Category Archives: Picture books that address current issues

A few books about families

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Just the way we are by Jessica Shirvington and Claire Robertson

Reading this story with your child will help them to know that families come in all different shapes and sizes and because of that we are all shaped in different ways in how we look, feel and act.


The family hour by Tai Snaith

The family hour by Tai Snaith explores how different Australian animals spend time together – frog dads sing, seadragon dads carry their babies in their pouch, echidna mothers feed their babies pink milk and Tasmanian devil families love to be noisy! 

As we read through this book we had a laugh at some of the  family antics, a hint of jealousy at some and a feeling of wonder with others. The animal world is so intricate and it is wonderful to read books like this one to make these facts much more fun for children.


The patchwork bike by Maxine Beneba Clarke and Van T Rudd

The Patchwork Bike by Maxine Beneba Clarke and Van T Rudd is a fun book filled with onomatopoeia, vibrant adjectives and outside active play.

As you read through this story the energy seeps out of the pages as the children tumble through the streets, run up and down hills and zoom along on their homemade bike.

Family forest by Kim Kane and Lucia Masciullo

The modern family comes in all shapes and sizes, with half-sisters, big brothers and step-parents. Some kids have a family tree, and others have a family forest! Created by the award-winning author Kim Kane and celebrated illustrator Lucia Masciullo, half-sisters, this gentle and witty picture book explores one such gorgeous family.

Erik the Lone Wolf by Sarah Finan

Everybody knows that wolves live in packs. But one little wolf cub dreams of setting off on his own adventure… all by himself! Will life as a lone wolf be everything he hoped, or will he miss the rough and tumble of the pack? This fun adventure story featuring a cute wolf cub teaches young readers about the value of friendship, showing how good friends can still be with you, even when they’re not!


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    The incurable imagination by Paul Russell and Aska

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    Right from the start, everyone knew there was something a little bit different about Audrey.

    Do you know a child who has a wonderful imagination? Or perhaps you know one who doesn’t have one at all?

    The Incurable Imagination is a delightful picture book about the wonder of imagination.

    We follow little Audrey as she draws ogres, creates her own songs and talks to giraffes dressed in suits. Her imagination grows and grows and even the most boring of lessons can’t stop it.

    Soon enough Audrey’s wonderful imagination become contagious and everyone in her classroom (including the teacher) began to see the world in a completely different way.

    The Incurable Imagination by Paul Russell and Aska shows the importance of imagination and how much power it can give us. Many children have become too reliant on tv shows, pre made games and toys to amuse them and thus when left with a blank slate in any situation – don’t know what to do.

    Paul Russell also highlights the importance of inspiring teacher who help children to find that imagination and Aska’s illustrations show just how wonderful imagination can be.

    This book will encourage young children to use their imagination more often and go beyond the boundaries that have been set. It will also encourage parents to let their children be bored so their imagination can fire up and be a vibrant as little Audrey’s!

    The Incurable Imagination will hopefully allow your body to catch ‘imaginitis’ so that  learning and activities can be a lot more fun!

    CBCA Notable lesson ideas

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    Older readers

    Lenny’s book of everything by Karen Foxlee

    Tales from Inner City by Shaun Tan https://educateempower.blog/2019/03/06/tales-from-the-inner-city-by-shaun-tan/

    Younger readers

    Black Cockatoo by Carl Merrison

    His Name was walter by Emily Rodda

    Early Childhood

    Collecting Sunshine by Rachel Flynn

    Beware the deep Dark forest by Sue Whiting

    Picture book of the year

    Room on our rock by Kate and Joe Temple

    Girl on Wire by Lucy Estela

    The incredible freedom machines by Kirli Saunders

    The all new must have orange 430 by Michael Speechley

    When you’re going to the moon by Sasha Beekman

    Cicada by Shaun Tan

    Eve Pownell Award

    Digby and Claude by Emma Allen and Hannah Somerville

    The flying optometrist by Joanne Anderton and Karen Erasmus

    The great lizard trek by Felicity Bradshaw and Norma MacDonald

    Australian Birds by Matt Chun

    Bouncing Back by Coral Tulloch and Rohan Cleave

    Under the Southern Cross by Frane Lessac

    Waves by Rawlins, Donna, Potter, Heather , Jackson, Mark 

    Our Birds: Ŋilimurruŋgu Wäyin Malanynha by Stubbs, Siena

    Sorry Day by Vass, Coralillus. Leffler, Dub


    Collecting Sunshine by Rachel Flynn and Tamsin Ainslie

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    A collection, by definition is both the action of collecting something or a group of things.

    Children love collecting things and we often get caught up with their desire to collect stuff we need to buy – but this book Collecting Sunshine – shows that collections are everywhere we look, and do not cost a single cent.

    Mabel and Robert are out for a walk collecting anything they can touch, smell, hear, taste and see. Their senses are alive with wonderment as they count their collections, play in the rain and collect things that cannot fit into pockets.

    Reading Collecting Sunshine makes you realise how much joy children get from being outside and taking the time to look closely at the world around them. A simple 5 minute walk can turn into an hour but they joy they find in their collecting, is second to none.

    Collecting Sunshine will be enjoyed by young children and inspire them and hopefully their adults to start collecting things from the natural and outside world around them rather than the shopping centre!  

    The illustrations are vibrant and full of detail, giving the simple story so much more. Young eyes will love the tiny details of the cats up in trees, budgerigars watching closely and rainbows dancing on the grass.

    In the classroom

    Numeracy

    Take your class outside and collect things. Record this on a sheet and create graphs to show the different types of collections and the amounts of things we can have in a collection.

    Science

    Use this book to look at the five senses and how we can look at different things differently through a sense. E.g : We can touch a collection of rocks but can we taste rocks? Hear rocks? Smell rocks? See rocks?

    Activity Pack : https://www.penguin.com.au/content/PRH_FLYNN_PBOTM_PACK_HR.pdf

    Teacher notes: http://www.lamontbooks.com.au/media/126706/september-2018-ec-collecting-sunshine.pdf

    Where happiness lives by Barry Timms and Greg Abbott

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    Where does happiness live? How do you find it and hold onto it?


    This delightful picture book Where happiness lives by Barry Timms and Greg Abbott is not only a cleverly rhymed story but the illustrations are intricate and the peep holes through to the adjoining pages make the story lots of fun.

    The story begins at Grey Mouse’s house. It i safe, roomy and filled with friends and family. Grey Mouse thinks he has a wonderful life until he spies a much bigger house far off in the distance.

    Thinking that a big house with many beautiful things must mean happiness, little grey mouse and his friend White mouse go on a journey to find what they think will make them happy.

    But it is along the way that the reader can pick up on the things that the little mice are not noticing – the fluttering butterflies, the singing birds and the sweet smelling flowers – and wonder why they think that a big house with lots of treasures will somehow give them more.

    It isn’t until they meet the brown mouse that they realise what true happiness is.

    This book will spark conversations about what makes us happy and why we feel that things make this happiness. We live in a society where we are told to buy more and spend up to feel good – but we need to start to teach our children that this is not the pathway to be taken.

    Where happiness lives by Barry Timms and Greg Abbott is a great springboard to inspire young children to stop and look at what they have, appreciate the goodness in the simplicity of life and the beauty that friendships can bring.

    Buy here today

    The box cars by Robert Vescio and Cara King

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    Do you remember when you had more fun playing with a box than the toy that can inside it?

    Have you ever watched young children play with an abandoned box for days on end?

    The Box Cars by Robert Vescio and Cara King is a delightful picture book that shows young readers the fun they can have with boxes!

    We meet two best friends – Liam and Kai who are experts in making different types of box cars and racing them around the local park. It isn’t until one day that they notice someone watching them that they realise how special friends and imagination are.

    Soon enough – with a bit of problem solving – their duo becomes a trio and even more box filled fun takes place!

    Simple yet brightly lit illustrations by Cara King fill each page and clearly show the emotions of the children as they play. They give a sense of freedom with imagination and nature at the heart of every page.

    The story delves into the wonders of imaginative play and friendship and the problems that arise when we need to consider the needs of every one around us.

    The Box Cars will open up the opportunity to get children outside with their imaginations instead of inside in front of a screen. It will encourage discussions about friendships and help children to see wonder in the simple things!

    So what else can you do with this book?

    Literacy

    Grammar – Look at the different types of verbs used to describe how the characters do different things throughout the story. Replace these verbs with different or more plain verbs and see how the story changes.

    Visual literacy – Every page is a whole page illustration except for one double page spread when Eve is not in a box car. Why is this the only page that does this?

    STEM

    Design and Make – Build something of your own out of a box that could serve a purpose in the school playground. Create plans before it is made and outline the clear purpose.

    History

    Toys in the past – explore how children made toys of their own in the past. What materials did they use and how did they make them?

    Lucky and Spike by Norma MacDonald

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    Have you ever wondered what life is like out in the desert of Australia where the Spinifex grass grows and the stars shine all over the night sky?

    Through the eyes of two cute hopping mice – Lucky and Spike – you and your young readers will see what they get up to each night as they search for food and escape from hungry predators!

    Every night Lucky and Spike enjoy the spinifex seeds leftover from the local women who grind them to make bread but as we find out, they are not the only ones who are in search of food.

    Lucky and Spike need to use their quick legs to escape a hungry feral cat and a barking owl but with the help of the camp dog and the sharp spinifex grass, they escape.

    Norma Macdonald’s illustrations highlight the colours of the desert and the people who live there. The animals are full of life and we can see their movements over the pages as they hop, fly and run throughout the night.

    There is so much to enjoy about this book and so much to learn, it is a must for anyone interested not only in the diverse landscapes, people and animals of Australia, but also the need for better solutions for native species.

    The hopping mouse lives in Australia in small pockets of sand dunes, grasslands, gibber plains, heaths and open forest .   

    They are on the vulnerable species list and are closely monitored by different conservation groups around Australia. Feral cats are a huge problem due to their ability to hunt the mouse with little detection. Other feral animals who roam free also play a role in the degradation of soil and small grasses – needed to provide safety and shelter.

    Lucky and Spike is a fun book to read for younger children but also one which can be used for older readers to explore further into different desert animals.

    Free Delivery on all Books at the Book Depository Premiere

    So what else can you do with this book?

    Sustainability

    Look at the final page in this story and read what Norma has written about feral cats. Explore the different organisations who are trying to cull these creatures and the different ways they are doing this.

    Visual Arts and Artists.

    Explore the art works by Norma MacDonald and other books she has written ( Spinifex Mouse by Magabala books)

    Literacy

    Find the verbs used to describe how the animals move around. Create a list of other verbs these different animals might use during the night and then during the day.

    Science

    Research further about Spinifex Hopping mice and Barking owls.

    Discover how cats become feral.

    Join my facebook groups if you like!

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/sociallyconsciouschildren/about/

    The elephant by Jenni Desmond

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    Once upon a time, a child took a book from the shelf and started to read……

    About elephants.

    The elephant by Jenni Desmond is a beautiful non-fiction picture book which will teach you almost everything you need to know about elephants and the important role they play in the world.

    Did you know that without elephants watering holes would remain shallow? Or that pathways through the rainforests would not be accessible to smaller creatures? Or perhaps that their poo is not only a source of food for other animals but also a place to carry seeds for many different types of plants.

    The pictures in this book are stunning and although the writing is lengthy for younger readers they will soak up the information whilst staring at the sketches.

    Jenni Desmond has written two other books about endangered species, highlighting the importance for us to take a lot more care of them. With growing population and a demand for space to grow food, humans are encroaching on their space to live and pathways to move.

    I only just read an article last week about elephants in India and the deadly clashes that are occurring each year. 

    Stories about endangered animals are important but so are factual books. We need to know more about these species so we can talk to governments around the world and demand that more care is taken.

    So what can you do after you have read this book?

    1. Look at other books about elephants – non fiction and fiction!
    2. Work on your own project about the history between humans and elephants. How have we felt about them throughout history? Why have things changed?
    3. Explore the different places elephants live and the positive encounters people have with them.
    4. Explore other animals who have helpful poo. What might the world look like if poo was not deposited they way it is?
    5. Create your own information book like Jenni Desmond’s that highlight important facts about another endangered animal.
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    Visit my facebook group – Growing globally and socially conscious children to explore more ideas together!

    We are all equal by P.Crumble and Jonathon Bentley

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    We are all equal.

    Let’s shout it out loud.

    We share hope and dreams, we’re equal and proud.

    A book to make your heart sing, a book to teach others, a book to realise how similar we all are and a book to read again and again.

    We are all equal by P.Crumble and Jonathon Bentley is a simple yet rich book in the message it sends to anyone who reads it – we are all equal.

    The story and the pictures match perfectly as they show the differences that we have in looks but the similarities we have in feelings, the differences we have in how we do things but the similarities we have in emotions.

    We are all equal by P.Crumble and Jonathon Bentley is a great book to share with young children as it can start a great conversation as to why we are all equal. It will put aside any prejudices children may have from learnt behaviour and it will open up a space to ask questions about the world and the people within.

    We are all equal by P.Crumble and Jonathon Bentley is a must read for any home or classroom and there are so many things you can do with the book.

    What can you do?

    • Draw your own picture of why you think we are all equal at school , home or in the community.

    • Explore times when people do not think they are equal – this could open up into a project for older students. They can examine an event which showed how people have shown hatred or mistrust for another group of people. Examine why this happened and if there was a resolution.

    • Explore why animals have been used in this picture book instead of people.

    • Go deeper into each page and explore what – in human terms – does each double page spread mean to us? Try and find links in your own lives and recreate pages for your home or classroom.
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    Where do odd socks go? By Yvonne and illustrated by Sunshine

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    Did you know that around 84 million socks go missing in the UK every month? 

    Did you also know that there are around 65 million people who are refugees or asylum seekers in the world?

    ‘Where do odd socks go?’ covers both these topics and more and is one to share with anyone who lives in the world.

    This colourful picture book covers the pertinent issue of minority groups in our society through the use of odd socks. It is not only a fun way to view this huge issue of people who are often forgotten, but also an empowering way to show children that they can make a difference to these people’s lives. 

    On the first double page spread you will meet the main characters of the story – the Outrank team (members of this team are out to rescue the odd socks) and then the odd socks (socks who feel lonely, left out, different, worried or bullied).

    It’s important to spend some time here looking at the different socks and wondering why they feel the way they do – and relating this to people in our society. 

    You’ll then meet Tilly and Tolin,  twins with special powers, who are out to rescue the odd socks with the help of the Outrank team.

    Children will travel through the book with the characters in order to find the different socks and see that team work is a marvellous tool.

    You’ll also journey to Egypt and learn a fascinating fact (that the oldest pair of stockings were found in a circa 500AD tomb uncovered by archaeologists) and see that despite everyone’s differences, we are all important members of society. 

    Not only is this picture book fun to read, it is also a book you can draw many different discussions from. You will enlighten children about the important differences between us all, the importance of team work and most importantly the importance of looking out for each other.

    The illustrations are fantastic – we loved looking at the different characters and their interesting antics.  The layout of this story make the book fun and both of these combined allow this story to be engaging and easier to grasp the different socks and their needs.  

    Where do odd socks go? By Yvonne and illustrated by Sunshine is a much needed story and one to share with as many children as you can! 

    Teacher notes to come soon – watch this space! 

    Who dresses God? Written by Teena Raffa-Mulligan and Illustrated by Veronica Rooke

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    Children have so many thoughtful questions that not only do they want answered but encourage us, as the adults, to think about the responses. 

    Who dresses God? Written by Teena Raffa-Mulligan and Illustrated by Veronica Rooke is a softly written story that explores a child’s wonderment and awe of the concept of God.

    With genuine interest the child wants to know who looks after God, where does he live, how does he see or even hear? 

    And the parent’s response is genuine. 

    Through rhyme, the concept of God is explained. His beauty, love and kindness are everywhere and in everything. God is linked to everything the child knows and wonders about and perhaps by the end of the book the concept of who God is makes a lot more sense. 

    Talking about who God is can be difficult not only to explain, but to understand.  This book – Who dresses God? Written by Teena Raffa-Mulligan and Illustrated by Veronica Rooke  – is a perfect way for any perplexed adult to explain God to their child. 

    Rhyming words curl through the pages, flowing beautifully to explain how God is special – just like us.  The illustrations help the younger reader to see the story and add that extra detail to why God has created the world we love and care for. 

    I highly recommend this delightful picture book for any family wanting to explain who God is, what makes our world so special and what makes us, as people special members of the world that has been made for us. 

    Make sure you take part in the rest of this wonderful Blog Tour and check out my facebook pages for extra discussions about books and environmental stewardship!

    Growing globally and socially conscious children: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sociallyconsciouschildren/about/

    Educate Empower: https://www.facebook.com/educateempower11/

    When you’re going to the moon by Sasha Beekman and Vivienne To

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    Have you ever believed that you could go anywhere you wanted?

    Do anything you dreamt of?

    Or could be anything you wished?

    IMG_2657

    When you’re going to the moon by Sasha Beekman and Vivienne To is a beautiful story about believing in yourself and the accompanying illustrations are magical.

    A young girl wants to go to the moon. She decides to take only the essentials in her small green bag and of course her pet iguana – but what else might she need to get there?

    Determined to climb higher than she ever has before she takes no risks, making sure she packs a map to help her get home.

    When you’re going to the moon by Sasha Beekman and Vivienne To is a story to read to young children to help them to see the importance of believing in their dreams, admiring their achievements and soaking in the wonder of new activities.

    A book to share, a book to read and a book to enjoy.

    Clever Crow – Wak Liya-Djambatj by Nina Lawrence and Bronwyn Bancroft

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    When a hungry crow can’t find any food, he has to be clever.

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    Clever Crow – Wak Liya-Djambatj. Written by Nina Lawrence and illustrated by Bronwyn Bancroft is a traditional Australian indigenous story about crows and how clever they are. But what makes this book even better than just being a story, is it is a story told in two languages – English and the Djambarrpuynu, a Yolnu language from the north east of Arnhem Land.

     

    As you turn each page you can read the story in either English or Djambarrpuynu and ponder on the patterned images that fall across the pages.

     

    For those who cannot speak Djambarrpuynu an orthographic guide has been placed at the back alongside a glossary.

     

    Clever Crow teaches the reader about persistence and patience. It shows us that even if we don’t achieve something that we want so much, with time we may just gain it.

     

    Children are introduced to difference Australian animals,  traditional indigenous cooking activities and the patterns of indigenous art.

     

    The colours of the illustrations jump off each page, lighting up the story from the bright sands of the beach to the darker shades of the bush. The patterns and lines within each block are something to look at in detail to understand the texture of the trees or the contours of the land.

     

    Clever Crow is a book that all children across Australia should be reading and it would be wonderful to see more books like this written so we can share the Indigenous languages of Australia and keep them alive for many more generations to come.

    What can you do with this book?

    Explore the artwork and the patterns within each illustration. Compare the illustrations to that of images from Arnhem land – can you see the patterns in the landscapes?

    Find another indigenous story from this part of Australia.

    Find an indigenous story from where you live in Australia.

    Think about how you have been a clever crow in one aspect of your life OR how you can be.

     

    We are together by Britta Teckentrup

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    We’re off to climb mountains, all the way to the top…Our friends keep us going – they won’t let us stop. 

    We are together by Britta Tenckentrup is a celebration of love and friendship.  Through colourful illustrations and fun peek a boo holes, children of all ages will see the power of friends as the story travels along.

    This book is a wonderful story to share with children as it highlights many things about self love and love of others.

    It starts with the importance of our own self – our special gifts, dreams and hopes but it then shows that with one other and perhaps more than one other – we can achieve so much more.

    Friends help us to see the bright side of life, they help us believe more in our selves and follow those dreams.

    Young children will love the new person that appears on every page and the people shaped holes that are made with each page turn.

    If ever we’re lonely, we’ll just say out loud: Let’s all stand together, one big happy crowd! 

    We are together by Britta Tenckentrup is a book to share with all young children, one to pour over the illustrations together and discuss about how we feel about ourselves and the people who surround us.

    Self belief and positive peer groups are such an influential catalysts in the development of our young children. Talking openly with children about their gifts and how working with others who respect us is important – and through We are together by Britta Tenckentrup, this discussion can be brought up so much easier.

    So what else can you do with this book?

    Personal Development 

    Link this book with any Personal Development units of work in the classroom – talk about the gifts each child has. Discuss the important people in their lives who support them and make them feel respected and listened to.

    Explore the people we are friends with – how their strengths and their weaknesses help us to become better people.

    Visual Art

    Look at the technique Britta has used to introduce new characters on each page.

    Literacy

    Explore the use of rhyme throughout the story and create a new stanza that could be added somewhere in the book to add more information about the importance of self belief and friendship.

    Charlie’s Adventures by Jacqueline De Rose-Ahern and illustrated by Sophie Norsa.

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    Charlie’s adventures in South Africa by Jacqueline De Rose-Ahern and illustrated by Sophie Norsa.

    Have you ever wanted to visit South Africa but the thought of the long flight with small children was too much?

    https://www.derose-ahernstories.com/

    You will either be satisfied just reading this book or will be more inspired to head on over there after reading the adventures young Charlie has with his family in South Africa.

    As you follow Charlie’s journey you will learn a little of the local lingo, meet the animals that live on the savannah, walk through the city, taste the local produce, dance to some music and of course help Charlie to solve the riddles in order to find hidden treasure!

    After Charlie visits a new place in South Africa, he receives a clue which he needs to hold onto in order to solve the final riddle.

    The characters talk about a map which they use to move around South Africa and I would recommend pulling out a map so children can see where they might be travelling to as they visit different places.

    There is an added bonus in this story – a postcard at the back! Children love reading postcards and this one is blank, leaving space for children to write their own thoughts about this mini holiday!

    Charlie’s adventures in South Africa is part of series of travel books for children (which I haven’t’ read, but would be interested in seeing as it is a different way to ignite interest in other countries and its people.) In Jacqueline’s other books he visits Australia, Hawaii and England.

    Teacher’s will also love this book as it looks at a country in a different way – through the people and the eyes of a child. It will encourage an interest in maps and perhaps ignite some postcard sending!

    What can you do in the classroom? 

    – We looked at where South Africa was on the world map, then where is was in Africa.

    – As I read the book I showed matching images from South Africa – to make connections.

    – As I read I asked the children to listen to and look for clues.

    – After we read the children in Kindergarten drew what they thought Charlie saw on his adventure. You can see below what they have drawn and written.

    Join my facebook group – Growing Globally and socially conscious children – a closed group where we share ideas on how we can talk about big issues with young children through simple activities. 

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/sociallyconsciouschildren/about/

    And join in on the Book Blog tour running this week!

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    For the wild – links to great books and actions.

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    Without oceans in pristine condition, life as we know it will not be one any more…

    beach_blur_blurry_book_book_pages_close_up_coast_focus-938012.jpg!d

    A recent mapping exercise has outlined that only 13% of the world’s oceans are in true pristine condition.

    This means that only 13% can sufficiently support wildlife in all it’s forms – free of stressors such as plastics, shipping, overfishing, chemical pollution, run off, human activity and many more ways we change the world.

    We need to take action now and you can take action in some very easy steps.

    For the wild ocean

    And check out these books to start some great conversations about water and the wonders it holds – so we don’t lose it!

    If shark’s disappeared

    The Coral Kingdom

    Zobi and the Zoox 

    Ori’s clean up

    Tilly’ reef adventure

     

    Where in the Wild by Jonny Lambert

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    “The wildlife and its habitat cannot speak, so we must and we will” – Theodore Roosevelt.

    Where in the Wild by Jonny Lambert is an engaging picture book which shows the reader the beauty of different habitats and the animals that live within each one.

    On each double page spread we learn about the plants that make the space habitable for the diverse group of animals who choose to make it there home – but there is a great aspect to each page which young children will love.

    On each page is a window to another page which shows how some animals can live in two different types of habitats – even when they are quite different – we loved guessing where they might lived the first time we read the book and enjoyed talking about how they can live in both habitats on subsequent occasions.

    On each page are colourful pictures of the animals, plants and insects interacting accompanied by rhyming story and also some small facts about different types of animals.

    Where in the Wild by Jonny Lambert is a great book to raise awareness about how animals need special places to survive and it is up to us to ensure there are more of these areas – not less.

    So what else can you do with this book?

    SUSTAINABILITY

    In your local area is there habitat for different animals? Find out who lives here and how they live in this environment.

    Can you make your local green spaces better places to live for local animals? Try planting more trees and having less grass or built up space.

    GLOBAL ISSUES

    Where in the world do large rates of deforestation occur and why? (Geography Link, Numeracy Link)

    Explore why people chop down large areas of trees and which country is most responsible  – is it the country where the trees are or countries that buy the products or two own the land?

    ANIMAL CONSERVATION

    Explore the life cycle of different animals and why they need certain habitats as they change and grow. (Science link)

    Which animals in the world can only survive in certain areas?

    How many different types of animals are on each page? Explore a favourite of yours and the area they live in.

    And – come over and join my facebook group where we discuss how we can help our students and children understand and take action on these big issues!

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/362368594250457/

    Along came a different by Tom McLaughlin

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    Children and adults alike will be inspired by this picture book that shows us that even if we look different, act different or like different things – we can all be friends!

    Along came a different by Tom McLaughlin is a story about shapes – reds that love being red, yellows that love being yellow and blues that love being blue but the problem is they love being themselves so much that they can’t seem to like each other – that is until some very different shapes come along and make the reds, blues and yellows realise just how silly they are acting!

    This is a great book to look at the importance of accepting all different people who live in our society and that in the end we are all very different – which is great!

    Children can also explore different shapes both regular and irregular, colours of different objects and the beauty we see when colours get all mixed together.

    Try this book to ignite some great conversations amongst both adults and children in a time when we really need to foster acceptance in the multicultural societies we all live in today.

    Ori’s clean up by Anne Helen Donnelly

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    Octopus are very intelligent creatures and with eight legs and a bunch of friends they are also very good at cleaning up – even if the mess isn’t theirs!

    Anne Helen Donnelly has created another fun book with a much loved character – Ori the octopus and this time he has a little message for all of us!

    Meet Ori – a friendly Octopus who loves his underwater home, just not the rubbish that seems to be hanging around. Together with his friends they pile up the rubbish that is hanging around their watery houses but alas as the week goes by, the rubbish falls from the piles and scatters across the ocean again – encouraging them to problem solve a little bit more and work out where rubbish should go.

    Children will love the bright illustrations, the use of alliteration and repetition and the simple message of cleaning up after ourselves.

    Ori teaches us all that rubbish can not only go in the bin but also be recycled, reused, repurposed, composted or even better – refused!

    Ori also shows us that teamwork is one of the best ways we can make the world we live in a better place.

    So what else can you do with this picture book?

    Free activities from Anne’s website: http://www.annehelendonnelly.com/activities/

    And some ideas from me:

     – Explore alliteration of the animals names. What other names could these animals have? Can you think of names for other ocean animals?

     – Explore repetition throughout the book. What other actions do Ori and his friends do that could use this type of language?

    – Link all the different types of rubbish and where they go when we need to get rid of them.

    – Explore your own bin: What is inside your bin after one week of being at home?

    – Think: How can you create less rubbish in your bin? Try these activities in your home via my dropbox: (Please note this is in very very draft form!)

    https://www.dropbox.com/s/xnstqsthasuz2tu/How%20much%20plastic%20is%20in%20our%20pantry.docx?dl=0

    IMG_1804

    Love this review? Join my facebook group where we delve deeper into these issues facing children, parents and teachers. 

    JOIN MY FACEBOOK GROUP FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS WHERE WE EXPLORE BIG ISSUES AND HOW TO BEST TALK ABOUT THEM WITH KIDS.

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/362368594250457/

     

     

    Can you find me? By Gordon Winch and Patrick Shirvington

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    Tufts of grass, muddy banks, forest floors and watery gardens are all places animals hide  – with every intention of never being found, but perhaps you can find them?

    Gordon Winch has worked alongside Patrick Shirvington to create this picture book which not only allows readers to search images but also read along with the story through the use of repetition and simple language.

    On each double page spread the reader will hear clues that will help them to find the animal who is trying to camouflage in their natural habitat – some are very easy to find while others are quite tricky!

    Early readers will get a feel of how each page is written and start to read along as they search the illustrations.

    The Australian bush land is full of so many marvellous animals and so many of them are very well hidden so that if we ever want to see them we have to be very quiet!

    This picture book is a wonderful way to teach children that when we are in the bush, sometimes it is important to be quiet, look around, listen and most importantly tread carefully because all creatures are there, we just need to take the time to look for them!

    Many of the animals in Can you find me?  are endemic to Australia so by bringing their habitats to life through questions really engages children and will help them to think about each animal as they venture into the natural world.

    Can you find me? By Gordon Winch and Patrick Shirvington

    And – come over and join my facebook group where we discuss how we can help our students and children understand and take action on these big issues!

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/362368594250457/

    Tilly’s Reef Adventure by Rhonda N. Garward

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    A turtle hatches from her egg and immediately her life is in danger – we know that has always been that way but how have humans made the dangers even more numerous?

    Tilly’s Reef Adventure by Rhonda N. Garward is a wonderful book – both illustrations and story engage young children from start to finish and gives them so many different ideas for questions they can ask.

    The main character in this story is Tilly, and she is a new turtle, born with an instinct to survive.

    She escapes from crabs, birds and barracudas but it is the one thing that she wasn’t prepared for that nearly kills her – a plastic bag!

    Luckily for her there are some caring humans around who help her out of the bag as they continue to pick up rubbish along the beach.

    Continue reading →

    Books to inspire National Tree Day

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    National Tree Day is coming up –
     
    Friday 27th July for schools and Sunday 29th July for communities.
     
    What will you be doing?
     
    If you can’t plant trees you could plant some herbs or flowers.
     
    And of course, check out this great book list to inspire children to look after trees and appreciate them – as life without them wouldn’t be a life worth living

    The great lizard Trek by Felicity Bradshaw and Norma MacDonald

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    Written by Felicity Bradshaw and illustrated by Norma MacDonald, an Aboriginal Yamatji artist, The Great Lizard Trek is an excellent addition to the science, geography and sustainability curriculum in classrooms .

    It is also a wonderful book for family homes where nature lovers will delight in looking at the detailed illustrations, the maps and the reasons why we need to care more for the world we live in.

    The Great Lizard trek takes us on a journey from the north to the south coast of Western Australia. Along this journey we meet the different types of lizards who live in this part of the world and learn their indigenous name and the indigenous country they come from.

    Not only do we learn about these lizards we also learn that they are having to move from the places they have always lived because of climate change. Many lizards cannot cope well with extreme heat, lack of water, too much water or lack of shelter. And we often forget that reptiles play just as an important role in the ecosystem as mammals and marsupials do – not as cute and cuddly so they just don’t get the attention.

    We learnt a lot about different lizards and were especially surprised by Goannas and how important temperature was for the development of their eggs. If the eggs get too hot – all the babies will be girls and this is a big problem for the future.

    The Great Lizard Trek is a book you can read in one sitting or one you can take your time with, drawing on information, flipping to the maps included at the back and the from of the books and doing a bit of your own extra research.

    The story is engaging as are the lizard characters we meet. The dialogue between the characters adds lots of fun to these reptiles that often get ignored!

    Norma MacDonald’s illustrations are highly detailed and the background for each lizard is a reminder of where they live and the conditions they live in.

    Reptile’s are amazing creatures that live in Australia – and we have so many of them. The Great lizard trek is a great wake up call for all readers to see how human actions are having huge ramifications on the animal world.

    Luckily for these lizards the outcome seems to be good – but will it always stay this way? Will there be a part two? I’m not sure if the part two will be as positive.

    The Great Lizard Trek is an excellent book to discuss climate change from a different angle, various reptiles and to learn more about indigenous language, culture and country.

    There are some great teacher notes here: https://www.publish.csiro.au/book/7807/#forteachers 

    Love this review? Join my facebook group where we delve deeper into these issues facing children, parents and teachers. 

    JOIN MY FACEBOOK GROUP FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS WHERE WE EXPLORE BIG ISSUES AND HOW TO BEST TALK ABOUT THEM WITH KIDS.

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/362368594250457/

    Poppy and the Blooms by Fiona Woodcock.

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    Sometimes it’s the little people that make the biggest difference in our world.

    In this colourful picture book we meet Poppy and her friends – Dandy, Bluebell and Buttercup.

    They love playing outside but one day they realise that there is a park nearby that has lost it’s love, lost its colour and lost it’s joy.

    And even though they are small and the park is big, they know that with a lot of teamwork and determination they can make a huge difference to the world they live in.

    The pages are bursting with colour and the feeling of life, love and friendship all throughout the story. The story is filled with determination and one which will encourage any young listener to believe that they can make a difference.

    Do you have a little changemaker?

    Do you encourage your little changemaker to make a difference in the world they live in?

    Children are willing to care for the world they live in and with a little bit of help in the right direction they will make a difference.

    Take the time to make some positive changes in your world and do it alongside the smaller people in your life so that they grow up knowing that they can act and make a difference.

    • Let them pack their own lunchbox – plastic free!
    • Learn about where electricity comes from so they can turn off the lights.
    • Read the labels of soap bottles and wonder if we really should be putting it down the drain.
    • Look at the food you buy and where it comes from, what it is packaged in and the additives. Think about alternatives together.
    • Go to a local park and pick up rubbish, plant a tree or scatter some seeds.
    • Write to local politicians – show children that they have a voice too.