It's a reminder that everyone is unique, and that it's ok to be different. It's ok to be smart, sporty, artistic, or anything else.
Be Your Own Man points out that boys can be good listeners, but that you don't have to be good at everything.
The advice in the book is to celebrate your strengths, be kind and respectful, to others and yourself.
Not everyone looks the same, and not everyone feels the same, and that's ok, too.
Julia Donaldson’s emotive text in The Hospital Dog has lively rhyming verse that keeps time with Sara Ogilvie’s stunning illustrations.
They move across the page full of activity, in brilliant colour, and with the main character, Dot the Dalmatian.
Ogilvie pays attention to detail, especially the expressions on the character’s faces and their body language. The small but significant additions here and there in the illustrations add a personal touch, allowing them to visually contribute something that expands the story.
When Nona was only seven years old, she lost her
entire family and her home after a bomb destroyed it. Taken in by her Uncle
Antoni, Nona’s world totally changed, while the memories of that night continue
to haunt her dreams.
Not really related, Antoni Pilecki took Nona in as
an apprentice in stained glass windows. Together they travel the countryside
repairing broken or damaged windows.
One night, ensconced in his workshop, Nona hears voices and is stunned to learn one of the stained glass windows holds a woman’s reflection and is speaking with her Uncle.
The voice triggers memories of the night she lost her family and
sends her in search for the one item she managed to rescue from her home; a
shard of pinkish glass.
He collects feathers because his Mum told him they keep bad dreams away, and he believes he will dream of her if he can catch them.
The boy chases the feathers as they float from above.
Sometimes they are just out of reach. Other times, a feather will land close by.
One day when a brown feather is caught, the boy calls it his wish feather and places it under his pillow. He waits for dreams of his Mum, and feels her with him, always.
The feathers in the story are symbolic, and used as a reminder for the boy of the mother who is no longer with him.
Inconceivable! Somehow, I had not yet read this and that is
just weird for several reasons: it’s a Jackie French historical fiction, it’s
about William Shakespeare and it’s Jackie French *grin*. So of course, it went
onto my holiday reading list which is not always about new releases. I absolutely loved it to bits. Part history,
part humour, part conjecture on Shakespeare’s life and times this is one that
would appeal not only to your lovers of historical fiction, Jackie’s other
Shakespearean-themed novels but as a ‘read around your topic’ for students with
the Bard on their reading list.
The great writer has retired very comfortably, with wealth and social status, to his home in Stratford where the humdrum of domesticity and a life far removed from London and his acclaim often plagues him.
To alleviate the tedium William takes up his pen again to write a diary for his own pleasure.
This hilarious graphic novel turned diary follows 12
year old Henry Khoo as he is about to embark on the greatest adventure of all.
Feeling smothered by both his mother and sister who
still treat him like a baby – Henry sets out to prove them wrong.
When his annual trip to visit his father in
Singapore is cancelled, Henry decides he is still going regardless. Besides
it’s not like anyone will actually miss him?
Henry’s so called best friend has found new friends,
leaving him alone. His sister is totally distracted and his mother only notices
when things are not done properly around the house.
Starting an anonymous blog called ‘Fly on the
Wall’, Henry publishes his tales of woes for the world to see – but will
they really see him and stop his audacious plan?
At the end of World War I there were huge
celebrations as families reunited. But the returning soldiers brought another
surprise home with them; the Spanish Flu. Just like war, this disease changed
the world when it evolved into a pandemic.
History
is repeating itself, with the modern world currently experiencing a pandemic.
Beautifully crafted, this picture book by renowned Australian author Jackie
French and Australian illustrator Bruce Whatley takes us on a journey through
hardship, loss and generosity of spirit.
1. Tell us something hardly anyone knows about you.
These days my computer is my most valuable tool, but the first time I used a computer, I was so scared that I cried. My teacher had told us that a monster in the ceiling would chomp our legs off if we were naughty, and I was terrified that it would chomp me for pressing the wrong button.
2. What is your nickname?
Mim, because my sister couldn’t say ‘Amelia’ when she was little.
3. What is your greatest fear?
Being forced to play sport on TV, or a weird picture of me becoming a meme.
4. Describe your writing style in 10 words.
Colourful worlds, quirky people, emotional rollercoasters, might give you nightmares.
Lots of kids love diggers! They are fascinated by their size, ability, and that their movement is close to robotic. Operated by a girl driver, the giant yellow digger scoops up mud. She sits in a high seat that allows her a clear and safe view of everything around her.
