Author: Alphabet Soup

This post was added by Rebecca Newman. Rebecca is a children's writer and poet, and the editor of the Australian children's literary blog, Alphabet Soup. For more about Rebecca visit: rebeccanewman.net.au.
Posted in competitions, info

Winter 2011 poetry comp: THE WINNERS (Part 2)

Posted on by Alphabet Soup

Here is the winning Under 9s story from our winter 2011 writing competition. You were asked to imagine waking up one morning to find you had grown wings—and to write a poem about it.

A reminder: always check the rules of the competition. If you don’t stick to the rules, we have to disqualify your entry and that makes us sad!

Under 9s winner: M Watervoort (WA)

SURPRISE

The sun slapped my face
It gave me a fright.
Morning was here
Gone was the night.
I looked in the mirror
I turned my back
And what I saw
Gave me an attack!
Wings! Wings!
All on my back.
Six pairs of them.
What a six pack!

Posted in competitions, info

Winter 2011 poetry comp: THE WINNERS (Part 1)

Posted on by Alphabet Soup

Here is the winning Under 12s story from our winter 2011 writing competition. You were asked to imagine waking up one morning to find you had grown wings—and to write a poem about it.

A reminder: always check the rules of the competition. If you don’t stick to the rules, we have to disqualify your entry and that makes us sad!

Under 12s winner: S Morgan (WA)

A STRANGE FEELING

It’s another Monday morning,
I feel like sleeping in.
I tossed and turned all night long,
Like I was being poked in the back with a pin.

My mother’s voice came down the hall,
Yelling ‘STUART GET DOWN HERE!’
I felt that I was too big for my clothes,
Like I was growing too fast, how queer.

I found two holes in my pyjamas,
Where my shoulder blades would cling.
I hover just above the ground,
Oh God—do I have wings????

Posted in info, teachers' resources

Spring Issue out Monday!

Posted on by Alphabet Soup

Here’s a sneak peek at the cover of issue 12—out on Monday. (Hurrah!) If you’d like to subscribe, all the details are on our website.

Alphabet Soup magazine, spring 2011

Inside:

  • Q&A with Briony Stewart, author-illustrator of the Kumiko and the Dragon series
  • Sail away with Mike Cunneen
  • Stories and poems for kids by Australian writers
  • Kids’ writing (your own stories, poems, artwork and book reviews)
  • Writing tips for kids from The Book Chook
  • Our spring short story comp for kids & our design-a-cover comp
  • Crossword

and more!

Posted in info

Book Launch: Riley and the Grumpy Wombat

Posted on by Alphabet Soup

Tania McCartney invites you to The Grumpy Book Launch in September—to celebrate the arrival of Riley and the Grumpy Wombat.

Riley and teh Grumpy Wombat (cover)

Suitable for kids aged 2 to 10.

When: 11am, Sunday 18 September 2011

Where: Dalton’s Bookstore, cnr Marcus Clarke & Rudd Streets, Canberra City.

RSVP essential: (02)6249 1844 or daltons@daltons.com.au

At the Grumpy Book Launch you’ll find:

  • book reading
  • author signing
  • candy bar
  • illustration demonstration
  • goodie bags
  • balloons
  • book giveaways
  • prizes

All of that doesn’t sound too grumpy …

 

Posted in info

The spring issue is just around the corner …

Posted on by Alphabet Soup

We’re putting the finishing touches to issue 12—our spring issue. It will be winging its way to your letterboxes in a few weeks.

Remember, you don’t have to subscribe to the magazine to send us your work or to enter our writing competitions.

"Wombat Books"

For those of you who DO subscribe, all our subscribers are entered into a prize draw every season. The winner of the issue 12 Subscribers’ Draw will receive a $200 book pack from Wombat Books—you can see some of their books above. (Books in the winner’s pack might vary.)

See you in spring!

Rebecca Newman, Editor

Posted in Book reviews by Rebecca

Book review: The Pup’s Tale

Posted on by Alphabet Soup
The Pup’s Tale by Darrel and Sally Odgers, ill. Janine Dawson, Scholastic Press ISBN 9781741697254"The Pup's Tale (cover)"
A review copy of this book was sent to us by the publisher.

Trump is an animal liaison officer at Pet Vet clinic. (He’s a Jack Russell terrier.) This is book 6 in the Pet Vet series.

When Dr Jeanie (the vet) checks on a mother labrador and her 15 newborn puppies, she discovers that the mother dog isn’t able to look after the smallest puppy, Tiny. Trump and Dr Jeanie have to try to find a foster-mother for Tiny, and keep an eye on him.

Before you get into the story, there are some sketches of the important people in the book. Throughout the book there are grey info boxes to help with interesting words (like ‘Runt—the smallest pup or piglet in a litter.’)

If you like books about animals (and especially dogs!), you’ll love The Pup’s Tale.

© July  2011 “Review of The Pup’s Tale by Darrel and Sally Odgers, ill. Janine Dawson”, reviewed by Rebecca Newman (Alphabet Soup magazine)
Posted in competitions, teachers' resources

Kids Writing comp (NSW): Stuck at Home in my PJs

Posted on by Alphabet Soup

Closing date: 19 August 2011.

Here’s a competition open to NSW students aged 12 and under. Write a story called ‘STUCK AT HOME IN MY PJs’.

Prizes include having your story published on the Asthma Foundation NSW website, a signed book by Libby Gleeson, and being invited to read your story at a morning tea where you will meet Libby Gleeson and also hear her read from one of her books. (There are also prizes for school groups.)

Closing date: 19 August 2011.

For competition entry details, visit the Asthma Foundation NSW website. Good luck!