Norah Colvin

Live Love Laugh Learn … Create the possibilities

Category: Picture books

  • #WATWB Imagination Library: Dolly Parton donates her 100 millionth book!

    #WATWB Imagination Library: Dolly Parton donates her 100 millionth book!

    On the last Friday of each month, We Are the World Blogfest invites bloggers to join together in promoting positive news. If you would like to join in, please check out the rules and links below.

    A statement of mission from the We are the World Blogfest website:

    “There are many an oasis of love and light out there, stories that show compassion and the resilience of the human spirit. Sharing these stories increases our awareness of hope in our increasingly dark world.”

    The co-hosts for this month are Belinda Witzenhausen,  Sylvia McGrath, Sylvia Stein,  Shilpa Garg, Eric Lahti . Please pop over to their blogs to read their stories, comment and share.

    This month I am sharing a story of Dolly Parton and the 100 millionth book she has given away through her non-profit Imagination Library.

    According to the article by Helena Andrews-Dyer in the Washington Post Dolly Parton Likes to Give Away Books. She just donated her 100 millionth.

    The article states that

    “Parton is the founder of Imagination Library, a nonprofit that started out donating books in Sevier County, Tenn., and grew into a million-book-a-month operation. Families who sign up receive a book per month from birth to kindergarten. The singer donated her organization’s 100 millionth book to the nation’s library on Tuesday.”

    Knowing the enormous potential that books and reading have for changing lives by improving the chances of success, not just in school, but in life, I couldn’t go past sharing this inspiring article, especially when International Children’s Book Day is celebrated in a few days on 2 April.

    Click to read the whole article in the Washington Post.

    Here are the guidelines for #WATWB:

    1. Keep your post to Below 500 words, as much as possible.

    2. Link to a human news story on your blog, one that shows love, humanity, and brotherhood. Paste in an excerpt and tell us why it touched you. The Link is important, because it actually makes us look through news to find the positive ones to post.

    3. No story is too big or small, as long as it Goes Beyond religion and politics, into the core of humanity.

    4. Place the WE ARE THE WORLD badge or banner on your Post and your Sidebar. Some of you have already done so, this is just a gentle reminder for the others.

    1. Help us spread the word on social media. Feel free to tweet, share using the #WATWB hashtag to help us trend!

    Tweets, Facebook shares, Pins, Instagram, G+ shares using the #WATWB hashtag through the month most welcome. We’ll try and follow and share all those who post on the #WATWB hashtag, and we encourage you to do the same.

    Click here to join in and enter the link to your post. The bigger the #WATWB group each month, the greater the joy!

    Thank you blog post

    Thank you for reading. I appreciate your comments. Please share your thoughts.

     

  • Celebrating individuals in your classroom using stories – Readilearn

    Celebrating individuals in your classroom using stories – Readilearn

    While a classroom is filled with a group of unique individuals, it can be easy sometimes to get caught up in treating them as one, with one set of needs, expectations and rules. Everybody do this, everybody do that—a bit like Simon Says but not always as much fun.

    It is useful to pause sometimes and celebrate the uniqueness of individuals in your class.

    International Children’s Book Day and Hans Christian Andersen‘s birthday on 2 April provide excellent excuses for reading and celebrating children’s literature, as if we needed any. We can also find stories that help us celebrate individuality.

    The Ugly Duckling Hans Christian Andersen

    Hans Christian Andersen was a prolific writer of fairy tales, many of which are well-known and have been made into movies. One of my favourite films as a child was about Hans Christian Anderson with Danny Kaye in the lead role. I was particularly touched by the story of The Ugly Duckling which Andersen told to a sad young boy whom no one would play with. You can watch the scene here.

    The story is a great starting point for discussing individual differences,

    Continue reading: #readilearn: Celebrating individuals in your classroom using stories – Readilearn

  • readilearn: The importance of reading aloud – a guest post by Jennie Fitzkee – Readilearn

    readilearn: The importance of reading aloud – a guest post by Jennie Fitzkee – Readilearn

    Every day is a great day for reading aloud to children, but with the celebration of International Read to Me Day on March 19, now is a great time to give some thought to the importance of reading aloud in preparation for the Day’s celebrations. by arming yourself with a basket of books to read.

    To help put us in the mood and assist our preparations, Jennie Fitzkee is here to tell us why reading aloud to children is important.

    Jennie, a passionate and inspirational teacher, has been teaching preschool in Massachusetts for over thirty years.  She is considered by many to be the “book guru” and the “reader-aloud”.  She is also a writer and her work is often posted by The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art.  This is what Jennie says of teaching:

    “I believe that children have a voice, and that is the catalyst to enhance or even change the learning experience.  Emergent curriculum opens young minds.  It’s the little things that happen in the classroom that are most important and exciting.  That’s what I write about.”

    Jennie is highlighted in the new edition of Jim Trelease’s bestselling book, The Read-Aloud Handbook  because of her reading to children.  Her class has designed quilts that hang as permanent displays at both the National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia, and the Fisher House at the Boston VA Hospital.  Their latest quilt is currently hanging at the Massachusetts State House in Boston.  In 2016, Jennie was one of seven teachers in Massachusetts to receive the Teacher of the Year Award.

    I’m sure you’ll agree that there is much we can learn from Jennie.

    Welcome to readilearn, Jennie. Over to you.

    Continue reading: readilearn: The importance of reading aloud – a guest post by Jennie Fitzkee – Readilearn

    Thank you blog post

    Thank you for reading. I appreciate your feedback. Please share your thoughts.

  • readilearn: Introducing Jacqui Halpin – picture book author – Readilearn

    readilearn: Introducing Jacqui Halpin – picture book author – Readilearn

    This week, it is my pleasure to introduce you to Jacqui Halpin – author, founding member of Write Links (a local group of published and unpublished authors and illustrators of children’s books), a former nurse and tuckshop convenor.

    Jacqui grew up in Brisbane where she still lives with her husband, one of her three adult children, and a cat called Loki. While writing and editing, Jacqui likes to sip tea from fine china and eat copious amounts of chocolate. She says she should never be allowed in a bookshop with a credit card in her possession.

    Jacqui writes picture books and short stories, some of which appear in anthologies by Stringybark Publishing and Creative Kids’ Tales. She co-wrote and independently published her elderly father’s memoir, A Long Way from Misery.

    Today Jacqui is talking with us about her first picture book Parmesan The Reluctant Racehorse, humorously illustrated by John Phillips and published by Little Pink Dog Books in October 2017. Jacqui’s second picture book, Where’s Lucky?, based on an orphaned swamp wallaby joey at a wildlife shelter, will be published in mid-2019.

    Parmesan is a delightful story of a thoroughbred racehorse who should be winning races and earning lots of money for his owner. However, Parmesan thinks he’s a dog. Instead of training with the other horses, he’s off with his doggy friends doing doggy things like playing fetch. His owner is not happy. If Parmesan isn’t ready to run in the Spring Carnival, he’s getting rid of him. Parmesan’s trainer is worried. He knows Parmesan won’t be ready, but as they arrive at the Spring Carnival, he thinks of a brilliant way to get Parmesan to run around the track. Parmesan’s triumph proves you can be a winner and stay true to who you are.

    Welcome to readilearn, Jacqui, we are looking forward to getting to know you better.

    Thanks for inviting me.

    Jacqui, when did you know you wanted to be a writer?

    I always liked writing stories and poems at school, but it wasn’t until I read picture books to my own children  Continue reading: readilearn: Introducing Jacqui Halpin – picture book author – Readilearn

  • readilearn: Meet Sofia Goodsoul author of Nian the Lunar Dragon – Readilearn

    readilearn: Meet Sofia Goodsoul author of Nian the Lunar Dragon – Readilearn

    This week I am very excited to be interviewing Australian author Sofia Goodsoul about her picture book Nian the Lunar Dragon, illustrated by Marina Kite. With Multicultural Children’s Book Day coming up on 27 January (see previous post I am Australian) and Chinese New Year on 16 February, the time is just right.

    Before we begin the interview, let me provide you with a little information about Sofia.

     Sofia Goodsoul is an author, emergency kindergarten teacher and indie-publisher. Her poetry writing has grown from a hobby into a great passion. Now she can’t live a day without writing poems, riddles and stories for young children. The children give themes and inspiration for her books.

     Sofia lives in Melbourne with her family and pets. She loves going to Zumba classes and taking long walks with her husband and family dog Mack.  Sofia dedicates all her spare time to her writing and publishing career.

    multicultural children's book diversity Chinese New Year

    Nian the Lunar Dragon, an entertaining and beautifully illustrated rhyming narrative for young readers, is Sofia’s second picture book in collaboration with Marina Kite. The book is about the legend behind the traditions and celebrations of Chinese New Year, sometimes called Lunar New Year. According to the lunar calendar, Chinese New Year commences with the new moon at the beginning of spring.

    A long time ago, the dragon named Nian lived in the deep ocean to the east of China. Nian was a strong and ferocious dragon, which no creature could defeat. Once a year, Nian climbed ashore to hunt for cattle and human prey. The people of the nearby villages and towns lived in terror, and each New Year’s Eve they had to leave their homes to save themselves. One day, a monk came to the village. He knew a well-kept secret about how to scare Nian away and free the Chinese people from the danger and their fear.

    Welcome to readilearn, Sofia. We are looking forward to getting to know you a little better.

    Thanks for inviting me!

    Sofia, when did you know you wanted to be a writer?

    I don’t remember capturing that specific moment, but my grandmother was a children’s book illustrator and I often stayed with her

    Continue reading: readilearn: Meet Sofia Goodsoul author of Nian the Lunar Dragon – Readilearn

    Thank you blog post

    Thank you for reading. I appreciate your feedback. Please share your thoughts.

  • #WATWB #ReadYourWorld Multicultural Children’s Book Day

    #WATWB #ReadYourWorld Multicultural Children’s Book Day

    On the last Friday of each month We Are the World Blogfest invites bloggers to join together in promoting positive news. With this the first for 2018, it’s a good time to think about joining in. If you would like to do so, please check out the rules and links below.

    A statement of mission from the We are the World Blogfest website:

    “There are many an oasis of love and light out there, stories that show compassion and the resilience of the human spirit. Sharing these stories increases our awareness of hope in our increasingly dark world.”

    The co-hosts for this month are:  Shilpa Garg, Simon Falk, Lynn Hallbrooks, Eric Lahti, Damyanti Biswas and Guilie Castillo. Please pop over to their blogs to read their stories, comment and share.

    This month I am sharing an inspiring story that, while it may not be “News”, was certainly news to me and maybe is news to you too. I hope it fits the criteria for sharing.

    A little while ago I came across the Multicultural Children’s Book Day website. I admire the mission of the organisers to:

    “not only raise awareness for the kid’s books that celebrate diversity, but to get more of these of books into classrooms and libraries.”

    There is certainly a need for more understanding, acceptance, empathy and compassion in the world, and it is very pleasing to see projects such as this being promoted. I’m sure you’ll agree that education of our children is a great place to start.

    Multicultural Children's Book Day
    Used courtesy of Multicultural Children’s Book Day

    Multicultural Children’s Book Day was initiated by Valarie Budayr from Jump Into a Book and Mia Wenjen from Pragmatic Mom, and is celebrated for the fifth time this year on 27 January with a #ReadYourWorld Twitter party!

    There is much to explore on the Multicultural Children’s Book Day website; including resources such as, a list of diversity books and activities for teachers and parents, and  a free Classroom Empathy Kit that includes a book list and activities to help children develop empathy. You can even sign up to get a free diversity book for your classroom.

    (Note: There is also a great way for authors and publishers to help out by donating their books with multicultural themes.)

    I hope you see how both these organisations are working towards making our world a more positive place for all of us.

    Here are the guidelines for #WATWB:

    1. Keep your post to Below 500 words, as much as possible.

    2. Link to a human news story on your blog, one that shows love, humanity, and brotherhood. Paste in an excerpt and tell us why it touched you. The Link is important, because it actually makes us look through news to find the positive ones to post.

    3. No story is too big or small, as long as it Goes Beyond religion and politics, into the core of humanity.

    4. Place the WE ARE THE WORLD badge or banner on your Post and your Sidebar. Some of you have already done so, this is just a gentle reminder for the others.

    1. Help us spread the word on social media. Feel free to tweet, share using the #WATWB hashtag to help us trend!

    Tweets, Facebook shares, Pins, Instagram, G+ shares using the #WATWB hashtag through the month most welcome. We’ll try and follow and share all those who post on the #WATWB hashtag, and we encourage you to do the same.

    Click here to join in and enter the link to your post. The bigger the #WATWB group each month, the greater the joy!

    Thank you blog post

    Thank you for reading. I appreciate your feedback. Please share your thoughts.

     

  • readilearn: I am Australian – Readilearn

    readilearn: I am Australian – Readilearn

    Australia is a continent populated mostly by immigrants or their descendants. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, in 2016, the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living in Australia was less than 3 per cent of the population. This means that over 97 have ancestors who were born elsewhere, though most will feel the influence of no more than two previous generations and consider themselves firmly Australian. In fact, the number of Australians born overseas is still increasing and was over 28 per cent in 2016.

    What this means for teachers in Australia, is that the composition of their classes will include children from a great diversity of cultural backgrounds. Possibly it is the same for you.

    This proxy Australian anthem I Am Australian, written by Bruce Woodley and Dobe Newton, is a moving song that honours the diversity of cultures in Australia, from the First Australians to more recent immigrants. It is often sung in schools to help develop an understanding of and appreciation for the richness of the Australian peoples.

    It is important to teach children acceptance of and appreciation for each other and their traditions. A supportive classroom will value each child’s contribution and heritage. Getting to know each other at the beginning of a school year provides the perfect opportunity for learning about the traditions of others. However, it can be done at any time of the year.

    readilearn resources that assist you do this are: Continue reading.

    Source: readilearn: I am Australian  – Readilearn

  • Five of the best

    Children's books tag

    Warning! I’ve been tagged. It can be contagious.

    Kids’ Storyworld tagged me and asked me to join in. I don’t normally do this but I’m making an exception. How could I not – it’s about children’s books.

    I’m required to nominate my top five children’s books, then nominate another five people to join in!

    Rules:

    1. Thank whoever’s nominated you and share their blog link.
    2. Let us know your top 5 children’s books
    3. Nominate 5 people to do the same
    4. Let your nominees know you nominated them

    Right, let’s get to it.

    1. Thank you, Kids’ Storyworld.
    2. Top 5 children’s books. Now this is going to be hard. Only five! But you know, when I interview authors and illustrators for the readilearn interview series, I ask them for just one favourite. Five has to be easier, right; so, I can’t complain.

    These are five of my favourite children’s books

    The BFG by Roald Dahl

    The BFG by Roald Dahl – I love the humour, and love to read it aloud to children. It is such fun.

    The Iron Man Ted Hughes

    The Iron Man by Ted Hughes – I love the poetry of language and the way the story builds. It is also a perfect read aloud.

    Whoever You Are Mem Fox

    Whoever You Are by Mem Fox – I love the message: although we are diverse we share a common humanity.

    One Less Fish Kim Michelle Toft

    One Less Fish by Kim Michelle Toft – This was the first of Kim’s books I read. I love the message about protecting the natural environment and adore her silk paintings that illustrate the book.

    Heidi Johanna SpyriInside Heidi by Johanna Spyri

    Heidi by Johanna Spyri – I received a beautiful illustrated edition of this book from Santa (inscribed by my Mum) when I was nine years old. I remember waking up to find it at the foot of my bed and watching the title and cover picture appear as day dawned. I read and re-read it. I still own it. It has to be on my list, doesn’t it?

    Do I really have to stop at five?

    1. Nominating five people to share their favourite five children’s books is fairly easy. I know many who write about children’s books, though some of them have already been nominated, so I can’t nominate them again.

    You are invited

    Maybe you don’t write about children’s books but would like to share your favourites anyway. Please consider this invitation inclusion. If you would like to join in, please do.

    Alternatively, if you are one of the people I nominate, and you’d rather not join in, or have already been nominated, it’s okay to decline.

    Here are my five:

    Robbie Cheadle blogs at Robbie’s Inspiration and writes the Sir Chocolate Books. I wonder if she’ll nominate her own books. Why not?

    Patricia Tilton blogs at Children’s Books Heal where she reviews picture books that she believes will help children through tough times. Patricia reads so widely, I think she’ll have more trouble than I with this one. (Sorry, Patricia.)

    Vanessa Ryan blogs at Educate.Empower and especially promotes books about the environment and sustainability. I wonder if Vanessa’s choices will reflect those interests.

    Jennie Fitskee blogs at A Teacher’s Reflections with inspirational posts about educating young children. She often shares books she reads aloud with her little ones. What will she share with us?

    Mary Wade blogs at HonorsGradU sharing a lot of good sense and great ideas for teachers and parents. I’m interested to see what will influence her book choices.

    1. I’ll definitely let the nominees know they’ve been tagged.

    Thank you for reading. I appreciate your feedback. Please share your thoughts.

  • Readilearn: Wrapping up a year of books – the gift of reading

    Readilearn: Wrapping up a year of books – the gift of reading

    The love of reading is one of the greatest gifts a parent can give a child.

    Reading is empowering, and a book is a gift that continues to give, long after the occasion has past. It’s effects cannot always be measured.

    To help you decide which books to give to whom for Christmas, I thought I’d make your task a little easier by reminding you of the lovely books I shared throughout the year in interviews with their authors and illustrators.

    Below you will find a list the books and their authors and illustrators. I also include links to

    • the interview on the blog
    • the interview in the Author or Illustrator Spotlight
    • the creative’s website
    • a place where the book may be purchased.

    Many of these authors and illustrators have more than one book, some for readers in other age groups, including adult, so please check out their websites for additional information.

    At the conclusion of the post, I list other books read and enjoyed. Sadly, there’s just not enough time for all the interviews I’d love to do.

    Of course, the list is not exhaustive. These are just a few suggestions to get you started. Enjoy!

    Continue reading at:  Readilearn: Wrapping up a year of books – the gift of reading

  • Be Inspired by Women Writers and Illustrators

    Be Inspired by Women Writers and Illustrators

    I am very honoured to be invited to write a guest post for Christy Birmingham to feature on her lovely blog When Women Inspire.
    I wrote about the inspirational female authors and illustrators I interviewed this year.
    Please pop over to Christy’s blog to read the full post.

    Christy B's avatarWhen Women Inspire

    Today I proudly welcome educator and writer Norah Colvin here to guest post. I was delighted when she accepted my offer to visit and chat about some of the women she has highlighted on her website so far in their roles as writers and illustrators for children’s books. I hope you enjoy this post as much as I did upon receiving it. Norah, the floor is yours.

    View original post 2,399 more words