Norah Colvin

Live Love Laugh Learn … Create the possibilities

Category: Lower Primary education

  • The Environment Awards for Children’s Literature — Shortlist 2021 – #readilearn

    The Environment Awards for Children’s Literature — Shortlist 2021 – #readilearn

    When I was recently approached by the Wilderness Society to Share information about this year’s Environment Award for Children’s Literature, I didn’t hesitate. I have previously interviewed two authors whose books have won Environment Awards: Rebecca Johnson and Aleesah Darlison. I have also published a list of picture books with environmental themes and am keen to promote the environment and what we can do to preserve and protect it. Picture books and the environment — what’s not to love?

    Now, over to the Wilderness Society — the following information was provided by them.

    Every year, the Wilderness Society celebrates Australia’s finest children’s nature authors through their “The Environment Award for Children’s Literature.”

    2021 shortlist is now out, with 13 books ranging from the fiction, non-fiction and picture fiction genres.

    These books tell stories that encourage children to appreciate nature, take action and feel proud in understanding the great movement they all are a part of.  Each author in this shortlist has crafted unique stories that celebrate their love for children, the environment, country, space, wildlife, and story-telling!

    Continue reading: The Environment Awards for Children’s Literature — Shortlist 2021 – readilearn

  • Finding ‘Home’ — a new picture book by Karen Hendriks – #readilearn

    Finding ‘Home’ — a new picture book by Karen Hendriks – #readilearn

    Today I am delighted to share with you Karen Hendriks’s recent picture book Home as part of a Books On Tour promotion.

    Home, published by Daisy Lane Publishing, is a story of hope for a brighter future.

    I previously introduced Karen to you when we explored how creativity was celebrated in her picture book Go Away, Foxy, Foxy. I am also pleased to say that, in some way, Karen and I are writing buddies. We both have stories in last year’s anthology Tell ‘em They’re Dreaming as well as in this year’s anthology to be released next week Once Upon a Whoops!

    About Karen Hendriks

    Karen Hendriks is a children’s author who lives in a small seaside village in Shellharbour, New South Wales. Picture books are her favourite kind of books. Karen adores how words and pictures join together to create story magic in picture books. Karen is very passionate about writing quality stories for children.

    About Home — the blub

    War ends, yet its dark shadow remains.

    A family is forced to flee their home.

    As they journey through hunger, long cold nights, and homelessness,

    a heart locket whispers words of hope.

    And a country that’s far away,

    calls for those that are no longer wanted.

    It offers new beginnings and a precious place, once more to call home.

    As explained in an interview with Romi Sharp on the Just Kids’ Lit blog, the book was inspired by a journey taken by Hendriks’s own family after the Second World War. It is a slice of history of which many are unaware.

    Hendriks writes:

    Between 1945 and 1946, three million Sudeten Germans were expelled from the Sudeten Mountains to Germany, Austria and the Soviet Zone. It was the largest forced refugee movement of a single population in the 20th century. I always felt the deep sadness inside my Oma about the loss of her family home. This pulled at me to write about losing home. When researching for Home I discovered that my Mum, Oma and great Oma and Opa were Sudeten Germans.  My Mum was a baby when they were forced to leave their mountain village called Wunschendorf, in Czech. It is now known as Srbska. My great Opa was in still in a concentration camp for opposing Hitler. So it was my Mum as a baby, Oma and Great Oma and they walked from their village to East Germany. This story is so important to me because the plight of the Sudeten Germans is not really known and their story is my story, too.

    You can read more about Hendriks’s family and the illustrator in this post on Just Write for Kids.

    What I like about Home

    Continue reading: Finding ‘Home’ — a new picture book by Karen Hendriks – Readilearn

  • Happy 5th Birthday, readilearn! – #readilearn

    Happy 5th Birthday, readilearn! – #readilearn

    Today. Tuesday 24 August 2021, is readilearn’s fifth birthday. Thank you for joining our journey.

    A birthday gift for you

    To help us celebrate, we have a readilearn birthday gift for you.

    For the next ten days, until Friday 3 September 2021, two of our birthday resources are available to you, absolutely free.

    Happy Birthday — an interactive resource to personalise (usually $2)

    The Birthday Bundle includes 8 birthday-themed printable resources in one easy-to-download bundle (usually $2.50, or $8.50 if purchased individually)

    These resources include:

    Continue reading: Happy 5th Birthday, readilearn! – readilearn

  • I Wonder… a book for our planet by Allison Paterson – #readilearn

    I Wonder… a book for our planet by Allison Paterson – #readilearn

    Today it is my pleasure to introduce you to Allison Paterson and her delightful new picture book I Wonder with illustrations by Nancy Bevington and published by Big Sky Publishing. This post is part of a Books On Tour promotion.

    I previously introduced you to Allison when I interviewed her about her non-fiction book Australia Remembers: Anzac Day, Remembrance Day and War Memorials.

    About Allison Paterson

    Allison Marlow Paterson is an Australian Author who writes stories for children and adults.

    Allison’s writing reflects her passion for the past. In addition to creating books for adults and picture books about growing up on the farm, she is the author of the ABIA and CBCA notable title Anzac Sons: Five Brothers on the Western Front.

    Her 2018 release Australia Remembers: Anzac Day, Remembrance Day and War Memorials heralded a new non-fiction series, with the next – Customs and Traditions of the Australian Defence Force – arriving in 2021. Allison’s first novel for young adults – Follow After Me – was created while undertaking a May Gibbs Children’s Literature Trust Fellowship.

    I Wonder is Allison’s latest picture book for children and is inspired by Australia’s beautiful beaches and her concern for the environment

    The Sunshine Coast is where Allison enjoys life as a writer, presenter and publishing consultant.

    About I Wonder

    The little wooden boat has been left behind in the sand dunes. Odd things pass it by, tumbling and floating into the ocean – a chip packet, a takeaway cup and a plastic bag. The little wooden boat wonders and worries … Is it a forgotten thing? Is it just rubbish now? Will it ever find a home again? This delightful tale will inspire readers to take the small steps needed to care for their world – no matter how young they are!

    What I like about I Wonder

    Continue reading: I Wonder… a book for our planet by Allison Paterson – Readilearn

  • Fruit, Vegetables and Food for Thought — Science Week – #readilearn

    Fruit, Vegetables and Food for Thought — Science Week – #readilearn

    Next week, from 14 – 22 August, is National Science Week in Australia. The theme for this year is Food: Different by Design which fits perfectly with this year being the International Year of Fruit and Vegetables.

    Focus on fruits and Vegetables

    Here is a wonderful video promoting fruits and vegetables for the International Year.

    The video is fun to watch and makes my mouth water with all the bright and colourful photographs of delicious fruits and vegetables. If you watch the video with your students, it may lead to many and varied follow-up discussions and activities. Here are just a few suggestions.

    Discussions

    What fruits and vegetables can you name?

    Which of them are fruits and which are vegetables?

    What is the difference between fruit and vegetables?

    Which of these fruits and vegetables have you tried?

    Which is/are your favourites?

    Is your favourite included in the video?

    What is your favourite way to eat these fruits and vegetables?

    Activities

    Extend vocabulary — make a list describing the fruits and vegetables and what children like about them; for example: sweet, juicy, crunchy, soft, ripe, nutritious, delicious, raw, cooked, bitter, exotic.

    Have children draw or write about their favourite fruit or vegetable treat.

    Set up a fruit and vegetable market in the classroom using laminated children’s drawings or images cut from magazines; plastic, wooden or paper mache fruit and vegetables, and use it for a variety of activities including sorting and shopping.

    Food

    Make a fruit salad or fruit kebabs. Invite every child to contribute a piece of fruit. Share it for brain break or morning tea.

    Make vegetable soup. Invite children to contribute a vegetable. Serve it with bread or savoury scones, which you could also make, for lunch.

    These readilearn resources provide suggestions for other lunch ideas that are easily prepared at school.

    How to make a healthy smiley face sandwich is a procedural text with step-by-step instructions that are easy enough for children to follow on their own with the supervision of an adult in a small group. The activity is suitable for use in literacy groups. It could be incorporated into a unit focusing on healthy eating.

    Continue reading: Fruit, Vegetables and Food for Thought — Science Week – readilearn

  • Once Upon a Whoops! Cover Reveal — Pre-orders Open – #readilearn

    Once Upon a Whoops! Cover Reveal — Pre-orders Open – #readilearn

    Today I am excited to announce that this year’s Share Your Story Anthology, Once Upon a Whoops! is available for pre-order now and will be available for sale on 1 September.

    Once Upon a Whoops! is a collection of twisted fairy tales and ridiculous rhymes with peculiar pictures, all by Australian authors and illustrators.

    I am delighted to tell you that I have two fractured fairy tales included in the collection: Three Alpha Pigs and Silverlocks and the Three Bears.

    Three Alpha Pigs twists the original Three Little Pigs with three pig brothers who are definitely of this century. In case you didn’t know, as I didn’t until I researched it for my story, Generation Alpha are those born since 2010. Like many of their generation, the brothers play video games and avoid chores whenever possible. They think that having built successfully in Minecraft, they’ll be able to build successfully in the ‘real’ world when they leave home and need somewhere to live. Mr Gruff, who lives next door, doesn’t think they’ll stay away from the comforts of home too long. His kids never do.

    Silverlocks is an older Goldilocks. She’s done her time and wishes everyone would stop reminding her of her past. She uses an online booking service to secure holiday accommodation, but things don’t turn out as she hoped and flashbacks of the past intrude on her stay.

    In addition to my two stories, there are more than forty stories and poems collected in the anthology, including some by authors I’ve previously interviewed: June Perkins, Karen Hendricks, M J Gibbs and anthology organiser Michelle Worthington. Many other stories and poems are also by already published authors with many books to their names, so I’m in good company.

    Proceeds of Sales

    As with each of the previous Share Your Story anthologies, sales of the book will raise funds for charity. This year’s charity is Life’s Little Treasures Foundation, an organisation that provides support for families of premature or sick babies. This includes items such as Precious Prem Packs and guide books for families in hospital.

    Copies of the anthology will be sent to every children’s hospital in Australia as part of the Little Readers Readathon.

    Continue reading: Once Upon a Whoops! Cover Reveal — Pre-orders Open – readilearn

  • Let’s meet courageous, creative Claudette by Helene Magisson – #readilearn

    Let’s meet courageous, creative Claudette by Helene Magisson – #readilearn

    Today it is my pleasure to introduce you to Claudette, the beautiful new picture book written and illustrated by Helene Magisson, published by Red Paper Kite. While Helene has illustrated many other picture books, this is the first that she has both written and illustrated.

    I have previously introduced you to Helene’s gorgeous artwork when interviewing her about Magic Fish Dreaming, a collection of poems by June Perkins and Sarah’s Two Nativities by Janine M Fraser. Please refer back to those posts to find out more about her beautiful artwork.

    About Helene Magisson

    Helene Magisson is an award-winning illustrator. She started her artistic career as a painting restorer in Paris, where she was also trained in the art of medieval illumination.
    Helene has lived in Africa, France and India. She is now settled down in Australia with her family. She has illustrated more than 15 books and has collaborated with major Australian publishers.
    Recent awards include:
    • Claudette, her first book as an author-illustrator, has been longlisted in the Australia Books Industry Awards 2021
    • Little Puggle’s Song written by Vikki Conley, CBCA 2020 Notable Picture Book of the Year
    • Slowly! Slowly! written by T.M. Clark, CBCA 2018 Notable Picture Book of the Year

    About Claudette 

    Loutka is a brilliant puppet maker. All of his creations work perfectly, just as he expects them to. Except for Claudette. She is a rickety misfit who longs for freedom and adventure. What can be done with such a puppet? Loutka doesn’t know.
    So Claudette stays on the shelf. Until one incredible day…

    Claudette takes the reader on a courageous and magical adventure beyond the clouds, discovering the power of beauty, possibility and self-worth along the way.

    ‘A book infused with magic!’ – Megan Daley, Children’s Books Daily

    Longlisted in the Australia Books Industry Awards 2021

    The Interview

    Helene, we’ve met you before as an illustrator of beautiful picture books. Now we are talking to you as an author-illustrator.

    What gave you the idea for this delightful story of the extraordinary puppet Claudette?

    Continue reading: Let’s meet courageous, creative Claudette by Helene Magisson – Readilearn

  • Cultivating friendships on the International Day of Friendship – #readilearn

    Cultivating friendships on the International Day of Friendship – #readilearn

    Next Friday 30 July is the International Day of Friendship. One of the aims of the International Day of Friendship is to foster a culture of peace through education. It is “based on the recognition of the relevance and importance of friendship as a noble and valuable sentiment in the lives of human beings around the world”.

    Some children find it easy to make friends. Others may find it a little more difficult. While some of us enjoy time on our own, there’s no denying that days are often brighter with friends. This is especially true of children at school. Without a friend to play with, children can feel left out and alone. They may feel they don’t belong and begin to think ‘What’s wrong with me?’ Having a friend or two can influence how they feel about attending school and impact the whole school experience.

    The establishment of a welcoming and supportive classroom in which all children have a sense of belonging is essential and underpins a great year of learning and teaching for all involved. Part of that classroom is the social dynamics and friendship groups. They don’t always form naturally and, especially when some friendship groups are already established, newcomers may have difficulty being accepted when they try to fit in.

    Here at readilearn, we have a variety of lessons, activities and teaching resources to assist the teaching of friendship skills in your classroom. They can all be found in the Friendship Skills collection in the section Character Development.

    Getting to know each other

    Getting to know you surveys are a great way for teachers and children to get to know each other at the beginning of the year, and support the establishment of a welcoming, supportive environment in which individuals are respected and appreciated. Topics to survey are limited only by your imagination. With the incidental development of literacy and mathematical skills, they make an all-round great introduction to school.

    Me and my friends Children interview their friends to find out ways in which they are similar and how they differ from each other

    As children get to know each other, they come to realise that they have some characteristics in common and some that differ. Those characteristics do not make them better or worse. They make them who they are.

    Me and My Buddy is a great activity for your children’s first session with their buddy class.

    Children interview their buddies to find out more about them and discuss ways in which they and their buddies are similar and different.

    A community of friends

    Continue reading: Cultivating friendships on the International Day of Friendship – Readilearn

  • Meet Oswald Messweather a delightful new picture book by Dimity Powell – #readilearn

    Meet Oswald Messweather a delightful new picture book by Dimity Powell – #readilearn

    Today I am delighted to reintroduce you to Dimity Powell as she introduces us to Oswald Messweather, the star of her latest picture book. I have previously talked with Dimity about her earlier books At the End of Holyrood Lane  and Pippa. She also wrote a wonderful guest post for us about the importance of libraries, Libraries: A Wondrous Universe to Explore.

    About Dimity Powell

    Award winning children’s author, Dimity Powell writes exclusively for children with over 30 published stories including Oswald Messweather (2021), Pippa (2019), critically acclaimed, The Fix-It Man (2017) and At The End of Holyrood Lane (2018), winner of the 2019 SCBWI Crystal Kite Award.

    Dimity believes kids and great stories are life-essentials, like ice-cream. She fills her spare time reviewing the ones she loves (stories that is, not ice-cream flavours) at DIM’S re VIEWS and Kids Book Review for whom she is the Managing Editor. She is also a Books in Homes Australia Role Model, an accredited Write Like an Author facilitator and online and in-school presenter for G.A.T.E.WAYS Education.

    Dimity is an experienced presenter at writing festivals, conferences and schools both in Australia and overseas who is represented by Speakers Ink and Creative Kids’ Tales Speakers Agency. She loves eating cake with ice cream, sailing on the beam and writing in her diary although combining all three at once makes her nauseous.

    Dimity lives on the Gold Coast, Australia where dreams sparkle and superheros surf. Discover more at http://www.dimitypowell.com.

    About Oswald Messweather

    Mess and disorder upset Oswald. Even the complexity of his own name is enough to set Oswald’s legs jiggling and his palms itching with anxiety. To combat his unease, Oswald obsessively counts his take-everywhere pocket pals – his crayons. It is a compulsion he finds comforting but also extremely exhausting.

    Oswald’s obsessive preoccupations distract him from everything and everyone else around him, until one day Oswald is encouraged to use his penchant for perfection and eye for detail in a class project. With the help of his crayons, Oswald’s classmates create something spectacular, which helps Oswald realise just how valuable he is in spite of his anxieties.

    Oswald Messweather is not a picture book that focuses intently on the educational perspectives of children with OCD but rather more on the emotional aspects associated with this debilitating condition.

    The Interview

    Thank you so much for visiting us at readilearn again, Dimity. It’s a pleasure to have you here to talk about your new book. Please tell us, what gave you the idea for Oswald Messweather?

    Continue reading: Meet Oswald Messweather a delightful new picture book by Dimity Powell – readilearn

  • Lessons for teaching the letters and their most common sounds – #readilearn

    Lessons for teaching the letters and their most common sounds – #readilearn

    This week, I am delighted to tell you that I have finished making and have uploaded a lesson for each letter of the alphabet ready to teach on the interactive whiteboard. I had hoped to have them finished by the end of June, but I don’t feel too bad that it took me until 4 July — not too far over my goal.

    Each letter is introduced in its own lesson with its most common sound, as is the expectation of most English curricula and phonics programs. This includes 20 consonants and the short sound for each of the 5 vowels (a, e, i, o and u). The letter ‘x’ is the exception. Its most common sound is ‘ks’ as heard in ‘box’, so that is how it is introduced.

    The lessons are available individually and can be used in any order.

    They are titled, for example Let’s learn about initial j and can be found in the Literacy/phonics collection.

    Each lesson follows the same format.

    The letter and ten words are presented aurally as well as visually with images as an additional aid to memory.

    Continue reading: Lessons for teaching the letters and their most common sounds – readilearn