lone activity we read within communities.</span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Literature teaches, enriches & transforms us. </span></li></ul>Trevor Cairneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743409298855125040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9200808769555430311.post-21078121604828572802024-01-24T13:09:00.001+11:002024-02-08T10:19:39.923+11:00Six New Picture Books that are 'Must Reads'!<p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>1. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mamas-Love-Language-Sometimes-Chicken/dp/B0CM4NZTC9/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2MPV3X4MEKP7H&keywords=mamas+love+language&qid=1705902028&sprefix=Mummas+Love+Language%2Caps%2C333&sr=8-1">'Mama's Love Language: Sometimes Love Tastes Like Hainan Chicken Rice'</a></b> <b> </b>by Written by Elisa Stad and Illustrated by<span class="author notFaded" data-width=""><span class="contribution"><span class="a-color-secondary"> Ry Menson</span></span></span><span class="author notFaded" data-width=""> <span class="contribution">
<span class="a-color-secondary">(Illustrator)</span></span></span></span></p><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjO6ViipoZM0cpCxngJPYZYp4ePDiFrD5oXdEHsJZXYtjgYAZfluxtCT8wmFScYN8o3octkiuveL71btemBTw4n_osL_t44k0fgPVR_x0ojwmrrn6AWB1KdS_2Wlx0jlBjirInMHQdHhA8shz4BCDrpO049O0Gtks5IJYT1X6NI29GM31Eu7-SLzaQmEMJD" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1360" data-original-width="1051" height="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjO6ViipoZM0cpCxngJPYZYp4ePDiFrD5oXdEHsJZXYtjgYAZfluxtCT8wmFScYN8o3octkiuveL71btemBTw4n_osL_t44k0fgPVR_x0ojwmrrn6AWB1KdS_2Wlx0jlBjirInMHQdHhA8shz4BCDrpO049O0Gtks5IJYT1X6NI29GM31Eu7-SLzaQmEMJD=w265-h343" width="265" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Jade
is a girl who lives in two worlds. When one's parents have different cultural heritages, sometimes children can wonder where they fit. In this very sensitive and tenderly written book, Elisa Stad explores something which increasing numbers of families and teachers see each day. Jade is on a quest to understand her identity and where she truly
belongs. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">She feels different from the other kids at school. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Back home, her Dad has an English speaking heritage, whereas her Mother has a Vietnamese heritage. Her parents also have quite different ways to express their love and care for her. Sometimes Jade is
embarrassed by her Mama’s accent. She can’t understand why she is not
just like the mothers of other children at school.</span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">When Jade begins to rebel against her mother's
traditional ways of showing love, great wisdom is required from her father, to help her understand that both love her deeply but show it in different ways. Mama doesn’t hug or say I love you, but the "healing aroma of ginger, green
onions, and chicken broth does".</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This is a is a special book that addresses a universal
theme of belonging and the beauty of cultural diversity. Through it our children and students will learn "...that being different is not only okay but
something to be celebrated, and that love can come in many shapes and
forms."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">A very special book that should be in every school library. It </span><span class="a-text-italic" style="font-family: arial;">is ideal for children aged of 4-9 years.</span></p><p><span class="a-text-italic" style="font-family: arial;"><b>2. <a href="https://www.dymocks.com.au/book/the-secret-lives-of-dragons-by-professor-zoya-agnis-and-alexander-utkin-9781838741174">'The Secret Lives of Dragons: Expert Guides to Mythical Creatures'</a> </b>by Prof Zoya Agnis and Alexander Utkin</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This wonderful fantasy picture book was first published in 2021. This is a stunning new illustrated edition(2023) is wonderful. It is a beautiful children's guide to the 'facts' and philosophy of dragons; from treasure hoards to breathing fire.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv_SQzZUEbEkeCYk98VOmpf_GNKzNg3ngBGsuTw1HMStv-PiMLcRYVdvdvloEjfeVhjaA8VAJlMK4k5UeCXALimYK99EzpbtnV4BhwTts188s10f-nULXpJvoBEInghkNx8INFvE1kZMccNoH_m3iebJni5CzS5xkLo0maHb95GzytxDFyrTGfzOI9K60r/s1688/Camping2.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1688" data-original-width="1439" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv_SQzZUEbEkeCYk98VOmpf_GNKzNg3ngBGsuTw1HMStv-PiMLcRYVdvdvloEjfeVhjaA8VAJlMK4k5UeCXALimYK99EzpbtnV4BhwTts188s10f-nULXpJvoBEInghkNx8INFvE1kZMccNoH_m3iebJni5CzS5xkLo0maHb95GzytxDFyrTGfzOI9K60r/s320/Camping2.jpg" width="273" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Hidden
deep in the mountains, a kingdom of dragons once thrived. Dragon song
echoed across the peaks, and priceless treasures were guarded in lairs.
But what happened to this kingdom? </span></div><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Dragon sightings are incredibly rare
now, so how can we spot one of these elusive creatures? And if we were
to meet one, how would we talk to them and approach them safely? Luckily
for you, the answers are recorded in this book by the famous
'Drackenosopher', Professor Zoya Agnis. It is beautifully illustrated by Alexander Utkin.<br /></span></div><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The book will help you to learn everything you need to know about dragons; from breathing
fire and taking flight, to the brutal slayers that preyed upon them.
This beautifully illustrated manual will guide you on your path to
becoming an expert in the prestigious world of dragon studies.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>3. <a href="https://www.walkerbooks.com.au/book-works/an-amazing-australian-camping-trip/">'An Amazing Australian Camping Trip'</a></b> by Jackie Hosking & illustrated by Lesley Vamos</span></p><div aria-expanded="false" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content"> <p><span class="a-text-bold" style="font-family: arial;">The hilarious family from </span><a href="https://www.lamontbooks.com.au/books/an-amazing-australian-road-trip"><span class="a-text-bold a-text-italic" style="font-family: arial;">'An Amazing Australian Road Trip'</span></a><span class="a-text-bold" style="font-family: arial;"> is back – this time they're going camping!'</span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> Now what could possibly go wrong?!<br /><br /></span><span class="a-text-italic">They are travelling from Melbourne on a camping trip </span><span class="a-text-italic">so their Aunty can find and paint a fantastical beast.</span><span> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>"Encountering all manner of Australian animals, the
right one is proving hard to find, and they’re starting to wonder if the
creature even exists."</span></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPeUNRZEFtcaQ4WTF7os_W9ypJo8zEJHg5eiW2E_bgGE8i094TtrojqHxt7gumbd9bAOe-ddv2_kxn5goD6BJxhcepYq0CVaPR5vF6xZbpcS1BjxbXIGQM7uIS-9IJfAaJK38mweeME4kUAMeQ431LvDzlPZtZ9K0IHSPBs2ezWgWb2YuXYdNF1UEHuyn7/s1514/IMG_6599%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1514" data-original-width="1408" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPeUNRZEFtcaQ4WTF7os_W9ypJo8zEJHg5eiW2E_bgGE8i094TtrojqHxt7gumbd9bAOe-ddv2_kxn5goD6BJxhcepYq0CVaPR5vF6xZbpcS1BjxbXIGQM7uIS-9IJfAaJK38mweeME4kUAMeQ431LvDzlPZtZ9K0IHSPBs2ezWgWb2YuXYdNF1UEHuyn7/w475-h510/IMG_6599%20copy.jpg" width="475" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span></span></span><p></p> </div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This picture book has three parallel and related texts going on for the reader to choose. You can read simply the narrative, or also find out about about Aussie language. What's a 'Mozzie', what is 'venom'? How do you "Boil a Billy"? What is a Wombat like? Is their poo really shaped like a cube? Ouch!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>4. <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Friendly-Bee-Friends-Sean-Avery/dp/1760654353">'Friendly Bee and Friends'</a> </b>written and illustrated by Sean A. Avery</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><div aria-expanded="false" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content"> <p><span class="a-text-bold" style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjm7IMUY4kxLiKyeCt5WmK0j4XpKhvN2hLF7XpNfHpnEhSz_CNJcM-Tml6ypn9xRZ-SDYbizg6vRO6vP-9k9qVrW5NV74kbyi4s72E7R9dMBrtFYLxyQX3-ZzLXRNfgdwEDZNPQYErceVToBhfc1Ow4wtzxokPdq6OtkyudlluoCobr_AqeSwd4Ck88S4I/s1493/Friendly%20Bee%202.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1493" data-original-width="953" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjm7IMUY4kxLiKyeCt5WmK0j4XpKhvN2hLF7XpNfHpnEhSz_CNJcM-Tml6ypn9xRZ-SDYbizg6vRO6vP-9k9qVrW5NV74kbyi4s72E7R9dMBrtFYLxyQX3-ZzLXRNfgdwEDZNPQYErceVToBhfc1Ow4wtzxokPdq6OtkyudlluoCobr_AqeSwd4Ck88S4I/w251-h393/Friendly%20Bee%202.jpg" width="251" /></a></div>Friendly Bee wants to be friends with every bug he meets, whether they like it or not.<span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /><br />This little bee "puts himself out there, a bee who sees the
best in other beings." And yet, at times his cheerful attitude leads to trouble. They can be so hard to get along with! He is almost squashed by a large
shoe, and he almost becomes a delicious meal for an enormous
Hairy Spider. But luckily, his best friend the Angry Wasp
is there to save him from certain death!</span><span><br /></span></span><p></p> </div><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>5. <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Friendly-Bee-Friends-Sean-Avery/dp/1760654353">'Friendly Bee and Friends - Woe is For Worm!'</a></b> written and illustrated by Sean E. Avery</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This follow on edition is available online, and also in paperback from <a href="https://www.walkerbooks.com.au/">Walker Books</a>. It is worth chasing up! <br /></span></p><div aria-expanded="false" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content"> <p><span class="a-text-bold" style="font-family: arial;">Friendly
Bee faces his biggest challenge yet, when he tries to cheer up the
Pessimistic Earthworm. Can he convince the gloomiest creature alive to
go to a party?</span><span><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><p><span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1mWgOOdC1noc29HEW2gVdada9XzZnfSv-9Tzz6DSPmHd23vCDsuHs-0Ak18ZXUisSN4hfiJuD-l7KMqMFCKCJ9MTvrnYQ_FLUTSwGIcneu22xKsR7-Xa0jKMNhxoiuoRKNF6qxfry3-11PgmKzCG4W62UG3Zq0-iJF8LyoNQaoB6qCTjMjrIsU31sAt7o/s1702/Woe%20is%20for%20Worm.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1702" data-original-width="1093" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1mWgOOdC1noc29HEW2gVdada9XzZnfSv-9Tzz6DSPmHd23vCDsuHs-0Ak18ZXUisSN4hfiJuD-l7KMqMFCKCJ9MTvrnYQ_FLUTSwGIcneu22xKsR7-Xa0jKMNhxoiuoRKNF6qxfry3-11PgmKzCG4W62UG3Zq0-iJF8LyoNQaoB6qCTjMjrIsU31sAt7o/w225-h351/Woe%20is%20for%20Worm.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Friendly Bee loves dressing up,
parties and being BEST FRIENDS with everyone. So when he and his
reluctant bestie Angry Wasp are invited to Enormous Hairy Spider’s
dress-up party, he’s so excited he could burst. Things just get better
when he has the chance to make a new friend, but the Pessimistic
Earthworm is determined to be miserable. Cheering him up will be hard
work, but luckily Friendly Bee is the bug for the job!</i></span><p></p> </div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Stunningly illustrated and well told! <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>6. <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Factopia-Follow-Trail-400-Facts/dp/1912920719">'Factopia! Follow the Trail of 400 Facts'</a></b>, by Paige Towler & illustrated by Andy Smith</span></p><p><span class="a-text-bold" style="font-family: arial;">This must be the funniest 'encyclopaedia' of all time. What's more, all the facts are verified by </span><span class="a-text-bold a-text-italic" style="font-family: arial;">Encyclopaedia Britannica</span><span class="a-text-bold" style="font-family: arial;">. True! The reader will be drawn into the book as every fact is connected to the next, and these are the type of quirky facts that all children love.<br /></span></p><p class="a-text-bold"><span class="a-text-bold" style="font-family: arial;"><i>Did
you know that a squid has a brain shaped like a doughnut? Or that some
butterflies drink turtle tears? Hop from topic to topic in unexpected
and delightful ways, and discover what connects a giraffe with the
Eiffel tower, or a slice of pizza with Cleopatra. On your awe-inspiring
journey, you will find out extraordinary facts about space, bones,
dinosaurs, spiders, sharks, robots, ancient Rome, and more.</i></span></p><span style="font-family: arial;">This is a book that children will love to read, and will want to share with others! It will be hard to read this book alone.<br /></span><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_HZlGdvZnS2Pkxrtt_szSWCKPZGor6HzZ-dWbA2zUP-m7XQWl5JYSOsZ1ON_NRspAT-7_lBH1F8p7AQyollLuxPfljbmJThFwIZ7V65FVn5hhk0vDM9bsfn2lFQFTvb2odUiBQBr9jbB9xFt9A3ydEfmERYWW-EhGFuOCs5KrlmjXaTYqTWbzYGl12pE/s1681/Factopia.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1681" data-original-width="1225" height="627" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_HZlGdvZnS2Pkxrtt_szSWCKPZGor6HzZ-dWbA2zUP-m7XQWl5JYSOsZ1ON_NRspAT-7_lBH1F8p7AQyollLuxPfljbmJThFwIZ7V65FVn5hhk0vDM9bsfn2lFQFTvb2odUiBQBr9jbB9xFt9A3ydEfmERYWW-EhGFuOCs5KrlmjXaTYqTWbzYGl12pE/w456-h627/Factopia.jpg" width="456" /></a></div><br /> <p></p></div><p> </p>Trevor Cairneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743409298855125040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9200808769555430311.post-87479624454428307782023-12-15T21:17:00.000+11:002023-12-15T21:17:05.176+11:00Holiday Ideas to Stimulate Children, Reduce Screen Time & Keep Parents or Carers Sane!<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In Australia, our schools will close in the third week of
December for the Summer holidays which last about 6 weeks. After over two years
of COVID isolation, lock downs and disrupted schooling, life is just starting
to return to normal. As we enter holiday periods with our children and
grandchildren, it's helpful to plan a little. While some children might go to
summer camps, or holidays with families, there will be plenty of time either at
home or away for children to become bored. Hopefully, the solution is NOT just
to simply increase their screen time.</span></span>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpGam5nkMmbbp3fJPr2FFee_9J_Xx9W8yLDjkd4Uh_tHJtnfN4Fr7GJevQaxa4AyzBzkGtBgngZ451PrMN4B_mhKxM6PtRaSdQlxKq1idlZT1WXm7wdh-QsFFiPtI2xWZS6jl8IbXqYK4wGOiiE8VbrwSK3m5h06g_L-nyOIWttVbdv2p_OeqhroFU4dX5/s1280/Father&DaughterBeach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="831" data-original-width="1280" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpGam5nkMmbbp3fJPr2FFee_9J_Xx9W8yLDjkd4Uh_tHJtnfN4Fr7GJevQaxa4AyzBzkGtBgngZ451PrMN4B_mhKxM6PtRaSdQlxKq1idlZT1WXm7wdh-QsFFiPtI2xWZS6jl8IbXqYK4wGOiiE8VbrwSK3m5h06g_L-nyOIWttVbdv2p_OeqhroFU4dX5/w485-h315/Father&DaughterBeach.jpg" width="485" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">If Christmas falls in winter as it does in the US and other
northern hemisphere nations, then outdoor activities will be hard. But there
are plenty of things to be done inside that are stimulating and fun. In
Australia, traveling to catch up with family and friends, the beach, hiking,
boating, fishing and more take up lots of time. But there is still time to fill
at home because some children end up home while parents go to work for at least
part of the holidays.</span></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 40px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkbHGxoMx1xOfG6ejVdjNqQ2gitUqUFrVNKf1LDV7NjQ4GQcvdizIvtq6PM7z2cBdnPzvk3_3FA10W33M5xXpWyMqjfhI2hsRobQNPeJ-dUJ31DAx3XscD5Fzj4Fa4eXEg51mhDCW8vhvtf2BeqPiELqWplop5jcAG-8bYNJ2l843FXGBRu91zSUJ451F0/s1600/ChristmasTreev2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkbHGxoMx1xOfG6ejVdjNqQ2gitUqUFrVNKf1LDV7NjQ4GQcvdizIvtq6PM7z2cBdnPzvk3_3FA10W33M5xXpWyMqjfhI2hsRobQNPeJ-dUJ31DAx3XscD5Fzj4Fa4eXEg51mhDCW8vhvtf2BeqPiELqWplop5jcAG-8bYNJ2l843FXGBRu91zSUJ451F0/s320/ChristmasTreev2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">At Christmas, many families have ongoing traditions that you
continue in families or schools. One special tradition in our family is to make
the traditional English Plum Pudding using a recipe passed down on my mother’s
side first used by her English and Scottish ancestors in the 1800s. Family
legend is that one of our relatives worked as a cook in <a href="https://www.bing.com/search?q=holyrood+palace&filters=dtbk:%22MCFvdmVydmlldyFvdmVydmlldyE5YTdiMGJjMi01MGU2LWVjNjctODE1MS0yMTM2NjlhMzllYjE%3d%22+sid:%229a7b0bc2-50e6-ec67-8151-213669a39eb1%22+tphint:%22f%22&FORM=DEPNAV">Holyrood Palace</a> in
Edinburgh and that the recipe was passed down to family members generation by
generation. I used to make the pudding as a child with my grandfather and I’ve
carried that tradition on first with one of my daughters, and these days also a
second pudding with one of my granddaughters. Perhaps you have your own traditions?</span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I've written a number of posts in the past about things to
do in the holidays with kids (<a href="https://www.blogger.com/">here</a>), as
well as simple travel games to fill the time on trips with your children (<a href="https://www.blogger.com/">here</a>). There is also an earlier post
on ‘<a href="https://www.blogger.com/">Planning With Kids</a>’ that
offers '<a href="https://www.blogger.com/">20 Great Holiday or Travel
Activities for Kids (5-15)</a>'. To maintain some balance, you might also
read my post on why '<a href="https://www.blogger.com/">Boredom is still good
for children!</a>'. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In this post, I thought I'd revisit some of the
ideas and add a few new ones. Holidays offer an opportunity to stimulate your
children's minds, and help prepare them for another year of school in 2023.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">My criteria for choosing holiday activities are that they
should:</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Stimulate
creativity</span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Encourage
exploration and discovery</span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Involve
using hands as well as their minds</span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Encourage
interaction between you and your children</span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Foster
language and literacy development </span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Increase
their knowledge</span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Keep
them interested</span></span></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="font-family: arial;"> </b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 14.2pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -21.3pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">An
Excursion</span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi65qxU3HgzMBkiRZWNUsKfrIB8plFFopNomNhjOUf7Pqz97Sl_m9RL-0CNP42DD-buEdeWOixu1O5tPQxXctBP9zoC8lTTUzCss1AWLYWXACGnYnZJYX_SifKBjfE-xSPR49-4MZeoldhAEeR3qS9b1y_-vqPL1gJyGdcsdx3wsq7jZ12LsoewfDFoQta/s2049/RocksWalkingTour.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: arial; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2049" data-original-width="1537" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi65qxU3HgzMBkiRZWNUsKfrIB8plFFopNomNhjOUf7Pqz97Sl_m9RL-0CNP42DD-buEdeWOixu1O5tPQxXctBP9zoC8lTTUzCss1AWLYWXACGnYnZJYX_SifKBjfE-xSPR49-4MZeoldhAEeR3qS9b1y_-vqPL1gJyGdcsdx3wsq7jZ12LsoewfDFoQta/s320/RocksWalkingTour.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The untold great places for an excursion wherever you live. Are you near or in Sydney? Why not enjoy one of the wonderful
walking tours of the historic rocks? We took 4 of our grandchildren on a self guided tour
of the Rocks during school holidays a few years and had so much fun. The tour
we used was free. We were provided with a map and commentary that allowed us to
have an adventure together as we explored the historic area. We acted out
varied scenarios along the way and took photos to share with other friends
& family. </span></span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="font-family: arial;"><span><span> </span></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></b><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Why not get your children to create an
animation, with one of many apps.</span></b> </span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This
sounds a big deal but it's not with the right app. I wrote a post about some
wonderful apps for digital story telling a few years ago (<a href="https://www.blogger.com/">HERE</a>). One of my favourites is 'Puppet
Pals. For one thing, it's VERY easy to use. Your children will work it out in
minutes.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/"> Puppet Pals</a> is
available as a free app for the iPod Touch, iPhone and iPad. Most apps are
available for other devices as well. It's essentially a simple way to create an
animated movie using 'cut-out' themed characters and a variety of backdrops and
scenes to create an animated 'puppet' play. </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5JVwFDMg9Ln3I50UbrxTZhHz9dRyfWU64gdQIm1F9XLI-odgkWAWDm4zeJ8IesPbiqKr942nptCbWcUgGN61VC-vNo9lI0CXxmU10QHWD5xexAAbYao1Af5sj5dIBUwI5SzxiJ7wahbsu2V3ZPq1x_04wgYqqYZuZaUluTrLq0t_6I9tSd7DYsr9t7fgm/s745/PuppetPals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: arial; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="307" data-original-width="745" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5JVwFDMg9Ln3I50UbrxTZhHz9dRyfWU64gdQIm1F9XLI-odgkWAWDm4zeJ8IesPbiqKr942nptCbWcUgGN61VC-vNo9lI0CXxmU10QHWD5xexAAbYao1Af5sj5dIBUwI5SzxiJ7wahbsu2V3ZPq1x_04wgYqqYZuZaUluTrLq0t_6I9tSd7DYsr9t7fgm/w386-h159/PuppetPals.jpg" width="386" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">There is a free version that comes with Wild West
backgrounds and actors. However, you can also purchase different themes
for as little as $US0.99 or the 'Director's Cut' in which you can access all
the themes for $US2.99. These allow you to obtain a range of additional
scenarios and characters based on themes such as monsters, space, pirates,
arthropod armada, Christmas and so on. You can even make your backdrops and
characters.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">It's a very simple app to use that provides very easy
story boarding. You can record dialogue, move characters around, create some
simple effects, change backdrops and settings and characters. While ideally,
before creating the animation, the writer/producer prepares plot summaries and
story ideas, but I've seen my grandchildren make excellent animations on their
first take. One they used is the 'Arthropod Armada' theme from 'Director's
Cut'. <br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br />
As a teacher, I also could see myself using a smart board to collaboratively
develop a story with my class before introducing individuals and groups to this
smart little app.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;"><b>3. Books with a difference</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 21.3pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -14.2pt;"><b style="font-family: arial;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">a)<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></i></b><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i>Pick
some special books they haven't seen</i></b> - try to borrow or buy at
least 2 books for each child. Based on their interests try to choose books
they'll enjoy, not simply books you'd like them to read. Opportunity shops,
book exchanges and libraries are also a great place to start looking for some
cheap second hand books. I have another post on book exchanges, op shops and
web exchange sites <a href="https://www.blogger.com/">here</a>.
Alternatively, take them to your local library to choose some.</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 21.3pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -14.2pt;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQoy2Zq9lgWmOkStez4BLxAzrsvMdU55JuffhqX57YgpBouaDLCPatFNjKAvB-c5WYyOJZaHzPvECySw4sLIq4IsAI87vPJeMnHSXpSWl-1yvYEwP0eQ1OWgC_gKo9Uno3U2JuuQtpwAabQcbyAR-9L6XVrXEnHZ5Gos5-9QiQlQwQRszYHSy9oniQl51C/s1280/WherWildThingsAre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1147" data-original-width="1280" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQoy2Zq9lgWmOkStez4BLxAzrsvMdU55JuffhqX57YgpBouaDLCPatFNjKAvB-c5WYyOJZaHzPvECySw4sLIq4IsAI87vPJeMnHSXpSWl-1yvYEwP0eQ1OWgC_gKo9Uno3U2JuuQtpwAabQcbyAR-9L6XVrXEnHZ5Gos5-9QiQlQwQRszYHSy9oniQl51C/s320/WherWildThingsAre.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 21.3pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -14.2pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 21.3pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -14.2pt;"><b style="font-family: arial;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">b)<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></i></b><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i>Use
Books as a creative stimulus</i></b> - While the sheer joy of the book is
usually enough, sometimes books can stimulate many wonderful creative
activities. For example:<a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><br />
</a><br />
After reading Maurice Sendak's "<a href="https://www.blogger.com/">Where
the Wild Things are</a>" go outside and dramatise it. Let one child be Max
and let others take turns at being the wild things. Make a boat out of bits of
wood, or even have a go at making one out of a large cardboard box (or
several).</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-no-proof: yes; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><br /></span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">After reading Jeannie Baker's book "<a href="https://www.blogger.com/">Where the Forest Meets the Sea</a>" (a
book about the Daintree Rainforest in which all the pictures are collage),
encourage them to make a collage out of natural materials (and maybe some wool,
straws etc to supplement) in response to Baker's pictures. Or read a second
book and have them use collage in response.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5YB5M0UDf5Kw7YjCcvOvXe7oZleVqFIUn_2oHdVeWZvVsKxC68F6hryndDDwIF9uSMFYeLRw9PX2oyFc6ZVwV9izCzj0qnc63EX3MeX6jEFu7gduAVeHntSCswmai65_1JYeNINDumI2wAOpNwxLVRY5k6Y34a0aoNM5vCB7z8xRFuhMmhNLRu7yGu6gk/s720/The-Waterhole-book-cover-image-295x320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="665" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5YB5M0UDf5Kw7YjCcvOvXe7oZleVqFIUn_2oHdVeWZvVsKxC68F6hryndDDwIF9uSMFYeLRw9PX2oyFc6ZVwV9izCzj0qnc63EX3MeX6jEFu7gduAVeHntSCswmai65_1JYeNINDumI2wAOpNwxLVRY5k6Y34a0aoNM5vCB7z8xRFuhMmhNLRu7yGu6gk/s320/The-Waterhole-book-cover-image-295x320.jpg" width="296" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;">Or after reading Graeme Base's <a href="https://www.blogger.com/">"The
Waterhole"</a> get them to paint the waterhole (they can draw the
animals, cut them out and paste them around the waterhole).<br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">4. Dramatisation</span></b></span> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Dramatisation is an excellent way to respond to a book. If you have a dress-up
box all the better. Let your children either re-tell the story through
dramatisation or improvise. Get involved to help set the pattern for turn
taking etc. I play a mean wolf, and an even better Grandma!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span>
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMsmJFIxC3IROKM3O9tfioCEaBGHFpBifXexrPd_XvNIvcO7ihwB9aAAdrMCqMqIfsYfUHis8FlJvEafIsrk5umFGVyaadFWFk78NquK4HVZrv_R6CuKvDDIGY35j6sDuypVzObHAJHGXEtdIeVEQdQqtFXC4okD689CMCmc_R6ODRuKm6vAUMiPd-qoqW/s900/Dramatisation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMsmJFIxC3IROKM3O9tfioCEaBGHFpBifXexrPd_XvNIvcO7ihwB9aAAdrMCqMqIfsYfUHis8FlJvEafIsrk5umFGVyaadFWFk78NquK4HVZrv_R6CuKvDDIGY35j6sDuypVzObHAJHGXEtdIeVEQdQqtFXC4okD689CMCmc_R6ODRuKm6vAUMiPd-qoqW/w395-h222/Dramatisation.jpg" width="395" /></a></div><br />
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 14.2pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo5; text-align: justify; text-indent: -14.2pt;"><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></b><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Writing</b> <b>with a difference</b> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 14.2pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo5; text-align: justify; text-indent: -14.2pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 14.2pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo5; text-align: justify; text-indent: -14.2pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Introduce children aged from 5 to
diaries or holiday journals.</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 14.2pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo5; text-align: justify; text-indent: -14.2pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 14.2pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -14.2pt;"><b style="font-family: arial;">a) Scrapbooks & journals</b><span style="font-family: arial;">
- Make this fun, not a school activity. Some might prefer to just make a holiday
scrapbook by pasting in tickets, leaves they collect, food wrappers etc. But
you can also show them how to create a travel diary.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="clear: left; color: windowtext; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i> </i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 14.2pt; text-indent: -14.2pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i>b) A
holiday blog</i></b> - Tech savvy mums and dads might encourage their
children to write online. Why not set up a family blog that can be read by
friends and relatives (even if only for two weeks). You could use this as part
of a trip away, or just use it at home. Older children could set up the blog
themselves and all family members could contribute. Let them have access to a
digital camera and a scanner and the sky is the limit. See my post on 'Children
as bloggers' (<a href="https://www.blogger.com/">here</a>).<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></span>
</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i>c) Start a family joke or riddle book</i></b> -
Maybe offer them some jokes as models ("Knock, knock", "Why did
the centipede cross the road"....) etc.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: arial;"><b>6. Craft</b><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i>a) Structured Craft ideas</i></b><i> -</i> simple beadwork,
noodle craft, mask making, making plaster moulds (and painting them), anything
for young children that requires paper tearing, gluing, glitter, stickers,
works well.<br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i>b) Unstructured creative craft</i></b> - Stock up when you go to the
supermarket with simple materials like paper plates (good for masks), brown
paper bags, sticky tape, glue, cotton balls, tooth picks, paper cupcake
holders, straws (cutting up and threading), noodles (for threading).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvoD942YlefWicvqt3kgWCu_Yb-ASo3n3mbkWqOLMetopnehPmNe9GOX5UYimWPiA6EDSd9ydHBJ_5JbVUoED9Du42LJ9mC63l5zbwzH-g6jP6N8clRxCO2zPR_bBZhuMA79i-yeZNv7tmNR7QwE09T2pb2LzG9Wp-rTKJRvm44wWmaxiLcuP0qzYULVkB/s900/Craft.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="824" data-original-width="900" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvoD942YlefWicvqt3kgWCu_Yb-ASo3n3mbkWqOLMetopnehPmNe9GOX5UYimWPiA6EDSd9ydHBJ_5JbVUoED9Du42LJ9mC63l5zbwzH-g6jP6N8clRxCO2zPR_bBZhuMA79i-yeZNv7tmNR7QwE09T2pb2LzG9Wp-rTKJRvm44wWmaxiLcuP0qzYULVkB/s320/Craft.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i>c) Play dough</i></b> - You can buy cheap coloured modelling clay
but home-made playdough works well. My wife 'Carmen's can't fail' recipe is 1
tablespoon of oil, 1 cup of plain flour, 0.5 cup of cooking salt, 2 tablespoons
Cream of Tartar, 1 cup of water, colouring. Mix together and put in a saucepan
on medium heat until it binds together, stirring all the time. Fold together by
hand. If you keep it in a sealed plastic bag it will last for ages in or
outside the fridge.<br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">There are endless things to do with play dough. Try to move
beyond just cutting out shapes (which kids still love). Encourage them to make
a house, a farmyard, a bed, and an aquarium. Use some plastic animals with the
play dough or small plastic people. If you don't mind tossing the play dough
out you can let them use sticks, plants etc to make simple dioramas. Kids will
create complex stories as they manipulate the play dough.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></span>
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-family: arial;">7<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">. Creative Play</span><br />
</b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
I've written a number of previous posts on play (<a href="https://www.blogger.com/">here</a>) but planning for play is important.
While you can say to your children go outside and 'play', doing some simple
planning at times will lead to more stimulating play times.<br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i>a) Dress-up box</i></b><i> </i>- If you don't have one take the kids
to an Op shop to start one. You might even pick up some gems like old helmets,
hats, belts (you can cut them down), handbags etc.<b><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i><br />
b) Water play</i></b> - This is hard in cold weather, but maybe you could
make bath-time special for young children with extra bubbles, different stuff
to take into it. In warmer weather give them a bucket of water and some things
to scoop, sieve etc - obviously only UNDER SUPERVISION. Above, it's pick on
Grandad day!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i>c) Build a cubby house</i></b><i> </i>- No not
with wood, just use a table, some chairs, wardrobes (hitch the blankets into
the top of the doors, some pegs and sheets and blankets. By draping them over
other objects you should be able to create a special space (about 2x2 metres is
enough for three small kids). Or you could try your hand at making one from large cardboard boxes. I've done both types and the fun was the same on both occasions.</span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKZUo5OhvV7AMNMxw8Mxjc_HSb-f9Z_BZ0Dx-Eb8Kkmto4dxnuhWIE_z9jHT3kvTA5AcTlikLhW70OBE7JolxM1keChpDHxiI1ejH_bJuJfx8VkE3VKBeXLB6XYljtZ1hdXdqYOINkspW4b5_ZjT3svd1mWDkb6sFwUyGvK-3OxRWLEhuzB0obpcNJtdqV/s946/BoxCubby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="946" data-original-width="711" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKZUo5OhvV7AMNMxw8Mxjc_HSb-f9Z_BZ0Dx-Eb8Kkmto4dxnuhWIE_z9jHT3kvTA5AcTlikLhW70OBE7JolxM1keChpDHxiI1ejH_bJuJfx8VkE3VKBeXLB6XYljtZ1hdXdqYOINkspW4b5_ZjT3svd1mWDkb6sFwUyGvK-3OxRWLEhuzB0obpcNJtdqV/w281-h373/BoxCubby.jpg" width="281" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Try to get at least 1.5 metres of height. Have
the kids 'help' and then get them to collect some special things to have in the
cubby. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I used to let my
grandchildren have my cheap transistor radio from my shed (lots of fun). We also had a tea set. Sometime they had toys with them and games. If you're up to it,
climb in as well and read some stories. I've seen a cubby of this kind amuse kids
for half a day. Then of course for the adventurous you can share some snack
food as well. You can even build a cubby inside! See my post on cubbies (<a href="https://www.blogger.com/">here</a>).</span></p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="margin-left: 12.0pt; mso-cellspacing: 0cm; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;"><tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;"><td style="padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;"><br /></td></tr><tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"><td style="padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-family: arial;"><i>d) Indoor and back yard fun</i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-family: arial;"> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i>Treasure
hunts</i></b> - Write the clues on paper using words and pictures
depending on ages and make the treasure worthwhile (chocolate, a coupon for an
ice cream in the kitchen etc). For something a little more challenging why not
try a map with grid references (see picture opposite).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><i> </i></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><i>e) Cooking</i></span></b>
</p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 35.45pt; mso-add-space: auto;"><b style="font-family: arial;"> </b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Kids love cooking with their mothers or fathers. Do simple
stuff. Nicole (<a href="https://www.blogger.com/">Planning With Kids</a>) has
lots of great ideas for cooking with kids on her site. Don't forget to make it
a language activity as well by getting them to follow the recipes.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-family: arial;"> </b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: arial;">Wrapping up - A few basics hints</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Have
a strategy for the holidays - map out a timetable (post it on the wall)
and try to plan a few significant events and think through the general
structure of each day.</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">If
you have younger children still at home, being joined by school kids on
holidays, try to think about how you will cope with all their interests
and think about varying daily routines a little.</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pace
yourself - don't use all your best ideas in the first few days (you'll
wear them and yourself out and you'll struggle to keep up the variation
later).</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Expect
bad weather - think about some ideas that will work in rainy weather as
well. It's called the "Law of Holidays" - expect lots of wet
weather and a day or two of sick kids.</span></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>HAVE FUN! </b><br /></span></span></p>
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{margin-bottom:0cm;}</style></p>Trevor Cairneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743409298855125040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9200808769555430311.post-36400995745060102982023-11-21T12:20:00.001+11:002023-11-21T12:28:30.401+11:00Six of the Best! Wonderful New Picture Books to Share<p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>1. <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Good-Night-Beach-Joy-Cowley/dp/1776575563/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Good+Night%2C+Good+Beach&qid=1699955886&sr=8-1">'Good, Night, Good Beach'</a></b>, by Joy Cowley & illustrated by Hilary Jean Tapper</span></p><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"> <p><span class="a-text-bold" style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="a-text-bold" style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcYYUMKuvoSY1NATgPBN68YL7ViyabMp5L3AzSFM40L8zy8jSMV57eafqB-JyzWV1HzTe3eYzwi1Dh6OuT_pXGKeaOxivb8mQ-UYA66QjAFiW7XHelCRKJN8ZouFRIV9R5RrZuN7Mw3x_wLkUjV5pBv0vvhD75zC7FHyhfvSdDDpbpQzBaQNeUAA0VFTNx/s1421/GoodNight.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1373" data-original-width="1421" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcYYUMKuvoSY1NATgPBN68YL7ViyabMp5L3AzSFM40L8zy8jSMV57eafqB-JyzWV1HzTe3eYzwi1Dh6OuT_pXGKeaOxivb8mQ-UYA66QjAFiW7XHelCRKJN8ZouFRIV9R5RrZuN7Mw3x_wLkUjV5pBv0vvhD75zC7FHyhfvSdDDpbpQzBaQNeUAA0VFTNx/w306-h296/GoodNight.jpg" width="306" /></a></span></div><i><span class="a-text-bold" style="font-family: arial;">"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.</span></i><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><i>"</i><br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /></span></span></div><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>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.<br /></span></span><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>2. <a href="https://www.booktopia.com.au/always-never-always-meg-mckinlay/book/9781760655204.html">'Always Never Happens'</a></b> by Meg McKinlay & illustrated by Leila Rudge</span></p></div><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><i><span class="a-text-bold" style="font-family: arial;">"A
poetic and quirky one-of-a kind classic-in-the-making, that encourages
readers to explore their world, from two award winning creators.</span></i><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><i>"</i></span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span></span></span></div><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="a-text-italic">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.</span></span></div><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="a-text-italic"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8kSRRwQCUKF0WeFyvgaWP17fc6OFFzWsjq1gqLBg9DBNxHPamGxcXNz-FUwxtnQ1jmSwQJupYW2Y4ckxAkGZAH9C-0Gb-lCsghi7LcWcRc0tHfaMAHMBIgNI15vjGGoTYOTK3hunOIo8bY_T8jX6Wv2mmpxV6kljmZwiR1CcKUlM9g8R8V_EvHW91dToT/s1701/AlwaysNever.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1701" data-original-width="1411" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8kSRRwQCUKF0WeFyvgaWP17fc6OFFzWsjq1gqLBg9DBNxHPamGxcXNz-FUwxtnQ1jmSwQJupYW2Y4ckxAkGZAH9C-0Gb-lCsghi7LcWcRc0tHfaMAHMBIgNI15vjGGoTYOTK3hunOIo8bY_T8jX6Wv2mmpxV6kljmZwiR1CcKUlM9g8R8V_EvHW91dToT/s320/AlwaysNever.jpg" width="265" /></a></div> </span></span></div><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="a-text-italic">I love the 'wisdom' McKinlay communicates in her story. Sometimes with tongue in cheek, but also with a special message. For example:</span></span></div><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="a-text-italic">"Always carry useful things - a torch, a notebook, fairy wings."</span></span></i></div><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="a-text-italic"><i>"Never throw a key away. Who knows what lock you'll meet today?"</i> </span></span></div><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><span class="a-text-italic">"Always follow secret tracks –</span><span class="a-text-italic"> the paths that wind and wend through cracks."</span></i></span></div><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><span class="a-text-italic">"Never worry where they go.</span><span class="a-text-italic"> When you get there, then you’ll know."</span></i></span></div><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This is a wonderful book that every library needs. Any lucky child who owns one will treasure it.</span></div><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px; text-align: left;"><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>3. <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Way-Stars-David-Almond/dp/1536231258">'A Way to the Stars'</a></b> by David Almond & illustrated by Gill Smith</span></p><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"> <span class="a-text-bold" style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChdg0go5T149xSiT2CD2sWylIaxfqyYMDkuJ5WebKBLYRnOf1GZwd7rKL6BID9rHSrwWmnxyzJJZ9NLy3KemCt2nRhFqWrZAhJGzPMtW-N-d44Xts7Frl9ibuCPU5gGN1QJX9LGlhEWQNKCPNdhyVs1MaegXnCSFVrsLq6MelmsPlL8LQNL7M8tR9nF-M/s1812/AWayToStars.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1812" data-original-width="1366" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChdg0go5T149xSiT2CD2sWylIaxfqyYMDkuJ5WebKBLYRnOf1GZwd7rKL6BID9rHSrwWmnxyzJJZ9NLy3KemCt2nRhFqWrZAhJGzPMtW-N-d44Xts7Frl9ibuCPU5gGN1QJX9LGlhEWQNKCPNdhyVs1MaegXnCSFVrsLq6MelmsPlL8LQNL7M8tR9nF-M/w275-h365/AWayToStars.jpg" width="275" /></a></div>In this book David Almond </span><span class="a-text-bold" style="font-family: arial;">Hans - a
Christian Andersen Award winner</span><span class="a-text-bold" style="font-family: arial;"> - shows how a father and son bond as they collaborate to <i>"defeat
gravity and realize a dream.</i></span><i><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>"</span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> <br /></span></span></i></div><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Joe is starstruck, and determined</span><span> to
find his way up, up, up to the magical lights in the night sky. </span></span></div><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>“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. </span></span></div><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>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.</span></span> </div><p><span class="a-text-bold" style="font-family: arial;"><b>4. <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Clownfish-Miss-Anemone-Hermit-Crab/dp/1760654345">'Mr Clownfish, Miss Anemone and the Hermit Crab'</a></b>, written & illustrated by Sean E. Avery</span></p></div><div aria-expanded="false" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content"><p><span class="a-text-bold" style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="a-text-bold" style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOfzl9rN6K1vPXHfckaR3SeB3q80E4xbWndne7TO1JEJaHTNrgQMHba_jXGDdvzegtpKT4QRoyMU4RXkrmLRfNUhDve6asjV09b2J5qUM9duTlgzJZ-FOygqa40pNIXb482vlrgW4D64Vll82e-Kj-Y3NnIBsg92SrcW1Er8Vf5OdM3WYyv4j0dDfUlUrS/s648/MrClownfish.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="621" height="389" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOfzl9rN6K1vPXHfckaR3SeB3q80E4xbWndne7TO1JEJaHTNrgQMHba_jXGDdvzegtpKT4QRoyMU4RXkrmLRfNUhDve6asjV09b2J5qUM9duTlgzJZ-FOygqa40pNIXb482vlrgW4D64Vll82e-Kj-Y3NnIBsg92SrcW1Er8Vf5OdM3WYyv4j0dDfUlUrS/w373-h389/MrClownfish.jpg" width="373" /></a></span></div><span class="a-text-bold" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span class="a-text-bold" style="font-family: arial;">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. <br /></span></p><p><span class="a-text-bold" style="font-family: arial;">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. </span></p><p><span class="a-text-bold" style="font-family: arial;">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. <br /></span></p><p><span class="a-text-bold" style="font-family: arial;">A wonderful and surprising story from the author of '</span><span class="a-text-bold a-text-italic" style="font-family: arial;">Frank's Red Hat'.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /></span></span></p> </div><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>5. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dasher-Cant-Wait-Christmas-Tavares/dp/1536230138">'Dasher Can't Wait for Christmas'</a></b>, written & illustrated by Matt Tavares</span></p><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"> <span class="a-text-bold" style="font-family: arial;">Matt Tavares’s sequel to the </span><span class="a-text-bold a-text-italic" style="font-family: arial;">New York Times </span><span class="a-text-bold" style="font-family: arial;">best-selling </span><span class="a-text-bold a-text-italic" style="font-family: arial;">Dasher</span><span class="a-text-bold" style="font-family: arial;"> is a joyful ode to helping others—and another holiday classic in the making.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /><br /></span><span class="a-text-italic">“If you ever get lost, just look for the North Star.”</span><span><br /></span><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgng79p9pfNQF7DDj3M0V-nw8-ItBYnTZl7rmLgCFm1jU1eXCBieh2Do9_K1DvTDVl2m7Jvz9-dlwCTx1h8PVUBNs34eJhRmPdTM6FXb2z8U5c0MsqKK7vjCviCSPYiD_CTbnqkXIKWuHEC32tjX2hg7PnzgvMCRs-JwBf0eSH40yEH-CDDu7bypzNfMHlg/s1603/Dasher.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1435" data-original-width="1603" height="349" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgng79p9pfNQF7DDj3M0V-nw8-ItBYnTZl7rmLgCFm1jU1eXCBieh2Do9_K1DvTDVl2m7Jvz9-dlwCTx1h8PVUBNs34eJhRmPdTM6FXb2z8U5c0MsqKK7vjCviCSPYiD_CTbnqkXIKWuHEC32tjX2hg7PnzgvMCRs-JwBf0eSH40yEH-CDDu7bypzNfMHlg/w391-h349/Dasher.jpg" width="391" /></a></div><br /></span></span></div><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>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 </span><span class="a-text-italic">New York Times </span><span>best-selling creator of </span><span class="a-text-italic">Dasher </span><span>has
crafted another delightful journey featuring everyone’s favorite
reindeer doe, in a story full of giving, joy, and holiday magic.</span></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>6. <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Cosmic-Wonder-Halleys-Comet-Humankind/dp/1536223239">'Cosmic Wonder: Halley's Comet and Humankind'</a></b>, written & illustrated by Ashley Benham-Yazdani</span></p><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">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!!</span></div><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As the sub-title indicates, this beautiful picture book is about Halley's Comet. </span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>It was first recorded on Earth in 240 BCE. </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">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.</span></div><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgzxST8P706er3bRhu6gaLVeCcqzweEjdR3TGUfzJU802nLPVDu1AU0MGCm9PZjsxeQREC2yZ03v-5S9UcjN7b3EpWdbmKBEuBTABSfaereaxSDtIKZtVzP0aPMqKecbWo6eV5m01cnk3p6QpJv7DjWO1jqPn5GmO2FFL2aZZAruhA1acNJn5o2MxD4XLgt" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1291" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgzxST8P706er3bRhu6gaLVeCcqzweEjdR3TGUfzJU802nLPVDu1AU0MGCm9PZjsxeQREC2yZ03v-5S9UcjN7b3EpWdbmKBEuBTABSfaereaxSDtIKZtVzP0aPMqKecbWo6eV5m01cnk3p6QpJv7DjWO1jqPn5GmO2FFL2aZZAruhA1acNJn5o2MxD4XLgt=w417-h484" width="417" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This </span><span class="a-text-bold" style="font-family: arial;">innovative and visually stunning picture book imagines Halley’s Comet
observing Earth and its inhabitants at every pass, tracing human
evolution over </span><span class="a-text-bold" style="font-family: arial;">millennia.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> 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?</span></span></div><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span></span></span><br /></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Trevor Cairneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743409298855125040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9200808769555430311.post-25966455228066300502023-10-20T16:08:00.000+11:002023-10-20T16:08:26.015+11:00Some Great New Books from Newer Publishers<p><span style="font-family: arial;"> 1. <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Riz-Chester-Fingerprint-R-Stephens/dp/1761111280">'Riz Chester: The Fingerprint CODE'</a></b> by R.A. Stephen and illustrated by Em Hammond</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3_ElAd318ACGX6qclD0KysYY7Gnj0yMuoD68VHn0ZiItWt3ho_CQLG414OGVMdWsHnQ-N3SqoGIU_yND7SjZrY2ugAKs0pglqwigr8Yyc-NRmbJvlQCYjguel9eLWkP8w0mCh0CsJ4srtta5CRYmYXHUnyaW65CY_MMm0Ba3ooTight_e0og6zj0ADpEa/s1765/Riz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1765" data-original-width="1146" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3_ElAd318ACGX6qclD0KysYY7Gnj0yMuoD68VHn0ZiItWt3ho_CQLG414OGVMdWsHnQ-N3SqoGIU_yND7SjZrY2ugAKs0pglqwigr8Yyc-NRmbJvlQCYjguel9eLWkP8w0mCh0CsJ4srtta5CRYmYXHUnyaW65CY_MMm0Ba3ooTight_e0og6zj0ADpEa/s320/Riz.jpg" width="208" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>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.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>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'.<br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>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...</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>This is a delightful book of 89 pages with relatively large text that will engage many readers. It's delightful.</span> <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">2. <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Pepper-Masalah-Giant-Rosanne-Hawke/dp/1761111205">'Pepper Masalah and the Giant Bird'</a></b> by Rosanne Hawke & illustrated by Jasmine Berry</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-oOO7BjL4rgjaV7iMkQGsl1AvHBucJhnOFB8uFdg5TDS8Z-b7nT7JVkbqXEZh_0PB9gdTQyf3DSDwOoJWLrhnWlw7kQHqKpz87eIstUsgIzoFSyWB_F2NNsVqGszsFxcUFh1wysx8D6uwwN4AGiblMkHZ6k7iGTzwh2Hpcun_w5QlTq2vHMIISCXoY-A3/s1864/Pepper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1864" data-original-width="1210" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-oOO7BjL4rgjaV7iMkQGsl1AvHBucJhnOFB8uFdg5TDS8Z-b7nT7JVkbqXEZh_0PB9gdTQyf3DSDwOoJWLrhnWlw7kQHqKpz87eIstUsgIzoFSyWB_F2NNsVqGszsFxcUFh1wysx8D6uwwN4AGiblMkHZ6k7iGTzwh2Hpcun_w5QlTq2vHMIISCXoY-A3/s320/Pepper.jpg" width="208" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>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. </span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>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. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>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?!<br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">3. <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Butterfly-Girl-Ashling-Kwok/dp/1922539562/ref=sr_1_1?crid=M2PH7TANUHXT&keywords=Butterfly+Girl%27+by+Ashling+Kwok+%26+illustrated+by+Arielle+LI&qid=1697764759&s=books&sprefix=butterfly+girl%27+by+ashling+kwok+%26+illustrated+by+arielle+li%2Cstripbooks%2C469&sr=1-1">'<b>Butterfly Girl'</b></a> by Ashling Kwok & illustrated by Arielle LI</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>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.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7IKbiFjSRaLbpuWOzIflYSc43XSZW-18GLp5Hr0dJ5EoqDEp3gnxLGzHD-14YRT5sKgizvw8kAxQy0X5Q_UmQw0dHDTJwO8J0ui6Vf-_r6X-UksCO3_2Mb7b05yTTelF4nycagHI2JsWC5BcK_QgvTOxknDVHar45vZ0Xfnf_hzWp_dstEunYqXSs539q/s1339/ButterflyGirl.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1300" data-original-width="1339" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7IKbiFjSRaLbpuWOzIflYSc43XSZW-18GLp5Hr0dJ5EoqDEp3gnxLGzHD-14YRT5sKgizvw8kAxQy0X5Q_UmQw0dHDTJwO8J0ui6Vf-_r6X-UksCO3_2Mb7b05yTTelF4nycagHI2JsWC5BcK_QgvTOxknDVHar45vZ0Xfnf_hzWp_dstEunYqXSs539q/s320/ButterflyGirl.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>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."</span> <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">4. <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Giovanni-story-survival-voyage-reimagined/dp/176111123X"><b>'Giovanni'</b></a> by Crystal Corocher & Illustrated by Margeaux Davis </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">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!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1SzlGpFhwszV3-GWSs3kgJdPl3fEcT2IXCVpiz_QsUD3WQUK9ruhkj3XLK-5_e21KZQLNa2peLp3pq9nJUN5oeKPo_xtHmiVGzKl12c8JdJs08fnG5XwrnD4pU2v8sjEUinNxWq2jdcCrzf32FAAQaFTztaBuCtO31bVjSgnzSwHidHLVv0YenW1sBxm/s1673/Giovanni.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1673" data-original-width="1351" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1SzlGpFhwszV3-GWSs3kgJdPl3fEcT2IXCVpiz_QsUD3WQUK9ruhkj3XLK-5_e21KZQLNa2peLp3pq9nJUN5oeKPo_xtHmiVGzKl12c8JdJs08fnG5XwrnD4pU2v8sjEUinNxWq2jdcCrzf32FAAQaFTztaBuCtO31bVjSgnzSwHidHLVv0YenW1sBxm/s320/Giovanni.jpeg" width="258" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The wonderful watercolour drawings of Margeaux
Davis help to bring the story to life.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">5. <b><a href="https://www.booktopia.com.au/xander-and-the-pen-david-lawrence/book/9781922539403.html">'Xander and the Pen'</a></b> by David Lawrence & illustrated by Cherie Dignam</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> 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.<br /></span> <span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUXmkxzfDxqDHt3crMKaDixsi8ar5WQBVtoR0wN5HsZt43wD28789AhXiIO_4fiD0NDYN-dIYpysgwh2eBa2fstEX0Og7pfjxGq2c4iSW0v5KFkcOKZLr-4gKcPJZwmMwH7UHEiThlsMc9IecF4kapsNB6geAgUA_RmDVQGtWUSawh-QKeEbIr9sn560B/s1805/Xander.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1805" data-original-width="1157" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUXmkxzfDxqDHt3crMKaDixsi8ar5WQBVtoR0wN5HsZt43wD28789AhXiIO_4fiD0NDYN-dIYpysgwh2eBa2fstEX0Og7pfjxGq2c4iSW0v5KFkcOKZLr-4gKcPJZwmMwH7UHEiThlsMc9IecF4kapsNB6geAgUA_RmDVQGtWUSawh-QKeEbIr9sn560B/s320/Xander.jpg" width="205" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">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.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This is a clever idea for a book </span><span style="font-family: arial;">has many connections to bullying,
family dynamics, disability and the environment</span><span style="font-family: arial;">. While I felt, it took a little long </span><span style="font-family: arial;">(it has 267 pages)</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">to reach a resolution and it felt (for me), just a little contrived, I think r</span><span style="font-family: arial;">eaders aged 10-12 will find it enjoyable. The many wonderful illustrations of Cherie Digman add much life and interest to support the story.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>Trevor Cairneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743409298855125040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9200808769555430311.post-83528623166307306412023-09-08T11:16:00.003+10:002023-09-08T11:16:41.354+10:00Two Fabulous Books for Younger Readers<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b> <span style="font-size: medium;">1. 'Ruby and The Pen' </span></b><span style="font-size: medium;">By David Lawrence</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">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 <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Ruby-Pen-1-David-Lawerance/dp/1922539384/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1XX4IVGG8MT94&keywords=%27Ruby+and+the+Pen%27+by+David+Lawrence&qid=1694081211&sprefix=ruby+and+the+pen%27+by+david+lawrence%2Caps%2C277&sr=8-1">'Ruby and The Pen'</a> 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.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjkRnkc3al87wi3em4jlXFdo-MB-jX__lL4IpeBYdoyzBwv3D68yOInK8mX2LnsdqPZkWwXxEfKzTrjUGBX3IDcaXVejvi2rkY9JN8-igL6mYRRqsRDAaobkdbN55RrDpvwtN5RRnaJZhGPbhoji9rKDXvzs3QCLtTxFRUy9l-o0JC98pfTSl_dyH6nJyQ/s1834/Ruby&ThePen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1834" data-original-width="1172" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjkRnkc3al87wi3em4jlXFdo-MB-jX__lL4IpeBYdoyzBwv3D68yOInK8mX2LnsdqPZkWwXxEfKzTrjUGBX3IDcaXVejvi2rkY9JN8-igL6mYRRqsRDAaobkdbN55RrDpvwtN5RRnaJZhGPbhoji9rKDXvzs3QCLtTxFRUy9l-o0JC98pfTSl_dyH6nJyQ/w255-h400/Ruby&ThePen.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>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.<p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC8qzAQMeWX2Cd2iZJtNle_Z5ITpPZRDnuKIElTWKnaVF9soIXB4a40W8oCLTdwlYiCzh3w8gktYMlL6RgVGDUR1TjOBYnuNBiKtf5OomeJjvJEmSKkrc8MYg0pXikFBgrqb6bcK5Xy1lbtvSlj08E6DShtWNVpzRjHj7CYr4mbjwj4rEPeO5rcubz8Md9/s1919/Principla1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1919" data-original-width="1485" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC8qzAQMeWX2Cd2iZJtNle_Z5ITpPZRDnuKIElTWKnaVF9soIXB4a40W8oCLTdwlYiCzh3w8gktYMlL6RgVGDUR1TjOBYnuNBiKtf5OomeJjvJEmSKkrc8MYg0pXikFBgrqb6bcK5Xy1lbtvSlj08E6DShtWNVpzRjHj7CYr4mbjwj4rEPeO5rcubz8Md9/s320/Principla1.jpeg" width="248" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">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.</span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">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.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdk6yuTqfZOJ8IC1WQze0hcwvPgeAIhPYKw4zu3215tc8gCSmxocC47Vw-Xm-A9Yk2rWRQO4VC5WOAVEsrwLIOWYbJDSqefB4gtasdC_KenPKVrwYV98ut12dv-tEzE3jqRIv4IA6pbRiR-_Lb9c_FNboKPl-o2iq-3mQFeFDClJBTU4Rx9bi2WEIvfQX/s2016/Bees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdk6yuTqfZOJ8IC1WQze0hcwvPgeAIhPYKw4zu3215tc8gCSmxocC47Vw-Xm-A9Yk2rWRQO4VC5WOAVEsrwLIOWYbJDSqefB4gtasdC_KenPKVrwYV98ut12dv-tEzE3jqRIv4IA6pbRiR-_Lb9c_FNboKPl-o2iq-3mQFeFDClJBTU4Rx9bi2WEIvfQX/w309-h412/Bees.jpg" width="309" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It's wonderful to see a smaller company like <a href="https://exislepublishing.com/">Exisle Publishing</a> continuing to publish such marvellous books for children.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">2. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Meet-Mim-Sandra-Severgnini/dp/1922539554/ref=sr_1_1?crid=GMKCU4MY7L2J&keywords=%27Meet+Mim%27+by+sandra+severgnini&qid=1694131932&s=books&sprefix=meet+mim%27+by+sandra+severgnini%2Cstripbooks-intl-ship%2C354&sr=1-1">'Meet Mim'</a> by Sandra Severgnini</span></b></span></p><div class="celwidget" data-cel-widget="promoPriceBlockMessage_feature_div" data-csa-c-asin="1922539554" data-csa-c-content-id="promoPriceBlockMessage" data-csa-c-id="cj7n12-4kla9k-6slsh1-mz584r" data-csa-c-is-in-initial-active-row="false" data-csa-c-slot-id="promoPriceBlockMessage_feature_div" data-csa-c-type="widget" data-feature-name="promoPriceBlockMessage" id="promoPriceBlockMessage_feature_div">
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<div aria-expanded="false" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content"><span style="font-family: arial;">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.</span></div><div aria-expanded="false" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div aria-expanded="false" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>'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?</i></span></div><div aria-expanded="false" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><div aria-expanded="false" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xxchS4n8wcn_XWtetDZ4XtSVL4JkwCt8O032pKnWI68EcbSCzu_6YTTOydRSZWLKGv_3g_JiJVQTVqlzWGnDCDW5wvvk0ES2BssOmAHCFwnrEaerPMdk7zy5peEx2Wzufa72Zpq2itclAnifrP6zxx_sVXtkE8-xcWw33vY1PYSObFfLtp_kCa5NeJl_/s1441/MeetMim.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1378" data-original-width="1441" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xxchS4n8wcn_XWtetDZ4XtSVL4JkwCt8O032pKnWI68EcbSCzu_6YTTOydRSZWLKGv_3g_JiJVQTVqlzWGnDCDW5wvvk0ES2BssOmAHCFwnrEaerPMdk7zy5peEx2Wzufa72Zpq2itclAnifrP6zxx_sVXtkE8-xcWw33vY1PYSObFfLtp_kCa5NeJl_/w362-h346/MeetMim.jpeg" width="362" /></a></div> </span></div><div aria-expanded="false" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content"><span style="font-family: arial;">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!!</span></div><div aria-expanded="false" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><div aria-expanded="false" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content"><span style="font-family: arial;">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. </span></div><div aria-expanded="false" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><div aria-expanded="false" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content"><span style="font-family: arial;">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. <a href="https://trevorcairney.blogspot.com/search/label/thematic%20units">'Quizzical and Querrelsome Quails: An Integrated Unit for Grades 2 & 4'</a>). <br /></span></div><div aria-expanded="false" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><div aria-expanded="false" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span> </div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><br /></p><br />Trevor Cairneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743409298855125040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9200808769555430311.post-31425229847541674092023-08-22T21:24:00.001+10:002023-08-22T21:37:30.945+10:00Children's Book Week Australia - Awards Announced!<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">'Theme - Read Grow Inspire'</span></b></span></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_JjaksxF0g-cpE7BqMEiqPSvLQpZideoitmqiymErFrKh--8u0Qe3HdJNNYfwu3mptb-fFajfzQv7y_CphWl3HJKX9on-JBSWWfjFaPbFTN-CjVfy13B8P0ZYbaiCs7owsWlbD-2S6udB6ALvxJnW5RCobLNLPnmbH7hyssLxDhEvvrH8ffrIFMjrLK2/s680/BookWeek2023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="357" data-original-width="680" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_JjaksxF0g-cpE7BqMEiqPSvLQpZideoitmqiymErFrKh--8u0Qe3HdJNNYfwu3mptb-fFajfzQv7y_CphWl3HJKX9on-JBSWWfjFaPbFTN-CjVfy13B8P0ZYbaiCs7owsWlbD-2S6udB6ALvxJnW5RCobLNLPnmbH7hyssLxDhEvvrH8ffrIFMjrLK2/w478-h251/BookWeek2023.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">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 <a href="https://cbca.org.au/notables-2023">'Notable Books'</a>. This year I have reviewed books for all categories. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://cbca.org.au/cbca-book-week">CBCA Book Week</a> runs from 19-25 August. In 2023 the theme is "Read, grow,
inspire". </span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-family: arial;"> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-family: arial;">1. Older Readers (Ages 13-18 years) </b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">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. </span><i style="font-family: arial;"><br /></i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i style="font-family: arial;">Note: </i><i style="font-family: arial;">Books in this category are for mature readers and
some may deal with particularly challenging themes including violence and
suicide. Parental guidance is recommended.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">And the winner is...?</span></span></p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Neverlanders-Tom-Taylor/dp/1761049070"><i>Neverlanders</i></a> by Tom Taylor </b><b>(</b>Penguin Random House Australia) </span><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjypJ5CfgWxPloSnAm0C9-eFlKQH_h-r0Nby1Yrb-20B9nL0kK-uM_MGVygADGbgT_IXUQCC2F2cJI3LsUATaE50bFEDhIdm3iGwq1AYgUcGxG3eH_tG2t_EHaLRvL5WkL7eu3O9aHSvhy4XZCl4iuwez7yu92Be0YB47BRWC-kBLLWauubER5yZRGWp4Zy/s1193/NEVERLANDERS_COVER.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjypJ5CfgWxPloSnAm0C9-eFlKQH_h-r0Nby1Yrb-20B9nL0kK-uM_MGVygADGbgT_IXUQCC2F2cJI3LsUATaE50bFEDhIdm3iGwq1AYgUcGxG3eH_tG2t_EHaLRvL5WkL7eu3O9aHSvhy4XZCl4iuwez7yu92Be0YB47BRWC-kBLLWauubER5yZRGWp4Zy/s320/NEVERLANDERS_COVER.jpg" width="201" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>"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."</i><span> <br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>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 </span><span class="a-text-italic">New York Times</span><span>
bestselling Australian author Tom Taylor and powerhouse Australian comic
artist Jon Sommariva! </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Scott Snyder of the New York Times says and </span><span>Eisner award-winning author of "Batman" says</span><span> it is:</span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span></span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><span class="a-text-bold"> </span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><span class="a-text-bold">"Epically imaginative and strikingly fresh."</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="a-text-bold">Similarly, Jay Kristoff the </span><span>bestselling author of </span><span class="a-text-italic">'Empire of the Vampire' </span><span>and 'The Nevernight Chronicle' says:</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="a-text-bold" style="font-family: arial;"><i>"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."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="a-text-bold" style="font-family: arial;"><i> </i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="a-text-bold" style="font-family: arial;"><b>Honour Books</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="a-text-bold" style="font-family: arial;"><b> </b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="a-text-bold" style="font-family: arial;"></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Completely-Normal-Other-Biffy-James/dp/1760508748/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1S2DTEND3KMOP&keywords=Completely+Normal+%28and+Other+Lies%29%27%2C+by+Biffy+James&qid=1692698918&s=books&sprefix=completely+normal+and+other+lies+%27+by+biffy+james%2Cstripbooks%2C851&sr=1-1"><i>'Completely Normal (and Other Lies)'</i></a>, by Biffy James, Hardie Grant Children's Publishing </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>'<a href="https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-other-side-of-tomorrow-hayley-lawrence/book/9781760976453.html">The Other Side of Tomorrow'</a></i> by Hayley Lawrence</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-family: arial;"> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-family: arial;">2. The CBCA Book of the Year: Younger Readers <br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i style="font-family: arial;"> </i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">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...</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Runt-Craig-Silvey/dp/1761067842"><i>'Runt'</i> </a>by Craig Silvey</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-family: arial;">Winner Younger Readers (Ages 7-12 years)</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-family: arial;"> </b></p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Ijiv8BVlS_HMsSKyAIZ1fBJoK9pSgHK8XJ-JvOUOHsELi7zcuG2l12YZVWIUUdJJyodqfE50ckp13OV8zI4DGCl9T7VE3rserqAR1yVGWxkPxjeDdc9-4ytc3OOHNLdS0L0XemXa5iDOViTt4PRYEVrW6qyCpVVXazx6o4VqkF1gXISncjrxcYCT7VMH/s1024/Runt.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: arial; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Ijiv8BVlS_HMsSKyAIZ1fBJoK9pSgHK8XJ-JvOUOHsELi7zcuG2l12YZVWIUUdJJyodqfE50ckp13OV8zI4DGCl9T7VE3rserqAR1yVGWxkPxjeDdc9-4ytc3OOHNLdS0L0XemXa5iDOViTt4PRYEVrW6qyCpVVXazx6o4VqkF1gXISncjrxcYCT7VMH/w204-h272/Runt.jpg" width="204" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>'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. <a href="https://www.readings.com.au/product/9781761067846/runt--craig-silvey--2022--9781761067846" target="_blank">Runt</a> </i>is a heart-warming and hilarious tale of
kindness, friendship, hurdles, hoops, tunnels, see-saws, being yourself and
bringing out the best in others.</span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">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.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span data-contrast="auto"><span> </span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span data-contrast="auto"><span>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? </span><span>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.</span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span data-contrast="auto"><span><b> </b></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span data-contrast="auto"><span><b>Honour Books</b> </span></span></span></span></p><div class="title"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>'<a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Evie-Rhino-Neridah-McMullin/dp/1760654205">Evie and Rhino</a></i><a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Evie-Rhino-Neridah-McMullin/dp/1760654205">'</a> by Neridah McMullin & illustrated by Astred Hicks</span></span></div><div class="creator"><div class="title"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span></div><div class="title"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>'<a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Ravens-Song-Zana-Fraillon/dp/1761065793/ref=sr_1_1?crid=27GGHSG1DSEVT&keywords=%27The+Raven%27s+Song%27+by+Zana+Fraillon+%26+Bren+MacDibble&qid=1692699309&s=books&sprefix=the+raven%27s+song%27+by+zana+fraillon+%26+bren+macdibble%2Cstripbooks%2C263&sr=1-1">The Raven's Song'</a></i> by Zana Fraillon & Bren MacDibble</span></span></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="font-family: arial;"> </b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="font-family: arial;">3. The CBCA Book of the Year: Early Childhood (0-6)<br /></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">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?</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i> <br /></i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>'<a href="'Where the Lyrebird Lives' written by Vikki Conley and illustrated by Max Hamilton">Where the Lyrebird Lives</a></i><a href="'Where the Lyrebird Lives' written by Vikki Conley and illustrated by Max Hamilton">'</a> written by Vikki Conley and
illustrated by Max Hamilton </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="a-text-italic" style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9aHjFcdDdwdWNmmt8IRJ9efj9KuWZB_swqEG-Bc8gG05JdEE5lJew4wS1nHOJi90SGigQ97PdYi95H63yk7RYNjgw3bCqTwVvpQpa_AVoykvU1GeLny_zBc-e9zz184vDXtyyqMpbgulRTf5sdSuiVAdeOusozyvqkQR5ftJZarhivoVweAeahCQpDiP8/s1599/WhereLyrebirdLives.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1599" data-original-width="1312" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9aHjFcdDdwdWNmmt8IRJ9efj9KuWZB_swqEG-Bc8gG05JdEE5lJew4wS1nHOJi90SGigQ97PdYi95H63yk7RYNjgw3bCqTwVvpQpa_AVoykvU1GeLny_zBc-e9zz184vDXtyyqMpbgulRTf5sdSuiVAdeOusozyvqkQR5ftJZarhivoVweAeahCQpDiP8/s320/WhereLyrebirdLives.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="a-text-italic" style="font-family: arial;"><i>"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."</i></span></span><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">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.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">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!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i> <br /></i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>"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."</i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i> </i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Honour Books</b></span></span></p><div class="title"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i> </i></span></span></div><div class="title"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.booktopia.com.au/search.ep?keywords=%27Bev+and+Kev%27+by+and+illustrated+by+Katrina+Germein+Mandy+Foot&productType=917504"><i>'Bev and Kev'</i> </a>by and illustrated by Katrina Germein & Mandy Foot</span></span></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>4. </b></span><b style="font-family: arial;">The CBCA Picture Book of the Year</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>And the winner is:</i> <i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Strange-Shrinking-Parents-Zeno-Sworder/dp/1760761230/ref=asc_df_1760761230?tag=bingshopdesk-22&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80401913814912&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584001437064903&psc=1"><i>My Strange Shrinking Parents</i></a> by Zeno Sworder </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">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.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4qvkFlIZ6SAVcKufG4ifspXY_RR08YMJ4lPiRsF6E8zU1o4PN9Zcfg7I_0J1ThT-WqsTCxtu6tTbqRXt4gD64H8w59RYRcQlrnpOo6a-hTd6O7ccyqUGFWYDVT4H_wDEGup1Asp0jwcC09QEwdjA2EvEauvn6NfkcpzItxx9oYEsQrF1sCaZPIc4g0zqX/s749/MyStrangeShrinkingParents.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: arial; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="749" data-original-width="515" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4qvkFlIZ6SAVcKufG4ifspXY_RR08YMJ4lPiRsF6E8zU1o4PN9Zcfg7I_0J1ThT-WqsTCxtu6tTbqRXt4gD64H8w59RYRcQlrnpOo6a-hTd6O7ccyqUGFWYDVT4H_wDEGup1Asp0jwcC09QEwdjA2EvEauvn6NfkcpzItxx9oYEsQrF1sCaZPIc4g0zqX/s320/MyStrangeShrinkingParents.jpg" width="220" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>"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."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Children of immigrant families will be touched by this book and hopefully see parallels with the sacrifice of their own families. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Honour Books</b></span></p><div class="title"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Completely-Normal-Other-Biffy-James/dp/1760508748/ref=sr_1_1?crid=28QTYBCGDSPZE&keywords=%27Completely+Normal+%28and+Other+Lies%29%27+by+Biffy+James&qid=1692699523&s=books&sprefix=completely+normal+and+other+lies+%27+by+biffy+james%2Cstripbooks%2C252&sr=1-1">'Completely Normal (and Other Lies)'</a> by Biffy James</span></span></div><div class="title"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span></div><div class="title"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Other-Side-Tomorrow-Hayley-Lawrence/dp/1760976458/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2KB7Q3GTUEBDY&keywords=%27The+Other+Side+of+Tomorrow%27+by+Hayley+Lawrence&qid=1692699564&s=books&sprefix=the+other+side+of+tomorrow%27+by+hayley+lawrence%2Cstripbooks%2C255&sr=1-1">'The Other Side of Tomorrow'</a> by Hayley Lawrence</span></span></div><div class="title"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span><div class="title"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="font-family: arial;">5. The Eve Pownall Award</b></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2DRqG9urctLgkocuqOSmC6MhbbIxWz0yCut9_PWgFvIY-y8b4Db6FOrqeqDJd_yY0kx0DlF3wvKCgM8BEjzkdseueXiChDbbMHXzU-rc23xQ2Oo9ieGZZRMLBQP1Gy6obgoQQWj-3ERaqw9OJLuLz34Hi8W9TZpyNauP9sbXOeKa_QW-wHdROy2ZmReo6/s891/DeepDive.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: arial; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="891" data-original-width="701" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2DRqG9urctLgkocuqOSmC6MhbbIxWz0yCut9_PWgFvIY-y8b4Db6FOrqeqDJd_yY0kx0DlF3wvKCgM8BEjzkdseueXiChDbbMHXzU-rc23xQ2Oo9ieGZZRMLBQP1Gy6obgoQQWj-3ERaqw9OJLuLz34Hi8W9TZpyNauP9sbXOeKa_QW-wHdROy2ZmReo6/s320/DeepDive.jpg" width="252" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></div><div class="title"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">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:<i> <br /></i></span></span></div><div class="title"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i style="font-family: arial;"> </i></span></div><div class="title"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Deep-Delve-Into-Hidden-Worlds/dp/1913519481/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3E0M93MWAUBYY&keywords=DEEP%3A+Dive+into+Hidden+Worlds+by+Jess+McGeachin&qid=1692699606&s=books&sprefix=deep+dive+into+hidden+worlds+by+jess+mcgeachin%2Cstripbooks%2C264&sr=1-1"><i>DEEP: Dive into Hidden Worlds</i></a><b> </b>by Jess McGeachin</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b> </b></span></span></p><p>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>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.</i></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Honour Books</b></span></span></p><div class="title"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/s?k=%27Come+Together%3A+Things+Every+Aussie+Kid+Should+Know+about+the+First+Peoples%27%2C+by+Isaiah+Firebrace+%26+illustrated+by+Jaelyn+Biumaiwai&i=stripbooks&crid=1NOPPTIBVI10V&sprefix=come+together+things+every+aussie+kid+should+know+about+the+first+peoples%27+by+isaiah+firebrace+%26+illustrated+by+jaelyn+biumaiwai%2Cstripbooks%2C274&ref=nb_sb_noss">'Come Together: Things Every Aussie Kid Should Know about the First Peoples'</a>, by Isaiah Firebrace & illustrated by Jaelyn Biumaiwai</span></span></div><div class="title"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="font-family: arial;">6. The CBCA Book of the Year: Early Childhood</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">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?</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/s?k=%27Where+the+Lyrebird+Lives%27+written+by+Vikki+Conley+and+illustrated+by+Max+Hamilton&i=stripbooks&crid=1RJHNHWBMHWZ9&sprefix=where+the+lyrebird+lives%27+written+by+vikki+conley+and+illustrated+by+max+hamilton%2Cstripbooks%2C259&ref=nb_sb_noss"><i>'Where the Lyrebird Lives</i>'</a> written by Vikki Conley and
illustrated by Max Hamilton </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="a-text-italic" style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9aHjFcdDdwdWNmmt8IRJ9efj9KuWZB_swqEG-Bc8gG05JdEE5lJew4wS1nHOJi90SGigQ97PdYi95H63yk7RYNjgw3bCqTwVvpQpa_AVoykvU1GeLny_zBc-e9zz184vDXtyyqMpbgulRTf5sdSuiVAdeOusozyvqkQR5ftJZarhivoVweAeahCQpDiP8/s1599/WhereLyrebirdLives.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1599" data-original-width="1312" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9aHjFcdDdwdWNmmt8IRJ9efj9KuWZB_swqEG-Bc8gG05JdEE5lJew4wS1nHOJi90SGigQ97PdYi95H63yk7RYNjgw3bCqTwVvpQpa_AVoykvU1GeLny_zBc-e9zz184vDXtyyqMpbgulRTf5sdSuiVAdeOusozyvqkQR5ftJZarhivoVweAeahCQpDiP8/s320/WhereLyrebirdLives.jpg" width="263" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="a-text-italic" style="font-family: arial;"><i>"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."</i></span></span><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">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.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This is a
wonderful book that will delight. The illustrations are superb and the
text well-crafted. The reader is drawn into the story.<i> </i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>"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."</i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i> </i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Honour Books</b></span></span></p><div class="title"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://littlebookpress.com.au/products/bev-and-kev"><i>'Bev and Kev'</i> </a>by Katrina Germein and illustrated by Mandy Foot</span></span></div><div class="title"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span></div><div class="title"><div class="title"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Snap-Anna-Walker/dp/1922585386/ref=sr_1_3?adgrpid=1224856940293264&hvadid=76553689135036&hvbmt=bb&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=122395&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=b&hvtargid=kwd-76553809600803%3Aloc-9&hydadcr=3419_413231&keywords=snap+by+anna+walker&qid=1692700043&sr=8-3">'Snap!' </a>written and illustrated by Anna Walker </span></span></div><div class="title"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="a-text-bold" style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>7. The Eve Pownall Award (Non-fiction)<br /></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Deep-Delve-Into-Hidden-Worlds/dp/1913519481/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1BVZHYVQNFSE8&keywords=DEEP%3A+Dive+into+Hidden+Worlds+by+Jess+McGeachin&qid=1692700085&sprefix=deep+dive+into+hidden+worlds+by+jess+mcgeachin%2Caps%2C275&sr=8-1"><i>'DEEP: Dive into Hidden Worlds</i>'</a> by Jess McGeachin</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>"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."</i> <br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b> </b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Honour Books</b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b> </b></span></span></p><div class="title"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=%27Come+Together%3A+Things+Every+Aussie+Kid+Should+Know+about+the+First+Peoples%27.&crid=OR9FY1YE8YSS&sprefix=come+together+things+every+aussie+kid+should+know+about+the+first+peoples%27.%2Caps%2C622&ref=nb_sb_noss">'Come Together: Things Every Aussie Kid Should Know about the First Peoples'</a>. It is illustrated by Isaiah Firebrace and iIlustrated by Jaelyn Biumaiwai</span></span></div><div class="title"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span></div><div class="title"><div class="title"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Wild-Australian-Life-Leonard-Cronin/dp/176063722X">'Wild Australian Life'</a> by Leonard Cronin. Illustrated by Chris Nixon</span></span></div><div class="title"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="font-family: arial;">8. The CBCA Awards for New Illustrator<br /></b></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtUYPx2dVbTBg513LdJi18L04R8OuqiGW4a497EJTABV-ZlK1eSy_l1fgWm-jFRXaFDS96fJSogrNWeEJVs09p1bllYMbyWBBRYxKPgeUhFlXwcs7r8xBegHpDI4fGrtG8pqkIkMAZ5zB4Rk2bF8B0osCakHQ2un9yoIypZMbBGZGAUrU_9zo6EpmgKS6x" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="831" data-original-width="660" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtUYPx2dVbTBg513LdJi18L04R8OuqiGW4a497EJTABV-ZlK1eSy_l1fgWm-jFRXaFDS96fJSogrNWeEJVs09p1bllYMbyWBBRYxKPgeUhFlXwcs7r8xBegHpDI4fGrtG8pqkIkMAZ5zB4Rk2bF8B0osCakHQ2un9yoIypZMbBGZGAUrU_9zo6EpmgKS6x" width="191" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The award for the best New Illustrator was won by Sally <a href="https://www.uqp.com.au/authors/sally-soweol-han">Soweol Han</a> for "her complimentary
visual storytelling in <i>'<a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/s?k=Sally+Soweol+Han+%27Tiny+Wonders%27.&crid=6T2PJ0HB61DO&sprefix=sally+soweol+han+%27tiny+wonders+%2Caps%2C259&ref=nb_sb_noss_2">Tiny Wonders</a></i><a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/s?k=Sally+Soweol+Han+%27Tiny+Wonders%27.&crid=6T2PJ0HB61DO&sprefix=sally+soweol+han+%27tiny+wonders+%2Caps%2C259&ref=nb_sb_noss_2">'</a>. </span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">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.</span></span></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><br /><p></p>Trevor Cairneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743409298855125040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9200808769555430311.post-58848968736408681932023-08-18T21:42:00.002+10:002023-08-18T21:42:42.152+10:00Selling our Kids Short: Educating the Disadvantaged<p><span style="font-family: arial;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">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). <br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzToGOCEYsK-7VWARs14TPMBOiTiDUTfd44QsnyQJawehTShHEI74h4iBHJpNZirKKGAjuobfxsj7tCqr6aFXxu3xeNxvzrznbc5S6QS8CSNJS29LzyXJn4VXAo6MOOh-0OffFoYmxJgBIyLigbx_SGXlKJsSmggghRy4vwfnbD8jU69o1259wW9Ec3gO/s1902/Caldercruix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1097" data-original-width="1902" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzToGOCEYsK-7VWARs14TPMBOiTiDUTfd44QsnyQJawehTShHEI74h4iBHJpNZirKKGAjuobfxsj7tCqr6aFXxu3xeNxvzrznbc5S6QS8CSNJS29LzyXJn4VXAo6MOOh-0OffFoYmxJgBIyLigbx_SGXlKJsSmggghRy4vwfnbD8jU69o1259wW9Ec3gO/w550-h318/Caldercruix.jpg" width="550" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;"><b> Above:</b> Main street of Caldercruix (Scotland)</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">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?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Why was their education so good?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I discovered an old post that I didn't quite finish back in 2011! In it I reported the comments of Alfie Kohn titled <a href="https://www.scribd.com/document/378945376/Alfie-Kohn-Poor-Teaching-for-Poor-Children#:~:text=Poor%20Teaching%20for%20Poor%20Children%20%E2%80%A6%20in%20the,divert%20public%20money%20to%20quasi-private%20charter%20schools%2C%20pit">"Poor Teaching for Poor Children"</a>. The following snatch from it is still very current:</span></p><p><i><span style="font-family: arial;">"</span><span style="font-family: arial;">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."</span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I hear many echoes of this today. Alfie Kohn continues: <br /></span></p>
<div class="articletext"><span style="font-family: arial;">
"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."</span></div><div class="articletext"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><div class="articletext"><span style="font-family: arial;">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.<br /></span></div><div class="articletext"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><div class="articletext"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Meanwhile, how are our teachers using their time?</b></span></div><div class="articletext"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><div class="articletext"><span style="font-family: arial;">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? <br /></span></div><div class="articletext"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><div class="articletext"><span style="font-family: arial;">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.</span></div><div class="articletext"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="articletext"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-xaga_q8kO9pD-K8n0dSQIbBMPEaUYopXT7z7UudaDKXs5RrqZbszPjmneCQyAHoKIAIuTC1V9XPr1Ms7tpyvn1NP_BZ7MGxnfG_Pnr-jhYrM1sV6Yai5ehUzzQa1KPJE4VyfK7a3w8HrC6SbQOVX_6KzLoBItO4996tLi3Hx4hnHRxoIiYCE8_wEDc6V/s3205/TrevsSchoolPhotos%20copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2426" data-original-width="3205" height="411" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-xaga_q8kO9pD-K8n0dSQIbBMPEaUYopXT7z7UudaDKXs5RrqZbszPjmneCQyAHoKIAIuTC1V9XPr1Ms7tpyvn1NP_BZ7MGxnfG_Pnr-jhYrM1sV6Yai5ehUzzQa1KPJE4VyfK7a3w8HrC6SbQOVX_6KzLoBItO4996tLi3Hx4hnHRxoIiYCE8_wEDc6V/w543-h411/TrevsSchoolPhotos%20copy.jpg" width="543" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Above:</b> My first class</span></span><br /></div></div><div class="articletext"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="articletext"><span style="font-family: arial;">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. '<a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Other-Worlds-Endless-Possibilities-Literature/dp/043508531X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=29Z11KUA4Z4KL&keywords=Other+Worlds%2C+the+Endless+Possibilities+of+Reading&qid=1692358432&s=amazon-global-store&sprefix=other+worlds+the+endless+possibilities+of+reading%2Camazon-global-store%2C469&sr=8-1">Other Worlds, the Endless Possibilities of Reading</a>'. You might still find a copy on Amazon.<br /></span></div><div class="articletext"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsKZeqXuFIVd3DIPdAGDVRx5nPrpjAcQS6mw4jyJEdAXvYZLk78kKQbyllnsRkYY3nUB1Z3Og5KSuap2uOW5xUJNgKCuW_q1hg7B1nQ9cP6cAPF_Izgyv1XOcM3Z_q2skWRi6Ct6Ky3RN5hdHRIeS6U6ulz2jtbdOO3h-UzVwvaIDlyPf75h6SKRjZMU_f/s1878/Other%20Worlds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1878" data-original-width="1439" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsKZeqXuFIVd3DIPdAGDVRx5nPrpjAcQS6mw4jyJEdAXvYZLk78kKQbyllnsRkYY3nUB1Z3Og5KSuap2uOW5xUJNgKCuW_q1hg7B1nQ9cP6cAPF_Izgyv1XOcM3Z_q2skWRi6Ct6Ky3RN5hdHRIeS6U6ulz2jtbdOO3h-UzVwvaIDlyPf75h6SKRjZMU_f/w264-h345/Other%20Worlds.jpg" width="264" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div class="articletext"><span style="font-family: arial;">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.</span></div><div class="articletext"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><div class="articletext"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"></span></div><div class="articletext"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxzvBrB3uCiphE6-LdClxZjPmPG5JeaLkn4tRwMlqQo_Smu5aCp3YxLaMKJ-jNexCvDPfsZqpQV50mW8uozCd07X7cbvGdCdMO04JwdoNjJVWC7l0NKoVT_89nvmMIWelxoEo8FdxnGj_pN1-Uu-iB2Ij8gzQVZk1VQFExER1Fjb7KKRSOlY-xAOYoi8tM/s1706/Gramaohone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1706" data-original-width="1015" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxzvBrB3uCiphE6-LdClxZjPmPG5JeaLkn4tRwMlqQo_Smu5aCp3YxLaMKJ-jNexCvDPfsZqpQV50mW8uozCd07X7cbvGdCdMO04JwdoNjJVWC7l0NKoVT_89nvmMIWelxoEo8FdxnGj_pN1-Uu-iB2Ij8gzQVZk1VQFExER1Fjb7KKRSOlY-xAOYoi8tM/w233-h410/Gramaohone.jpg" width="233" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h2><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><b>Above:</b> <span style="font-weight: normal;">Gramaphone restored</span><br /></span></h2></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">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.</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"> 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).</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="articletext"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"> </span></div><div class="articletext"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Finding ways to break this cycle<br /></b></span></div><div class="articletext"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><div class="articletext"><span style="font-family: arial;">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.</span></div><div class="articletext"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><div class="articletext"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-tFa2Js27TmTBgUbnvWSkHU-o-rBcfV64jHTnODa8hwkTwj8vatuQwjRXmcsqTGi4xkPsu4lGynGb_bIAqr-njhfzvUib0L98mNeiLBgb0nLqqtsVsSaevQqMOj9xPfQKPBk5e5lcvZjM16_2YZykaTKFanNFkloCNjPfdfoSCmWjMPgao386m7llaW6/s680/BookWeek2023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="357" data-original-width="680" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-tFa2Js27TmTBgUbnvWSkHU-o-rBcfV64jHTnODa8hwkTwj8vatuQwjRXmcsqTGi4xkPsu4lGynGb_bIAqr-njhfzvUib0L98mNeiLBgb0nLqqtsVsSaevQqMOj9xPfQKPBk5e5lcvZjM16_2YZykaTKFanNFkloCNjPfdfoSCmWjMPgao386m7llaW6/w436-h229/BookWeek2023.jpg" width="436" /></a></div></span></div><div class="articletext"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><div class="articletext"><span style="font-family: arial;">It's hard to see how we change things, but we need to look for opportunities. I am so happy that during <a href="https://cbca.org.au/cbca-book-week">'Book Week'</a> 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. </span></div><div class="articletext"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><div class="articletext"><span style="font-family: arial;">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. <br /></span></div><div class="articletext"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="articletext"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>The last word</b></span></div><div class="articletext"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="articletext"><span style="font-family: arial;">Alfie Kohn's thoughts helped frame this post. He offered good insights from varied educators and scholars, including </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Deborah Meier</span><span style="font-family: arial;">. I'll let </span><span style="font-family: arial;">this educator and author who founded extraordinary
schools in New York and Boston</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> have the last word:</span></div><div class="articletext"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><div class="articletext"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>"...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".</i></span></div><div class="articletext"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> <br /></span></span></div><div class="articletext"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>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?<br /></span></span></div><div class="articletext"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div class="articletext"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>I may offer a second post on this in the future.<br /></span></span></div><div class="articletext"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7605ze0y1pNCSatHCBKZLET4N27VwPHOPjhu7VG8uszNcJw4Dhh--Mbz7hJhd3umbFtyBmiWSxWHjoQC3_Cqhb57rUYoqKBdr0GdaXBG67yUd8hHWAvzhqk2lN3k8js9o7H1FiRbGKdd_XgfsKtVvSCsgSQfb3L8FV_kiIypYaf1tzieuQPABtviyDf9/s3561/Edgeworth2Crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2350" data-original-width="3561" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7605ze0y1pNCSatHCBKZLET4N27VwPHOPjhu7VG8uszNcJw4Dhh--Mbz7hJhd3umbFtyBmiWSxWHjoQC3_Cqhb57rUYoqKBdr0GdaXBG67yUd8hHWAvzhqk2lN3k8js9o7H1FiRbGKdd_XgfsKtVvSCsgSQfb3L8FV_kiIypYaf1tzieuQPABtviyDf9/w534-h352/Edgeworth2Crop.jpg" width="534" /></a></div></div><div class="articletext"><br /></div><div class="articletext" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><b>Above:</b> One of my early primary school classes (41 students)<br /></span></div><div class="articletext"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="articletext"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><br />Trevor Cairneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743409298855125040noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9200808769555430311.post-27773272199566669812023-07-27T20:30:00.000+10:002023-07-27T20:30:23.589+10:00What is Mindfulness? Avoiding the Temptation to Overthink and Overreach<span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvQf8xQr-Z2LVpXJd-sJCD8VETy6rVq3h8WvubtqTnQV_p2Tvjbt6Nypm9IT811p1S2n_mcAMfHRkFbYw9jSpWC3oGUGsAXXThzD7RHUGXhnHpJrx2mFb9MSLJwhoqIP2nSm2V9qvFFHQew7eMrMpyEpmW0VPrnXuqkwTqVL834nL856mYy_Pz-YTX15VN/s1660/Mindfulness.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1660" data-original-width="1084" height="443" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvQf8xQr-Z2LVpXJd-sJCD8VETy6rVq3h8WvubtqTnQV_p2Tvjbt6Nypm9IT811p1S2n_mcAMfHRkFbYw9jSpWC3oGUGsAXXThzD7RHUGXhnHpJrx2mFb9MSLJwhoqIP2nSm2V9qvFFHQew7eMrMpyEpmW0VPrnXuqkwTqVL834nL856mYy_Pz-YTX15VN/w289-h443/Mindfulness.jpg" width="289" /></a></div>The term 'Mindfulness' is used frequently, but what does it mean? And how can teachers and parents benefit from understanding what it is? Dr Stephen McKenzie and Angela North have co-written an interesting book titled <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Mindfulness-Play-Parenting-Healthy-Children/dp/1922539635">'Mindfulness at Play'</a> (Exisle Publishing, 2023).</span><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This is timely because unpacking what 'Mindfulness' is can be confusing. It seems while many teachers talk about mindfulness, each does it for different reasons, and with different understandings of what it is, and how it helps. The concept can become distorted as teachers seek to manage their students. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Ask a group of teachers what mindfulness is and I suspect you will be given a number of different answers. Ask the same people why they believe in it, and again you will hear different responses. Even within this book, the two authors who contribute separate named author chapters, adopt slightly different approaches and emphases to one another. And I should say up front, I adopt a slightly different view in places to one or both authors.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>The need to remove distractions <br /></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">In chapter 1 Stephen McKenzie defines Mindfulness as <i>a "state of simply being fully focussed on whatever we are doing". In other words, screening out distractions and "paying attention"</i>. But something which in essence is very simple, can become somewhat messier when people begin to try and overlay different philosophies and even faiths. I agree with the general position he adopts.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgStCPwEiFDF9Hklsiav1KMX375Vq9MvlAy4HD-T-MjtkY62QRr_gfYe5WHVH2DieHDFSv-IEDRInu23LbnmkYizxYcDlwp1loxzrMvi1rd2pfqKPECoFzqsUcVDXxfE5BdmozSPXiznJ-oTaUJ5pQVCCWZLRkd4YJt_-eZsSLrLonCRnMqgRqljNvwkdMK/s900/Group_of_Teenagers.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="658" data-original-width="900" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgStCPwEiFDF9Hklsiav1KMX375Vq9MvlAy4HD-T-MjtkY62QRr_gfYe5WHVH2DieHDFSv-IEDRInu23LbnmkYizxYcDlwp1loxzrMvi1rd2pfqKPECoFzqsUcVDXxfE5BdmozSPXiznJ-oTaUJ5pQVCCWZLRkd4YJt_-eZsSLrLonCRnMqgRqljNvwkdMK/w454-h332/Group_of_Teenagers.jpg" width="454" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Removing distractions in life will always help people to focus, concentrate on tasks at hand, and pay attention. The great challenge we have though as teachers and parents, is the world is filled with <u>constant</u> distractions, which can quickly divert our attention. A book could be written on this alone!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">For example, how many of us can allow messages to lay untouched on our phones, as they constantly invite us to check them? Or how often can WE sit still in contemplation and notice the world around us? I walk everyday along a beautiful river near my home, usually with my wife, but sometimes alone, or I ride my bike instead. You'd be amazed how often I see people walking through the beauty of the world in conversation on their phones. I see one young man every day, who doesn't speak or even look up! He is reading and searching with his eyes never leaving the phone screen; he is 'glued' to it. I have never seen him look up to see the sky, look at the water, hear and look at the birds everywhere, or the stunning sunsets. It amazes me that he hasn't run into something. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB7WLbRKUeVt5KAsKtt-oISsV8Jf7qMulKz2baVkPTBiRzGtgGqiwHQlbk1-r6l7KpkCO-vwkGZneal6mYt4SMPQfFY0S5jf3QVtQEAgq7dyPJTRyZ126sU2VT5w_XUOm0WAyS6leSEQt9Om6CHE-2Ha5ERLadPis8IZe6W9U2EsOvTWj5-WjeWGqb-KzW/s4032/Putney.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB7WLbRKUeVt5KAsKtt-oISsV8Jf7qMulKz2baVkPTBiRzGtgGqiwHQlbk1-r6l7KpkCO-vwkGZneal6mYt4SMPQfFY0S5jf3QVtQEAgq7dyPJTRyZ126sU2VT5w_XUOm0WAyS6leSEQt9Om6CHE-2Ha5ERLadPis8IZe6W9U2EsOvTWj5-WjeWGqb-KzW/w490-h368/Putney.jpeg" width="490" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>How might parents and teachers respond to such distraction?</b> <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">There is much good advice in McKenzie and North's book, but I'd urge you NOT to over complicate the concept. Avoid linking it to philosophies and faiths to prescribe what it is. Buddhism and Hinduism are often linked to mindfulness, but I'd encourage teachers to avoid weaving aspects of separate faiths into your desire to increase mindfulness in your students. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Of course, if you are a teacher in a faith-based school, then this will influence how you and your students integrate faith with life. But mindfulness has great relevance for all, and need not be connected to religious worldviews to help our students. All teachers need to cultivate the ability to get to know their students on more than just a superficial level. This requires us to give them our attention by observing and listening to them.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpzoCusCg_2tE8rgWwSqRfvCdjw5CF2UssYn4dbpcME_EapkWeFui1y3LzfVkFwbe05RYCoPaFh1VekZ9-4Ok0uFl-wZTLxchNv_8gP-XkAH8zFZk7T7UX48V7qvaarp7H-IlluvHNzwyub54lhnXggv-0Q1FZABPM4oxDSnF0hwk7bztfnE-emCCvOhN9/s862/HinduSchool.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="575" data-original-width="862" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpzoCusCg_2tE8rgWwSqRfvCdjw5CF2UssYn4dbpcME_EapkWeFui1y3LzfVkFwbe05RYCoPaFh1VekZ9-4Ok0uFl-wZTLxchNv_8gP-XkAH8zFZk7T7UX48V7qvaarp7H-IlluvHNzwyub54lhnXggv-0Q1FZABPM4oxDSnF0hwk7bztfnE-emCCvOhN9/w579-h385/HinduSchool.webp" width="579" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Young children and teenagers need help in being able to screen out distractions in their world. As a parent, if they come back at you with "but Mum I concentrate on my phone every day", then they're missing the point. Our phones can be used for more than texts and a few favourite sites. We can read novels on devices, learn new things, pursue interests and grow in knowledge. But sitting and reading every aspect of our friends lives, including what they're wearing, seeing, listening to, who is 'hot' and so on, is not 'mindfulness'.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Parents also need to demonstrate to their children what it means to shut out distractions and 'noise' in the world. We need to be examples of how we manage such distractions caused in part by devices like phones. It's more important to help our students to manage time and try to listen better to one another. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>The need for key models and mentors in life<br /></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Parents should be the first of many models in children's lives who demonstrate mindfulness. For example, I'd encourage all families to share as many meals as possible together without always having devices next to us, or the television in the background. All of us need models who help to shape what we value and how we negotiate the challenges of life. Angela North makes a great comment about this: </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>"We all need just one person in our childhood who truly sees us - so that we feel deeply heard, understood and loved".</i> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Of course, hopefully children will have more than one model, from different parts of their lives. I completed primary school in a family with two alcoholic parents. Not surprisingly, I was in trouble a LOT at school. But in 4th grade I was fortunate to have a teacher who saw beyond the grubby neglected kid, and set out to teach me, care for me, and seek things for me to do that challenged and inspired me. He was one of the people who helped to turn my life around.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9JeEbiOsvGgr2r99LG5yxv21_6EJYm0wM-YhkQkysN7765uUMw5KPxXE_piQfANnAJeDmpf1VZtjMMovs8KB7kpw9UF9xjMXNCyn_A9AVBWOdFO76Palm_vYJdZUZricl7WuGdgDETcvVwFsW18sqPX-G2OUwZqu-r89JeD9MeBGk1vEzQrhE8u9DMixG/s3561/Edgeworth2Crop.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2350" data-original-width="3561" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9JeEbiOsvGgr2r99LG5yxv21_6EJYm0wM-YhkQkysN7765uUMw5KPxXE_piQfANnAJeDmpf1VZtjMMovs8KB7kpw9UF9xjMXNCyn_A9AVBWOdFO76Palm_vYJdZUZricl7WuGdgDETcvVwFsW18sqPX-G2OUwZqu-r89JeD9MeBGk1vEzQrhE8u9DMixG/w486-h320/Edgeworth2Crop.jpg" width="486" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> <b>Above:</b> 5th Grade with Mr Campbell (4th from Left back)<br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">As teachers, how well do we know the children we teach? And parents, how well do we know our teenage children? Do we try to spend time with them? Can we have significant undistracted conversations with them? Let's be honest, the problem isn't just simply with our children. We need to work on mindfulness ourselves, while modelling and helping our children early in life (birth to 15+). If we wait till they're 15, I'm afraid it's often too late. Summing up, parents don't forget to examine your own life to consider when you are distracted as well.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>A final challenge. What is your role? <br /></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I like many of the ideas in 'Mindfulness at Play', but please don't read it simply looking for new strategies to enable you to make teaching easier. Nor skim read it looking for six tips for making tough children more attentive and better behaved. Sure, there are some games that calm children down, or activities to help them focus. But nothing will help us as teachers more than simply knowing every one of our students better. What makes them tick? What do they like or not like? Are there things that excite them, and what are their lives like outside school...? There are many great ideas in the Resources section of 'Mindfulness at Play'. By all means use some of them, but don't use them keep them busy, or make your life easier. Rather, use them as the authors suggest to help your students: </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">• Pay attention </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">• Increase connection to their world </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">• Enjoy time with one another </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Finally, and most important of all, as teachers get to know your students better. What are their dreams, hopes and aspirations? How well do you know them? How can you have an impact on their well being and futures?<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBEBMuU5CkZci8KEzJxD00mRFuhcQd0s7zx2eb1yLEmwyEsHbsaQTi5R7XHt7GqGXIgchvbeaBfPyiYJIsGxRE6Okl84e59Gcx7qbAwtp8tyI_RhGu0qXawD8_hCHfkQe8Z8dF6eIIVHFJJ9JjVU2187TnjwxSut1QbscKNgy_okitoesCcwJRqNpcPKZ/s900/KidShot.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="357" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBEBMuU5CkZci8KEzJxD00mRFuhcQd0s7zx2eb1yLEmwyEsHbsaQTi5R7XHt7GqGXIgchvbeaBfPyiYJIsGxRE6Okl84e59Gcx7qbAwtp8tyI_RhGu0qXawD8_hCHfkQe8Z8dF6eIIVHFJJ9JjVU2187TnjwxSut1QbscKNgy_okitoesCcwJRqNpcPKZ/w536-h357/KidShot.jpg" width="536" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Trevor Cairneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743409298855125040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9200808769555430311.post-58863551548508670202023-07-15T21:42:00.004+10:002023-07-15T21:42:58.450+10:00Three New Picture Books & An Illustrated Junior Novel<p><span style="font-family: arial;">This post previews four wonderful picture books and one brilliant Junior Graphic Novel suitable for readers aged 6-8 years by the brilliant Jon Klassen.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">1. <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Dads-Dogs-Mick-Elliott/dp/176065504X">'Dads and Dogs'</a>, by Mick Elliott</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV7YSmJ8QlstinMp6lcbRQ-PcvyqqA9608wY8oLf4QAhqEGIf-lKmJHtpzQTXutFJ6zDgC_2FsxUJ6Sv_1O-kGYqi84Rw2v0KC-Rj7ssp4qw_1wwFLgrTsiedoIoMMPTpLLH_9tiVlz3DC_NNivUnEBbo-PlPCK3f0UkheNWJLIAfPTR80ibb8wF43DBos/s750/Dads&Dogs2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="747" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV7YSmJ8QlstinMp6lcbRQ-PcvyqqA9608wY8oLf4QAhqEGIf-lKmJHtpzQTXutFJ6zDgC_2FsxUJ6Sv_1O-kGYqi84Rw2v0KC-Rj7ssp4qw_1wwFLgrTsiedoIoMMPTpLLH_9tiVlz3DC_NNivUnEBbo-PlPCK3f0UkheNWJLIAfPTR80ibb8wF43DBos/s320/Dads&Dogs2.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>Author illustrator Mick Elliott has produced another engaging picture book for children aged 6-8 years. I love the way Elliott targets the younger end of the range with a very funny book that highlights just how distracted Dads can be when minding a toddler. This isn't a Dad who just takes his toddler out for an afternoon walk down a favourite walkway. No, this type of Dad <u>always</u> attempts to do some other things as well, with some 'interesting' outcomes. Dad can be easily distracted.<p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">There's the '<i>Coffee Dad</i>' who sits in the sun with his toddler in the pram and while they both snooze, their dog eats the cake he bought at the cafe to go with his coffee. Then there's the 'D<i>ashing Dad</i>' who has to chase the escaping and 'Muddy Dog'. The '<i>Bikie Dad</i>' takes his daughter and their dog in the sidecar. And what could possibly go wrong if Dad paints with the 'help' of his daughter and the dog. But there's more.... This is a very funny book. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">2. <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Boy-His-Dog-Sea/dp/1529507057/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2OGBDVVWPCJZ0&keywords=A+Boy%2C+His+Dog+and+the+sea%2C+Anthony+Browne&qid=1689245153&s=books&sprefix=a+boy+his+dog+and+the+sea+anthony+browne%2Cstripbooks%2C248&sr=1-1">'A Boy, His Dog And The Sea'</a>, by Anthony Browne</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOxw0Z4PRzK5T-hX0XYcJQvlrih1e4bDPqa3KnDBNNJMkN7YPwAjrsPQ9m8zy8EEScRsSzeswgHwcTzqSAaWtX_QkKQLIxwg5EzWv_O6SuIBZZbFdxZBd9UxVDRawjL2HJDNZZl-FYCRtYgtdkhR2AabJFO0YVLnWQxIMorQnEHFtHk3iMmKC4MYyebxBQ/s1606/BoyDogSea%20copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1363" data-original-width="1606" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOxw0Z4PRzK5T-hX0XYcJQvlrih1e4bDPqa3KnDBNNJMkN7YPwAjrsPQ9m8zy8EEScRsSzeswgHwcTzqSAaWtX_QkKQLIxwg5EzWv_O6SuIBZZbFdxZBd9UxVDRawjL2HJDNZZl-FYCRtYgtdkhR2AabJFO0YVLnWQxIMorQnEHFtHk3iMmKC4MYyebxBQ/s320/BoyDogSea%20copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Dogs also make an appearance in Anthony Browne's wonderful new picture book '<i>A Boy, His Dog and the Sea</i>'. <span><span style="font-family: arial;">Young readers will love Scruff.</span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><span class="a-text-bold" style="font-family: arial;">This is a poignant picture book about a boy and his dog finding adventure where
they least expect it. </span><span class="a-text-bold" style="font-family: arial;">Anthony Browne</span><span class="a-text-bold" style="font-family: arial;"> is the acclaimed Kate Greenaway and medal-winning
author-illustrator and former Children's Laureate. The British Sunday Times review says of the book:<br /></span></div><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><i>“As is usual with Browne, the scene expresses the mood. Painstaking
artwork conjures the wide sea, while faces are hinted at in beach huts
and pebbles. Misunderstanding and suspense lead to a happy, heroic
rescue.”</i> </span></span><span><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></div><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;">The images of faces hinted at in the stones are interesting. Kids will have fun looking and searching them, as well as a few in the clouds. But how the images reinforce the central message of the narrative, wasn't clear to me, but it is intriguing? It reminded me of fun collecting fragments of old glass on pebbled beaches with my children along English seashores; perhaps the stones will have that same impact. </span></span></div><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">3. '<a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Wheelbarrow-Express-Sue-Whiting/dp/1760654620">The Wheelbarrow Express</a>', by Sue Whiting & Illustrated by Cate James</span></div><div aria-expanded="false" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content"> <p><span class="a-text-bold a-text-italic" style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsFMfdq1Ga7B3wxi06XgDIpnTbSEYQkOCeDjzGqbmAB8qjm8MmonJg9x_YE-GQPumIY4dQW4vu-7Tv0SdRSo-PNL1n4SSOzkjPO-vJPgYVy2tsKwNPvoGhBpTT2GXe6Mi5CVI-4uMzqHi7F2CY6FSmWyFZHcMwRVf8nox5J0nowAI74xGKTy1A1m9vT8z8/s1471/WheelbarrowXp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1471" data-original-width="1397" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsFMfdq1Ga7B3wxi06XgDIpnTbSEYQkOCeDjzGqbmAB8qjm8MmonJg9x_YE-GQPumIY4dQW4vu-7Tv0SdRSo-PNL1n4SSOzkjPO-vJPgYVy2tsKwNPvoGhBpTT2GXe6Mi5CVI-4uMzqHi7F2CY6FSmWyFZHcMwRVf8nox5J0nowAI74xGKTy1A1m9vT8z8/s320/WheelbarrowXp.jpg" width="304" /></a></div><br />The Wheelbarrow Express<span class="a-text-bold" style="font-family: arial;"> is a lovely story that every child close to their grandparents will understand. After a stay with Grandparents and the inevitable fun you have, going back to normal life is difficult. The love of a grandparent for their grandchildren is typically unconditional and without the demands of everyday parenting. I remember well how every holidays when I left my grandparents how sad and empty I felt. Back to my home with lots of rules, school and more.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><i>It’s
Tommy’s last day at Pa’s farm and it’s time to say goodbye. Tommy
doesn’t want to go. Not yet. He loves the farm and its playful pigs and
clucking chickens and galloping goats and the dam that is deep and blue
and perfect for skimming stones. And he loves Pa.</i><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Like any besotted grandparent (and speaking from experience), there is always time for "...one last run on the wheelbarrow express." And I thought only I had one of these!</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>There isn't much that can compare with a holiday on the farm with Grandparents who love you. Such a lovely story and Cate James' wonderful sensitive and loving illustrations, help to bring out the emotions of the story. A beautiful example of text and illustrations in perfect union. Bravo!<br /></span></span></p> </div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">4. <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Skull-Tyrolean-Folktale-Jon-Klassen/dp/1529509572">'The Skull: A Tyrolean Folktale'</a> by Jon Klassen <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFRB1DOlenX74Jbxdem3S27EFfs5dEMgiVUYE9TH3PDZeZxZkvxoIGrdqJzhbH2OY9ivTbNVlgLU4ufBjnixpY07rNg5252ByM0dHWd6hOPl_yHXmM3dvWcN3MVHnY98oPYZcbDe724k5Aaz0Khh2gUDTAzDqKp3YjsrcNW5dp9yDlduW9ff2K6TIqXs3-/s1609/TheSkull.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1609" data-original-width="1196" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFRB1DOlenX74Jbxdem3S27EFfs5dEMgiVUYE9TH3PDZeZxZkvxoIGrdqJzhbH2OY9ivTbNVlgLU4ufBjnixpY07rNg5252ByM0dHWd6hOPl_yHXmM3dvWcN3MVHnY98oPYZcbDe724k5Aaz0Khh2gUDTAzDqKp3YjsrcNW5dp9yDlduW9ff2K6TIqXs3-/s320/TheSkull.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">In this post, I find myself in the unfortunate position of being a little equivocal with one of my favourite Author/Illustrators. Jon Klassen, has received every award and honour imaginable. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">The art is stunning as usual, and the
text is so well supported by the illustrations. </span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The plot is simple. A small child called Otilla is running through a dark forest at night, and hears her name being called by a strange voice in an abandoned house. She knocks at the door and calls out "Hello" and the reply "Hello" comes back. It comes from a window. A skull was looking at her. It shows her around the house and a series of magical things occur. The skull tells how a skeleton comes each night looking for his head. Otilla steps in and destroys the skeleton (in a gruesome way) and lives 'happily ever after' with the skull. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I struggled a little with his re-imagined take on an old Tryolean story or yarn.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Klassen </span><span style="font-family: arial;">takes
a child friendly story that in the original was amusing - and yet still
a little weird - and turns it into a fairly bleak and potentially
disturbing story, especially for children aged 6-8
years.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I enjoyed reading his Author's Note at the end of the book, that explains how his reading of the original stayed with him for a year, and he spent time wondering how he would use it for a picture book. He wrote his version without reference to the original, which he suggests is what happens to Folktales. "They are supposed to be Changed by who is telling, and you never find them the same way twice".</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">In summary, this is an intriguing book, but I don't think I'd read it to a six-year-old at bedtime. I'm sure if it is used in classrooms with children 7-8 years, there will be an interesting discussion.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><img alt="Otilla kneels on the floor at the foot of the chair on which the skull is propped, holding out the cup of hot tea she has made for him." class="css-r3fift" height="944" src="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2023/07/23/books/review/23KIDS2/23KIDS2-articleLarge.jpg?quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale" style="cursor: pointer;" width="563" /><i> </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The 'New York Times' book reviewer Ransom Riggs has no problem
with the dark ending and says:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>"Folk tales are meant to be flexible
things, open-source stories infinitely mouldable to the needs of teller
and era." </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Riggs believes the original version has been <i>"marvelously reimagined"</i>. I'm interested to hear what teachers and parents think.<br /></span></p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><aside aria-label="companion column" class="css-ew4tgv"></aside><div><div class="css-79elbk" data-testid="photoviewer-wrapper"><div class="css-z3e15g" data-testid="photoviewer-wrapper-hidden"></div><div class="css-1a48zt4 e11si9ry5" data-testid="photoviewer-children"><figure aria-label="media" class="img-sz-large css-qg3dyg e1g7ppur0" role="group"><div class="css-1xdhyk6 erfvjey0"><picture><source media="(max-width: 599px) and (min-device-pixel-ratio: 3),(max-width: 599px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 3),(max-width: 599px) and (min-resolution: 3dppx),(max-width: 599px) and (min-resolution: 288dpi)"></source><source media="(max-width: 599px) and (min-device-pixel-ratio: 2),(max-width: 599px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2),(max-width: 599px) and (min-resolution: 2dppx),(max-width: 599px) and (min-resolution: 192dpi)"></source><source media="(max-width: 599px) and (min-device-pixel-ratio: 1),(max-width: 599px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1),(max-width: 599px) and (min-resolution: 1dppx),(max-width: 599px) and (min-resolution: 96dpi)"></source></picture></div></figure></div></div></div>Trevor Cairneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743409298855125040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9200808769555430311.post-62210558961081561542023-06-23T20:27:00.001+10:002023-06-23T21:22:28.410+10:00Four Special Children's Picture Books <p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>1. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Rainbow-Fish-Marcus-Pfister/dp/1558580093/ref=sr_1_1?crid=176M14A1GBFHP&keywords=rainbow+fish+by+marcus+pfister&qid=1686018004&sprefix=Rainbow+Fish+by+%2Caps%2C308&sr=8-1">'Harriet's Hungry Worms'</a> by Marcus Pfister (translated by David Henry Willson)</span></span></p><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLp_nf3chtpKXsIQJ9e7IPi_lI0LiCcJl7LMcV4JEFwRpqRZT71dyaGCwcNA9turf0AygGlWPh-PbPyIbc3fd8nXyhRhpZUBN3QR6MXhw8vvWflZ4uoMXTvTix2ATyHNbj-ytC1hrJ8DoxAOp-hGfXjE_8Ce88UiUk5OqWXAU9g5oAR0jBqb11qtUhag/s1377/Harriet'sHungryWorms.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1282" data-original-width="1377" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLp_nf3chtpKXsIQJ9e7IPi_lI0LiCcJl7LMcV4JEFwRpqRZT71dyaGCwcNA9turf0AygGlWPh-PbPyIbc3fd8nXyhRhpZUBN3QR6MXhw8vvWflZ4uoMXTvTix2ATyHNbj-ytC1hrJ8DoxAOp-hGfXjE_8Ce88UiUk5OqWXAU9g5oAR0jBqb11qtUhag/w382-h356/Harriet'sHungryWorms.jpg" width="382" /></a><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Not everyone likes worms, but after hearing or reading this wonderful 'eco story', children will! They will be pulled along by the clever story line and as they are, they will learn more about these wonderful creatures. <br /></span><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"> <p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span><i>"Harriet’s
nine-hundred-and-eighty-three hungry worms live in a shady corner of
her backyard in a big, green box. They spend their days munching on
anything from Aunt Tilda’s herbal teabags to the sports pages of Uncle
Sam’s paper. Harriet watches and waits, eventually deciding the worms
are ‘so BORING’. Until one day, the worms leave Harriet a big surprise …
worm wee!"</i></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span>This is another delightful picture book that tells a story while teaching as well. And as a bonus, you get a set of "Worm Facts" at the end. Did you know there are "...around 3500 species of worms in the world"? And did you know that "...worms breath through their skin?" How cool is that.<br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;">Readers aged 2-6 will enjoy this great book. Of course, reading to a 2 yr old will be different than to a 6 year old, but it could be just as engaging.</span><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span>2. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/One-Book-Was-All-Took/dp/1922539139">'One Book Was All It Took'</a> by Wenda Shurety & Illustrated by Amy Calautti</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLNyi7MWwZmi2E0rJKWrvJAKQdXEzJf3UFsPlVwbJw5juypN5ZPPJfLvnTCN_pzE-qL46XLiwvUM_dccL5OPzE7AAhkkAB-C_5Qlm1sJr1aZMvj1jSxeaksnoNEXQtcz4TsxKDY1vzck0PT6VHxy1jNZsNcOcsP6XrV556QMEZmUWLTbnM1Kw96c4iAg/s1399/OneBookAllItTook.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1354" data-original-width="1399" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLNyi7MWwZmi2E0rJKWrvJAKQdXEzJf3UFsPlVwbJw5juypN5ZPPJfLvnTCN_pzE-qL46XLiwvUM_dccL5OPzE7AAhkkAB-C_5Qlm1sJr1aZMvj1jSxeaksnoNEXQtcz4TsxKDY1vzck0PT6VHxy1jNZsNcOcsP6XrV556QMEZmUWLTbnM1Kw96c4iAg/w322-h335/OneBookAllItTook.jpg" width="322" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Sometimes finding the right book to read on a rainy day can be difficult. But Violet has a special problem. As a keen reader, how can she find a book she hasn't read before? Ordinarily, I'd say the library. But what if you don't have one in your town?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Violet begins a campaign and writes to the mayor to ask him to do something about it. But, "will anyone read it?" she wonders. She becomes desperate for something to read. She spots a book propping up the dining room table. In desperation, she pulls it out from under the leg to read. This starts a chain reaction. When Dad's breakfast crashes to the floor, he knows it's time to act! They head to the Town Hall and the mayor. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Her quest, with her Dad's help leads to an interesting outcome, with twists and turns along the way. The book offers a great insight into how advocacy can lead to action, and sometimes can have great outcomes. A wonderful read-aloud book for children 3-6 years. Children 6-7 years will also enjoy reading it themselves.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">3. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/This-My-Dad-perfect-always/dp/1922539074">'This is My Dad'</a> by Dimity Powell & Illustrated by Nicky Johnston</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><span><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p>'This is My Dad' celebrates families of all shapes and sizes in a
heartfelt, beautifully illustrated story that parents and carers will
love sharing with their children. <p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>"Leo loved Show and
Tell, but when his teacher, Miss Reilly, announced the topic, Leo's tummy belly-flopped."</i></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhisbjVcF4Rg4yQcGbQRyT7b5D0fCiLVRCjo9v-_mmQwDigwnY6LimtYCzYZCTBxqIwraR-dQSH-bXwnjkw5Vxf_cB_wHuGMbET8LMuAsNT8OMN5cqWitZZIStCP2L8U5dBndTa4hweEU0gXiGA4KKo6nR0EbW5KOJmHf-MIIz5EC1q0NFlCISY4T1hKcnk/s1402/ThisIsDad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="1402" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhisbjVcF4Rg4yQcGbQRyT7b5D0fCiLVRCjo9v-_mmQwDigwnY6LimtYCzYZCTBxqIwraR-dQSH-bXwnjkw5Vxf_cB_wHuGMbET8LMuAsNT8OMN5cqWitZZIStCP2L8U5dBndTa4hweEU0gXiGA4KKo6nR0EbW5KOJmHf-MIIz5EC1q0NFlCISY4T1hKcnk/s320/ThisIsDad.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><span style="font-family: arial;">His
classmates can’t wait but all Leo
can think is … "how can I celebrate someone I’ve never met?" Leo is an
only child who lives with his mother. He has never known his Dad, nor
had someone like a Dad in his life. He tries to find out more about his
Dad, then decides he already has someone who is VERY special to him. His
Mother! He decides to tell them about her. This is a timely book given
the diversity of families in children's lives, with 25% of British
children living with one parent. </span></span></span></span><p></p><p><span><span style="font-family: arial;">4. <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Violin-Cello-Catherine-Greer/dp/1922539279">'Violin & Cello'</a> Written by Catherine Greer, Illustrated by Joanna Bartel & music by Alexander Lau</span></span></p><p><span><span style="font-family: arial;">I love this book! </span></span></p><p></p><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>"In a tall apartment tower two busy families live side by side. A calico cat played on one balcony. A garden grew on the other. Someone played a violin... and someone played a cello. But the musicians never met."</i></span></span><p></p><p><span><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhky2mPYLwC0ydqtmwArnYENv5gDphEuWEE3is7HOklLSpc8Qo4QS6Q0TEDD1Ll8Tw7Sm4HAe-HUZCnaT16ssno-nB-t5G5nKmNiFwK8gpZpzRy5NOeWP-He2NKWIkZqauIznr7yayBRnRCKD1Vhhwq3YNeQlVotBEQ-26sWiaNP9XoBb7s2zvo6oLjQ_aS/s1561/Violin&Cello.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1561" data-original-width="1357" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhky2mPYLwC0ydqtmwArnYENv5gDphEuWEE3is7HOklLSpc8Qo4QS6Q0TEDD1Ll8Tw7Sm4HAe-HUZCnaT16ssno-nB-t5G5nKmNiFwK8gpZpzRy5NOeWP-He2NKWIkZqauIznr7yayBRnRCKD1Vhhwq3YNeQlVotBEQ-26sWiaNP9XoBb7s2zvo6oLjQ_aS/w261-h300/Violin&Cello.jpg" width="261" /></a></span></span></div><span><span style="font-family: arial;">The children can hear each other person playing, but neither knows who it is and what they are like. Till one day, the violinist sends a message by paper airplane. A duet is born from their paper plane exchanges, and one day it is played, each on their own balcony. A crowd gathers in the street to listen and marvel. And from this the mystery friends become real friends.<br /></span></span><p></p><p><span><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span></span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span></span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span></span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Award-winning Australian composer,
Alexander Lau, composed an original duet for violin and cello, ‘The
Mystery Friends’. The score for the allegro and adagio movements are printed in the book. This beautiful composition
is simple enough to be played by young cellists and violinists.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;">What an inspirational idea for a story, but one that offers even more! <br /></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span> </span></span></p></div></div></span></span></div>Trevor Cairneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743409298855125040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9200808769555430311.post-20328432783895512582023-05-15T18:15:00.000+10:002023-06-27T15:34:37.922+10:00Five Stunning Picture Books for 2-6 Year Olds <p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">I've just received a batch of 5 stunning picture books that you won't be able to read just once to toddlers, and which readers 5-8 will read again and again.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">1. <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Colour-Makes-World-Go-Round/dp/1760655651">'Colour Makes the World Go Round'</a> Written & Illustrated by Christopher Nielsen</span></p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"></span><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_XwYbfH5n_Irtl1Z2_BED_hDBXJX9zixNcXQEzDgNVLg35rxl6P8ecVRWRZWxMrb54N75iHR-NQRX2A1jRf_H0Tq21NPViQgSrnm6lFaGeD0ymJshdw2TZyTE1sZwyc5WTYGh4J3Q8k2iDyAyBVgc4FnToHTDkHFlFMQkefQHEzP9nj0b7tS-qWbAZA/s1476/ColourBook.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1476" data-original-width="1402" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_XwYbfH5n_Irtl1Z2_BED_hDBXJX9zixNcXQEzDgNVLg35rxl6P8ecVRWRZWxMrb54N75iHR-NQRX2A1jRf_H0Tq21NPViQgSrnm6lFaGeD0ymJshdw2TZyTE1sZwyc5WTYGh4J3Q8k2iDyAyBVgc4FnToHTDkHFlFMQkefQHEzP9nj0b7tS-qWbAZA/w272-h333/ColourBook.jpg" width="272" /></a><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span class="a-text-italic"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span class="a-text-italic">"Imagine a RAINBOW without colour, or FLAMINGOS, or RED SHOES, what about a ZEBRA? Oh …</span><span><br />Christopher
Nielsen invites the reader to imagine a world with colour ... and
without. Cleverly juxtaposing illustrations, he shows how colour, in all
its variety, is what creates our wonderful world. Deceptively simple,
this is a book that can spark discussion about difference and the depth
that it creates"<br /></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Christopher Nielsen is an Australian author/illustrator. As well as this incredible book, he does many things including, work for Disney/Pixar and Templay/Big Picture Press. His aim as an illustrator is to bring "joy and wonder to children through his art and storytelling". And this is certainly on display in this wonderful children's book. When he’s not busy with a book he can be found raising his beautiful young family or playing with his band The Ramalamas. Yes, this much talent could make us all envious, just enjoy his work and share this book with children.</span></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; white-space: normal;"> <br /></span><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">2. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Cats-Very-Good-Kristen-Tracy/dp/1984815202">'Cat's Very Good Day'</a> Written by Kristen Tracy & illustrated by David Small</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpRwHa1m8BxgGxHv3fotzA8Jetb_8i2neUzhKtEUTrJNKOCETJAVcqEs8oH-gUI4vkX607nRKw7EYf9et1_aLoWcDLvudZlWpeiJ3r_BmHqRJ1ObMjmv4JBfAawAyQNWZy52t8OFLjvl9EqHcizYT7DBIbsZntpFEERSJPDUrd0EybVwFslO14uxow4g/s1656/CatsVeryGoodDay%20copy.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1403" data-original-width="1656" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpRwHa1m8BxgGxHv3fotzA8Jetb_8i2neUzhKtEUTrJNKOCETJAVcqEs8oH-gUI4vkX607nRKw7EYf9et1_aLoWcDLvudZlWpeiJ3r_BmHqRJ1ObMjmv4JBfAawAyQNWZy52t8OFLjvl9EqHcizYT7DBIbsZntpFEERSJPDUrd0EybVwFslO14uxow4g/s320/CatsVeryGoodDay%20copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="a-text-bold" style="font-family: arial;">This is a very funny picture book about a mischievous cat and he spends the day. Kristen Tracey is from an award-winning poet, and illustrator David Small is a Caldecott
Medallist.</span><p></p><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><i>It's a busy day for Cat, who is living his
best life and managing to cause plenty of trouble along the way! After
all, he's a mirror attacker and a morning-tea whacker. A potted-plant
disaster and an acrobat master. A vacuum avoider and a sofa destroyer.</i><br /> <br />But
when thunder and lightning strike he is a VERY different cat. A curled-up scaredy-cat. But when the storm is done he's an "all-night snuggler". </span></span></div><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Kristen
Tracy's ingenious verse and David Small's masterfully expressive and
uproariously funny artwork capture all the charm and personality of
these irresistible fur babies—hairballs and all. Here's the perfect gift
for feline lovers of all ages! This book with minimal text will be 'read' by children aged 2-6. And what a great bedtime story.<br /></span></span></div><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>3. <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Kindest-Red-Story-Hijab-Friendship/dp/1839133031">'The Kindest Red'</a> by S.K.Ali & illustrated by Hatem Aly</span></span></div><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> </span><br /></span><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5fnGKCa41ENONsXC-r2KPoe8L6posCpLr-QA5TbbxFhVfy7FI0BCDAcgmr0mEJQcW0zF4V3qh7w_F2S_DK43CcaurSHTWFCJ-xl9dobLA1EQrBO4cr_XuF_W5SNtx20pfookVahDyHly2R3HYo9LdxWxB0tncrhg2r5PvhKemylxCb66FTP2UfId3OQ/s1421/KindestRed.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1421" data-original-width="1419" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5fnGKCa41ENONsXC-r2KPoe8L6posCpLr-QA5TbbxFhVfy7FI0BCDAcgmr0mEJQcW0zF4V3qh7w_F2S_DK43CcaurSHTWFCJ-xl9dobLA1EQrBO4cr_XuF_W5SNtx20pfookVahDyHly2R3HYo9LdxWxB0tncrhg2r5PvhKemylxCb66FTP2UfId3OQ/s320/KindestRed.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"> <span class="a-text-bold" style="font-family: arial;">This is the second book in a series that celebrates the love of family and faith. It tells the story of siblings in a Muslim family and celebrates family, kindness and shared beliefs</span><span class="a-text-bold" style="font-family: arial;">.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span></span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> It is the sequel to </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Proudest-Blue-Ibtihaj-Muhammad/dp/1783449721/ref=pd_lpo_sccl_1/355-4522024-8630207?pd_rd_w=V1ZtJ&content-id=amzn1.sym.620eb0f5-fc52-4858-a828-1825098397ea&pf_rd_p=620eb0f5-fc52-4858-a828-1825098397ea&pf_rd_r=YVQVP705TNFTEPA02VF9&pd_rd_wg=K2w3Q&pd_rd_r=7cac5350-113b-4099-b7ad-70f393f0c500&pd_rd_i=1783449721&psc=1"><span class="a-text-italic">'The Proudest Blue</span></a><span><a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Proudest-Blue-Ibtihaj-Muhammad/dp/1783449721/ref=pd_lpo_sccl_1/355-4522024-8630207?pd_rd_w=V1ZtJ&content-id=amzn1.sym.620eb0f5-fc52-4858-a828-1825098397ea&pf_rd_p=620eb0f5-fc52-4858-a828-1825098397ea&pf_rd_r=YVQVP705TNFTEPA02VF9&pd_rd_wg=K2w3Q&pd_rd_r=7cac5350-113b-4099-b7ad-70f393f0c500&pd_rd_i=1783449721&psc=1">'</a> a New York Times Bestseller which explores sisterhood, and kindness, from Olympic medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad.</span><span class="a-text-italic"> Faizah longs for a world where kindness is passed from one person to another</span><span>.<br /> <br />
<i>When Faizah's teacher asks her class to imagine what kind of world they
want to live in Faizah imagines a world where everyone is kind to one
another, and tries to create that world in the school playground. But
what Faizah wants most is be like her big sister, Asiya. Will Faizah's
classmates repay her kindness and find a way for her to match Asiya in
time for school photo day?<br /></i> </span></span></div><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> An important and uplifting story about celebrating each other's differences and similarities.</span></span> </div></div><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>4. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Rainbow-Fish-Marcus-Pfister/dp/1558580093/ref=sr_1_1?crid=176M14A1GBFHP&keywords=rainbow+fish+by+marcus+pfister&qid=1686018004&sprefix=Rainbow+Fish+by+%2Caps%2C308&sr=8-1">'Rainbow Fish and the Story Teller'</a> by Marcus Pfister</span></span></div><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> <div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgglXbBZzvFJDrt0h-BEQtBAeA58YLlLVoayw8lf9MX2FA0iVdvjCIjwPDpMcorGjrGenuM-iNvyanlm3eTLbSx8xU-kPX54O8giz6Nje_jCyZQodwN35qeiSgpYScSZ6cA3zTZ4n3cNcCQP4trbErKBthtLDy8Uebq_Wv3VdvK8Sz4SOejvZbzjaucig/s1870/RainbowFish.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1870" data-original-width="1360" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgglXbBZzvFJDrt0h-BEQtBAeA58YLlLVoayw8lf9MX2FA0iVdvjCIjwPDpMcorGjrGenuM-iNvyanlm3eTLbSx8xU-kPX54O8giz6Nje_jCyZQodwN35qeiSgpYScSZ6cA3zTZ4n3cNcCQP4trbErKBthtLDy8Uebq_Wv3VdvK8Sz4SOejvZbzjaucig/w294-h404/RainbowFish.jpg" width="294" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>The rainbow fish with its iridescent scales might be the most beautiful
fish in the ocean, but he is also very proud and vain. But he doesn't have any friends and is very lonely.</span></span></div><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>One day he meets Humbert who is - well - different! He makes up lots of tall tales. For example, that there's a plug at the bottom of the ocean, and a blue whale will eat all of their food. Might this impossible pairing lead to a strong friendship? </span></span></div><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Well not at first. Humbert begins to be isolated as the other fish stay away from this tall story teller. One day Red Fin and Rainbow Fish feel sorry for him. Might there be something they could do for him? </span></span></div><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Children will be able to relate to this story. A wonderful read-aloud book for children aged 3-6 years.<br /></span></span></div></span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><span>This stunningly beautiful book has already won a number of Awards. Read on!</span> </div></div></span></span></div><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span>5. <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Ella-Useless-Day-Meg-McKinlay/dp/1760653098">'Ella and the Useless Day'</a> by Meg McKinlay & illustrated by Karen Blair</span></span><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirgkZp-JGWtY4JbtU7Z39rTow2Jgn8qI8myM5SdSagOlOB5zczoAMBiaY91hWs9z65EuqGdV2kd4oYqPX5ckSGB3qqOcy1Pp2lS4G-B-mZ9FHcmOccaPXjPCmkLU0Qn1Gy3SXhctX8FHpxBRYKQbzBZ7SY9OWRoL_wmF-gSxesnbbdXgT3ZosQFeVwVA/s1441/Ella&UselessDay.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1441" data-original-width="1281" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirgkZp-JGWtY4JbtU7Z39rTow2Jgn8qI8myM5SdSagOlOB5zczoAMBiaY91hWs9z65EuqGdV2kd4oYqPX5ckSGB3qqOcy1Pp2lS4G-B-mZ9FHcmOccaPXjPCmkLU0Qn1Gy3SXhctX8FHpxBRYKQbzBZ7SY9OWRoL_wmF-gSxesnbbdXgT3ZosQFeVwVA/w331-h373/Ella&UselessDay.jpg" width="331" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">This is a delightful children's book that demonstrates how often one person's trash is another person's treasure. Any of us who have had a garage sale will know how things we no longer value can be loved by others.<br /></span><p></p><div aria-expanded="false" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content"> <p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span class="a-text-bold">"A heart-warming picture book about community, sustainability." </span><span><br /><br />Ella’s
house is full of things. They seem useless and just clutter to her and her Dad. They decide to have a cleanup, but as fast as they can make a pile, there are onlookers who want their 'trash'. They discover that what is trash to them, might just be treasure to others.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span>A delightful story about sustainability. Great to read with children or for them to read it themselves. Perfect for children aged 4-7.<br /></span></span></p></div></div>Trevor Cairneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743409298855125040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9200808769555430311.post-31047920594923234162023-05-03T11:23:00.002+10:002023-06-27T15:30:56.334+10:00The Importance of Play Revisited<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">One of the most popular posts I've ever written on this blog (in fact the 2nd most popular at 35,000 reads) was one that considered how soon children can and should start writing (in the sense of writing 'real' words)? This might seem a silly question today, but for those of us over the age of 50, we all recall that researchers, educators, teachers and parents assumed that children should only learn to express themselves in handwriting once they
had the foundations in listening, speaking, reading, writing letters and pretty much in this
order. Of course, now we know this was incorrect.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3CAosEmABW6DzQSbJXDpXA7zLMpiJpxgmFIjSRaHYi6THG44l4MRCbjj5VHufmtl1HNYOVM7ZIJGOCn9f-H-Qg2VXjcpm4A-oPxmP31OmgIdLX1mq_1i_QABPi6BHux5cnokUPUEbdByPDDh1-EiaTTFEBOswcRe9zmFnLACnBgQMwcIC279KYSOqgg/s900/KidsReadingFloor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="513" data-original-width="900" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3CAosEmABW6DzQSbJXDpXA7zLMpiJpxgmFIjSRaHYi6THG44l4MRCbjj5VHufmtl1HNYOVM7ZIJGOCn9f-H-Qg2VXjcpm4A-oPxmP31OmgIdLX1mq_1i_QABPi6BHux5cnokUPUEbdByPDDh1-EiaTTFEBOswcRe9zmFnLACnBgQMwcIC279KYSOqgg/w501-h285/KidsReadingFloor.jpg" width="501" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b></b></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><b>Above:</b> Two children reading together</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">While there were some reasonable grounds for supporting the traditional order, including the young child's difficulty physically handling pencils to create letters and words, more limited hand eye coordination etc, we accept now that it was simplistic to assume that there needed to be a lock step developmental sequence for spoken and written language. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAxVYRahrIcb_TWgZ7LIwEQI66DaycbuGc6gQDjO0mjfGWVyH7LWVNzJhJHo-OaxvaRdCrsVacSNeCrHkGEzN-Z6Z2IDZ822sQswb03mNrMXuWaF0ItALS5Y-kieGWsXCisgoCIQa6VLjFstK9e2L1idL8o_jUCjhlf-KUPddF-SQSx9jh4JshKdNkIg/s460/writing2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="276" data-original-width="460" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAxVYRahrIcb_TWgZ7LIwEQI66DaycbuGc6gQDjO0mjfGWVyH7LWVNzJhJHo-OaxvaRdCrsVacSNeCrHkGEzN-Z6Z2IDZ822sQswb03mNrMXuWaF0ItALS5Y-kieGWsXCisgoCIQa6VLjFstK9e2L1idL8o_jUCjhlf-KUPddF-SQSx9jh4JshKdNkIg/w552-h332/writing2.jpg" width="552" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We also know, there are good reasons (and evidence) to support the early introduction of writing early (and some of us spent many years making this point). For example, while educators, psychologists and paediatricians once assumed there is little
communicative intent with a newborn baby, it's clear that almost
from the first day of life, babies begin to respond to their world. And many of their very early vocalisations, eye movements, gazes,
facial movements and body movements are attempts to communicate. I'm a bit of a baby whisperer myself, and can get smiles from babies very early (and NO older readers, it isn't 'wind'!!).</span></p><p style="text-align: left;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Well known paediatrician Dr Kim Oates gave a wonderful
lecture on this topic at <a href="https://www.blogger.com/">New College</a> in
2006 as part of the New College Lecture series (that at the time I hosted <a href="https://www.blogger.com/">here</a>). While speaking follows well after
the ability to hear and respond to sound, attempts to communicate commence
almost immediately. Babies will begin to focus their eyes on objects, and
particularly faces talking to them VERY early.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhelPPruFsRL2I2C3MpPhvW5-HkjYTozccoh6wUv-BXPrW619T0g2WIaGRrwws4QBEZ86nGpIHZkt8VLowbKTVN1YjHJkV8FC16M48XTf8bBKFIFELClWdydXZGICkqSNrXy56TU4qq26CCi6kJ5WJf7AcMPb0JYYQOpiWWtXjk-oUvBup7qcVnc2-Kyw/s3264/Lydia_PailasVersi%20copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; font-family: arial; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhelPPruFsRL2I2C3MpPhvW5-HkjYTozccoh6wUv-BXPrW619T0g2WIaGRrwws4QBEZ86nGpIHZkt8VLowbKTVN1YjHJkV8FC16M48XTf8bBKFIFELClWdydXZGICkqSNrXy56TU4qq26CCi6kJ5WJf7AcMPb0JYYQOpiWWtXjk-oUvBup7qcVnc2-Kyw/w222-h342/Lydia_PailasVersi%20copy.jpg" width="222" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;">Lydia writing at Palace of Versailles<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table></p>
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{page:WordSec</font></style><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Any as for writing, parents will
attest to the marks small children will make on floors, walls and paper if they
get hold of a crayon of pencil! </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Children begin attempting to place their
mark on the world as soon as they can grab anything that will make a
mark.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's as if they want to be able to say:</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: small;">"</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: small;">Look, I did this. This </span>is MY mark.</span>" </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">And of course, if you ask older toddlers what it says, they will often say things like, "<span style="font-style: italic;">me and mummy</span>", "<span style="font-style: italic;">It's just a word</span>", "it's a drawing", "dog" etc. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">What do we know about early scribble and drawing?</span><br /><br />We
now know that even children's earliest scribbles very quickly have meaning associated with them. While at first children are as much
interested in the gross motor movement (the rhythmic drawing of circular
patterns, fast scribble to fill a page etc), they soon begin to attempt
much more, as they seek to communicate or create meaning through their
scribbles, patterns and drawing.<br /><br /></span><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3M-N-pevHKY/SMJD39F6mjI/AAAAAAAAA5I/8zVQwyKrOFo/s1600-h/scribble3.gif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242827544783919666" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3M-N-pevHKY/SMJD39F6mjI/AAAAAAAAA5I/8zVQwyKrOFo/s400/scribble3.gif" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 85%; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Above:</span><span style="font-size: 85%; font-style: italic;"> Sample from the "<a href="http://www.arts.ufl.edu/art/rt_room/teach/young_in_art/sequence/scribbling.html">Young in Art</a>" site showing intent in the drawing of a young child</span></span><br /></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">There have been numerous studies of children's early art, and many
examined early literacy prior to the 1970s, but few looked closely at the relationship between
the two. A colleague and dear friend of mine (still!) from Indiana University, <a href="https://alliance.iu.edu/members/member/2024.html">Professor Jerome C. Harste</a> conducted significant research in the late 1970s and early 1980s that
taught us much about children's early writing. With his colleagues
Professors Virginia Woodward and Carolyn Burke and many graduate
students, they studied the early writing of children aged 3, 4, 5 & 6
years. They concluded that the process of
scribbling "<span style="font-style: italic;">bears sociolinguistic and psycholinguistic similarity</span>" to the processes we observe in reading and writing [See Harste, Woodward & Burke (1983), <span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://books.heinemann.com/products/08211.aspx">Language Stories and Literacy Lessons</a>.</span> <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Harste, Woodward and Burke concluded that most children know the
difference between reading and writing by age 3, and by this time
they are developing an understanding of written language, demonstrated
in their scribbles and attempts to write and draw. They argued against traditional developmental notions and suggested from at least the age of 3, children begin to demonstrate elements of authoring. They named this the "authoring cycle". As they examined the early
'scribble' and 'writing' of very young children they identified:<br /></span></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Organization</b> (evidence of conventions and the genesis of cognitive processes similar to adults)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Intentionality</b> (evidence children knew their marks signify something)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Generativeness</b> (an attempt to generate or make meaning)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Risk-taking</b> (trying things they hadn't before)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Awareness</b> that writing & language have social functions </span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Understanding</b> that context matters in language (i.e. the situation is related to what you write and how you use it)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Meaning making</b> in children's 'scribbles', and later words using invented spelling, that formed a text or unit of meaning. They
also realized that the sum of the elements collectively meant something.</span></li></ul><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3M-N-pevHKY/SM0CEC2_bHI/AAAAAAAAA6A/opJPf_xlYuc/s1600-h/43508211.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="264" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245851409466748018" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3M-N-pevHKY/SM0CEC2_bHI/AAAAAAAAA6A/opJPf_xlYuc/w217-h264/43508211.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" width="217" /></a>For
example, picking up on just one of the above elements of authoring,
Harste, Woodward and Burke observed in the scribbles of children from
families who had a first language other than English, some interesting
differences. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The writing below shows just how different scribble can be
for four-year-old children living in homes that speak different
languages; in this case, English, Arabic and Hebrew. </span><span style="font-family: arial;"> <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs-k7qeuRs8-V3tIL5t6ZFnCXmIYYqN7GYHybukouRqu0zOXNuns_ZildMvu1uuM9lABXd1HQ6bESxP07EyhyBWKyWgBg4Kgq7BtlTm4XLFGQ3RfCzV8qDBByRwUeZqX-6Tun1UbFChDktHQrduoJK3l_LecFw2Xs2-nN5J1u673I0Gio6iCBfVlFu0A/s1685/IMG_4402%20copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1685" data-original-width="504" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs-k7qeuRs8-V3tIL5t6ZFnCXmIYYqN7GYHybukouRqu0zOXNuns_ZildMvu1uuM9lABXd1HQ6bESxP07EyhyBWKyWgBg4Kgq7BtlTm4XLFGQ3RfCzV8qDBByRwUeZqX-6Tun1UbFChDktHQrduoJK3l_LecFw2Xs2-nN5J1u673I0Gio6iCBfVlFu0A/w120-h400/IMG_4402%20copy.jpg" width="120" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">They concluded
that evidence like this demonstrates that at age four, and even before, these
children were trying to write words, and their 'scribble' demonstrated organization similar to the processes used by
proficient writers.</span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">So, what does this mean for early writing?</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Even though we've moved a great deal in family and school practices in the last 30 years, the following brief
comments are still relevant and important for parents and Preschool teachers to understand. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I believe we need to:</span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> <br /></span></span></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Take children's early drawing and scribble seriously - look at it, enjoy it, discuss it with your children (e.g. "<span style="font-style: italic;">What's this?</span>" "<span style="font-style: italic;">What does this mean?</span>" etc).</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Encourage children to write - give them blank paper and simply suggest they "write"!</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Let children see you writing and talk about your writing.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Look for patterns in children's early drawing and scribble and expect to learn things about your child from it.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">In
short, encourage writing just as much as you encourage reading and
celebrate their drawing and 'writing'. How? Put it on the wall, fridge, notice board. Date it and
keep it, or make up a writers' folder etc. <br /></span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I have also written about this topic at length in other publications such as my book "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pathways-Literacy-Children-Teachers-Learning/dp/0304327239"><span style="font-style: italic;">Pathways to Literacy</span></a>", Cassell: London, 1995.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9yNOiE3fug0AjwBTjaIR8hGwQFyXfHURUzDOTAteNqBNg3OVRyf34dR2tQvKg0dcLNfNWwrTJX_bvkCZEK1wWQShQH3YhqHH0iVahepfuw-LGliKRlyZILnxdFoddX7gfxH2UGk9lUvHHsmkCM9jbetHyFCXXkRpJg-oxwdbw6TEELqRyBrusHglDcA/s1787/MumGirlsTable.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1787" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9yNOiE3fug0AjwBTjaIR8hGwQFyXfHURUzDOTAteNqBNg3OVRyf34dR2tQvKg0dcLNfNWwrTJX_bvkCZEK1wWQShQH3YhqHH0iVahepfuw-LGliKRlyZILnxdFoddX7gfxH2UGk9lUvHHsmkCM9jbetHyFCXXkRpJg-oxwdbw6TEELqRyBrusHglDcA/w408-h272/MumGirlsTable.jpeg" width="408" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>What's different since I first wrote about this topic over 25 years ago? And why does it matter?<br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>a) The Differences</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">There are a number of key differences in 2023. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>First</b>, children are more likely to use devices for writing and drawing today. Early scribbles might be made on an iPad or similar device as well as on paper, walls, footpaths etc. And of course, most of these are rarely retained.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Second</b>, adults should take early writing and drawing in any form more seriously. Look intently, ask your children to explain what they've written, drawn and so on. For example, the image below was drawn in 2007 and is one of my favourites from a grandchild who at the time was 4 years old. We'd been to the aquarium and he drew this back home and explained that he'd drawn it from the perspective of the fish. After he drew the image below he said, "that's how the fish looked at us while we were looking at them." </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2K8aWrS-2BZFgsuV1NQOn7BxkD9pS_VlRU5rQ-ZPSFqSMU-7EYuwcrbE-ZnjMIR5p4aunc6gKBtOPyIVy6vOxyYEiBsxvqOyQggfsqsdtpaAeJFLoEx15qKI4rQeyZApaTS3uWaEKKar-8z84FJ5iwgcHDnC_DEWshA2pb52fF0f8X-d5t9vzHg5INA/s4032/The%20Aquarium_4400.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2K8aWrS-2BZFgsuV1NQOn7BxkD9pS_VlRU5rQ-ZPSFqSMU-7EYuwcrbE-ZnjMIR5p4aunc6gKBtOPyIVy6vOxyYEiBsxvqOyQggfsqsdtpaAeJFLoEx15qKI4rQeyZApaTS3uWaEKKar-8z84FJ5iwgcHDnC_DEWshA2pb52fF0f8X-d5t9vzHg5INA/w441-h331/The%20Aquarium_4400.jpeg" width="441" /></a></div><p></p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Third</b>, children probably spend less time with parents in the earliest development phases (0-4 years) than they did 30-50 years ago; attending playgroups and childcare centres. <br /></span><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>b) The adjustments we need to make</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Today, parents and teachers are far less likely to observe their children or students as they compose, whether in text or drawings. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As parents, we need to see iPads and other devices not just as a way to keep our children quiet, while we do other things. To be sure, there are times when we do NEED to do this. In days gone by the TV and toys played their part in achieving this, as did sand pits, parks etc (but let's not lose these either).</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPfppfRrorvla5DWx1CX1OsmYkbBDTlfG1QEdXkrZkLbk6QI-TXYOfKFY06ejDLB_bFTZ9RXU7xAw31PXoeKEH6lCS2yrvy4rCJelK-rnPNJZd53wLiEjhLq5ASiqYYqUovuFE9wE_XsRDGtLrXXKYmlqmRemDuVGJUXRv3bnrUBOb8BDb3TxuSt6k5Q/s2000/ClassroomTeach&Kids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPfppfRrorvla5DWx1CX1OsmYkbBDTlfG1QEdXkrZkLbk6QI-TXYOfKFY06ejDLB_bFTZ9RXU7xAw31PXoeKEH6lCS2yrvy4rCJelK-rnPNJZd53wLiEjhLq5ASiqYYqUovuFE9wE_XsRDGtLrXXKYmlqmRemDuVGJUXRv3bnrUBOb8BDb3TxuSt6k5Q/w554-h278/ClassroomTeach&Kids.jpg" width="554" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Above:</b> A teacher using an iPad to demonstrate<b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">My recommendation to parents (& teachers) is that when children are using devices, we need to ask them regularly what they're doing, and comment on drawings etc. You might even capture screen shots of special things to share with others (like parents, family etc). Create an electronic portfolio for toddlers.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Teachers of course can make much greater use of iPads and other devices in the classroom to encourage writing, drawing and far more. They are now tools that can be used individually or in groups. I have a graduate student Norah Aldossary </span><span style="font-family: arial;">who has just completed an interesting PhD on this titled 'The Potential of iPad Apps to support Vocabulary Development in Children Learning English as an Additional Language'.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Other literacy educators have been doing great work in considering how to use devices for learning in classrooms. For example, Michelle Neumann has written about this in <i>'Teacher Scaffolding of Preschoolers' Shared Story App and a Printed Book</i>' (2019). The many studies by Michelle and others have shown varied benefits from using iPads in this more educational way. Some have found varied benefits, for example:</span></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Vocabulary benefits (e.g. Shang & Gray, 2014) <br /></span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Comprehension benefits (e.g. O'Toole & Kannsass, 2018)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Word learning in 5 year olds (e.g. Korat et al., 2010)</span></li></ul><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">However conversely, others have found that if used badly, devices might lead to poorer vocabulary and story comprehension (e.g. de Jong and Bus (2003). This seems linked to the children ignoring the text and 'reading' the pictures alone. I'd also suspect, this is linked as well to less child and adult interaction, which we know 'stretches' children's language and learning.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-8bKqnFTvRMDfTt9REpG3YbOhGzynbMoC72Hcf9ISiz94QdXm5XABaZ8c-TZGOvlM2Pw1qhBXFZq8V7_5wr7IbtyOs9J8vL6Oe2FffxAFVwy49vsVQigZhPg6emA7LipMpX10bTTZx-eY2mHx7GTYkcc3cDuKnVGLW2VNpvYztt9udPbSN6ITJsL7g/s634/Child&iPad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="634" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-8bKqnFTvRMDfTt9REpG3YbOhGzynbMoC72Hcf9ISiz94QdXm5XABaZ8c-TZGOvlM2Pw1qhBXFZq8V7_5wr7IbtyOs9J8vL6Oe2FffxAFVwy49vsVQigZhPg6emA7LipMpX10bTTZx-eY2mHx7GTYkcc3cDuKnVGLW2VNpvYztt9udPbSN6ITJsL7g/w424-h304/Child&iPad.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Another interesting study by Roskos, Carroll and Burnstein (2012) looked closely at how teachers used the iPads. They found benefits when teachers used the iPad to extend shared reading by asking questions, explaining word meanings and engaging the students in conversation as they read the iPad stories. This of course leads to development.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In short, as we live in times where the parent and child, or the teacher and her/his students no longer sit reading book stories like they once did with their children, the iPad has potential to facilitate play and experimentation with language and with it growth in language, reading and writing.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Summing up</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Children's play always has been, and still is, very important for learning. While the world has changed as technology has developed, the importance of stories and the interaction of children with adults as well as other children, is a key factor in early learning. There is a freedom in play that encourages:</span></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Risk taking</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Experimentation</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Boldness</span></li></ul><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We must never allow our busyness, or the convenience of devices to reduce the place of play in children's early years, both prior to school, but also at school. This is a challenge that teachers and parents alike need to take on.<br /></span></p><br />Trevor Cairneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743409298855125040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9200808769555430311.post-36903805296530594432023-03-26T19:40:00.002+11:002023-04-06T20:34:11.304+10:00What are the favourite ‘fairy’ stories?
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I'm grateful to '<a href="https://flashacademy.com/learners/other/analysing-the-worldwide-popularity-of-childrens-fairytales/">Flash Academy</a>' for surveying children's
favourite stories around the world. The most popular stories were mostly
written in English, which reflects the dominance of children's book publishing
in English as a universal language. Thanks to <a href="https://www.blogger.com/">Book
Riot</a> for also sharing the 'Flash Academy' review online.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">You might be surprised by
the most popular story in your own country. For example, in my country
(Australia), it was 'Puss in Boots'.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH4QdP14lhkKZpk-heFZwrKkQRyP4QlNEJLlp3DhCV36ePdEjxRL9EU5ifEWYLpddjACTCnb8idS6WOEfnnSMujtQ5l3jDMWEk6ysLcSupLs9VzhDz1X5fSAOpqbQlsizWklRElbzNxyVZNzLeX9TiF-rD_7aoNPpPCbl72Vzs8mlky_QanYFxF2GWUQ/s600/s-l500.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="426" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH4QdP14lhkKZpk-heFZwrKkQRyP4QlNEJLlp3DhCV36ePdEjxRL9EU5ifEWYLpddjACTCnb8idS6WOEfnnSMujtQ5l3jDMWEk6ysLcSupLs9VzhDz1X5fSAOpqbQlsizWklRElbzNxyVZNzLeX9TiF-rD_7aoNPpPCbl72Vzs8mlky_QanYFxF2GWUQ/s320/s-l500.jpg" width="227" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Some of the most popular
stories included 'Jack and the Beanstalk', 'Thumbelina', 'Red Riding Hood',
'Puss in Boots', and 'Hansel and Gretel'. And many of the favourites were
written in the 17th and 18th centuries.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">There were some variations
by the language used in nations, but not many as children's books are more
widely published in English. But a couple of stories did seem to have
favourites in specific regions of the world reflecting their own culture and
traditions. For example, Middle Eastern and North African nations like Iraq,
Syria, Jordan, Palestine, Kuwait, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Cuba Jordan all
had 'Aladdin' in first place! This wasn't the case in most of the other
nations.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVm9Ek41hZunkpJ4VHYliMzVkDqxGEVJeq-Gh4PIWt77vM8_dQ_FxdCmHB2WJqYPS4dE6saJP0TJc2W0_pFTW1IiieBQMpu1c_Ck-qwc1tp2bHMp1tjYVRQH61bAvpQv45qz9Hh9dT63YG_VwXj1cJKmzqZreBahn57dQ5QkvQZ_We1_jbHv2z0Nmp5Q/s1000/a960a0d3-362c-4cc3-8223-241d8c6f5989_1.43e69ec41bf02ed5d22559ebdfb52c1c.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVm9Ek41hZunkpJ4VHYliMzVkDqxGEVJeq-Gh4PIWt77vM8_dQ_FxdCmHB2WJqYPS4dE6saJP0TJc2W0_pFTW1IiieBQMpu1c_Ck-qwc1tp2bHMp1tjYVRQH61bAvpQv45qz9Hh9dT63YG_VwXj1cJKmzqZreBahn57dQ5QkvQZ_We1_jbHv2z0Nmp5Q/w308-h320/a960a0d3-362c-4cc3-8223-241d8c6f5989_1.43e69ec41bf02ed5d22559ebdfb52c1c.jpeg" width="308" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">You might like to do your
own survey by class or school to see what children under the age of 7 years
indicate as their favourite. This would be a fun and useful activity for any
classroom teacher or librarian (school or public). Of course, I'm sure that if
you survey children their choices might well be books that they've read
recently.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2_rIuEIVl8EfrqTK5y4MRKHVe8yQqTPKPPEvVvTpvNn2xdGWFt67q23BeEbV530ca2SJNmqnOHsEHXFGCuCgha158P3PlFpl4sAPwTlX3EkhqMlk__1iNgtXWaQGLsWDQlJ4KPnN6zEgphOGD7CgAX3opkIrhphpc_nP5TKY8WhOPgwA5db29hb1G7Q/s600/s-l500%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="570" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2_rIuEIVl8EfrqTK5y4MRKHVe8yQqTPKPPEvVvTpvNn2xdGWFt67q23BeEbV530ca2SJNmqnOHsEHXFGCuCgha158P3PlFpl4sAPwTlX3EkhqMlk__1iNgtXWaQGLsWDQlJ4KPnN6zEgphOGD7CgAX3opkIrhphpc_nP5TKY8WhOPgwA5db29hb1G7Q/s320/s-l500%20copy.jpg" width="304" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">It is also interesting to
ponder which stories written in the last 50 years in our own countries, might
just make such a list in 100 years. I suspect that a small number will. For
example, I think that Australian and English classics of the last 20-40 years that
might make such a list are <a href="https://www.booktopia.com.au/possum-magic-mem-fox/book/9781862916678.html">'Possum Magic'</a> (Mem Fox), '<a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Wheres-Julius-John-Burningham/dp/0099200716">Where's Julias</a>' (John
Burningham), '<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Cowardly-Clyde-Bill-Peet/dp/0395361710">Cowardly Clyde' (Bill Peet)</a>, 'T<a href="https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-nativity-julie-vivas/book/9780152060855.html">he Nativity</a>' by Julie Vivas, and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tale_of_Peter_Rabbit">'The
Tale of Peter Rabbit'</a> (Beatrix Potter). There are many wonderful books loved by
children, but will their children and grandchildren also know of them and love
them? Such classic children’s books survive long term because children find
deep meaning and connection to their lives in any age.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Trevor Cairneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743409298855125040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9200808769555430311.post-20595476933218989612023-02-24T16:22:00.000+11:002023-02-24T16:22:26.039+11:00The Slow Death of Creativity and Imagination in our schools - PART 2<p>A recent media report presented survey results which suggested 60% of parents find it hard to play with their children. Another report indicated parents should spend at least 30 mins a day in directed play with their toddlers. The media report shared some surprising comments: "I don't have the time." "I don't know how to play with a toddler." And "I hate playing with my toddler". </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzFWmkSWKtIQ-nk1KOkhAHBuFLY7OnuMBBcomaOnIfGn8M01SYrqLQAumWf8s8csgDHKBeVI0KpEk9Ae_JtughRpcW8aV98wVHcfa-AXPYoAkK5Sr5CRtqm3-7fb5_I6jORlB4wQpn4mwJDvGS9nURdexeLnpcjRqUj0LJN37V0VNz6-hjUgH86U-GDA/s800/group-school-kids-raising-hands-classroom-education-elementary-learning-people-concept-teacher-sitting-57655971.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzFWmkSWKtIQ-nk1KOkhAHBuFLY7OnuMBBcomaOnIfGn8M01SYrqLQAumWf8s8csgDHKBeVI0KpEk9Ae_JtughRpcW8aV98wVHcfa-AXPYoAkK5Sr5CRtqm3-7fb5_I6jORlB4wQpn4mwJDvGS9nURdexeLnpcjRqUj0LJN37V0VNz6-hjUgH86U-GDA/w425-h301/group-school-kids-raising-hands-classroom-education-elementary-learning-people-concept-teacher-sitting-57655971.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><p></p><p>I wrote a post in 2020 titled '<a href="https://trevorcairney.blogspot.com/2020/07/the-slow-death-of-imagination-and.html">The Slow Death of the Imagination in our Schools - Part 1</a>'. It seems like I need to write Part 2. The recent media reports and responses have stunned me into action!</p><p>My purpose in writing the post isn't to make parents feel guilty, especially in an age where both parents typically have paid jobs outside the home. Time is sometimes hard to stretch to allow things that might seem less critical (e.g. playing with our children). And of course, a sole parent needs to do the lot! </p><p>I want instead, to remind everyone that creativity is critical for the world! Creative activities are not an optional extra in life. Unfortunately, we live in times where the globe faces numerous challenges. These include climate change, tragic natural events, the loss of far too many animal, insect, plant and marine species etc. On top of this we have seen global conflicts, pandemics and more. Now, I won't depress my readers. But we need to deal with our challenges. And it isn't just knowledge that will help to solve our many global challenges. Creativity is required in concert with knowledge to enable us to sustain our world. </p><p>The problematic factor is that our schools have never had less time for fostering creativity. This is one of our great educational challenges. Teachers live in an age of constant external pressures to help children succeed on tests. The sad part is that the the more we test, the less time we have to teach and encourage creativity and the application of knowledge to the world. The nations that privilege and promote this at EVERY level of education, will be best placed. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwrhg2dAKs2e5zmTyyUiPsB-n1jxortLh3j19uQqr9Knr2OiaL__xeHQB8-UlVtZU6dkteQSobOaLpKTVzbGYHNq-AINdYriPPg3kliM6twE4rI-MwGtjsjoQ6WMyETNtECjiEJdJVahoWPVI2A2m4pyGHLcFNrpQGUv_x9RvLktLaXrxyGzjuGpjkzQ/s1787/MumGirlsTable.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1787" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwrhg2dAKs2e5zmTyyUiPsB-n1jxortLh3j19uQqr9Knr2OiaL__xeHQB8-UlVtZU6dkteQSobOaLpKTVzbGYHNq-AINdYriPPg3kliM6twE4rI-MwGtjsjoQ6WMyETNtECjiEJdJVahoWPVI2A2m4pyGHLcFNrpQGUv_x9RvLktLaXrxyGzjuGpjkzQ/w460-h277/MumGirlsTable.jpeg" width="460" /></a></div><p></p><p>My post is motivated by the release of the latest <a href="https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/parenting/school-life/best-schools-in-australia-revealed-as-2022-naplan-results-are-published/news-story/79bd44d404cd18ac02542031185ade5b">NAPLAN test results</a>. These once again show that Australia lags well behind nations like Sweden, where higher marks are demonstrated across all social class levels, as well as regional and urban locations. This is important because while politicians don't spend much time comparing public and private education, they should. Why? Because it would shed light on the great challenges for the public education system to teach more than just knowledge for external tests. We need a greater concentration on developing learners who can solve problems and seek creative solutions, not simply achieve high marks on external standardized tests. <br /></p><p>Some of the depressing trends we've seen in higher education include:</p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Lower entry scores to be educated as a teacher than virtually any other course. </li><li>Large salary gaps between teachers in public and private education. </li><li>More children in public education from disadvantaged communities including urban and rural schools.<br /></li><li>All of the above tend to skew results for children of the privileged who typically attend private or selective schools.<br /></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Creativity is NOT simply a gift to privileged children</b> <br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pFINBzb-9UQ/Xx0EYhdi2ZI/AAAAAAAAMFU/G5tsx57VDPcNQ9fdTWl4i8Su39wPLxlzwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ReadingToLydia.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pFINBzb-9UQ/Xx0EYhdi2ZI/AAAAAAAAMFU/G5tsx57VDPcNQ9fdTWl4i8Su39wPLxlzwCLcBGAsYHQ/w346-h266/ReadingToLydia.jpg" title="Reading stories to Lydia aged 1 day" width="346" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><font size="1"><b>Above:</b> A 'Big' sister reads to Lydia (age 1 day)</font></td></tr></tbody></table>Creativity and imagination are available to all children. In fact, all children are born with an innate desire to
explore the world. From birth, they receive a vast array of stimuli as they observe and try to make sense of their surroundings. The
environment in which they live has a profound impact on them. Children commence
life with great potential - notwithstanding genetic variations. But their environment can have negative as well as positive effects on their
learning.</p>
<div>The potential impact of poverty and neglect on children's
early development, underlines the need to ensure that children entering
school are given every opportunity to be stimulated, inspired and have their horizons widened. <p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal">Neuroscience research has taught us a number of
things about the young brain, including
the immense capacity of children to learn, and for their minds to expand
when stimulated. But across our school education system in Australia, I
still see a
dumbing down of the curriculum. State and nationally mandated
testing seems
increasingly to shape school programs and classroom practices, as well
as wider community
expectations. </p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o8321jInTOA/Xx0MxbHGu3I/AAAAAAAAMFg/J5tsHHrkHA8iRO-fO4-3wIs1KEzGIWmiQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1613/1200px-Martin_Buber_portrait.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1613" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o8321jInTOA/Xx0MxbHGu3I/AAAAAAAAMFg/J5tsHHrkHA8iRO-fO4-3wIs1KEzGIWmiQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/1200px-Martin_Buber_portrait.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><font size="1"><b>Above:</b> Philosopher Martin Buber</font></td></tr></tbody></table>Social Philosopher <a href="https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/buber/">Martin Buber</a> suggested at an
education conference in 1925 that imagination and creativity are not developed
over time. His big take home message was that every<span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> child is born with a disposition to be creative. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: times; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">However sadly, parents, teachers and schools can suppress
this inbuilt creativity, and drive it from them with banal and repetitive activities. <br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal">As teachers and parents we can either "draw out these powers", or stifle them when done badly. What we offer in schools is but "...a selection of the world." In short, each child is
born with an innate ability and desire to explore, imagine and create.
The parent or teacher who says I have no time for creative work and play, is limiting the child's potential.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4rT6qn-FCPs/Xx0OR8QY7PI/AAAAAAAAMF0/jGk0WzRzuhcss0eT02TglfZno7Uhj1qGwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1067/IMG_2424.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4rT6qn-FCPs/Xx0OR8QY7PI/AAAAAAAAMF0/jGk0WzRzuhcss0eT02TglfZno7Uhj1qGwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_2424.jpg" /></a></div>For most children, the first few years of life
offer ample opportunities to explore, experiment and seek to push beyond their
capacity to do most things. Preschool for most children can still offer freedom
to explore, find out, imagine and act upon the creative urge they have to know
and create. But by Kindergarten they begin to be trained to produce that which
is seen as acceptable.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><font size="2"><b>Above:</b> A three year old doing some 'creative' writing</font><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>What can we do?</b></p><p class="MsoNormal">As parents and teachers we need to work hard at creating learning environments in which children are encouraged to ask "why?', "what if", "how come" type questions. Parents, should endeavour not to become tired of the toddler asking "why", "what if", "how come" questions. We need to respond to them.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">We also need to seek a variety of experiences for our children. As a parent and grandparent I spent as much time as possible with my children (and grandchildren) exploring their world. This included digging in my compost heap, seeking out bugs in our back yard, paddling in estuaries and rock pools, looking at the sky, and reading about the natural wonders of the world. We also read hundreds of books together, drew pictures after key experiences and more.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Teachers also need to look for ways to stimulate the imaginations of the children in our classes. There are many ways to do this, including reading to them and encouraging their responses (in word, drawing, actions...). There are also numerous simple experiences that we can integrate into classroom activities at varied grade levels. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie08D7BuiAQwRYEPCyyQMnr6n3gKdA2rNRJ06hvXa7QVt99sl6JxN8djddWC0DQGp5HLPx3FZ5sqYM9ZOzxfWP5UGKkuRPJVBMmEKC0MCEQvTdAH19b90F0RwAwK_lo46CCEGB4dcPTVch5yggCA-r6FDLBrF3Xo3pyS1FcinvWWa-o9kJcKmga62hlQ/s640/IMG_4091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie08D7BuiAQwRYEPCyyQMnr6n3gKdA2rNRJ06hvXa7QVt99sl6JxN8djddWC0DQGp5HLPx3FZ5sqYM9ZOzxfWP5UGKkuRPJVBMmEKC0MCEQvTdAH19b90F0RwAwK_lo46CCEGB4dcPTVch5yggCA-r6FDLBrF3Xo3pyS1FcinvWWa-o9kJcKmga62hlQ/w278-h371/IMG_4091.jpg" width="278" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Above: The restored Gramaphone that I still have!<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;">As a young teacher I arrived at school one morning with a 'mystery' object. I found an old 1920s gramaphone on the side of the road. I put it in my car boot (trunk) and took it to school and simply placed it at the front of the classroom. Questions flowed. "What's that?" "Where did you get it?" "My grandma has one of those!" "We've got some old records in our shed, can I go and get them?" The creative activities and knowledge gained from this simply object sustained several days of varied activities and much learning.</span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">In another school we created a number of gardens for flowers and edible plants. While teaching a grade 2/3 composite class we built a brontosaurus (measuring 3 metres by 1 metre) as a garden centrepiece in the school playground. To the joy of the students, this was featured on the front page of our city newspaper. </p><p class="MsoNormal">Of course, there are subjects in the curriculum that should naturally allow imagination to be developed; including science, art and craft. </p><p class="MsoNormal">My point in revisiting the previous post with an update, is that I have a sense that we've gone backwards. We cannot afford to allow creativity to be lost in the desire to skill, drill and educate for external exams. Education at all levels is about growing our students in more than just subject knowledge. <br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Never allow the 'what if'? question to leave your classroom or home. <br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">If parents reading this post feel they haven't the time, or they don't know what to do, talk to other parents who do seem to do it, or just give it a go.</p><br />Trevor Cairneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743409298855125040noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9200808769555430311.post-28311854944544485162023-01-23T15:07:00.002+11:002023-01-23T15:07:48.376+11:00Four Great New Books Ideal for Readers 10-15 years<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Regular readers now of my blog now that I often share good literature for younger readers. Often they are picture books for children aged 5-12 years. In this post I look at some short novels (all illustrated in some way). The four books chosen across the age range above, starting with the book for the youngest (closer to 5-8) and the last for older readers (12-13).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">1. <b><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Creeping-Beauty-Fairy-Tales-Gone/dp/1406389684">Fairy Tales Gone Bad: Creeping Beauty</a></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD6YJPmT-TRAweFGhDBzhbiT3aeCseHorqUI23EctHO08QucFNuGdiCoF1keXlNofyhSsSWr9uVIg1qYB5_nPLbZKB6FguJwTNlhOjBA0w98qaeJYNBJw8vgL8dwWjPaT-WGfo8lQWZ1TNunBOvFMtzRwokp7faVf1acCpdmLdWdz9E8sN85hMaiGy6g/s968/CreepingBeauty.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="968" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD6YJPmT-TRAweFGhDBzhbiT3aeCseHorqUI23EctHO08QucFNuGdiCoF1keXlNofyhSsSWr9uVIg1qYB5_nPLbZKB6FguJwTNlhOjBA0w98qaeJYNBJw8vgL8dwWjPaT-WGfo8lQWZ1TNunBOvFMtzRwokp7faVf1acCpdmLdWdz9E8sN85hMaiGy6g/s320/CreepingBeauty.jpg" width="212" /></a></i></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Eshe and her twelve sisters are Fairy Godmothers, honoured for
the incredible gifts they can bestow. But Eshe’s special abilities are a
little different – she can glimpse into the future! And, one day, Eshe
foresees something terrifying: a world blanketed in creeping vines and a
girl covered in thorns. Eshe needs to stop her vision becoming true,
but it will require old and powerful magic. And she won’t be able to do
it alone…</i> </span><p></p><p><span><span style="font-family: arial;">This twist on a well-known fair story </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>is the third and final book in a slightly dark trilogy that twists the classics. It is written in verse, by well known and celebrated poet Joseph Coelho. It is illustrated by Freya Hartas.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>This tale about 13 sisters (a 'tredicimalets'!) focusses on Mythica, the youngest of a baker's dozen. All 13 have gifts, including luck, talent, success, imagination, dreams etc. But is the gifts didn't like you, they might just turn into "uncontrollable ear wax", "bad breath", "sneeze laughing". The reader with a great imagination, and the weird and unusual, will love this book.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Freya Hartas also brings another dimension to the tale with her wonderful black and white line illustrations.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">2. </span><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Crunch-Kayla-Miller/dp/176065518X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2F0RC6I768F5T&keywords=crunch+kayla+miller&qid=1674430372&sprefix=crunch+by+kayla+%2Caps%2C240&sr=8-1"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>'Crunch' written & illustrated by Kayla Miller</span></span></a></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCZGGtE0HH-P1ApB2x0vT6weBaVmEkMBZMvZhZoeCULDRrXlJdXC-GDusFuUd6F_Iy7FPAJh8HpaoEpm3PGxrxLQmr3UnKvgcMERIeItCqTumML0rzIS_X-BdVPAOeW-5wqg6bKwN3iM9iPzv-oBdCcinVp2ACltG5jzYDRZqHgNrk2UKnsUHQCV0b9Q/s720/GUEST_65bfc332-d866-409d-8b53-0be50b4718f3-1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCZGGtE0HH-P1ApB2x0vT6weBaVmEkMBZMvZhZoeCULDRrXlJdXC-GDusFuUd6F_Iy7FPAJh8HpaoEpm3PGxrxLQmr3UnKvgcMERIeItCqTumML0rzIS_X-BdVPAOeW-5wqg6bKwN3iM9iPzv-oBdCcinVp2ACltG5jzYDRZqHgNrk2UKnsUHQCV0b9Q/w270-h320/GUEST_65bfc332-d866-409d-8b53-0be50b4718f3-1.jpg" width="270" /></a></span></span></div><p></p><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><p><i><span style="font-family: arial;">Olive is balancing the too-many things she has to do with the too-few hours in the day to do them... When everything adds up, suddenly it's crunch time!</span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-family: arial;">Kayla Miller, the <span class="a-text-italic">New York Times</span><span> bestselling author–illustrator of </span><span class="a-text-italic">Click</span><span>, </span><span class="a-text-italic">Camp</span><span>, </span><span class="a-text-italic">Act</span><span> and </span><span class="a-text-italic">Clash</span></span></i><span><i><span style="font-family: arial;">, returns with a new Olive story!<br /><br />Its
no secret that Olive loves trying new things. Between taking guitar
lessons, making a short film, joining Berry Scouts and leading the
charge on her school’s dress code reform, Olive has her hands full! But
she enjoys being busy so staying on track with her jam-packed schedule
should be no problem . . . right?</span></i><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Olive loves to do new things and juggles guitar lessons, she joins the Berry Scouts. She enjoys being busy son juggles everything without any problems. But over time she begins to struggle. But will her 'sizzle' life style become a mere 'fizzle'? But then there comes a crunch time. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVgM-2lt3zCqNTS4SibNuXVfWzDvLblAAHgzY7sdUx7ACPYWYKlDdeiaS-RBxAiB4B5o7dYbjjMWctIwdrDgu_aqO4XeP2v3EtBzT82ajOTm3J8rufOqbkqKSUegYToMIio2AY0mqw6AWIQ0NV9ocaIIYPnN6UGGKL8-WX-m1ThDujqMJbFWC0d7jMSA/s638/Crunch1.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="421" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVgM-2lt3zCqNTS4SibNuXVfWzDvLblAAHgzY7sdUx7ACPYWYKlDdeiaS-RBxAiB4B5o7dYbjjMWctIwdrDgu_aqO4XeP2v3EtBzT82ajOTm3J8rufOqbkqKSUegYToMIio2AY0mqw6AWIQ0NV9ocaIIYPnN6UGGKL8-WX-m1ThDujqMJbFWC0d7jMSA/s320/Crunch1.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">It saddens me that life of our children has become so full of things that 'must' be done that don't have enough time to be just 'kids'. The carefree life of childhood that was once the norm for many children is under pressure.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Because this 214 page book is in the form of a graphic novel (or cartoon style book) it is certainly suitable for 10-13 year olds, even if not strong readers.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiYwmcrZfUY4mGXNetl9llwBjYe-igQDNYA0Ffs1WIgY9tcoigJsm0huPusjeB1osOUZ9BaoOaa4vE6QY0TpHjT9Vw7dRgI0y4EHWN6wgOOOYmJI0ZG4NKEWQKk6dXDGVXS4THv0QDr05xhax9IzwOJytI6L-B-aIgrgxDysJ7kqqsisU1VD7lDJRvCw/s632/Crunch%202.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="632" data-original-width="411" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiYwmcrZfUY4mGXNetl9llwBjYe-igQDNYA0Ffs1WIgY9tcoigJsm0huPusjeB1osOUZ9BaoOaa4vE6QY0TpHjT9Vw7dRgI0y4EHWN6wgOOOYmJI0ZG4NKEWQKk6dXDGVXS4THv0QDr05xhax9IzwOJytI6L-B-aIgrgxDysJ7kqqsisU1VD7lDJRvCw/s320/Crunch%202.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">As these two images show, like any graphic novel the illustrations and text always contribute to the story and meaning. A wide age group will be able to relate to the story, particularly the age group 10-13.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Kayla Miller demonstrates wonderful illustrations as well as good writing. I suspect that once they read one of her books they will want to read them all.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>3. <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Where-Seagulls-Dare-Diamond-Brothers/dp/1529501172/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=">Diamond Brothers Detectives: Where Seagulls Dare</a></b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><span> By Anthony Horowitz & Illustrations by Mark Beech</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Anthony Horowitz is a prolific acclaimed writer from the UK for both children & adults. His work includes books, TV series (e.g. 'Foyles War' & 'Midsomer Murders'), plays and journalism (when does he sleep!). He has over 50 books in print that includes the best selling 'Alex Rider' spy series for teenagers (over 21 million copies sold). This book is 245 pages long with a handful of delightful black line drawings. This is the 6th book in the Diamond Brothers series. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioCRx8GPcxJsrxQm2Tijh-YNg2zbILi8xBZNKnP2hL_gmb5xxQ7ooI7bMta4ExM2krJwiyTLINtcrlZ7KO8Y_994jSyc_R3_AlXTPVvVNlCiBys0wcU1mJUN_YvhJZnMTa5Yu8EOtxQMb9poPbWHuoNUjgh32wU5YwTwV3KeoY1R5sc7n_OItgioYMsg/s1794/R.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1794" data-original-width="1292" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioCRx8GPcxJsrxQm2Tijh-YNg2zbILi8xBZNKnP2hL_gmb5xxQ7ooI7bMta4ExM2krJwiyTLINtcrlZ7KO8Y_994jSyc_R3_AlXTPVvVNlCiBys0wcU1mJUN_YvhJZnMTa5Yu8EOtxQMb9poPbWHuoNUjgh32wU5YwTwV3KeoY1R5sc7n_OItgioYMsg/s320/R.jpg" width="230" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>This time they are searching for a missing technology genius. But while they search there is a desperate and notorious gang of thugs hot on his heels. This time Nick has his oldest brother Tim ("the world's worst detective") with him. Will they crack yet another case and survive? Like all of the books in the series it is a 'page turner' that children will find hard to put down!<br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Readers 11-14 yrs will enjoy this latest book in the series.<br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>4. <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Tilda-Sue-Whiting/dp/1760654639">'Tilda' by Sue Whiting</a></b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Overnight Matilda becomes an 'orphan' when her grandfather her carer heads off to war. Tilda refuses to believe that her grandfather has gone forever. But Sister Agatha who is in charge of the convent tells her she has been abandoned. But her grandfather told her he would be back! Is Sister Agatha out to get her? Why is she so hateful to her? Tilda refuses to accept that she is an orphan. <br /></span></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZJsQSiakHcjXM0slidk16Q0G1jGPKuTbzwXROM8H3zd0vP-WBO6dJAXjk3pQHx6NvOjRzwpOApMEeapLubfqWXHJ9c4Vxdh6LbOJOqqBrz08eU0eH1zKcGd23oMoU3rEsX95joS4ksvxgTXVKSqUVFTsq3UZX1HonjNBvHCAYqDN85jXF1BWrdyHKA/s1179/tilda.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1179" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZJsQSiakHcjXM0slidk16Q0G1jGPKuTbzwXROM8H3zd0vP-WBO6dJAXjk3pQHx6NvOjRzwpOApMEeapLubfqWXHJ9c4Vxdh6LbOJOqqBrz08eU0eH1zKcGd23oMoU3rEsX95joS4ksvxgTXVKSqUVFTsq3UZX1HonjNBvHCAYqDN85jXF1BWrdyHKA/s320/tilda.jpeg" width="208" /></a></div><span class="a-text-bold" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(15, 17, 17); color: #0f1111; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 700 !important; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">L.M. Montgomery meets Ruth Park in a story of friendship, hope and resilience.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(15, 17, 17); color: #0f1111; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="a-text-italic" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(15, 17, 17); color: #0f1111; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic !important; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">You have a big heart. And people blessed with a big heart have a choice to make. Do they fill that heart with light and love or do they fill it with darkness and hate? This is your choice to make, Matilda. Make it wisely.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(15, 17, 17); color: #0f1111; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="font-size: small;">Tilda Moss refuses to believe her Grandfather has abandoned her and left her, alone and orphaned, in Brushwood Convent and Home for Girls, no matter what Sister Agatha says. Tilda's home has been destroyed in a fire and her Papa has headed off to the Bore war to earn money to rebuild their home and lives. A promise is made to Tilda by her Papa as he heads off that he would be back for her as soon as he returns from the war.</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><i>But Tilda is convinced the dreadful Sister Agatha is out to get her. She tells Tilda her grandfather will never return. Why is she so hateful all the time? She insists that Matilda declare to all at the convent that she is an orphan. She is not an orphan and she will never say it! Something is amiss and Tilda and her best friend Annie need to find out what before it is too late.</i></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-size: small;">The story is a work of fiction motivated by Sue Whiting's own life inspired by her Grandmother who she knows little about. Readers aged 13-15 will enjoy the book. She is the author of over 60 books. </span> </span></span></p></div></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><br /></p>Trevor Cairneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743409298855125040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9200808769555430311.post-18625124943122834202022-12-20T21:25:00.000+11:002022-12-20T21:25:02.671+11:00Holiday Ideas to Stimulate Children & Reduce Screen Time<br /><p></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYbiPEKWlywLlBmWeDWuqWC4N8nZ6q62fsuq_6bcrJ0GQDyGEiUaj-sjL4e_Vza1XJ0Gzv1MtDLVF0PxhgQ0554l0sUMRp8FFpx-UfqiwB0kTE7p_BR2aYHdHnFLEzIrMAD0R26NoKax8woQL8f2xjdX7-cFgNG8SM-mPOy1gV6buofIt_4N2LQ0Gr4A/s460/writing2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="276" data-original-width="460" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYbiPEKWlywLlBmWeDWuqWC4N8nZ6q62fsuq_6bcrJ0GQDyGEiUaj-sjL4e_Vza1XJ0Gzv1MtDLVF0PxhgQ0554l0sUMRp8FFpx-UfqiwB0kTE7p_BR2aYHdHnFLEzIrMAD0R26NoKax8woQL8f2xjdX7-cFgNG8SM-mPOy1gV6buofIt_4N2LQ0Gr4A/w400-h240/writing2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />In
Australia our schools have just closed for the Summer holidays. After over two years of Covid isolation, lock downs and disrupted lives, life is just starting to return to normal. As we enter holiday periods with our children and grandchildren it's helpful to plan a little. While some children might go to summer camps, or holidays with families, there will be plenty of time either at home or away for children to become bored. Hopefully, the solution is NOT just to simply increase their screen time.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZDzaLqGyIt-8RszRRFXtx8opIR8BCD4pLhFoUmWn43o2IrZCI4rDJivvnL_gcyg5fq8tBFmD4VPDyiNGEyT3SgqFTpb-Yg3VE8NchlLlE82V8j4RgoZQhm_f2JjIWM0STlnPUtW6xCxDUiTOb3_8kWP56qM8pqtJGMnz_1bkn0qKPsSe7Cx0lFLdbQ/s995/Pudding.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="962" data-original-width="995" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZDzaLqGyIt-8RszRRFXtx8opIR8BCD4pLhFoUmWn43o2IrZCI4rDJivvnL_gcyg5fq8tBFmD4VPDyiNGEyT3SgqFTpb-Yg3VE8NchlLlE82V8j4RgoZQhm_f2JjIWM0STlnPUtW6xCxDUiTOb3_8kWP56qM8pqtJGMnz_1bkn0qKPsSe7Cx0lFLdbQ/s320/Pudding.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Today I'm making the traditional family Christmas pudding with one of my granddaughters. Always a special treat which I once did with one of my daughters. I hope that my readers all have their own traditions that you look forward to each year. If not start some with your children or grandchildren.<br /><p></p><p>But the holidays in summer are usually long, so it's good to think ahead about things you might do with your children and perhaps grandchildren. If Christmas falls in winter as it does in the US and other northern hemisphere nations, then outdoor activities will be hard. But there are plenty of things to be done inside that are stimulating and fun.<br /></p><p>I've also written a number of posts in the past about things to do in the holidays with kids (<a href="http://trevorcairney.blogspot.com/2009/12/childrens-holiday-activities-30-simple.html"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">here</span></a>), as well as simple travel games to fill the time on trips with your children (<a href="http://trevorcairney.blogspot.com/2019/07/boredom-is-still-good-for-children.html"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">here</span></a>). There is also a post on <a href="http://planningwithkids.com/"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Planning With Kids</span></a> that offers '<a href="http://trevorcairney.blogspot.com/2017/12/20-great-holiday-or-travel-activiies.html"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">20 Great Holiday or Travel Activities for Kids (5-15)</span></a>'. To maintain some balance you might also find my post on '<a href="http://trevorcairney.blogspot.com/2019/07/boredom-is-still-good-for-children.html"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Boredom is still good for children!</span></a>' to be helpful. </p><p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6pvCQVmXIHQ/UcvxiVBkC4I/AAAAAAAAIEI/wmvpPVR18T4/s1600/SamMask.jpg" style="clear: right; display: inline; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6pvCQVmXIHQ/UcvxiVBkC4I/AAAAAAAAIEI/wmvpPVR18T4/w213-h320/SamMask.jpg" width="213" /></a></p><p></p><p>In
this post I thought I'd revisit some of the ideas and add a few more. There is no better way to stimulate your children's minds and prepare them for another year of school in 2023.</p><p>My criteria for choosing these holiday activities are that they:<br /></p><ul><li>Stimulate creativity</li><li>Encourage exploration and discovery</li><li>Involve using their hands as well as their minds</li><li>Encourage interaction between you and your children</li><li>Foster literacy development </li><li>Increase their knowledge</li><li>Keep them interested</li></ul><span style="font-size: 20.8px; font-weight: bold;">Encourage your children to make a film </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>1. Use a simple animation app to get them started</b></i> -
This sounds a big deal but it's not with the right app. I wrote a post
about some wonderful apps for digital story telling a few years ago (<a href="http://trevorcairney.blogspot.com.au/2011/10/film-making-for-kids-three-great.html">HERE</a>). One of my favourites is 'Puppet Pals. For one thing, it's VERY easy to use. Your children will work it out in minutes.</span><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/puppet-pals-hd/id342076546?mt=8"> Puppet Pals</a> is
available as a free app for the iPod Touch, iPhone and iPad. Most apps are available for other devices as well. It's
essentially a simple way to create an animated movie using 'cut-out'
themed characters and a variety of backdrops and scenes to create an
animated 'puppet' play.<br /><br /><a href="http://ebd35.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/puppetpals.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="size-thumbnail wp-image-712 alignleft" height="299" src="http://ebd35.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/puppetpals.jpg?w=150&h=112" title="PuppetPals" width="400" /></a>There
is a free version that comes with Wild West backgrounds and actors.
However, you can also purchase different themes for as little as $US0.99 or the
'Director's Cut' in which you can access all the themes for $US2.99.
These allow you to obtain a range of additional scenarios and characters
based on themes such as monsters, space, pirates, arthropod armada,
Christmas and so on. You can even make your backdrops and characters.<p>It's a very simple app to use that provides very easy storyboarding. You
can record dialogue, move characters around, create some simple effects,
change backdrops and settings and characters. While ideally,
before creating the animation, the writer/producer prepares plot
summaries and story ideas, but I've seen my grandchildren make excellent animations on their first take. One I've used used is the 'Arthropod Armada' theme from 'Director's Cut'. <br /><br />Puppet
Pals is a wonderful resource for supporting story telling, writing,
language development, creativity, and problem solving, while at the same
time introducing them to film making and animation. I could see myself
using a smartboard to collaboratively develop a story with my class
before introducing individuals and groups to this smart little app.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 20.8px; font-weight: bold;">Books with a difference</span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"></span></p><p><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJz8Zri9gmXzamfmZT8Wq2pTPDiX4mPq4Ba9dCxBfCnAPMougn4MsWZDX7tG44-Y0tDOdjDh7I514yKeAPcGrJE7Jit6MsPHcIzAVaKQFTIcnO78884Htth_TlqwzpCkGTjCAoEtxwkk1tg1NWGo2KoJAwWxis-TImyAON221it3PjVYyqPHmlOg6cKg/s940/JettyJumping.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="940" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJz8Zri9gmXzamfmZT8Wq2pTPDiX4mPq4Ba9dCxBfCnAPMougn4MsWZDX7tG44-Y0tDOdjDh7I514yKeAPcGrJE7Jit6MsPHcIzAVaKQFTIcnO78884Htth_TlqwzpCkGTjCAoEtxwkk1tg1NWGo2KoJAwWxis-TImyAON221it3PjVYyqPHmlOg6cKg/s320/JettyJumping.png" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">2. Pick some special books they haven't seen</span> -
try to borrow or buy at least 2 books for each child. Based on their interests try to choose books
they'll enjoy, not simply books you'd like them to read. Opportunity shops, book exchanges and libraries are also a great place to start looking for some cheap second hand books. I have another post on book exchanges, op shops and web
exchange sites <a href="http://trevorcairney.blogspot.com/2008/07/book-swapping-websites-and-other-forms.html">here</a>. Alternatively, take them to your local library to choose some.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">3. Use Books as a creative stimulus</span> -
While the sheer joy of the book is usually enough, sometimes books can
stimulate many wonderful creative activities. For example:<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3M-N-pevHKY/SHXx-TdsSgI/AAAAAAAAAr8/kDknLPdD8f8/s1600-h/1264033_1_111_1.jpg"><br /></a><br />After reading Maurice Sendak's "<a href="http://childrensbooks.about.com/cs/picturebooks/fr/wildthings.htm">Where the Wild Things are</a>"
go outside and dramatise it. Let one child be Max and let others take
turns at being the wild things. Make a boat out of bits of wood, or even
have a go at making one out of a large cardboard box (or several).<br /><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6jFJa2AHGvs/TaIkWiJtnFI/AAAAAAAAER4/Ho2eem3gaHM/s1600/user1367_1155617970.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6jFJa2AHGvs/TaIkWiJtnFI/AAAAAAAAER4/Ho2eem3gaHM/w250-h320/user1367_1155617970.jpg" width="250" /></a></div>After reading Jeannie Baker's book "<a href="http://www.jeanniebaker.com/forest_meets_sea.htm">Where the Forest Meets the Sea</a>"
(a book about the Daintree Rainforest in which all the pictures are
collage), encourage them to make a collage out of natural materials (and
maybe some wool, straws etc to supplement) in response to Baker's
pictures. Or read a second book and have them use collage in response.<br /><br />After reading Graeme Base's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Water-Hole-Graeme-Base/dp/0810945681">"The Waterhole"</a> get them to paint the waterhole (they can draw the animals, cut them out and paste them around the waterhole).<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">4. Dramatisation</span> -
Dramatisation is an excellent way to respond to a book. If you have a
dress-up box all the better. Let your children either re-tell the story
through dramatisation or improvise. Get involved to help set the pattern
for turn taking etc. I play a mean wolf, and an even better Grandma!<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 20.8px; font-weight: bold;">Writing</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">5.</span></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> Diaries and journals</span> -
Introduce older children to diaries or holiday journals. Make this fun,
not a school activity. Some might prefer to just make it a scrapbook by
pasting in tickets, leaves they collect, food wrappers etc. But you can also show them how to create a travel diary.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9TFvwx5rDi4/TaIkrUlHWqI/AAAAAAAAER8/iMr7KoHQINk/s1600/ElsieComputer.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9TFvwx5rDi4/TaIkrUlHWqI/AAAAAAAAER8/iMr7KoHQINk/w266-h400/ElsieComputer.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">6. A holiday blog</span> -
Tech savvy mums and dads might encourage their children to write
online. Why not set up a family blog that can be read by friends and
relatives (even if only for two weeks). You could use this as part of a
trip away, or just use it at home. Older children could set up the blog
themselves and all family members could contribute. Let them have access
to a digital camera and a scanner and the sky is the limit. See my post
on 'Children as bloggers' (<a href="http://trevorcairney.blogspot.com/2010/03/children-as-bloggers.html">here</a>).<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">7. Start a family joke or riddle book</span> - Maybe offer them some jokes as models ("Knock, knock", "Why did the centipede cross the road"....) etc.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 20.8px; font-weight: bold;">Craft</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">8. Structured Craft ideas</span> -</span> simple
beadwork, noodle craft, mask making, making plaster moulds (and
painting them), anything for young children that requires paper tearing,
gluing, glitter, stickers, works well.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">9. Unstructured creative craft</span> -
Stock up when you go to the supermarket with simple materials like
paper plates (good for masks), brown paper bags, sticky tape, glue,
cotton balls, tooth picks, paper cupcake holders, straws (cutting up and
threading), noodles (for threading).<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 20.8px;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Creative Play</span></span><br /><br />I've written a number of previous posts on play (<a href="http://trevorcairney.blogspot.com/search/label/play">here</a>)
but planning for play is important. While you can say to your children
go outside and 'play', doing some simple planning at times will lead to
more stimulating play times.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">10. Dress-up box</span> </span>-
If you don't have one take the kids to an Op shop to start one. You
might even pick up some gems like old helmets, hats, belts (you can cut
them down), handbags etc.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1tKRL0yCrgu_wnYyHyF1-ajfBzfusBKZgahFD4OUzGiMWgxNeSwwXx3pgR-OXZfH_ix0eqmotDh9sG2_ftMVpiPOUVC1HmGZB-iRkmuKmhHE-m-G4p62Ds06s0tvekgfyanSCzPVGWrVlaGIpR2JdnHEE_7aLk_iaRlTd96BgOl_vu6C3IRiE4UraCg/s3164/WaterFight.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2537" data-original-width="3164" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1tKRL0yCrgu_wnYyHyF1-ajfBzfusBKZgahFD4OUzGiMWgxNeSwwXx3pgR-OXZfH_ix0eqmotDh9sG2_ftMVpiPOUVC1HmGZB-iRkmuKmhHE-m-G4p62Ds06s0tvekgfyanSCzPVGWrVlaGIpR2JdnHEE_7aLk_iaRlTd96BgOl_vu6C3IRiE4UraCg/w400-h321/WaterFight.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br />11. Water play</span> -
This is hard in cold weather, but maybe you could make bath-time
special for young children with extra bubbles, different stuff to take into it. In warmer weather give them a bucket of water and some things to
scoop, sieve etc - obviously only UNDER SUPERVISION. Above, it's pick on Grandad day!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">12. Play dough</span> -
You can buy cheap coloured modelling clay but home-made playdough works
well. My wife 'Carmen's can't fail' recipe is 1 tablespoon of oil, 1
cup of plain flour, 0.5 cup of cooking salt, 2 tablespoons Cream of
Tartar, 1 cup of water, colouring. Mix together and put in a saucepan on
medium heat until it binds together, stirring all the time. Fold
together by hand. If you keep it in a sealed plastic bag it will last
for ages in or outside the fridge.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3M-N-pevHKY/S7R4jbvEXyI/AAAAAAAADO8/3mXR0Q_gMxM/s1600/IMG_0461.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455117598788443938" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3M-N-pevHKY/S7R4jbvEXyI/AAAAAAAADO8/3mXR0Q_gMxM/w320-h240/IMG_0461.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 200px;" width="320" /></a>There
are endless things to do with play dough. Try to move beyond just
cutting out shapes (which kids still love). Encourage them to make a
house, a farmyard, a bed, and an aquarium. Use some plastic animals with
the play dough or small plastic people. If you don't mind tossing the
play dough out you can let them use sticks, plants etc to make simple
dioramas. Kids will create complex stories as they manipulate the play
dough.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6dqeXbIyHFk/TZ-Dr7rHJyI/AAAAAAAAERw/e5oc4k4F_Gk/s1600/BlanketCubby.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6dqeXbIyHFk/TZ-Dr7rHJyI/AAAAAAAAERw/e5oc4k4F_Gk/w266-h400/BlanketCubby.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The blanket cubby!</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">13. Build a cubby house</span> </span>-
No not with wood, just use a table, some chairs, wardrobes (hitch the
blankets into the top of the doors, some pegs and sheets and blankets.
By draping them over other objects you should be able to create a
special space (about 2x2 metres is enough for three small kids). Try to
get at least 1.5 metres of height. Have the kids 'help' and then get
them to collect some special things to have in the cubby. Use a toy box
for a table, some cushions to sit on. I used to let my grandchildren have
my cheap transistor radio from my shed (lots of fun). Some will enjoy a
tea set; others will collect animals and toys. If
you're up to it, climb in as well and read some stories. They'll like
the edges tucked in to cut out light so you might need a torch. I've
seen a cubby of this kind amuse kids for half a day. Then of course for
the adventurous you can share some snack food as well. You can even
build a cubby inside! See my post on cubbies (<a href="http://trevorcairney.blogspot.com/2010/04/cubby-house-site-for-creative-play-and.html">here</a>).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3M-N-pevHKY/SHX_Zw9ISNI/AAAAAAAAAs0/E2JZ8xfVtKw/s1600-h/P1011114.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221360161109067986" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3M-N-pevHKY/SHX_Zw9ISNI/AAAAAAAAAs0/E2JZ8xfVtKw/s400/P1011114.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 13.6px;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Above:</span> A 'house' one of my grandchildren made (with help) from a box I saved</span></div><br /><span style="font-size: 20.8px; font-weight: bold;">Indoor and back yard fun</span><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3M-N-pevHKY/S7RypQFkOSI/AAAAAAAADOc/hbIkhL32zz4/s1600/Treasure+Hunt.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="429" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455111101671029026" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3M-N-pevHKY/S7RypQFkOSI/AAAAAAAADOc/hbIkhL32zz4/w640-h429/Treasure+Hunt.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 134px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 200px;" width="640" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">14. Treasure hunts</span> -
Write the clues on paper using words and pictures depending on ages and
make the treasure worthwhile (chocolate, a coupon for an ice cream in
the kitchen etc). For something a little more challenging why not try a
map with grid references (see picture opposite).<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">15. Cooking</span> - Kids love cooking with their mothers or fathers. Do simple stuff. Nicole (<a href="http://planningwithkids.com/">Planning With Kids</a>)
has lots of great ideas for cooking with kids on her site. Don't forget
to make it a language activity as well by getting them to follow the
recipes.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3M-N-pevHKY/S7R5XZZ29wI/AAAAAAAADPE/rR6zJqIf7IE/s1600/IMG_0078.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="214" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455118491515811586" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3M-N-pevHKY/S7R5XZZ29wI/AAAAAAAADPE/rR6zJqIf7IE/w320-h214/IMG_0078.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 134px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 200px;" width="320" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">16. Insect scavenger hunt</span> </span>-
Try an insect scavenger hunt (one of my grandchildren's favourite
activities). You'll be surprised just how many you can find. You'll need to
be careful turning rocks over and digging around, but even in Australia
it's low risk if you supervise. Place a pile of bricks in a damp place
and then let the kids help you to uncover them a few days later - watch
the critters scurry. We always enjoy a good snail race afterwards!<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 20.8px; font-weight: bold;">A few basics hints</span><br /><ul><li>Have
a strategy for the holidays - map out a timetable (post it on the wall)
and try to plan a few significant events and think through the general
structure of each day.</li><li>If you have younger children still at
home, being joined by school kids on holidays, try to think about how
you will cope with all their interests and think about varying daily
routines a little.</li><li>Pace yourself - don't use all your best ideas
in the first few days (you'll wear them and yourself out and you'll
struggle to keep up the variation later).</li><li>Expect bad weather -
think about some ideas that will work in rainy weather as well. It's
called the "Law of Holidays" - expect lots of wet weather and a day or
two of sick kids.</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgysfvuNqfcBzSlML6MNzvPXgZa7aJHya0vKfMvEnDG59lUUMNn75ls3hYvipi7-YfAihGQB6R804wsLB-ZfDjpfP23r3oHuaY5cLoalAZyIiGJ0B_z4ZtIUzYY4Xhfc37yEIlwoKs7oL7-pEuZkhYaDnySKz1c2JkeOCfoHCaaR3WjINDxs7sM97RRRw/s1779/MumGirl2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1779" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgysfvuNqfcBzSlML6MNzvPXgZa7aJHya0vKfMvEnDG59lUUMNn75ls3hYvipi7-YfAihGQB6R804wsLB-ZfDjpfP23r3oHuaY5cLoalAZyIiGJ0B_z4ZtIUzYY4Xhfc37yEIlwoKs7oL7-pEuZkhYaDnySKz1c2JkeOCfoHCaaR3WjINDxs7sM97RRRw/w400-h270/MumGirl2.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />Trevor Cairneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743409298855125040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9200808769555430311.post-7219210845814801572022-11-24T21:53:00.003+11:002022-11-24T21:53:27.621+11:00Sharing the Stories & Songs of Christmas<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-inF5r-vBf9o/XCWrPlekr_I/AAAAAAAALRQ/vAmH5NzkyLgty5ZshwdSuhQkBzkSWn8GwCEwYBhgL/s1600/ChristmasTree.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-inF5r-vBf9o/XCWrPlekr_I/AAAAAAAALRQ/vAmH5NzkyLgty5ZshwdSuhQkBzkSWn8GwCEwYBhgL/s320/ChristmasTree.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial;">Storytelling is a
central part of what it means to be human. Holidays often create the perfect context for
storytelling. They create 'space' to spend time with family and friends in varied contexts, and each offer opportunities to share stories and yarns. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial;">In Australia, schools have their longest break of about 6 weeks in Dec-Jan as we approach Christmas. This is a time when we also celebrate the birth of Jesus over 2,000 years ago. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial;">It's a time for holidays, religious observance for some, special
food, music and in many cases, the exchange of gifts. Even if you don't have
any religious conviction, most people look forward to holiday seasons as a
special time to catch up with family and friends. But hopefully many teachers and parents will consider the deeper meaning of Christmas. </span></p><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">1. Sharing story through
songs & music</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Storytelling, is at the very centre of most Christmas gatherings. And music has a special place in our 'storytelling'. Whether religious or secular, music and storytelling are often intertwined. <br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">As a
child, I grew up in a house where music was sung and played often. This
included lots of popular ballads, country, blues and pop. When we went for our annual holidays at the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Macquarie_(New_South_Wales)">Lake Macquarie</a>, singing was never far from our gatherings. On hot summer afternoons at my grandparents’ home at <a href="http://www.aussietowns.com.au/town/wangi-wangi-nsw">Wangi Wangi</a> we would swim. But after it, we would end up with community singing
on the
front verandah of my grandparents' house. My father would take his accordion onto the verandah and ask my mother or sister Dianne to sing. Like a magnet, people would emerge from their tents to join in the celebration. At times 50-80 people would come out of
their tents and caravans to join us in my grandparents front yard. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IDCrMbDNOJ8/XCWvzv9eDNI/AAAAAAAALSA/yxbTHm_OGeYKeeF8NrApYgO06YBjl89zgCLcBGAs/s1600/HolidaySinging.tif" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="640" height="251" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IDCrMbDNOJ8/XCWvzv9eDNI/AAAAAAAALSA/yxbTHm_OGeYKeeF8NrApYgO06YBjl89zgCLcBGAs/s400/HolidaySinging.tif" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Above:</b> My parents performing in a community concert</span> <br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">As well, as traditional Christmas carols like "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" and "Silent Night" they would sing popular music that usually had a strong sense of story.</span><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial;">2. Some examples of books to share with a Christmas theme<br /></span></b></div>
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<br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Books
about Christian traditions have
been the focus of hundreds of different titles some are closely centred
on the
Christian message, others not so much. But the Bible's account of the
baby Jesus born in a manger in a humble barn is at the very centre of
Christmas celebrations for many.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>'<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Grinch-Stole-Christmas-Classic-Seuss/dp/0394800796">How the Grinch Stole Christmas</a></b>'. </span></div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4yQo9VullAY/XCWqceyMpCI/AAAAAAAALRI/C4pvPV28wUM3Fpc8Fko5L4u8_QIDogyXwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Grinch2.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="268" data-original-width="188" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4yQo9VullAY/XCWqceyMpCI/AAAAAAAALRI/C4pvPV28wUM3Fpc8Fko5L4u8_QIDogyXwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Grinch2.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">In our schools during the Christmas season, we often share stories with our students that have a Christmas theme. As a teacher</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> I always found time for the sharing of the Christmas story as well as some stories with a 'twist' like the Dr Seuss
classic Could the Grinch who hated Christmas 'steal it' so that it couldn't occur? This classic and well known Dr Seuss book, takes a different look at the meaning of Christmas.<br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Jolly-Christmas-Postman-Allan-Ahlberg/dp/0316127159/ref=sr_1_1?crid=TFFYEUJHVYF9&keywords=the+jolly+christmas+postman+book&qid=1669284606&sprefix=The+Jolly+%2Caps%2C320&sr=8-1">'The Jolly Christmas Postman'</a></b> by Janet & Allan Ahlberg<br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEESzMG908-l8u0bc0d67ZvJ7rlGwW0WY9w68L0jW1tzxPXHClBQXbSx4Gxn5VDdqpwBR54u5Hyq5HHBFeRsAhE5SDOgB96uLQbHxCKAXog59wndJ52aBxJdZZ4ehaD_OMmBy_zTdnuZ-KHNIPFz-BkwbfhkV7-fm8zrQE4KXTM58DVXo7v2H3TTucXQ/s800/64312019-IMG-001.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="700" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEESzMG908-l8u0bc0d67ZvJ7rlGwW0WY9w68L0jW1tzxPXHClBQXbSx4Gxn5VDdqpwBR54u5Hyq5HHBFeRsAhE5SDOgB96uLQbHxCKAXog59wndJ52aBxJdZZ4ehaD_OMmBy_zTdnuZ-KHNIPFz-BkwbfhkV7-fm8zrQE4KXTM58DVXo7v2H3TTucXQ/s320/64312019-IMG-001.webp" width="280" /></a></div><br />"It's Christmas Eve and the Jolly Postman is delivering greetings to
various fairy-tale characters - there's a card for Baby Bear, a game
appropriately called 'Beware' for Red Riding Hood from Mr Wolf, a
get-well jigsaw for hospitalised Humpty Dumpty and three more surprise
envelopes containing letters, cards, etc." <span> <br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><a href="https://www.walkerbooks.com.au/Books/The-Christmas-Rose-9781921720406">'The Christmas Rose'</a></b> by Wendy Blaxland & illustrated by Lucy Hennessy</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGQc4mZWhOY2dmzacL4M-uho5aQUTYUv7TEfwyd_aB5TDsaWraP3osAgSdNp6eUf31iahUExJ0H3K6CW07CcoyZuq4bzYOGPOo8hPGDRM5e6oDuCZCoFoeaCUzeiUyNWuyQAt7ueINBhIg8Ht9oMWwqL1caOwPftX2B7Kt81jT_LFh3ub2PVPdXCMtSA/s948/OIP%20copy.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="948" data-original-width="740" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGQc4mZWhOY2dmzacL4M-uho5aQUTYUv7TEfwyd_aB5TDsaWraP3osAgSdNp6eUf31iahUExJ0H3K6CW07CcoyZuq4bzYOGPOo8hPGDRM5e6oDuCZCoFoeaCUzeiUyNWuyQAt7ueINBhIg8Ht9oMWwqL1caOwPftX2B7Kt81jT_LFh3ub2PVPdXCMtSA/s320/OIP%20copy.jpg" width="250" /></a></div>This </span><span style="font-family: arial;">is a beautifully told story that traces elements of the story of the birth of Jesus.<br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><i>The
fields near Bethlehem are filled with great joy when angels
appear telling of the birth of a very special baby. Madelon’s uncle, his
men, and the magnificent kings riding on camels all have gifts for the
Saviour. But Madelon has nothing. What could she possibly give him? This
version of the Christmas story uses the efforts of a small child to
follow others to see the Christ Child. A beautiful illustration of those
who would spend great effort to come and adore Him.</i><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
The
rich and evocative oil paintings by fine artist Lucy Hennessy are
stunning and in their muted softness leaves the reader to imagine the
scene in all of its mystery and richness. <br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br />
'<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Promise-Alison-Mitchell/dp/1910307114">The Christmas Promise</a>'</b> by Alison Mitchell and illustrated by Catalina Echeverri<br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5HJKxXWBjFM/Xd5dLqqfHmI/AAAAAAAALp4/wrMRAjb0J8ox1Z7jcS55euaRsv91t-UhgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Christmas%2BPromise.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1028" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5HJKxXWBjFM/Xd5dLqqfHmI/AAAAAAAALp4/wrMRAjb0J8ox1Z7jcS55euaRsv91t-UhgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Christmas%2BPromise.jpg" width="257" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">
This wonderful retelling of the Christmas story is brought to us by the
highly successful team that has brought us a whole series of children's
stories based on the Bible. It tells of how God kept His
promise to send a new King. <br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><i>A long,
long time ago so long that it's hard to imagine God promised a new King.
He wasn't any ordinary king, like the ones we see on TV or in books. He
would be different. He would be a new King; a rescuing King; a forever
King! </i><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
I love the books in this series titled "Tell the Truth". Like all of the
books in the series, it tells the Christmas story in a simple way that
children can grasp, while remaining true to the Bible's narrative. The
book will help preschool children discover how the Bible explains how
God kept His Christmas Promise.<br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
The wonderful illustrations by Catalina Echeverri
are also faithful and consistent with the Bible-centered story-telling of Alison Mitchell. Together, they
make this a book that both parents and children will love. <br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IEA4pM-dSAs/UNdjyEqbs6I/AAAAAAAAG_Q/pB8Vl9jd9iI/s1600/517SB2PQ7NL._AA240_.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IEA4pM-dSAs/UNdjyEqbs6I/AAAAAAAAG_Q/pB8Vl9jd9iI/s200/517SB2PQ7NL._AA240_.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b>'<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nativity-Julie-Vivas/dp/0152001174">The Nativity'</a></b>
by Julie Vivas is a wonderful book. The story is close to the Bible
narrative and the illustrations as you'd expect from Julie Vivas are
superb. </span></b><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><b><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Christmas-Book-Dick-Bruna/dp/1405208538">'The Christmas Book'</a></b><i>, written</i>
and illustrated by Dick Bruna. Bruna's delightful and simple
telling of the nativity story is special. He manages to tell the
greatest story ever told with his typical simplicity. This one is
suitable even for preschool children.<br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><b><a href="http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Room-for-Little-One-Martin-Waddell/9780689868412">'Room for a Little One: A Christmas Tale'</a></b> by Martin Waddell & illustrated by Jason Cockcroft<br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oJxAhwSkCns/UpUpW4AoDJI/AAAAAAAAIkI/vdF9nE5P_Qk/s1600/room+for+a+little+one.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oJxAhwSkCns/UpUpW4AoDJI/AAAAAAAAIkI/vdF9nE5P_Qk/s200/room+for+a+little+one.jpg" width="179" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><i>That cold winter's night, </i><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><i>beneath the star's light... </i><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><i>...a Little One came for the world. </i><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
First
kind Ox welcomes Old Dog, then Stray Cat, Small Mouse, Tired Donkey,
and finally the baby Jesus into his stable on the first Christmas night.
Delightful story that tells of the momentous event.<br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3M-N-pevHKY/SUsIWCNlsJI/AAAAAAAABfc/P0m6FD3Scr8/s1600-h/9780807555231_150x150.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281324162666049682" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3M-N-pevHKY/SUsIWCNlsJI/AAAAAAAABfc/P0m6FD3Scr8/s200/9780807555231_150x150.jpg" style="float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 119px;" /></a><b>'<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Baby-Bethlehem-Martha-Whitmore-Hickman/dp/0807555223">A Baby Born in Bethlehem</a></b>',
Martha Whitmore Hickman's retelling is based on the gospels of Luke
and Matthew. It begins with the revelation to Mary that she will have a
child who will be the son of God and ends with the visit of the Wise
Men. The text emphasizes the joy of Jesus' birth. Giulliano Ferri's
pencil and watercolour illustrations contribute to making this a great
book for four to eight year olds.<br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: normal;"> </span></b><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3M-N-pevHKY/TPI-EhF3TiI/AAAAAAAAEAM/KgJyQrFf7YY/s1600/9780064402750.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3M-N-pevHKY/TPI-EhF3TiI/AAAAAAAAEAM/KgJyQrFf7YY/s200/9780064402750.jpg" width="134" /></a><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0061215228/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_2?pf_rd_p=1278548962&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0064402754&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1HYH1BQQBW9SJB9CBC13">'The Best Christmas Pageant Ever'</a></b>
by Barbara Robinsion . This book tells the story of how one of the "worst Kids" in the world finds out
about the real Christmas story for the first time as he takes part in
the church Christmas pageant. The story itself is very funny but it
also manages to communicate the Christian message accurately.<b><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: normal;"> </span></b><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><b>'<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Baby-Who-Changed-World/dp/0781434319" style="text-decoration: none;">The Baby Who Changed the World'</a> </b>by
Sheryl Ann Crawford, Sonya Wilson (Illustrator). In this imaginative
retelling of the Christmas story, the animals get together and discuss
the approaching arrival of a new baby that some say will grow up to be a
strong and powerful King. When Mary and Joseph enter the picture and
the events of the true Christmas story unfold!<br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3M-N-pevHKY/SUsLVUqbipI/AAAAAAAABfs/kTMU7E-BcVQ/s1600-h/the-christmas-story.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281327448973871762" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3M-N-pevHKY/SUsLVUqbipI/AAAAAAAABfs/kTMU7E-BcVQ/s200/the-christmas-story.jpg" style="float: left; height: 163px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 200px;" /></a><b>'<a href="http://us.macmillan.com/thechristmasstory">The Christmas Story: According to the Gospels of Matthew and Luke from the King James Version'</a></b><b style="font-style: italic; font-weight: normal;"> </b>by
Gennadii Spirin (Illustrator). This telling of the Christmas story
begins with Mary's meeting with the angel Gabriel then proceeds to the
birth of baby Jesus in a stable, the visit of the shepherds and the
three wise men. Spirin's Orthodox Christian faith is reflected in the
wonderful art that makes this a special retelling of the story of Jesus
(although not all will find the images match their idea of what Jesus
might have looked like). <br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">3. Sharing family
anecdotes & stories that enrich children's knowledge of the past (BUT avoid controversial topics!).</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Another
wonderful thing
about holiday seasons is that you have time to sit with our children and
share
the events of the year, and perhaps those we shared with family and friends in years past. "Can you remember the time when we egged Mr Smith's car"? These build children's
knowledge of the family and the world, as well as their own ability to
share
stories. "Tell us the story about the time you got lost in the bush
Dad". </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">"What was it like going to school when you were a kid
Mum?" "What was the funniest thing that happened at school this
year"? "Tell us another story Grandad from when you were a kid". As you
share your own stories as parents, you help to build family traditions,
as well as teaching them how to tell stories themselves.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">4. Engage your children
in preparations </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wgknEsjEkqA/XCWr1k1kX-I/AAAAAAAALRg/rRRtTTA-_nYf9Wz34OO0vCYNQN5D_zI9gCEwYBhgL/s1600/ChristmasTree2.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wgknEsjEkqA/XCWr1k1kX-I/AAAAAAAALRg/rRRtTTA-_nYf9Wz34OO0vCYNQN5D_zI9gCEwYBhgL/s320/ChristmasTree2.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Having
time to do things
with your children as you prepare for a time like Christmas will often
create
those 'spaces' where things can be shared as we make the preparations. Get your children to help decorate the
Christmas
tree. This isn't just for fun or to fill in time, it allows space and time to share
stories and for your children to become better storytellers themselves. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">In the case of parents, you might share stories of the type "I remember
when...".
"Do you know where this Christmas decoration came from?" "Do you
remember when you made this silver star"? Or perhaps, while you're
getting your children to
help make some decorations you can simply share jokes and anecdotes, or
reminisce. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">A special time in our home is
decorating the tree each year with decorations that our children made
over 30 years
ago! Looking at precious decorations is a great story telling event. "Do you remember who
made this?" "Did you know that this
decoration was on my mother's tree". Stories will flow!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">5. Get children involved
in using 'procedural texts'</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Of71U3UXreg/XCWrn1V5sZI/AAAAAAAALRc/NX_BrF20Stogf-hb-LNxPUzsPXpUwfj2ACEwYBhgL/s1600/PuddingPrep.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Of71U3UXreg/XCWrn1V5sZI/AAAAAAAALRc/NX_BrF20Stogf-hb-LNxPUzsPXpUwfj2ACEwYBhgL/s320/PuddingPrep.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">One
of our family's most treasured
traditions is the making of the Christmas pudding. As a
child, my grandparents involved my sister and me in this activity. This
was
always one of our special family events at Christmas. I implemented the
same
tradition with my daughters, and more recently, my grandchildren. As
well as
the fun we have as we prepare for the cooking, we have to follow the
recipe, share stories, and lick the bowls. This is a great language
event as stories and anecdotes just flow. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></b><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VQEZVHy2E_A/XCXbXjHZdhI/AAAAAAAALSM/Olx1uUdg3VID6d8SauWiw74Sn3q0kHumwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4262.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="962" data-original-width="995" height="386" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VQEZVHy2E_A/XCXbXjHZdhI/AAAAAAAALSM/Olx1uUdg3VID6d8SauWiw74Sn3q0kHumwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4262.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">6. Involve your children
in the making of presents, cards and gifts</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wgknEsjEkqA/XCWr1k1kX-I/AAAAAAAALRg/rRRtTTA-_nYf9Wz34OO0vCYNQN5D_zI9gCEwYBhgL/s1600/ChristmasTree2.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wgknEsjEkqA/XCWr1k1kX-I/AAAAAAAALRg/rRRtTTA-_nYf9Wz34OO0vCYNQN5D_zI9gCEwYBhgL/s320/ChristmasTree2.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Some of my favourite
presents as a parent have been the gifts that my children and grandchildren made for me.
It's fun to involve children as we make preparations for the exchange of
gifts. This might be making yummy food, lollies or snacks to share with
neighbours. Once again, there are recipes to follow, stories to tell, gift labels to write, and much
more. Card making is just one fun non-food way to link literacy activities to
holiday seasons. As well, children might make a book to give to their
grandparents or their teacher. Making items for family and friends to hang on
their tree is a great literacy activity already mentioned above.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Summing up</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Literacy and storytelling
are implicated in pretty much all aspects of life. Holiday seasons are just one
context that offer opportunities to ground storytelling in 'real' life. As we
engage with our children every day, there are numerous ways that the stories we
share can help to build their knowledge and their proficiency as users of
language whether in spoken or written form. As well, we can develop a shared history that binds family members together. </span></div>
Trevor Cairneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743409298855125040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9200808769555430311.post-85430273443737105272022-10-27T20:30:00.000+11:002022-10-27T20:30:11.853+11:00Realigning Education & Career Expectations in Schools and Families<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">It's difficult to write a
post like this one without appearing that I'm being (at least indirectly)
critical of teachers, and parents. As a former teacher, I'm aware of the
challenges in teaching, whether infants, primary or secondary. And as a parent,
and more recently a grandparent, I understand how tough parenting can be. All
levels of education have their own unique issues in 2022, but there are some
issues that are common to all. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihcxL62n0qqHA-ZlxTAasq9OcY-zXv1czRHqeoaUix7qXRlsCdVROFpyx1lJq0O5REfGoYCRBS3xEST7ARP0xPQg3G82KYq0QcR8vjyGVePfWfhHLN-NYqBqXai1kNtc0aZZYO_8ML8Pm3IBnUg96oUI8C7HwZOdqorU8mnUhLeLx-XXp1pyA6oRKT/s3200/Classroom.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="3200" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihcxL62n0qqHA-ZlxTAasq9OcY-zXv1czRHqeoaUix7qXRlsCdVROFpyx1lJq0O5REfGoYCRBS3xEST7ARP0xPQg3G82KYq0QcR8vjyGVePfWfhHLN-NYqBqXai1kNtc0aZZYO_8ML8Pm3IBnUg96oUI8C7HwZOdqorU8mnUhLeLx-XXp1pyA6oRKT/s320/Classroom.webp" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">As a teacher, you will be
aware that parents tend to be more critical than they once were. Expectations
are higher than ever! Every parent feels their child is unique (and of course
in one sense they are), and many want them to end up working as brain surgeons,
lawyers, engineers or some other high-paying role. Teaching is unfashionable
right now partly because everyone talks it down, including teachers.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjInMFPHTQ1-_SM5WiIq0KFU9jOpPpLa6Q71kLWn5_dT_tHDiYYTS0rt_vjHXLUjlc2llIRPazp--RJj2gBQ1of-JtbIPUoGKDrZIhjiLbsrANi6gj_8-jlvKLk3aRHfTAkY6zmN7NpdNkibOTovqiLpDp3gVoFKc1oWZDzl50JplduLcu7B4iyTIvh/s593/Doctor.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="593" data-original-width="474" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjInMFPHTQ1-_SM5WiIq0KFU9jOpPpLa6Q71kLWn5_dT_tHDiYYTS0rt_vjHXLUjlc2llIRPazp--RJj2gBQ1of-JtbIPUoGKDrZIhjiLbsrANi6gj_8-jlvKLk3aRHfTAkY6zmN7NpdNkibOTovqiLpDp3gVoFKc1oWZDzl50JplduLcu7B4iyTIvh/s320/Doctor.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Many parents will also question
what teachers do, even though the teacher is the education and teaching expert,
not the parent. It is one of the few professions in the world where almost everyone
feels they have the right to question the professionals. And of course, media
critics of teaching abound. </span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">As well, school education
systems are constantly wanting to test and measure achievement with instruments
(i.e. tests) that inform them on how students and schools are being judged.
These measures never offer a comprehensive picture of what our students are
learning, and always seem to end up producing negative stories in the press. Is
there any wonder teachers feel unhappy? </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">It seems that many people
are quick to criticize and slow to acknowledge that teaching and parenting are
both challenging roles in the 21st century. What can we do about this
situation? I want to suggest that both key parties need to review and reassess
their hopes and desires for children. In particular, I think as parents, we
need to think carefully about what our students' aptitudes and skills are, and
how these might equip them for specific roles in life. At day's end our
children can't all be brain surgeons, CEOs, lawyers, doctors or CEOs of their
own start-up companies with their unique products and inventions that resulted
from their university studies. So how do we set realistic goals and
expectations for our children as they enter education? Let me ask a few pointed
questions:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">1. When your child first
entered primary/elementary school, were you already aware of what you expected
from education for your child? As well, had you already decided what profession
you wished them to pursue?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">2. When your child entered
the secondary school, had you realigned your expectations much?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">3. What factors shaped the
above choices? Was one factor your desire to see them do something similar to
you as their parents? Or, in some cases, perhaps something quite different and
'better'? And high paying!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">4. How closely did you
examine your child's natural gifts, abilities and interests in thinking through
such decisions?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Why pose these questions?</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I ask questions like these
because I have observed for decades that many parents embrace goals for their
children very early in life, that aren't necessarily based on an objective
assessment of their children's aptitudes and abilities. Recent research in
Australia suggests that a majority of parents expected their children to go to
university, with 62.8% indicating either <i>Yes, definitely</i> or <i>Yes,
probably</i>. As well, fathers who hold trade qualifications are less
likely to
expect their children to enter higher education. But both mothers and
fathers
tend to rate boys as being substantially less likely to attend
university than
girls, and overall parents over-estimate the likelihood of their child
entering
university. Some of my family members, and many friends always saw me as
destined for engineering. I commenced mechanical engineering with
Australia's major steel company (BHP) when I left school, but in a few
months I tossed this in and pursued teaching as a career! My father was
NOT impressed. My experience and that of many others, suggest that we
need to think more carefully
about the aspirations we have for our children.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm8ONMUGjfvfiufyRNXe3VnH2Nj-sawi66gbgPY63uv5t9zjN4k9KOGyRg2CPgjXE8wrZo1tRdEY7PX4Fw9lj2FRfi0y2NHoGPGiHjQCCIynXfZkmIoXCzhgkEV1NtdQQcypIvHRMGVEsHiDDOoifNW7jTPLASScoHlQDCzBj8Lu2Ku7ru1ZSsBtgq/s474/OIP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="342" data-original-width="474" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm8ONMUGjfvfiufyRNXe3VnH2Nj-sawi66gbgPY63uv5t9zjN4k9KOGyRg2CPgjXE8wrZo1tRdEY7PX4Fw9lj2FRfi0y2NHoGPGiHjQCCIynXfZkmIoXCzhgkEV1NtdQQcypIvHRMGVEsHiDDOoifNW7jTPLASScoHlQDCzBj8Lu2Ku7ru1ZSsBtgq/s320/OIP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>Image:</b> Aerial photo of the Newcastle Steelworks (c1960s) where I began training and work<br /></span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">In this post, I am composing the post
against a backdrop of nail guns being used to build a luxury home near me. The
workers are mostly men, who have completed 4 years of high school education
followed by a trade course over 2-3 years at a technical college. I suspect
that few were very successful at school. They all drive cars much better than
mine and the builders I know live in homes (usually with minimal or no debt)
that are better than many university educated people can afford. They seem to
enjoy and get satisfaction from their time spent on site, with a predictable
pattern of 3-4 hours’ work (7.00am till 11.00am), one hour for lunch (or
'smoko' as some call it), and then another 3 hours before they go home and
forget about work till the next day.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">All parents and teachers are
different, but as an informed observer I want to offer a critique of some of
the expectations parents and teachers seem to hold, and encourage all readers
to answers the following questions.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial;">What do schools seek to
equip children for?</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-83mLcxpb4vN-o65duyqHtR2_Gf1GPBCnZALaP3qdoakZcoyzNvmLx_4rVPd5UkshqhtwFzpHH9wDbPN_bNaFoRACL1HH-nVGEqz-IE6u4urjm0G9O14PxU2ZIjijW31PToPwMRFL-UPm7Gw259rP8NvVTR8-zvTOAc-ActzfGPxUZ4VtAzXTjqN6/s720/mechanical-engineer-720.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-83mLcxpb4vN-o65duyqHtR2_Gf1GPBCnZALaP3qdoakZcoyzNvmLx_4rVPd5UkshqhtwFzpHH9wDbPN_bNaFoRACL1HH-nVGEqz-IE6u4urjm0G9O14PxU2ZIjijW31PToPwMRFL-UPm7Gw259rP8NvVTR8-zvTOAc-ActzfGPxUZ4VtAzXTjqN6/s320/mechanical-engineer-720.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">If you answered "get to
university", "succeed in their final exams", "end up with a
good job" etc, I think your response might just be VERY narrow. All
schools, and particularly Christian and religious schools of all types, should be seeking to develop the
whole child, not be setting expectations on the first day of primary/elementary
school for them. Our will always reflect our relationship with the child and
our personal aspirations. In my book 'Pedagogy and Education for Life' I point
to Doug Blomberg's thoughts on the relationship between teacher and child. He
makes a very telling point that has relevance to both teachers and parents when
thinking about our hopes and career expectations for children. He states in
'Wisdom and Curriculum' that the task of the school, including faith-based schools is to use curriculum,
which he defines as inclusing “the relationship between the teacher and the child” for a
central purpose:</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">"... to create a
(school-)world within the world, because it is a selection from and sequencing
of an all-but-infinite range of possible experiences. It is a conscious
(re-)ordering of the world for the purposes of teaching and learning. <u>The
ends to which these processes are directed provide the criteria for the
selection and organization of school experience</u>." </span></i><span style="font-family: Arial;">(Cairney, 2018, p.44)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I underline the final
sentence because it speaks to the issues I'm discussing in this post. The
expectations of parents are (I suspect) pretty much set before school. While
these might change across the years of school life, they do not shift easily,
and in some cases never do!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Parents have the primary
role in shaping future expectations early in life, but this tends to shift over
time, with teachers and other students also playing a role in the development
of every child's hopes and dreams for life after school. Teachers must be aware
of this and reflect on how they might influence pathways for the good, or
perhaps, NOT for the good of the child.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I might do a follow-up post
on this topic, but for now I simply leave readers to ponder and perhaps discuss
the issues I have raised with others.</span></p>Trevor Cairneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743409298855125040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9200808769555430311.post-33503256445931951482022-09-23T09:40:00.000+10:002022-09-23T09:40:06.672+10:00What Might Writing & Reading Communities Look Like in Our Classrooms?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPNBbfHEjDkomZjD-3G4pmDeRfoH9TPqTz8_lgCm3P7FPpRYEZuFgLxbsT44Fsnu-5z-BYKEgkxqIpjo1FgJEoRKv3DR_r9yrl-CfQ6KiPcDxCgXtvqpD9v9Pk8Y1DCIPH4vYIVfixEvM6MEGa-Th49-4BGph1JCF5Cd-lMV5J0fgg4gZnw13LblYnA/s1632/OtherWorlds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1632" data-original-width="1212" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPNBbfHEjDkomZjD-3G4pmDeRfoH9TPqTz8_lgCm3P7FPpRYEZuFgLxbsT44Fsnu-5z-BYKEgkxqIpjo1FgJEoRKv3DR_r9yrl-CfQ6KiPcDxCgXtvqpD9v9Pk8Y1DCIPH4vYIVfixEvM6MEGa-Th49-4BGph1JCF5Cd-lMV5J0fgg4gZnw13LblYnA/s320/OtherWorlds.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>One of the signs of a great book is that once it is finished you have a deep desire to tell someone about it, and perhaps even pass the book on to them. I can recall times when I reached the end of a moving novel and I would simply sit quietly, ruminating on the 'journey' I had just completed through the book. And later, there would be a deep urge to tell others about it. After a special book, we might read it again at some later point, or loan it to a friend and revisit the story in conversation with them. <br /><p></p><p>Our classrooms and homes should be places where children read books and want to share their stories with others. This is certainly critical in the primary years of schooling, but so too it is possible and important within high schools. If literature is only read to prepare for exams, it is a sad state of affairs. Our classrooms can and should be 'communities of readers and writers'. But sadly, our students today are more likely to participate in groups in and outside school sharing social media videos like TikTok, talking about or sharing music, fashion, funny photos and so on online. While they are forming or supporting friendships and communities of practice, nonetheless these conversations are often trivial and superficial.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hysVjH0lE_zpgFT0ntuseFA_YxRF-IzeWtRPH-Eum-2R7QL4c8VozYqxyW7ibspGUolhyMJieOucaQKo4WA_VMF30BO3V6co6WzKAcdJLmBU67PpO8k-BZgyePg9lBtVQwDnv5xh61ZBnDZgId6w9jb0M-KhnYfcy6p-GTp0V_HtrtT7-__7zVPWjQ/s512/TikTok.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hysVjH0lE_zpgFT0ntuseFA_YxRF-IzeWtRPH-Eum-2R7QL4c8VozYqxyW7ibspGUolhyMJieOucaQKo4WA_VMF30BO3V6co6WzKAcdJLmBU67PpO8k-BZgyePg9lBtVQwDnv5xh61ZBnDZgId6w9jb0M-KhnYfcy6p-GTp0V_HtrtT7-__7zVPWjQ/s320/TikTok.png" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p>I shared in my book '<a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Other-Worlds-Endless-Possibilities-Literature/dp/043508531X">Other Worlds: The Endless Possibilities of Literature</a>' stories from three class 'communities'. Classroom communities where literature was part of what bound the students together. One was a kindergarten in the cane fields of Queensland. As their teacher finished 'The Three Little Pigs' (Jacobs, 1969) the children shared their responses. Some repeated words or the details of the story, "<i>the wolf wanted to eat the pigs</i>", "<i>he was a bad wolf</i>", characters were mentioned and so on. Others responded more seriously and thoughtfully. "<i>I've got a big bad wolf and I put him in water</i>", "<i>My big bad wolf got shot with hot rocks</i>". Another said more reflectively, "<i>The wolf got hurt because he tried to hurt the pigs</i>".</p><p>I was able to observe a second reading community in a one-teacher school at which I taught many years ago. I had 31 children in a single classroom from Kindergarten (5 year olds) to Grade 6 (12 yr olds). When I arrived at the school I found many reluctant readers, and varied abilities across the grades. I set about flooding the classroom (school!) with books at all levels and with varied content. I was to observe how complex sub groups (or sub communities), developed as children read books and told others about them across grade levels. I also read to them and shared many books that stimulated their interests. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6XMi8NSANowbXqo9UljgQABDSVApEaSHt3fT2MCd8HTpbfEViLQTP1sjJ6wsJP1i8Pv6tHxUS4JrQhaCk1BI978qbEsWE1CXy9XUN8t1stFHClHDasWBVotSas4Ixn3ihkUN0evVTZZrUHtlkLPwdKGW-QDT6-iKJFx6C9JSHzjEPKLZNNq7qcKHt0g/s630/KidsReading2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="630" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6XMi8NSANowbXqo9UljgQABDSVApEaSHt3fT2MCd8HTpbfEViLQTP1sjJ6wsJP1i8Pv6tHxUS4JrQhaCk1BI978qbEsWE1CXy9XUN8t1stFHClHDasWBVotSas4Ixn3ihkUN0evVTZZrUHtlkLPwdKGW-QDT6-iKJFx6C9JSHzjEPKLZNNq7qcKHt0g/s320/KidsReading2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div> <p></p><p>A third reading community was a Kindergarten class; which in Australia is the first year of formal schooling for 5 year olds. I was part of the classroom for most of a school year as a co-teacher and researcher. During designated reading times, the students could grab a book and scurry off to one of many reading spaces: a secret cave in one corner; a castle made from cardboard boxes; an area created using the existing walls in one corner, as well as a cupboard for the other 'wall', and streamers hanging from the ceiling through which they entered; and as well, a small library surrounded by shelves filled with children's books.</p><p>What was common to each of the above three reading communities was that story was an essential part of the classroom life. Books were shared as a class, in groups and in informal settings. The children read together 'independently', in pairs or groups, and many opportunities were given for response and sharing. Each classroom in different ways demonstrated a number of similar things:</p><p><b>First</b>, all were dynamic reading, writing and learning communities. </p><p><b>Second</b>, each exemplified how reading, while it can be solitary, is often shared with others, and that in the sharing, the desire to read is enriched and strengthened.</p><p><b>Third</b>, they illustrated David Bloome's argument that "reading involves social relationships among people... including social groups and ways of interacting with others...".</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4xPLQeu6wDAB73znCepHhB8ZNVomY81Q0Fx0yly7kch6fpjvZYqZOdt-3OgoRnsYabjphHXYFDlWe0P5zkLWIHP6I9Gbn8tXS8np7-2nccpqkcxxDiuItoGZZrIYcoOwt7-TVUgjPDphjMxwFi0D3XBLxBrdx0A4auAO0uUPHOZqMvA6ciONBuuMHQ/s900/KidsReadingFloor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="513" data-original-width="900" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4xPLQeu6wDAB73znCepHhB8ZNVomY81Q0Fx0yly7kch6fpjvZYqZOdt-3OgoRnsYabjphHXYFDlWe0P5zkLWIHP6I9Gbn8tXS8np7-2nccpqkcxxDiuItoGZZrIYcoOwt7-TVUgjPDphjMxwFi0D3XBLxBrdx0A4auAO0uUPHOZqMvA6ciONBuuMHQ/s320/KidsReadingFloor.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>If we want our children to experience reading in all of its forms, and to read literature that enriches their lives, extends their knowledge of the world, and helps them to grow as people, then community building must be a priority. The next time you watch a group of students sitting together with phone in hand sharing the latest video, ponder how the enthusiasm and excitement they are showing looking at phones, can be replicated in relation to books that can teach, inspire and enrich their lives.<br /></p>Trevor Cairneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743409298855125040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9200808769555430311.post-20810377400864840202022-08-10T13:25:00.002+10:002022-08-10T14:31:55.345+10:00Eight Stunning New Picture Books <p>I typically offer an overview of the Children's Book Council of Australia awards at this time each year, but many of the shortlisted books have been hard to source. So, instead I've reviewed some of the books shortlisted as well as others that publishers have sent me that I think are worthy of review. <br /></p><p>1. <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Boy-Elephant-Freya-Blackwood/dp/1460759990/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3LXRQU02KRQK0&keywords=%27The+Boy+and+the+Elephant%27+by+Freya+Blackwood&qid=1659352497&sprefix=the+boy+and+the+elephant%27+by+freya+blackwood%2Caps%2C637&sr=8-1">'The Boy and the Elephant'</a> by Freya Blackwood</p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik9HIfQ9vyV3A74ft4HY6vY7j02KrEYfBKY1pKbS-3AYjVAbKb8XG6XaoouWJAUQlMLBatIL7jJpyq7VnVpVIjgeIfdNHHmYyx1NvDA4vpesG_3bV-TL4JL3OJxVhelrheNwS0VOgQr2IfYMz5bJUKuqfA8pAf0a8P0Q84ufeN9ZyHwpXxzpqdXO0YKg/s986/The-Boy-and-the-Elephant-400x493.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="986" data-original-width="796" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik9HIfQ9vyV3A74ft4HY6vY7j02KrEYfBKY1pKbS-3AYjVAbKb8XG6XaoouWJAUQlMLBatIL7jJpyq7VnVpVIjgeIfdNHHmYyx1NvDA4vpesG_3bV-TL4JL3OJxVhelrheNwS0VOgQr2IfYMz5bJUKuqfA8pAf0a8P0Q84ufeN9ZyHwpXxzpqdXO0YKg/s320/The-Boy-and-the-Elephant-400x493.jpeg" width="258" /></a></div>This is a story about a boy with a great imagination. He lives in a busy city where noise, hurry and bustle surrounds everyone. But there is an overgrown lot next to his apartment building, and within the forest of trees he finds a friend. <p></p><p>No ordinary friend, but an elephant! He sees his elephant among and within the trees, and his 'friendship' brings him comfort and a sense of companionship. But one day the block is sold and the trees are cut down. What can he do about this? The resolution of this great disruption to his life will surprise the reader.<br /></p><p></p>
<p>As usual Freya Blackwood's illustrations are wonderful and are done with pencil and oil paints on water colour paper. This superb new book is very worthy of its nomination for the Children's Book Council Australia (CBCA) picture book of the year in 2022.</p><p>Freya Blackwood has won many awards including the <a href="https://carnegiegreenaway.org.uk/archive/kate-greenaway-medal-winners/">Kate Greenaway Medal</a> (2009) for her book '<a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Harry-Hopper-Margaret-Wild/dp/7556839389">Harry and Hopper'</a>. In 2015 she was awarded three CBCA Book of the Year awards in a single year; an unparalleled achievement. <i> </i>Her book <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Unwilling-Twin-Freya-Blackwood/dp/146075753X">'The Unwilling Twin'</a> was also shortlisted for Picture Book of the Year in the 2021 CBCA Awards. Freya lives in the beautiful NSW town of Orange (that has lots of trees!).<br /></p><p>2. <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Franks-Red-Hat-Sean-Avery/dp/1760654280/ref=sr_1_1?crid=98S3AHBYMB64&keywords=%27Frank%27s+Red+Hat%27+by+Sean+E.+Avery&qid=1659352553&sprefix=frank%27s+red+hat%27+by+sean+e.+avery%2Caps%2C212&sr=8-1">'Frank's Red Hat'</a> by Sean E. Avery</p><p>This is a story about a very special penguin, with a very ordinary name - Frank! But Frank was far from ordinary, he was "full of ideas"! Not all were good of course, so the day he jumped on the ice wearing a knitted red hat, the other penguins were very nervous. A sharp-eyed reader might just spot in the illustration a killer whale, way off in the distance besides an iceberg. And if they do (as well as Frank's friends), they might just hold their breath. Why would he wear a red hat in an iceflow?!<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6984Bd0AQnFKBiGQ0GSMmczcB7Q4O-KRj-yisTkHPb367pE_lYiOWLvWSnpfeBbegdHIAIusmuietpmD4vBH9v7bLT8TquUct0y9iMH3QxJpMI-xilfg-wtC28sUH5F02p5GfKoFfsWUeafcxN58oEuEkaIKsmIyfCD1_DpH2J4_7hdWPa_ppDf-4A/s1380/Frank'sReadHat.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1282" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6984Bd0AQnFKBiGQ0GSMmczcB7Q4O-KRj-yisTkHPb367pE_lYiOWLvWSnpfeBbegdHIAIusmuietpmD4vBH9v7bLT8TquUct0y9iMH3QxJpMI-xilfg-wtC28sUH5F02p5GfKoFfsWUeafcxN58oEuEkaIKsmIyfCD1_DpH2J4_7hdWPa_ppDf-4A/s320/Frank'sReadHat.jpg" width="297" /></a></div><p></p><p>As the other penguins discussed Frank's new hat, it was Neville who suggested that red was a dangerous colour. And all the while the Killer Whale drew closer. Sadly, Neville was right! But Frank survived, unconvinced that his hat had anything to do with the oh so unlucky, Neville!! Perhaps the colour was all wrong? Or was it the style? Were his ideas just ahead of their time? You'll need to read this book to find out. Preferably do this with some children who will just love it.</p><p>Stunning illustrations and a beautifully crafted text from Shaun E. Avery. Shaun is a teacher, writer-illustrator, sculptor and designer
born in South Africa but living in Perth, Western Australia. He is known to many as the writer-illustrator of the well-loved children’s picture
book <a href="https://seaneavery.com/section/272000-All%20Monkeys%20Love%20Bananas%20.html" shape="rect"><i>All Monkeys Love Bananas</i></a> and his previous picture book, <a href="https://seaneavery.com/section/501819-Happy%20As%20A%20Hog%20Out%20Of%20Mud.html" shape="rect"><i>Happy as a Hog Out of Mud</i></a>. He is also known internationally as
a sculptor who uses CDs and DVDs to create incredible works of art held in many galleries and private collections around the world. </p><p>3. <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Ella-Useless-Day-Meg-McKinlay/dp/1760653098/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1X9ZDYXKUF8K3&keywords=Ella+and+the+Useless+Day%27+by+Meg+McKinlay&qid=1659352607&sprefix=ella+and+the+useless+day%27+by+meg+mckinlay%2Caps%2C217&sr=8-3">'Ella and the Useless Day'</a> by Meg McKinlay & illustrated by Karen Blair</p><div class="row book-keynote">
<div class="col-12">
<p><i>Ella’s house is full of useless things! Bricks and boxes and plant pots
and shoes and more. So, it’s time for Ella and her dad to head to the tip
with all the things that are old and broken, too big, or too small, or
too something-else-altogether. But who knew? Those holey blankets are
just what Mrs Esposito needs and the rusty tricycle is perfect for Mr
Montgomery. Will they have anything useless left by the time they reach
the tip?</i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiDF-v8bVNFYuKeSbEQ56PxwPw5u6imNofXVuKpqJrOeHRJ2odrR7ikDUu--nWbCa9z7WRS4zpG7EkDe1kWq_acjDRjFEJ2LjjgjLXzomixeX-Cc8V6NBek0Fwg-MlQ_tr6Vzwzj6DhhHX1QnmsKL5B-5410BnQy9W1jwbgdH0ZFOHv76ZdbXJtCyVsw/s1508/3__%23$!@%25!%23__unknown.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1508" data-original-width="1378" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiDF-v8bVNFYuKeSbEQ56PxwPw5u6imNofXVuKpqJrOeHRJ2odrR7ikDUu--nWbCa9z7WRS4zpG7EkDe1kWq_acjDRjFEJ2LjjgjLXzomixeX-Cc8V6NBek0Fwg-MlQ_tr6Vzwzj6DhhHX1QnmsKL5B-5410BnQy9W1jwbgdH0ZFOHv76ZdbXJtCyVsw/s320/3__%23$!@%25!%23__unknown.jpg" width="292" /></a></div>This is a wonderful book from a superb team! Meg McKinlay continues to come up with beautifully crafted and original stories, that always seem to resonate with the real-life experiences of the readers for whom they have been written. What child (or parent) cannot relate to the age-old problem of too much stuff?! And the solution? We need a chuck out day. <p></p><p>But some funny things happen on the way to the rubbish tip after their cleanup. What is it? You'll have to read this delightful book to find out. Along the way enjoy its wonderful text, but also for the fantastic watercolour illustrations from Karen Blair. <br /></p><p><i>"A heartwarming picture book about community, sustainability and how one neighbour’s rubbish is another’s treasure."</i></p>
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<p>4. <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/This-My-Dad-perfect-always/dp/1922539074/ref=sr_1_1?crid=18KZPV6BPIJXT&keywords=%27This+is+my+Dad%27+by+Dimity+Powell&qid=1659352647&sprefix=this+is+my+dad%27+by+dimity+powell%2Caps%2C220&sr=8-1">'This is my Dad'</a> by Dimity Powell & Nicky Johnston</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QFR-PNZfBMOF6RHgh1OgDswcoAqkHcOiiN2jdxatz7wYIJ6vNN5IOAOq1b5MjkglS3BzfBgUo1H54vKYRQN8cHu8LWfWqSS5LhHi2LpUIn4uknkJBTQ4yEeabFNKSKs6NlxqImRSFhmPnxEnAT_bV9rqHJrQK1EYWn2aZbVV8SmeUiQd7i_8i5l6OA/s1372/ThisIsMyDad.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1298" data-original-width="1372" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QFR-PNZfBMOF6RHgh1OgDswcoAqkHcOiiN2jdxatz7wYIJ6vNN5IOAOq1b5MjkglS3BzfBgUo1H54vKYRQN8cHu8LWfWqSS5LhHi2LpUIn4uknkJBTQ4yEeabFNKSKs6NlxqImRSFhmPnxEnAT_bV9rqHJrQK1EYWn2aZbVV8SmeUiQd7i_8i5l6OA/s320/ThisIsMyDad.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Leo has a problem. When his teacher
announces they are going to have a "Tell Us About Your Dad Day" Leo's heart sank. He knows that he won't have anything to say, because he has never met his Dad. He sits and worries, "how can I celebrate someone I've never met?" Maybe his Mum will have an idea. But she needs to finish her book first, so he decides to search the house for clues. Perhaps in his birthday card collection? But no! He wonders, just who is my Dad, and what is he like?<p></p><p></p>Eventually, Leo solves the problem himself. His Dad is amazing!! Dad "discovers new galaxies", "scares off spiders" and he can "throw frisbees". He concludes, "my Dad is my everything." A wonderful and heart-warming story that children will love, and those who don't know their Dad's will find helpful.<br /><p></p><p>
Dimity Powell says she writes for children because "she would secretly love to be
one again." She has had a number of stories shortlisted and awarded, including her digital narrative, '<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31575019-the-chapel-of-unlove">The Chapel of Unlove</a>' for the Story City App, which was shortlisted for the Western Australian
Premier’s Book Awards in 2016. Other books by Dimity include <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38741125-at-the-end-of-holyrood-lane">'At the End of Holyrood Lane</a>' (EK Books, 2018), <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30842761-the-fix-it-man">'The Fix-It Man'</a> (EK Books 2017) and '<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56384212-oswald-messweather">Oswald Messweather</a>'. <br /></p><p>
<a href="https://nickyjohnston.com.au/about-nicky/">Nicky Johnston</a> is an educator, speaker and author/illustrator of
children’s books. Her style has been described
as "whimsical, emotive, soft and expressive."
Nicky loves teaching and school visits to share her
journey in becoming an author and illustrator. She also loves to show children the
process of creating a book using excerpts from her work. Her 16 books include , <a href="https://ekbooks.org/product/grandma-forgets/?v=6cc98ba2045f">'Grandma Forgets'</a> (EK Books, 2017, with Paul Russell), <a href="https://exislepublishing.com/product/saying-goodbye-to-barkley/">'Saying Goodbye to Barkley'</a> (EK Books, 2019) and '<a href="https://exislepublishing.com/product/upside-down-friday/">Upside-Down Friday</a>' (EK Books, 2021).</p><p>5. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/One-Book-Was-All-Took/dp/1922539139/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1HGHNIAVUZ9P3&keywords=One+Book+Was+All+It+Took%27+by+Wenda+Shurety&qid=1659352815&sprefix=one+book+was+all+it+took%27+by+wenda+shurety%2Caps%2C266&sr=8-1">'One Book Was All It Took'</a> by <a href="https://www.wendashurety.com/">Wenda Shurety</a> & illustrated by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/amylcalautti">Amy Calautti</a></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDyN_7pw6Rh6NKrsXLZExF0bWZ4v69CRN3wThyDDgqEtcgbmaECnrJ70vA45sE6vlWkJS7UNOCFjNvOhNAINuxtQ29cv1iBioL8AH_qCjq9qhoAeTDLinrJoRE8tGl2C69LR3jUS_67w1McekgD3imTWb2mqLad6psu9yJMFIPoEGBmHhBmMXdf4GOHw/s1480/photo.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1262" data-original-width="1480" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDyN_7pw6Rh6NKrsXLZExF0bWZ4v69CRN3wThyDDgqEtcgbmaECnrJ70vA45sE6vlWkJS7UNOCFjNvOhNAINuxtQ29cv1iBioL8AH_qCjq9qhoAeTDLinrJoRE8tGl2C69LR3jUS_67w1McekgD3imTWb2mqLad6psu9yJMFIPoEGBmHhBmMXdf4GOHw/s320/photo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I love this quirky book! Violet is an avid reader, but the trouble is she has devoured (well read!) all the books in her house; except one! But it is propping up a leg on the dining table. She just has to grab it, but when she does lots of things are turned upside down. Just one book was "all it took", to ruin Dad's breakfast and set in play a chain reaction! Dad misses his bus, he can't find a cooking book, Violet needs more books, but where is the library?! There's no library in their town so a letter is sent to the Lord Mayor who is seeking ideas for a new council building... <p></p><p>This is a delightful picture book that children aged 3-6 will love. Amy Calautti's cartoon-like line and water colour illustrations are a wonderful complement to <a href="https://www.wendashurety.com/">Wenda Shurety's</a> brilliantly simple story that is exciting and engaging. Together author and illustrator have created a wonderful book that children will want to hear and read many times. </p><p>Wenda Shurety is a children’s author who loves to
write stories from the heart about nature, diversity
and the magical world of the imagination. Originally from London, she now lives in Brisbane with her husband
and daughter.
<br /></p><p>6. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Amiras-Suitcase-Vikki-Conley/dp/1913639770/ref=sr_1_1?crid=QGZS6M6R8UX5&keywords=%27Amira%27s+Suitcase%27+by+Vikki+Conley+%26+illustrated+by+Nicky+Johnston&qid=1659352879&sprefix=amira%27s+suitcase%27+by+vikki+conley+%26+illustrated+by+nicky+johnston%2Caps%2C289&sr=8-1">'Amira's Suitcase'</a> by Vikki Conley & illustrated by Nicky Johnston</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitxnt89wzW0Qr5zT-yWqcULf1d3zFVN1dLHloIeZFrcH8LpiMlrcypGXyMjDYDHT10qa52Fy9mbRgkLMFW7c-aYJFS82KUK8NQFH-ki6Db_TTNYA_p-5zFmYoZK97ugX1ar7VGrOLdx18GBW6E8Z79JaxbdjftNaXymbJJUjEyOXKcXhXExNCcBeIe1w/s1531/AmiraSuitcase.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1531" data-original-width="1519" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitxnt89wzW0Qr5zT-yWqcULf1d3zFVN1dLHloIeZFrcH8LpiMlrcypGXyMjDYDHT10qa52Fy9mbRgkLMFW7c-aYJFS82KUK8NQFH-ki6Db_TTNYA_p-5zFmYoZK97ugX1ar7VGrOLdx18GBW6E8Z79JaxbdjftNaXymbJJUjEyOXKcXhXExNCcBeIe1w/s320/AmiraSuitcase.jpg" width="317" /></a></div>The judges who shortlisted this wonderful book for the Children's Book Council of Australia described it this way:<p></p><p><i>It begins with a tiny seed growing inside a suitcase. With Amira’s care,
the tiny seed starts to sprout. Find out what happens when kindness
flourishes...Amira’s Suitcase is a gentle, thought-provoking tale about
friendship and hope.</i> <br /></p><p>This is a simple story about a little girl who plants a seed in one of many empty suitcases in her family’s new home. But as she nurtures this one seed,
her friends give her more seeds and all flourish. They decide to plant
them outside. The outcome is wonderful!! </p><p>The water colour illustrations of Nicky Johnston are a wonderful contribution to this special book. They capture the children’s excitement as the
plants grow. There is great pleasure in this garden. While it all started with a little girl and a single seed, it is to bring joy to a whole community. </p><p>7. <a href="https://www.booktopia.com.au/jetty-jumping-andrea-rowe/book/9781760500658.html?source=pla&gclid=Cj0KCQjw852XBhC6ARIsAJsFPN0DjuCC274MHJU841zud6V6Rit8Z7UR0Jm3GJIbKz0D1Kn5NI48XYwaAmuKEALw_wcB">'Jetty Jumping'</a> by Andrea Rowe & illustrated by <a href="https://www.hannahsommerville.com/">Hannah Sommerville</a></p><p><i>While Milla’s friends take big, brave jumps off the jetty, Milla stays
on the blistering wood, scared of what lurks below. But when Milla
accidentally falls off the edge, she discovers the beauty of the deep,
dark sea – and her summer changes forever.</i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5q7oqmSKr1Q2Cuxsslsz0ponKLabC9jDreZ4Ud4Q7fM6Zm5RMhULNl83DqryhC-aiose-51GD9At385wb0tr0k4euAA8aW7_8uDvV7tUlFdU2LqXp2LKBTs3vp_N4xV4RHGKN4D7rzqjv8OtPSI4pMsTbaSI1d9f6PsrqU9oY12G_3bI9KO1mi6paw/s940/JettyJumping.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="940" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5q7oqmSKr1Q2Cuxsslsz0ponKLabC9jDreZ4Ud4Q7fM6Zm5RMhULNl83DqryhC-aiose-51GD9At385wb0tr0k4euAA8aW7_8uDvV7tUlFdU2LqXp2LKBTs3vp_N4xV4RHGKN4D7rzqjv8OtPSI4pMsTbaSI1d9f6PsrqU9oY12G_3bI9KO1mi6paw/s320/JettyJumping.png" width="320" /></a></div><p>'Jetty Jumping' deserves its shortlisting in the 2022 CBCA awards. This is a wonderful book.</p><p>It seems Andrea Rowe was fearful of jetties when young, and in particular the cracks between the planks that might lead to the murky depths below. But as she grows
up she realizes that the water beneath and the deep sea below, is the best playground of all. Milla was eventually to jump bravely off jetties and swim near the barnacled pylons with
her adventurous friends after school.<br /> <br />
<a href="https://andrearowe.com.au/author/">Andrea Rowe</a> and <a href="https://www.hannahsommerville.com/">Hannah Sommerville</a> capture perfectly the challenges of
childhood (and the joy of letting go) in this wonderful book that gives an insight into an Australian summer near the sea.
Andrea is a writer who lives with her two kids and park ranger husband
in a beach shack in the dunes on the Mornington Peninsula. She has a BA
in Media Relations and Grad Dip in Crisis and Issues Communications and
she's very good at playing scrabble.<b> </b><br /></p><p></p><p>Hannah Sommerville is a well-known illustrator who
creates enchanting watercolour, gouache and digital illustrations in her
studio on the South Coast of NSW. She began illustrating in 2010 after the arrival of her children. Her picture book <i>Digby & Claude</i>, written by Emma Allen, was selected for the CBCA 2019 Notables list. </p><p>8. <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Iceberg-Claire-Saxby/dp/1760526045">'Iceberg'</a> by Claire Saxby & illustrated by Jess Racklyeft<br /></p><p><i><span class="a-text-bold"></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="a-text-bold"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd2b-arna0kupxa_MThWp3VH1KsahqDIBmCtm0byXrtSG0Al0jPJlx4OjCWFrOAe-oK99OLAUJ0cciEERuKw2AWkqY97T2k6XB9e4Pmk0wRmgLkPus-bPUAg4pvDWv9SmlxC11SClxCREh6sTrjtFv2KS8d2UYvcIHrbtHc9P6pXx8aUzHMP0UFkEfog/s1020/iceberg-table.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1020" data-original-width="937" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd2b-arna0kupxa_MThWp3VH1KsahqDIBmCtm0byXrtSG0Al0jPJlx4OjCWFrOAe-oK99OLAUJ0cciEERuKw2AWkqY97T2k6XB9e4Pmk0wRmgLkPus-bPUAg4pvDWv9SmlxC11SClxCREh6sTrjtFv2KS8d2UYvcIHrbtHc9P6pXx8aUzHMP0UFkEfog/s320/iceberg-table.jpeg" width="294" /></a></span></i></div><i><span class="a-text-bold">An iceberg is born into spring and travels
through the seasons before dying in a new spring. A stunning, lyrical
story for our times, from renowned picture book creators Claire Saxby
and Jess Racklyeft.</span></i><p></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p>In this wonderful book, we follow
the path of an iceberg (that is like a living thing) as it shadows the path of penguins trekking across the ice to winter homes. And 'surprisingly' it senses krill stirring underneath the ice. Summer is bringing new life. The iceberg comes across humpback whales and orcas as they
gather. The iceberg is shrinking, but when autumn comes with cooling temperatures, the sea changes and it is trapped in
the ice for the winter freeze. But of course, spring follows winter and the iceberg
drifts into a bay where 'sadly' its life cycle ends. But wait... there's more. Way off in the ocean, another iceberg shears off and everything begins again.<br /></p><p>The beautiful text and stunning images bring something new to our telling of this critical cycle of 'birth', 'life', 'death' and 'rebirth'. The book ends with an author's note
explaining the effects of climate change on the Arctic and Antarctic
regions, as well as a map and a glossary.</p><p><span class="a-text-bold">'Iceberg' has been short-listed for the 2022 CBCA Picture Book of the Year</span><span> and also as a Notable Book for the </span><span class="a-text-bold">Eve Pownall Award</span><span>. </span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Trevor Cairneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743409298855125040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9200808769555430311.post-66227685449017350652022-07-24T14:02:00.002+10:002022-07-25T09:10:57.479+10:00Helping our Students to Make Connections between Life and School<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHHFjVX-2Jnzdi_z6Sx6QGhcTTh0UDPq42p4CSwCpmzT3qbbfzWsQh1lusBWMTWM5qbn6QxCFZGH1Czm-EedTsnipKulYzWgkii-TgAn3sL-Qne1Dt4fxcIw-o-47tjuHb9Pn_-ydYO1oUJ8nzVY3iOE8YSMxp3EpnwzxKyRuEP15nyZ88rKmQhbZ7Wg/s582/PATHWAYS.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="582" data-original-width="360" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHHFjVX-2Jnzdi_z6Sx6QGhcTTh0UDPq42p4CSwCpmzT3qbbfzWsQh1lusBWMTWM5qbn6QxCFZGH1Czm-EedTsnipKulYzWgkii-TgAn3sL-Qne1Dt4fxcIw-o-47tjuHb9Pn_-ydYO1oUJ8nzVY3iOE8YSMxp3EpnwzxKyRuEP15nyZ88rKmQhbZ7Wg/s320/PATHWAYS.jpg" width="198" /></a></div>I presented a plenary address this week at the <a href="https://sam2.arts.unsw.edu.au/isljc2022/">Seventh International Literary Juvenilia Conference 2022</a>. The conference explored Juvenilia, that is, youthful writing up to
the age of twenty. As part of my plenary address I explored Intertextuality research which was a key focus for me in the 1980s to 1990s. Intertextuality refers to the "relationship
between texts" (Kristeva). In my book 'Pathways to Literacy' (Cassell,
1995) I describe it as "the process of interpreting one text
by means of another text".<p></p><p>Two people inspired me to explore Intertextuality. First, my dear friend and
colleague Margaret Meek from the University of London (who died just two
years ago), and Prof. Jerome Harste (Indiana University) who has been a close colleague and friend for almost 40 years. Jerry invited me to come to Indiana University (Bloomington) as a Postdoctoral Fellow
in 1984. My purpose was to commence postdoctoral research and writing on Intertextuality. <br /></p><p>While at IU, I collaborated with a Grade 5 teacher at an Indianapolis School. Barbara invited me to spend time at her school and assist her as a co-teacher, with a class that at times was challenging. I want to share a story from this classroom, that I also shared at the Juvenilia Conference this week. This student's writing, was to offer me a profound insight into why the task of inspiring our children as readers and writers can be at times challenging.</p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -4.5pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXjyWna0afspdWlF_zgv2if-DaxyhDSaPf-kdCA3l7BImEzAAgzkxuHxlJdgWv3oRsmkAFbkKMzJfGzRmyQ-I2MjHUyMoPUziGJDBC_GY1775-4ZXanmLf5FwmaO2gxf_7vhoCI3-q80XFVThWJT5vJUvyHETScLSEbfijv6J8--HLOSAQIjjRwpqjUQ/s320/harste.jpg" width="240" /><br /></div>On an ordinary morning, as I
prepared for the school day, I heard the yellow school buses arrive at the entrance, and the rush of
students down the corridor shortly just minutes later. Students burst through the door and we
did the usual crowd control, as they jostled their way to their seats. Some were
shouting to one another, and a few were saying “Hi Sir”. A bolshie young African
American named Nora (not her real name) threw her bag onto the desk. It missed, and its contents
spilled onto the floor right in front of me. I started to help her pick things
up. I grabbed a wad of writing paper with numerous texts that looked like
stories.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -4.5pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 55.02pt; text-align: left;"></p>I was shocked! Norah was a
disruptive student and had the ability to spend a whole day without completing
any task. She was from a difficult family and lived in a trailer court. It’s no
exaggeration to say, she had not produced a single piece of writing in English
while I was there. I said to her, “what’s this Norah?” She replied, “Nothin
Sir”. I said, “looks like writing to me”. “It’s Nothin Sir, just stuff I do at
home.”
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -4.5pt;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -4.5pt;">I hesitated and said, “can I
read some of it?” “No Sir, you won’t like none of it. It’s just stuff.” “Looks
like poetry to me”. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No Sir, just some
songs.” I said, “please let me read some.” She replied, “well, maybe just a
couple.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -4.5pt;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -4.5pt;">The first untitled ‘song’ that
caught my attention was this one ‘:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -4.5pt;"> </p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -4.5pt; text-align: center;">Lonesome
all alone</p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -4.5pt; text-align: center;">She
waits by the phone</p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -4.5pt; text-align: center;">Lonesome
all alone</p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -4.5pt; text-align: center;">She
wants to belong</p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -4.5pt; text-align: center;">Lonesome
all alone</p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -4.5pt; text-align: center;">She
listens and hopes</p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -4.5pt; text-align: center;">But
there is no sound</p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -4.5pt; text-align: center;">Just
a lonesome hound</p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -4.5pt; text-align: center;">Lonesome
all alone</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -4.5pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -4.5pt;">Was this great poetry? For this
11 year old child, yes! At home, it seemed Norah was a writer, whereas at school she was
mostly a pest, and had not completed a single piece of writing at school. She saw little relevance in her school learning, but found inspiration
in writing music stimulated by her own inner hopes and dreams.</p><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -4.5pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIn-ybmXitg_fTfBH__r6V-HAUvs0As3T-1pBX-MSrtDiDcxWqvGpf28oytOFR1LSVxk0QywQC4MsuDpSJtzGT_p0KvXOx-cHiQGvGQxRZU71l891XoYECrBMmUgGEEx6uYDjMtqImdSniys5uaPQ_ozUe3FMMo22soL2RscWvbqRzndX0ltdU4MaW7g/s400/menu-stephen.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="265" data-original-width="400" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIn-ybmXitg_fTfBH__r6V-HAUvs0As3T-1pBX-MSrtDiDcxWqvGpf28oytOFR1LSVxk0QywQC4MsuDpSJtzGT_p0KvXOx-cHiQGvGQxRZU71l891XoYECrBMmUgGEEx6uYDjMtqImdSniys5uaPQ_ozUe3FMMo22soL2RscWvbqRzndX0ltdU4MaW7g/w306-h212/menu-stephen.jpg" width="306" /></a></div>I share Norah’s story, because I believe there are many children like her in
our schools, for whom the literature of great authors has not been part of their
lived experience. As such, the literary seedbeds of their storytelling and
writing are different to the students many of us will teach in our schools. She was inspired by popular music at home and moved to write in response to her struggles as a disadvantaged African American.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -4.5pt;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -4.5pt;">I want to suggest 4 key ingredients for motivating and engaging our students as learners:</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -4.5pt;"> </p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>First, know your students well. Who are they at home? What are their passions outside school</li><li>Second, discover the things in life that our students might want to share with others?</li><li>Third, consider what might unlock the passions and interests of our students leading them to become risk takers, willing to share the things that touch and inspire them most? </li><li>Fourth, as teachers we should try to
help our children to build a "cauldron of stories" as a reservoir into which they can dip as writers. <br /></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -4.5pt;">The challenge in my talk at the conference was a simple plea. Get to know our students well, and seek to plough the seeds of the love of literature, into the lives
of students like Norah, and I suspect many other children within our schools. In this way, we might just be able to help children like Norah (& me when at school) to grow as readers and writers as they connect their lives with the things of school. </p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style> <br /></p>Trevor Cairneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743409298855125040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9200808769555430311.post-33676435663325773602022-06-06T10:21:00.002+10:002022-06-06T10:21:21.746+10:00Ten Wonderful New Picture Pooks to Enjoy with Children Aged 2-7 years<p>1. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Serees-Story/dp/1925126994/ref=sr_1_4?crid=31U3O2FNB5ZJM&keywords=Seree%27s+Story&qid=1654330732&sprefix=seree%27s+story%2Caps%2C312&sr=8-4">'Seree's Story'</a> by Irma Gold & Wayne Harris</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSYVPbGnNSNeSrCtAwDEMorsAo3plODDyai8SKIlvaHZIJ3AqcaZefdg0IeUqbHr8YbF9maMxY71HbC4QIfNG2f2v9w-E7XqrFKTqWh36yr3nWcAYoMFcOb2hw22kXr-7rWvimAjRJmPDl97hN8JzV11nBE5vuALtWL7P6O1ZJxUMu2Hf5nAo6zi6m-A/s640/Seree's%20Story.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="490" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSYVPbGnNSNeSrCtAwDEMorsAo3plODDyai8SKIlvaHZIJ3AqcaZefdg0IeUqbHr8YbF9maMxY71HbC4QIfNG2f2v9w-E7XqrFKTqWh36yr3nWcAYoMFcOb2hw22kXr-7rWvimAjRJmPDl97hN8JzV11nBE5vuALtWL7P6O1ZJxUMu2Hf5nAo6zi6m-A/s320/Seree's%20Story.jpg" width="245" /></a></div><p><i>Seree loves nothing more than eating sweet, mushy bananas, rolling in squelchy mud and playing with her family in the jungle.</i></p><p><i>But one day, she is captured and put to work in a circus. All she wants is to find her mother, and freedom.</i></p><p>This is a very special picture book. The tale of a young elephant taken by poachers torn away from her mother and the extended family. Destined for a circus as a perfomer on the other side of the world. </p><p>The poignant story is enriched by the incredible illustrations of Wayne Harris. Children will love the story and be challenged by its environmental message. </p><p>The book also had information after the story about the endangered elephants of the world. Suitable as a read-aloud for infants classes and a book that children aged 5-7 will enjoy reading.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjix_4dFHTedMwCuvgAMTQYQEjEWbz4pdt0ARFD7ri6lifPyiq9DRoBOqa5oljWv80hh2kyGKGdI7tM0tjjkvkxSFtLhFKvkz27l9e7F_5eSOZ4IewQpmNFYnFQdfLUkR-16XGAfm3pOq2XuztYArEb_i1R80vLnGdukYH6HPxQBQ2AUdA4HtnLHXcVpQ/s1054/9781925126990-1-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="1054" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjix_4dFHTedMwCuvgAMTQYQEjEWbz4pdt0ARFD7ri6lifPyiq9DRoBOqa5oljWv80hh2kyGKGdI7tM0tjjkvkxSFtLhFKvkz27l9e7F_5eSOZ4IewQpmNFYnFQdfLUkR-16XGAfm3pOq2XuztYArEb_i1R80vLnGdukYH6HPxQBQ2AUdA4HtnLHXcVpQ/s320/9781925126990-1-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>2. <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Echidna-Near-My-Place-Sue-Whiting/9781760652401">'The Echidna Near My Place'</a>, by Sue Whiting & illustrated by Cate James</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRItS9ZWPbChMZ4H0QbMT3ModTGF1s9DBt1E4nd84_CQfQ5Hh-WXr5_pf3UDlA1Cy-Np706ymnPK64PIxPTX498dN6e82dwLNFefCnBkQ5y59iNe2fqLDGKvMuSHXQUvcUqJS7BtaNQoJz7K__r_GD3TSW3t0j8ctEEdUxLxCg3UjhGtwE6j5QpyIKDA/s630/The%20Echidna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="487" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRItS9ZWPbChMZ4H0QbMT3ModTGF1s9DBt1E4nd84_CQfQ5Hh-WXr5_pf3UDlA1Cy-Np706ymnPK64PIxPTX498dN6e82dwLNFefCnBkQ5y59iNe2fqLDGKvMuSHXQUvcUqJS7BtaNQoJz7K__r_GD3TSW3t0j8ctEEdUxLxCg3UjhGtwE6j5QpyIKDA/s320/The%20Echidna.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>This is the latest addition to the Nature Storybooks series from walker Books. It tells the story of a child and its Nanna, and as with other books in the series it includes factual information on each double page spread as well as the continuing fictional story of a child and her Nanna who both love animals.<br /><br />
<i>As a young child and their Nana go for walks
together, they follow a short-beaked echidna keenly observing and
discussing what its life might be life. Learn with them about what Echidnas eat, where they live, and how they protect themselves.</i> <br /><p></p><p>Cate James' illustrations are delightful. When you see this little echidna curled up in a defensive position, you feel like you want to gently touch the page to see if its quills might just spike you.</p><p>A lovely book which will teach and engage children in this delightful story as well as the magical images. <br /></p><p>3. '<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Freddy-Not-Teddy-Kristen-Schroeder/dp/1922539090">Freddy the Not-Teddy</a>' by Kristen Schroeder & illustrated by Jean Tapper</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJz7vBJw0lG2HlP-4l0QpbtvQVMZ-ARQqSwHS2ABZBCwGnPvZ5J6NFaR0RECXRQJ_T7u7NQqz3ALvEXheGRBwCIaBuJDxGJoPoL7-VpCeTF-LaBmffWwxlOdHdy55qSF84w4tYb4woDb-wKD5OVYF3PYbi6MsaispblKKZy1gfTnb_23ulEhIXPMLHUw/s640/Freddy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="640" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJz7vBJw0lG2HlP-4l0QpbtvQVMZ-ARQqSwHS2ABZBCwGnPvZ5J6NFaR0RECXRQJ_T7u7NQqz3ALvEXheGRBwCIaBuJDxGJoPoL7-VpCeTF-LaBmffWwxlOdHdy55qSF84w4tYb4woDb-wKD5OVYF3PYbi6MsaispblKKZy1gfTnb_23ulEhIXPMLHUw/s320/Freddy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"> <p><span class="a-text-bold">This is such a lovely and heart warming story about a little boy called Jonah and his favourite stuffed toy called Freddy. He's a little unusual. Just what is Freddy?<br /></span></p><p><i><span>A funky duck, a peculiar platypus, a punk rock penguin? When Jonah’s
teacher announces that they’re going to have a Teddy Bears’ Picnic, it
seems that if Jonah wants to take Freddy, Freddy will have to go in
disguise!</span></i></p><p><span>But it's not easy to make a toy that looks much like a duck to look like a teddy for the school Teddy Bears' picnic.</span></p><p><span>Children will love finding out just what happens when Jonah
stands up for himself and for his beloved Freddy the 'not-teddy'. Children (and adults) will by Kristen Schroeder that is delightfully illustrated by Jean Tapper. I just love it!<br /></span></p></div><p>4. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Get-Ready-Mama-Sharon-Giltrow/dp/1922539082/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3KV99QA87SIUB&keywords=Get+Ready+Mama&qid=1654338646&s=books&sprefix=get+ready+mama%2Cstripbooks-intl-ship%2C349&sr=1-1">'Get Ready, Mama!'</a> Sharon Giltrow & illustrated by Arielle Li</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhW_AHVEORv-geXYXWroO-_Kfu__hynGshIzcw8CsKo5wxb4_ECYL1SBmjdk2Jg3ATXMgzVg7QTsOOZsFZr4YQSzxqwEsMF7ty-HKnhVh1T2tciJ9vZseU4_XKtVte1QiBt4OSMqG5WO3NaD2UxstGrtjAihGcneiwzruxyWiqRIKbQDbyUB2OAEiaA/s640/Get%20Ready%20Mama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="640" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhW_AHVEORv-geXYXWroO-_Kfu__hynGshIzcw8CsKo5wxb4_ECYL1SBmjdk2Jg3ATXMgzVg7QTsOOZsFZr4YQSzxqwEsMF7ty-HKnhVh1T2tciJ9vZseU4_XKtVte1QiBt4OSMqG5WO3NaD2UxstGrtjAihGcneiwzruxyWiqRIKbQDbyUB2OAEiaA/s320/Get%20Ready%20Mama.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><span class="a-text-bold">This is a funny book that children aged 3-6 will love having read to them. Every parent will also love sharing this story in which the parent and the child seem to swap roles; or do they?!</span></p><p><span class="a-text-bold">Children will love the irony of a tale where the child has to get Mum ready to go to school. Will Mum ever get out of bed, get her clothes on, make it to the table, go to the bathroom and race for the car? Or, might she even sneak back into bed!!<br /></span></p><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><p><span>Kylie Howarth's delightful text is complemented perfectly with Arielle Li's gorgeous illustrations to create a wonderful book that will be a favourite with many children.</span></p></div><p>5. '<a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Bush-Magic-Kylie-Howarth/dp/176065082X/ref=sr_1_6?qid=1654339491&refinements=p_27%3AKylie+Howarth&s=books&sr=1-6">Bush Magic</a>' by Kylie Howarth</p><div aria-expanded="false" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content"> <p><span class="a-text-bold">This is a delightful story that any grandparent would love to read to their grandchildren. It speaks of that special relationship between a child and a grandparent; when time is spent extravagantly, and love underpins every activity with their grandchild. With endless patience and a sense of fun, Jarrah spends a whole day with her Granpa. I know this joy well!</span><span></span><span></span></p><p><span><br /><i>Jarrah
and her Grandpa love spending time together exploring the bush around their
home. But one miserable Sunday it’s too rainy to venture outside, so
instead Jarrah and Grandpa float away on a dreamlike quest where they
meet magical creatures, save their stranded bush friends from a flood
and have their most exciting adventure together yet.</i></span></p> </div><p>This is a book that many grandparents and parents will enjoy sharing with their children.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXIx4_pk_QBto8Z9zdPNqpu0NmQWzJCHR386jcHg7j4PpgsBCVSaSdtXIid1Oky9gMAUUysgVNKDuORJ81BuIB9qFUHczaCV88FvAKN0h8wvskvD1Q_nqhI9Ojf5RmIgtxJRjsdmGXb5jaLr1DSiq73pt0XxRCzAoMOXvpeZEoQDCfLEoDEfsqGPLOvQ/s603/Bush%20Magic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="479" data-original-width="603" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXIx4_pk_QBto8Z9zdPNqpu0NmQWzJCHR386jcHg7j4PpgsBCVSaSdtXIid1Oky9gMAUUysgVNKDuORJ81BuIB9qFUHczaCV88FvAKN0h8wvskvD1Q_nqhI9Ojf5RmIgtxJRjsdmGXb5jaLr1DSiq73pt0XxRCzAoMOXvpeZEoQDCfLEoDEfsqGPLOvQ/s320/Bush%20Magic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>6. '<a href="https://www.booktopia.com.au/tasmanian-devil-claire-saxby/book/9781760652418.html">Tasmanian Devil</a>' by Claire Saxby & illustrated by Max Hamilton</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb7-XO-cXd4ssKE3JcGVvxYY_ezFIe8B2GbWyK6x4_v2BVXSATbS-2LlWzBolyoltCHHVzF_sINkv-BpvSoLMNh5XhjXyOCgQD_YofllaxPnhzzPbroNhWZTv6RAuZQQr-kCVXvX5wnFC_zIs-jNatPZ1DUAAanHK8uHjWRW8ZdD-Esi9-Gj2A0oCpfw/s613/Tassy%20Devil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="485" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb7-XO-cXd4ssKE3JcGVvxYY_ezFIe8B2GbWyK6x4_v2BVXSATbS-2LlWzBolyoltCHHVzF_sINkv-BpvSoLMNh5XhjXyOCgQD_YofllaxPnhzzPbroNhWZTv6RAuZQQr-kCVXvX5wnFC_zIs-jNatPZ1DUAAanHK8uHjWRW8ZdD-Esi9-Gj2A0oCpfw/s320/Tassy%20Devil.jpg" width="253" /></a></div>Seeing the name Claire Saxby on any book will get me to pick it up and open it quickly. This new book is another in the 'Nature Storybook' series from Walker Books. As usual, Claire Walker's text is special as she introduces 'two little imps'. These feisty Tasmanian Devils might look cute, but they will wrestle, shriek and growl at each other. And they are scavengers feeding mostly on dead animals. Cute they might be, but don't get too close!<br /><p></p><p>I love Max Hamilton's illustrations. While they might look cute asleep in their burrow, I can almost hear them growling and shrieking. Don't get too close!</p><p>Having the background facts and details at the back of each of the books in this series will also satisfy the curious reader who wants to know more about these special animals. <br /></p><p>7. <a href="https://www.walkerbooks.com.au/book/9781760652395/">'Old Fellow'</a> by Christopher Cheng & illustrated by Liz Anelli</p><p> This is such a beautiful book. Liz Anelli's wonderfully detailed and true to life drawings are just gorgeous. The 'Old Fellow' looks exactly like and old fellow should, and shows much of the central character's personality. As he does his early morning stretch, and takes the dog for a walk, there is much to see.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_GKyjDkP3NzqCrQWsZmMMTAvT58rOgEHhnPGd2gMr92gMPYyXT2AVuwCFvpWVNv_pS4rwuBxPWH0ZB5vQYTKP-gGnDvOovg-njhWXILiTgQFlACkONtXEpdN1NxKM2WldIltY0RAFUEAVXwKE96obaPcQZECeGMTIW5oRVF5iDoFDHPW_D_1hZDBIQ/s608/Old%20Fellow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="483" data-original-width="608" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_GKyjDkP3NzqCrQWsZmMMTAvT58rOgEHhnPGd2gMr92gMPYyXT2AVuwCFvpWVNv_pS4rwuBxPWH0ZB5vQYTKP-gGnDvOovg-njhWXILiTgQFlACkONtXEpdN1NxKM2WldIltY0RAFUEAVXwKE96obaPcQZECeGMTIW5oRVF5iDoFDHPW_D_1hZDBIQ/s320/Old%20Fellow.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Liz Anelli's illustrations are also stunning. Her line and water colour images are just so true to life and rich in real-life situations. So too is the portrayal of the two key characters; an old man and his dog as they do their daily walk and come across other people who cross their paths each day. A wonderful book.<br /></p><p>8. '<a href="https://www.booktopia.com.au/jack-s-jumper-sara-acton/book/9781760654054.html">Jack's Jumper</a>' by Sara Acton</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTKKgiNd0cKZ-FJUTiBdVKq-NsVhc6k0q9jrN5vMDkO4-gCmCs0AL9cdErcJzqHqGPRNs03tXon4MnwGcQ-rvIrb9joRhSes_Qif-MDcFTTWozPj4Pxgqiy5KTx9m8L_PEgxuLZBmDdcJGyqc8ySaGA1UPK16YmAw3CNLvKTl7xWTrUdL_UwdVBxoLkA/s623/Jack's%20Jumper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="623" data-original-width="484" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTKKgiNd0cKZ-FJUTiBdVKq-NsVhc6k0q9jrN5vMDkO4-gCmCs0AL9cdErcJzqHqGPRNs03tXon4MnwGcQ-rvIrb9joRhSes_Qif-MDcFTTWozPj4Pxgqiy5KTx9m8L_PEgxuLZBmDdcJGyqc8ySaGA1UPK16YmAw3CNLvKTl7xWTrUdL_UwdVBxoLkA/s320/Jack's%20Jumper.jpg" width="249" /></a></div><p></p><p>Sara Acton is an award-winning author and illustrator of children’s
books. "She lives on the Central Coast of NSW with one husband, two
children, a mischievous dog and a cat called Poppy, who’s definitely in
charge." <br /></p><p>I've previously reviewed her book <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Dinosaur-Day-Out-Sara-Acton/dp/1760651559">'Dinosaur Day Out'</a> and this latest book is equally as engaging delightfully illustrated.</p><p>This lovely story centres around Jack's jumper that was once his big brother Paul's jumper.</p><p><i>"Paul and Jack used to do everything together. But now he's always busy doing something else... somewhere else."</i><br /></p><p>The lovely text is so well supported by the 'softness' of Sara Acton's water colour illustrations. This is wonderful story about a little boy who misses his big brother, and who's relationship with him changes as they grow older; but their bond remains. </p><p>This book will warm the hearts of readers aged 4-7 years.<br /></p><p>9. '<a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Jigsaw-Puzzle-Post-Bob-Graham/dp/1529503310/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3NWZCENIL16U7&keywords=bob+graham+Jigsaw+A+puzzle+in+the+post&qid=1654342491&sprefix=bob+graham+jigsaw+a+puzzle+in+the+post%2Caps%2C238&sr=8-3">Jigsaw'</a> by Bob Graham</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhPC8ekV11cRQ09ci0yAZKfEUe1vqPiH8u2l8A7G7wnhX9lJanrM1KnlnEFtOSCfZV1uY2N2V-7ae2IEpkpuekQ23Ta19Z1KvksesdRp7QBgCLvymExZi5RmbfoVKvOBCs04SsuXQsEZIClhSE000BhoP-f-GiIqmSFbD-1sLXG-GxPFayHoi_pO2fw/s615/Jigsaw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="615" data-original-width="486" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhPC8ekV11cRQ09ci0yAZKfEUe1vqPiH8u2l8A7G7wnhX9lJanrM1KnlnEFtOSCfZV1uY2N2V-7ae2IEpkpuekQ23Ta19Z1KvksesdRp7QBgCLvymExZi5RmbfoVKvOBCs04SsuXQsEZIClhSE000BhoP-f-GiIqmSFbD-1sLXG-GxPFayHoi_pO2fw/s320/Jigsaw.jpg" width="253" /></a></div>Bob Graham is one of Australia's finest author/illustrators. His many books have been delighting children (and teachers) for more decades than it is polite to mention. I've been a big fan for a long time.<p></p><p>This book is not due to release until early July. But get a copy as soon as you can, because I'm sure they will sell quickly!</p><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"> <i><span class="a-text-bold">Serendipity
and positive thinking come into play as a family searches for a missing
puzzle piece in Bob Graham’s enchanting story with a sweet surprise
ending.</span></i><span><br /> <br /> A puzzle arrives in the mail from an unknown source. “Oh, let’s do it!” say Kitty and Katy and
Mum when a thousand-piece jigsaw puzzle mysteriously arrives in the
post. “I have time on my hands,” agrees Dad. Starting in winter with the
edges, by autumn they’re almost done, only to discover that one piece
is missing. </span></div><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><span>As a puzzle lover who has lost not just one but up to three pieces of a single puzzle, I know the agony of getting to the end and not being able to complete it!! I also know the joy that occurs when after many days scouring for each piece, the last one is found hiding. Enjoy! <br /></span></div><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><i><span>As in all of Bob Graham’s work, the
beauty here is in the details, with visual perspectives that offer a
bird’s-eye view or even take us underfoot, wordless sequences letting us in
on a secret. Is it sheer luck – or perhaps the power of hope – that
creates an ending to the story?</span></i></div><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><span>10. </span>'<a href="https://www.booktopia.com.au/my-dad-thinks-he-s-a-pirate-katrina-germein/book/9781760653460.html">My Dad Thinks he's a Pirate</a>' by Katrina Germain & illustrated by Tom Jellet <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVnLvMS7rOq4xBwXA1wGAwrM9cSYvq95OSLgn4JXp6vH7zwNJEvGzQ85oaT72ZRFfd-5L8fq2Fy4rCC2I04IR-utEgFRmkzKenOMyaYs5h3yX0rVYNzN7Jthu-19oHfgpxJ20J4iRqvYetpOmU2EawKfFQnoh4DsQUcgX-AyIQxJsI8IQ2idGIVHBsLA/s557/Pirate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="483" data-original-width="557" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVnLvMS7rOq4xBwXA1wGAwrM9cSYvq95OSLgn4JXp6vH7zwNJEvGzQ85oaT72ZRFfd-5L8fq2Fy4rCC2I04IR-utEgFRmkzKenOMyaYs5h3yX0rVYNzN7Jthu-19oHfgpxJ20J4iRqvYetpOmU2EawKfFQnoh4DsQUcgX-AyIQxJsI8IQ2idGIVHBsLA/s320/Pirate.jpg" width="320" /></a>What a delightfully engaging title for a children's book. The title alone made me want to read it. What child wouldn't want their Dad to think he was a pirate?!</div><p>This 'special Dad' is full of 'Dad jokes' and surprises. With all of his "hearties" in tow, they head off on many adventures. With the constant repeated refrain "My Dad thinks he's a pirate" we know that these kids don't buy this Dad's belief in his persona.</p><p>Katrina Germein's text is wonderful as usual, and Tom Jellett's illustrations are again excellent and fun. This is a funny story that children aged 3-6 will find hilarious. If your children loved it, you will also enjoy some of their earlier books, including '<a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/My-Dad-Loves-Toot-Childrens/dp/B0957BYD33/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1AOGBEL17RIEV&keywords=My+Dad+Loves+to+Toot&qid=1654474206&s=books&sprefix=my+dad+loves+to+toot%2Cstripbooks%2C734&sr=1-3">My Dad Loves to Toot</a>', '<a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/s?k=My+Dad+Thinks+he%27s+Funny&i=stripbooks&crid=HEYPCMCJNSSH&sprefix=my+dad+thinks+he%27s+funny%2Cstripbooks%2C336&ref=nb_sb_noss_1">My Dad Thinks he's Funny</a>' and '<a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Dad-Still-Thinks-Hes-Funny/dp/1742032389/ref=sr_1_2?crid=HEYPCMCJNSSH&keywords=My+Dad+Thinks+he%27s+Funny&qid=1654474441&s=books&sprefix=my+dad+thinks+he%27s+funny%2Cstripbooks%2C336&sr=1-2">My Dad Still Thinks he's Funny</a>' (& a few other titles as well)!<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Trevor Cairneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743409298855125040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9200808769555430311.post-21777612456210513662022-04-29T21:34:00.000+10:002022-04-29T21:34:40.861+10:00The critical role teachers play in the formation of students<p class="MsoNormal">I've been working on my family
history in the last six months. I set myself the task of compiling the story of the previous 3-4
generations of my family history in words (yes, a ‘small’ task!). As I began to write, I
found myself revisiting images of people, places and events. I knew that any family history largely reflects
memories and the perspectives of varied family members and significant others like friends, teachers, sporting coaches and so on. Even two or more
siblings can have slightly different memories of the same events, person and
relationships. I began to see that as well as the
family stories handed down across the generations, photographic evidence
and other historic documents also matter!</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgF4y2aKVKvrKqvuc0bCA1J_ppr8JNF4LD_OaYLQOPluNwpJn0RJL0jv7cml9rGc94ejD4QKazs2mhnVsPFpR8I59YtonI5gXO4H_x4RPq1Q1BwMoiERh8CY6KtINqVt-7-JZ2Z_3XPUM5du765Xbx-8cO2H5FztXrk6fAD74WccXv5ir8KHHl4kvc/s1992/TrevorDianne3HillSt.tif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1376" data-original-width="1992" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgF4y2aKVKvrKqvuc0bCA1J_ppr8JNF4LD_OaYLQOPluNwpJn0RJL0jv7cml9rGc94ejD4QKazs2mhnVsPFpR8I59YtonI5gXO4H_x4RPq1Q1BwMoiERh8CY6KtINqVt-7-JZ2Z_3XPUM5du765Xbx-8cO2H5FztXrk6fAD74WccXv5ir8KHHl4kvc/s320/TrevorDianne3HillSt.tif" width="320" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> <b>Above:</b> My sister Dianne & me (a 'few' years ago).<br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But while varied evidence is not always 'equal' in validity, it all helps to understand who we think we are, what we believe, and also give insights into how our character and values were formed. An image alone, can help us to situate and
understand our memories within a specific place and time. They act as anchors
for 'truth'. But an image requires interpretation, so in partnership
with the memories of multiple people and sources, places and events, we will end up nearer to the 'truth'.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 40px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfd6iS8mRo51knRDzPyejPQS0lhrY-7ZFPagqYhUl6HImByg-JJmydpgSSqhBkZrB3Wj0cE82BQp83zUMb5gwnvi8etarY0rt3IieJZy2xU-Cildmn_w78nifFM7-KoJ9f5A1d2bJ1DfI-42XCXfd42kkKsunUAZDbvtBaxnApXqDmxf_vGCXwNVBB/s640/photo.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="432" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfd6iS8mRo51knRDzPyejPQS0lhrY-7ZFPagqYhUl6HImByg-JJmydpgSSqhBkZrB3Wj0cE82BQp83zUMb5gwnvi8etarY0rt3IieJZy2xU-Cildmn_w78nifFM7-KoJ9f5A1d2bJ1DfI-42XCXfd42kkKsunUAZDbvtBaxnApXqDmxf_vGCXwNVBB/s320/photo.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>My
Great Great Grandfather watched a son and daughter (and a nephew) leave Scotland in
1882 never to return to their homeland. As I began to dig out old family
photos and records, and
listen to the memories of those still living, a bigger and more complete
story
emerged of what had happened. The addition of unseen images from boxes,
old newspaper clippings, ship
records and so on, all contributed to a larger and more complete story; one
richer than any single family member could recall. There is often much
knowledge that is common to family members, but gaps can be filled by other people
and official documents. Like many families, there have been some
surprises, with some troubling events uncovered, and amazing
stories unearthed.<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As I have embraced this journey I've been reminded of the
words of Alasdair Macintyre:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>"The story of oneself is embedded in the history of
the world, an overall narrative within which all other narratives find their place."</i></p><p class="MsoNormal">Of course, it is true, every story is unique, but
also our personal stories reflect the stories of
others before us, as well as those we live life with now. Alasdair's
words seem to be very much 'big picture', but I believe that he is right. It
should not surprise us when we discover that every personal stories is
unique, they share elements with other people's stories, and all demonstrate how we are shaped in part by the lives of our family members, and previous generations from
our
maternal and paternal relatives.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSi-dXiU80Dcmqv4ATjoWUa8pUYvp_M9K89EIirT9yWawm5VOxRzR3kjtgmJ46C8GTcNafRZAB_sBN-8RiQEuGCHNjQwTqn-yLmEDm-laMzrumvDhLDp9ymXVrConJMVGYQCrCmTR56_njw600ns2O_8Mi8eChSq63sJnCyjhCC2uoPfVwQn7DS9Z/s1280/DadForthBridge.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="915" data-original-width="1280" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSi-dXiU80Dcmqv4ATjoWUa8pUYvp_M9K89EIirT9yWawm5VOxRzR3kjtgmJ46C8GTcNafRZAB_sBN-8RiQEuGCHNjQwTqn-yLmEDm-laMzrumvDhLDp9ymXVrConJMVGYQCrCmTR56_njw600ns2O_8Mi8eChSq63sJnCyjhCC2uoPfVwQn7DS9Z/s320/DadForthBridge.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><b></b><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> Above:</b> My Dad near the Forth Bridge in Scotland having returned after 60 years</span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">I grew up in a less than perfect home. For much of my
childhood both parents were 'absent' from my life for varied reasons. My older
sister and I were fairly
independent from about the age of 10. But we both loved our parents and
were
shaped in varied ways by their lives. <br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">With our less than perfect parents, some of our teachers also had a strong influence on us. My sister was better behaved so she had more! In my case, there were a few I loved and some I
loathed. Only a few could see much potential beyond the unkempt and at times disobedient child. These few teachers demonstrated the way we engage and nurture the children in our
care matters. Sadly, many saw me as just a cheeky
and annoying kid (which in their defense I was). Whatever role we fill in life, we
can and should seek to have an influence for
good. Teachers are in a critical category of their own. <br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2v-YKCdppk0rM3mXBnPmF9udY-yxg6_eBLaDoBLj5Vn90QEAz7Fjz14IzrDhpm5uRUFHHTLcBRd-qpkvNj9sNBEc0AVSt-5AyUITQk329QR8Rw6s2_JLU_oBfce4WxDTkIVeJj2Gin3wwFpxOA4EuexnQJUMRPF5CR9Sak5iIc4xEc3IVCGU6LKzg/s2016/IMG_1827.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2v-YKCdppk0rM3mXBnPmF9udY-yxg6_eBLaDoBLj5Vn90QEAz7Fjz14IzrDhpm5uRUFHHTLcBRd-qpkvNj9sNBEc0AVSt-5AyUITQk329QR8Rw6s2_JLU_oBfce4WxDTkIVeJj2Gin3wwFpxOA4EuexnQJUMRPF5CR9Sak5iIc4xEc3IVCGU6LKzg/s320/IMG_1827.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Above:</b> Terry Malone, Dr Phil Lambert & Me </span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">I
had the joy last night of attending the launch of a book from the
recently retired Assistant Director General of Education in NSW Dr Phil Lambert.
The book is '<a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B09SHZFYWN/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i0">The Knowing and Caring Profession</a>'. He invited me to attend his book launch, along with a former colleague I taught with 48
years ago! To our great surprise he mentioned us both in his book (and not for bad behaviour!). As a
1st year student teacher he was assigned to my class (in just my third
year of teaching at Chester Hill Primary school in Sydney). </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsB6_oTZUQpTupzoNm3fICzgclCIXtk0aRKT6_P35TwVy1U5S0ZlgQkkjh4zUrm5h0NLniaxekI21GcVnbDU4Ghd9eXOBhSTDGdgWYbudHa7xvLb471zPqCSmjqr_IQWOycTxi4LBoI-ZiGx64vvQG2AiNv6r3d6yVjCiOX5cIQWqdI7EYtDk3eERS3Q/s500/PhilLambertBook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="325" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsB6_oTZUQpTupzoNm3fICzgclCIXtk0aRKT6_P35TwVy1U5S0ZlgQkkjh4zUrm5h0NLniaxekI21GcVnbDU4Ghd9eXOBhSTDGdgWYbudHa7xvLb471zPqCSmjqr_IQWOycTxi4LBoI-ZiGx64vvQG2AiNv6r3d6yVjCiOX5cIQWqdI7EYtDk3eERS3Q/s320/PhilLambertBook.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>Phil shared at the book launch and in his book, that he'd considered leaving teacher
training until he came to my classroom for his first period of practice
teacher. He said that he observed my love of teaching, my love of the students, and the
friendship and fun I had with the teacher in the next room Terry
Malone. The fun and joy we had teaching, and the impact on the
children's lives inspired Phil to continue. He came to the school
thinking of dumping teaching, but he left keen and excited about
completing his course. To learn this many years later was a joy!<br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I share the above story, not to blow my own trumpet, but because it reminds us that our
stories are
always intertwined with other people's stories. As teachers, it is
important to consider how we encourage our students to live in ways that
acknowledge their true identities, while also seeking to help them grow
and mature through lived experience. Just like their parents and wider
families, teachers play a part in helping to shape the character of our
students and can change their lives for the good!<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">The central goal of education should always be
more ambitious than just academic standards, cut-off scores, future jobs, sporting
achievements, and so on. As Alasdair MacIntyre argues, education in our schools should
lead to “purity of heart,” not just appropriate behavior and school success. As
I outline in my book "Pedagogy and Education for Life":</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>"The role of teachers and schools is to partner with
parents to create school learning communities that work in concert with the
many other communities in which all students are participants. These school
communities of learners will teach, nurture and indeed form the children who
God gives to us, in whatever educational context we meet them."</i></p><p class="MsoNormal">I know there are many challenges in teaching right now, but be encouraged, you can make a difference to children. As tough as teaching can be, seek to place the learning of your
students and their growth as people at the centre of your concerns. You
serve in a noble and important profession that has an impact on the lives of others.</p>Trevor Cairneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743409298855125040noreply@blogger.com1