Carnivorous plants hold many secrets.
They are eclectic with their food choices and are meat-eaters by necessity. Few are vegetarians.
Over time they have mastered the skill of catching the type of food they need to survive.
A good example is the Venus Flytrap, that
snacks on spiders, flies, and mosquitoes amongst other living delicacies.
We set out on a journey of adventure and discovery
through Australia’s landscapes to test our knowledge.
Every Rock Has a Story - An A to Z of Australian Geology,
goes through the alphabet, answering that question with a plethora of valuable information
encompassed between its stunning covers and end pages.
Beneath each letter has a subject title. A Fact
box at the bottom contains historical and educational information that will amaze.
Grief and loss can be a difficult subject for anyone. Duck, Death and the Tulip, written and illustrated by Wolf Erlbruch, is a unique exploration of these often challenging subjects.
In a strangely heartwarming story, a duck strikes up an unlikely friendship with Death. 'Who are you? Why are you creeping along behind me?' 'Good. You've finally noticed me,' said Death. 'I am Death.' Duck was startled. You couldn't blame her for that. Death, Duck and the Tulip is the much anticipated translation of Wolf Erlbruch's latest masterpiece. Death, Duck and the Tulip will intrigue, haunt and enchant teenagers and adults. Simple, unusual, warm and witty - a picture book version of The Book Thief. This book deals with a difficult subject in away that is elegant, straightforward, and thought-provoking.
Take a peek inside Duck, Death and the Tulip in this video.
Their responses are as different as their illustration and writing styles – distinctive, heartfelt and compelling. In classic picture book format, the sixteen contributing children’s book illustrators, teachers, artists, zoologists, poets and all-round creative souls are each allocated a double-page spread to answer the question.
It holds BIG ideas and is radical, liberating, scary, mind-bogglingly empowering and also funny. It’s very, very funny.
Author/illustrator Mushin is an industrial designer, artist and inventor who collaborates with scientists and engineers to solve perplexing problems that no-one else seems to know what to do about.
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Lessac’s gouache, full page illustrations in striking colour are stunning.
The miniature ones, spread across the front, end papers, introduce the contents addressed in the book.
The back, end papers display additional areas to explore, accompanied by their historical connection.
The impressive collection of entries includes Kakadu’s ancient rock art,
More than a
graphic novel, it could also be described as poetry in motion.
In fact,
Leaf Light is actually just an incredibly shiny, warming and captivating
story of being connected to the wider world through friendship, nature and taking
down barriers – quite literally!
‘Those who leave live on through our living…’
We all have questions that need to be answered when someone we know dies, and quite particular questions when that death is from suicide.
This book asks questions from
a child’s perspective and answers them clearly, with a reassuring sense of strength
and comfort.
Elegy For An Elephant pays homage to a family who are
looking to understand their great loss. It’s powerful, beautiful, visceral and
totally appropriate for children over seven years old. Supported and endorsed
by child grief professionals, this book fills a vital gap in helping children
to understand - and to navigate – their own grief and loss.
Duncan Smith, proud Wiradjuri man, and Nicole Godwin collaborate again with
celebrated artist and inspirational speaker, Jandamarra Cadd, Yorta Yorta and
Dja Dja Warung man, to bring this reflection on the importance of hearing the
voices of our First Australians.
The National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature (NCACL) has launched a new database that will bring substantial opportunity for indulgence by older readers of picture books. The contribution of extensive knowledge from a vast range of children’s literature experts are the foundations and building blocks in the development of this database.
The aim of PBOR (Picture Books for Older Readers) is to reach a broad audience. It will benefit and encourage reluctant readers, those with visual rather than textual comprehension, those who prefer image analysis and varied literature style, or those who simply enjoy the beauty of picture books.
Along with design and layout, the above elements play a huge part in understanding and analysing the visual narrative of picture books. Able to address more sensitive topics appropriate to older readers, PBOR embraces non-traditional plot structure, welcoming the challenge and options of literary devices aimed at these age groups.
Not only for children, this database opens up new areas of exploration for people who adore picture books of all kinds, who read them to find the sometimes-hidden or disguised meanings in both image and text, or a combination of the two.
PBOR is easy to navigate, with its drop-down choices and search function. There is also a Guide to using the PBOR database, with free on-line resources available. On exploration, I found it easy to navigate through the subject headings, annotations and curriculum links that line up from grade 5 through to secondary school (Australian Curriculum Version 9).
PBOR is still in its early stages, so content will expand as books are added. Nevertheless, the database promises to prove a useful tool for reading and learning about picture books in schools.
The PBOR database can be accessed at https://www.ncacl.org.au/pbor-database. For further information email ncacl@canberra.edu.au
The story
brings attention to several important themes: ageing, and the destruction of
historical and valuable buildings by developers who replace beauty with high-rise apartments.
The gargoyle represents people as well as buildings
and other non-modern structures and items.
The book’s title roughly means 'Three kangaroos, three Tasmanian Aboriginal men’.
Dave mangenner Gough, a proud trawlwoolway man, shares his family’s connection with tara (male forrester kangaroo), linking readers to ancient Tasmanian culture.
1962 was a
time of encyclopaedias, pipe smoking and families either chatting over the back
fence or gathered around a small colour tv in the lounge room – a world away
from today’s instant access to news and current events.
This story takes us back in time to the world of 1962, through two small children with a big dream: they want astronaut John Glenn to see them, as he flies over their Perth home at night! Will their torches be bright enough for the job? Mum and Dad don’t think so.
One would think
illustrating and describing a seemingly lifeless world cloaked in ink would
be an exercise in futility. Unless of course you are an inhabitant of the
fathomless depths. Or Andrew Plant.
Plant’s latest author
illustrated title, Stardiving is more than a clever oxymoron. It is a
foray into the unknown. A daring and sublime exploration of a world visited by but
a few, all rendered in a rigorously limited yet serenely darkened colour
palette.
The front cover endpapers of this inspired picture book begin with a stunning visual and expository breakdown of the great sperm whale.
I am not exaggerating when I
say this book is so incredibly beautiful…so moving, that I’ve just read it for
the first time and have tears in my eyes. The grace and the poignancy of the
text, combined with the [OMG!] divine illustrations, are utterly
marvellous and emotive, and I cannot wait to share this with readers both young
and old.
Certainly, Duncan and Nicole have
composed a text which celebrates the rich heritage of First Nations people but
it is more than that alone. It is a book which focuses on the true meaning of
being Australian, whether one of the original traditional owners or one of the
many newer citizens who have chosen this for their homeland. We all have rights
and responsibilities, to our nation, and to our fellow Australians and this
book will go so far in promoting and reinforcing this concept to our young people.
Jandamarra Cadd’s illustrations,
featuring traditional First Australian techniques, are simply breathtaking, and
I hope that at some point there will be an opportunity to see this incredible
artwork as one collated exhibition. They are both vivid and vibrant and provide
the perfect foil to a text that reinforces the contribution of many to our
country’s long and important history and, especially, the richness of our First
Australian culture and its impact on our entire population. Many have been exhibited to great acclaim. (Just
wait till you see Uncle Jack Charles! – just one of this wondrous array of
artworks)
The statistics tell us that in
2020-21 more than 140,00 people from 200 countries were welcomed officially as
Australian citizens, having sworn to not only uphold our laws but to accept the
responsibilities and enjoy the privileges of being an Australian. Arguably, for
many born here, this aspect of being a citizen is overlooked at times so given
our recent turbulent times, perhaps it is even more timely to remind everyone
of this sacred trust.
I suggest that this is not just a
picture book for younger readers. It is a worthy and deserving text to be shared
with your secondary students as well as adults. Certainly, I will be suggesting
it as an important addition to any school community or library collection.
I can give this stunning creation no higher recommendation and I urge you all to purchase your own copy, for your school or your personal library, share its message and reflect upon its importance to our national psyche.
Title: We Are Australians
Award-winning children's author and journalist, Catherine Bauer joins us to celebrate a little-known Aussie legend, Len Waters.