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Category: Picture books

  • Creating a Positive Future with Ethicool Books – #readilearn

    Creating a Positive Future with Ethicool Books – #readilearn

    Today I am delighted to introduce you to a new publishing company Ethicool Books.

    When I first heard about Ethicool Books, I was intrigued by the name and the play on words. When I delved a little further into their website, I was delighted to find what they were aiming to do.

    The statement on their homepage says,

    “Hi! we’re Ethicool. We publish remarkable children’s books about the world’s big issues, encouraging kids to make a positive change.”

    I couldn’t find anything to argue with there. Or anywhere, in fact.

    About Ethicool Books

    Ethicool Books aims to encourage parents to engage children in discussions about issues such as climate change, ocean pollution, poverty and gender equality through stories told in their beautiful picture books.

    © Stuart French and Teigan Margetts

    As parents themselves, Stuart French and Teigan Margetts, the founders of Ethicool Books, realised the powerful role that parents have in educating their children for a positive future.

    “Our little ones have the opportunity to create a different world, right from the ground up. The future is in their hands and if we give them the gift of knowledge and the inspiration to take action, they can create the world of their dreams.”

    Ethicool Books.

    But Ethicool Books are not only words. They are action also. They have partnered with 1% for the Planet, donating 1% of all book sales to that organisation. They are also eco-conscious and use soy inks in the printing process. You can read a little more about that here.

    The Interview

    Today, I have the great pleasure of introducing you to Stuart French, co-founder of Ethicool Books and author of the best-selling picture book Remembering Mother Nature.

    Continue reading: Creating a Positive Future with Ethicool Books – readilearn

  • Develop your Kindness Superpower with Super Nicholas by Michelle Worthington

    Develop your Kindness Superpower with Super Nicholas by Michelle Worthington

    Today it is my pleasure to introduce you to Michelle Worthington, Australian author with many successful picture books to her credit.

    I previously introduced you to some of Michelle’s work when I interviewed Katrin Dreiling, illustrator of Michelle’s fun story The World’s Worst Pirate.

    Today we are discussing her beautiful picture book Super Nicholas which presents alternate abilities in a compassionate way that promotes kindness.

    About Michelle Worthington

    © Michelle Worthington

    Michelle Worthington is an award-winning children’s author and international guest speaker on the power of storytelling. A full-time fiction writer based in Brisbane, Michelle credits her three sons for giving her an endless source of inspiration, as well as her wrinkles.
    Michelle is dedicated to encouraging a strong love of reading and writing in young children and enjoys working with charities that support the vision of empowering youth through education. As a mentor and editor, she helps aspiring authors find pathways to publication and enjoys working as part of a team in projects that are purposeful, innovative and inspirational.

    About Super Nicholas

    When a little boy with alternate abilities is born into a family of super heroes, it can be tough to make everyone happy. Nicholas has a heart as big as the sun and he can shine just as bright, even without super strength, super speed or being able to fly. His superpower is kindness and when it comes time to save the day, it’s the most powerful of them all.

    What I like about Super Nicholas

    Promoting kindness is one of our key values here at readilearn  and many resources can be found in our collection focusing on friendship skills.

    One of the things I really appreciate about Super Nicholas is that it challenges the superhero stereotype and suggests to children that showing kindness to others can be the most effective superpower.

    It also shows the importance of accepting and appreciating differences in others, as well as ourselves. Stories like this have an important place in every home, school and library collection and I am happy to recommend Super Nicholas to you. Most of us feel a little different from those around us at times and all of us will find something to love in Super Nicholas.

    The Interview

    Michelle, you are a prolific and accomplished children’s author. When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

    I have always made up stories in my head but I wasn’t very good at writing them down. I am not very good at spelling and I was too scared to make a mistake, so I didn’t write any of them down until I was in Grade 5. My Grade 5 teacher encouraged me to start with writing poetry to get my confidence up and I started writing from then and have never stopped!

    Continue reading: Develop your Kindness Superpower with Super Nicholas by Michelle Worthington – readilearn

  • Meet Caroline Tuohey author of Skadoodle & Snug’s Magnificent Plan – #readilearn

    Meet Caroline Tuohey author of Skadoodle & Snug’s Magnificent Plan – #readilearn

    Today it is my pleasure to introduce you to Caroline Tuohey author of the delightful picture book Skadoodle and Snug’s Magnificent Plan.

    I previously introduced you to some of Caroline’s work when I interviewed illustrator Muza Ulasowski about another of Caroline’s beautiful books Forest Wonder. But today we are talking about the adorable Skadoodle and Snug.

    About Caroline Tuohey

    © Caroline Tuohey

    Caroline Tuohey is a children’s writer and poet whose main interest is picture books.  She has five published picture books in print with a sixth due out with Ford Street Publishing in October 2020.  She has also been published in children’s literature magazines in Australia and Ireland as well as in anthologies and poetry sites online.  She enjoys holding story time sessions at libraries, schools and preschools and conducts workshops for both school students and adults.  Her other interest is bush poetry – which she writes and performs.  She lives on a farm in the Riverina region of New South Wales, with her husband, two children, several dogs and a horse or two.

    About Skadoodle and Snug’s Magnificent Plan

    Continue reading:  Meet Caroline Tuohey author of Skadoodle & Snug’s Magnificent Plan – readilearn

  • Meet author Diana Harley and her springtime picture books – #readilearn

    Meet author Diana Harley and her springtime picture books – #readilearn

    Today it is my pleasure to introduce you to Diana Harley as we discuss her three beautiful picture books that are perfect for sharing at springtime, or any time.

    Here at readilearn, we have quite a fascination with minibeasts, especially butterflies, and have quite a variety of teaching resources that focus on them. Naturally, we are attracted to other resources which encourage children’s interest in minibeasts and the environment.

    Diana Harley, Australian picture book author

    About Diana

    Diana Harley is a writer, author, poet and playwright living and working in the Bega Valley of NSW. Diana has written a number of fiction and non-fiction books for children, has had two adult poetry anthologies published and has won numerous awards for her poems and short stories. Many of her poems and stories have been included in various anthologies.  She has done a few blogs and two of her short plays have been produced and performed in regional NSW. She has run writing workshops for both adults and children and enjoys getting writers writing! She is a chocoholic, loves wedgetail eagles and reading is her favourite hobby.

    About the books

    Continue reading: Meet author Diana Harley and her springtime picture books – readilearn

  • Getting Creative with Karen Hendriks and her book Go Away, Foxy Foxy – #readilearn

    Getting Creative with Karen Hendriks and her book Go Away, Foxy Foxy – #readilearn

    In this special Books on Wednesday post, I am delighted to introduce you to Karen Hendricks and her lovely new picture book Go Away Foxy Foxy.

     In this post, written by Karen, she explains how creativity is explored in the picture book and suggests conversations you can have with children to encourage their creativity. The post is part of a Books on Tour promotion.

    About Go Away, Foxy Foxy

    © Karen Hendriks

    Go Away, Foxy Foxy is a delightful story of three little bunnies who decide to sleep out in a tree house one night. Outside in the dark, Foxy Foxy prowls. He’d like nothing better than to make a feast of those little bunnies. The bunnies show different levels of fear and bravery and use their intelligence, without having to resort to using the Mummy bell, to scare the fox away.

    Children will easily identify with the different emotions displayed and will be encouraged to discuss different ways they may respond to the situation and solve the problem.

    About Karen Hendriks

    Continue reading: Getting Creative with Karen Hendriks and her book Go Away, Foxy Foxy – readilearn

  • Meet Marg Gibbs author of Jasper’s Jumbled Up Words – #readilearn

    Meet Marg Gibbs author of Jasper’s Jumbled Up Words – #readilearn

    Today it is my pleasure to introduce you to Marg Gibbs, author of Jasper’s Jumbled Up Words as part of a Books on Tour promotion.

    Jasper’s Jumbled up Words is a story of a young child’s journey into communication through speech and shows how the encouragement of a loving family fosters the progress. The excitement that is felt when a child utters their first words will be familiar to most families.

    Jasper’s Jumbled Up Words © Marg Gibbs

     

    The back-cover blurb

    Jasper’s Jumbled up Words is a gentle story about a young boy who wants to be understood.

    ‘In Jasper’s head, strange sounds bubble, but in his mouth the words get caught and only babble comes out.’

    Jasper soon finds himself confused and upset. Then one day, he surprises everyone.

    Jasper’s Jumbled up Words sensitively deals with the difficulties surrounding language development and offers children, parents and care givers hope.

    About Marg Gibbs

     

    Contine reading: Meet Marg Gibbs author of Jasper’s Jumbled Up Words – readilearn

  • Resources for teaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures – #readilearn

    Resources for teaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures – #readilearn

    NAIDOC Week celebrations, which would normally take place in early July, have been postponed until November this year due to Covid-19. However, that is no reason to cancel sharing Indigenous stories and lessons with your class. After all, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures is one of the cross-curriculum priorities in the Australian Curriculum and is an important part of our national heritage. While some may not feel confident teaching Indigenous perspectives, the only way to become more confident is by being informed.

    In this post I share some websites and resources that you may find useful in preparing lessons and some organisations whose goals of improving the education and future success of our Indigenous students you may wish to support.

    Raising culturally aware kids

    In this article, How to Raise Culturally Aware Kids written for ABC Life, Samantha Turnbull introduces us to Kirby Barker a Bandjalang worman and early childhood teacher from northern New South Wales. Kirby teaches her preschoolers to counter racism with kindness. The article shares Kirby’s advice on how to present information to young children including words that can be used to explain the history. She discusses

    • the need to celebrate difference
    • ways of explaining traditional owners and inviting them into the classroom
    • how to talk about reconciliation with children
    • the importance of sharing stories
    • learning Indigenous languages
    • developing empathy.

    While only a brief article, you will glean many ideas from Kirby Barker which, though easily implemented, will have a profound effect.

    Indigenous Literacy Foundation

    The aim of the Indigenous Literacy Foundation is to raise literacy levels by supplying books to remote communities.

    Continue reading: Resources for teaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures – readilearn

  • How to help your child prepare for knight school — Ashling Kwok – Readilearn

    How to help your child prepare for knight school — Ashling Kwok – Readilearn

    I recently introduced you to author Ashling Kwok in an interview about her delightful picture book Lola and Grandpa with its gorgeous illustrations by Yvonne Low.

    Today, Ashling is back with us. This time she has written about her just-released picture book The Battle which deals with school anxiety and would be an excellent choice for both teachers and parents to read to their children as they begin or return to school. This post is part of a Books on Tour promotion.

    Over to you, Ashling.

    How to help your child prepare for knight school

    Continue reading: How to help your child prepare for knight school — Ashling Kwok – Readilearn

  • Join Whitney and Britney, the Chicken Divas for National Simultaneous Storytime 2020 – #readilearn

    Join Whitney and Britney, the Chicken Divas for National Simultaneous Storytime 2020 – #readilearn

    In less than a week, we will be celebrating the 20th National Simulateous Storytime. Are you ready?

    National Simultaneous Storytime is an annual event held in Library and Information Week, the last week of May, in Australia and New Zealand. The event is organised by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) with the aim of promoting the value of reading and literacy.

    Each year an Australian picture book is chosen to be read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the nations on either side of the Tasman Sea. Selected books explore age-appropriate themes and address key learning areas of the National Curriculum for Foundation to Year 6.

    This year the book is Whitney and Britney Chicken Divas, written and illustrated by Lucinda Gifford.

    This book is fun and exciting and will appeal to the adults reading it as much as to the little ones listening to it. While the children may not yet be aware of the original Whitney and Britney divas, their parents and teachers will be.

    12 Dancing Princesses
    Arthur Rackham / Public domain

    When I first began reading the book, I was reminded of the Grimm’s fairy tale The Twelve Dancing Princesses. However, the ending is different and modernised and perhaps more enjoyable for the readers as well as the characters.

    Whitney and Britney are gorgeous chooks who live with the elegant Dora von Dooze. While she appreciates their eggs, she’d also enjoy their company. Alas, they sleep throughout the day, which makes Dora a little curious.

    Dora determines to discover what they get up to each night while she is asleep; and discover she does. But how does she react and what happens when she finds out?  You will have to read the book to find out what surprises await Dora as well as Whitney and Britney.

    Continue reading: Join Whitney and Britney, the Chicken Divas for National Simultaneous Storytime 2020 – readilearn

  • Let’s meet Lola and Grandpa in an interview with author Ashling Kwok – #readilearn

    Let’s meet Lola and Grandpa in an interview with author Ashling Kwok – #readilearn

    Today, it is my pleasure to introduce you to Ashling Kwok, author of the delightful new picture book Grandpa and Lola, illustrated by Yvonne Low. This interview with Ashling is part of a Books on Tour promotion.

    About Ashling Kwok

     After graduating from University, Ashling went on to become a journalist and magazine editor, before setting up her own freelance writing company. Over the years, Ashling’s work has appeared in a number of newspapers and magazines, and she is a regular contributor to a variety of online publications. When she is not dreaming up new ideas or working on her latest book, Ashling can be found scouring local bookstores, marvelling at all the wonderful books being created by talented children’s authors.

    About Yvonne Low

    Yvonne is an illustrator, writer and award-winning artist.  She enjoys playing with words and colours and is particularly inspired by nature.  Her work is whimsical, often has a dash of humour and always tries to tell a story.  She works mainly in pencil and watercolour, but also dabbles in acrylic, pen and ink, pastel, digital media and Chinese brush painting.

    About Lola and Grandpa

    Lola and Grandpa is the story of a young girl and the tender, loving relationship she shares with her grandpa. When Lola’s grandpa passes away, she struggles to cope. However, as time passes Lola starts to remember all of the special times they shared. She can see her grandpa reflected in all of the things around her and realises that even though he is no longer physically with her, they will always remain connected.

    What I like about this book

    I knew I would love Lola and Grandpa as soon as I saw the bright cover filled with the sunshine from the ‘o’ in Lola’s name. The words and images dance across the pages, reflecting the joy felt by Lola and Grandpa as they spend their Sundays together. We can’t help but feel the warmth of their love and wish, as Lola does, that these times would last forever. The wisdom that Grandpa shares with Lola — “Time slips away, my angel, but love and memories last forever’ — is as reassuring for us as it is for Lola.

    Continue reading: Let’s meet Lola and Grandpa in an interview with author Ashling Kwok – readilearn