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Book launch (WA): The Grumpy Lighthouse Keeper

Posted on June 28, 2011June 28, 2011 by Alphabet Soup

JULY 2011 BOOK LAUNCH for picture book, The Grumpy Lighthouse Keeper

written by Terrizita Corpus, illustrated by Maggie Prewett

When: 6 – 8pm Friday 8^th July

Where: Magabala Books, 1 Bagot St, Broome WA

For more info: Nic Murray, Marketing Manager (08) 9192 1991

Here’s a bit about the book (taken from the Magabala Books press release):

Meet Cassius the hermit crab, Jacob the jellyfish, Bruce the bluebone and more sea creatures as they hurtle themselves over rocks and up the lighthouse staircase in a race to get out of a wet and wild storm — all while the lighthouse keeper is out checking the lamp for passing ships. When he returns and discovers what the sea creatures are up to, he is, indeed, grumpy.

The Grumpy Lighthouse Keeper is inspired by the iconic Gantheaume Point and the remains of the old lighthouse keeper’s house on the edge of world-renowned Cable Beach. Gantheaume Point attracts thousands of tourists each year with its ancient rock formations, dinosaur footprints and historical references.

Book Review: The Last Viking

Posted on June 24, 2011January 6, 2015 by Alphabet Soup

The Last Viking by Norman Jorgensen and illustrated James Foley. Published by Fremantle Press, ISBN 971921888106.
(A review copy of this book was sent to us by the publisher.)
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Josh’s pop is always talking about ‘exciting stuff like Vikings, and Spitfires and Redcoats, though not usually when Nan’s around.’ Josh is staying with Nan and Pop for the holidays and that’s when he decides to become a Viking, and change his name to Knut. Although he’s not very brave, when trouble arrives, Josh summons up some Viking courage and discovers just how brave he really is.

If you don’t know anything about Vikings yet, you’ll know heaps about them by the time you finish The Last Viking. The illustrations are fun and cartoon-like and if you’re a super sleuth, you’ll notice that on some of the pages there are messages written in code—rune carvings. At the back of the book (on the endpapers) you’ll find the key to crack the code.

Keep an eye out for the ravens in the book, too. In Norse mythology they are Odin’s messengers, and in The Last Viking, they keep the Viking gods updated on Josh/Knut’s progress.

The Last Viking is an exciting adventure about courage, imagination and dealing with bullies.

Time to go a-viking!

PS Check out The Last Viking blog where the author and illustrator talk about creating The Last Viking. The blog also has Viking activities and teacher’s notes.

**© June 2011 “Review of The Last Viking by Norman Jorgensen & James Foley” by Rebecca Newman (Alphabet Soup magazine)**

competitions

2011 CJ Dennis Poetry Competition

Posted on June 19, 2011June 19, 2011 by Alphabet Soup

Closing Date: 7 September 2011

Write a piece of original verse, based around an Australian theme or C J Dennis. Verse must have good rhyme and metre. Cost of children’s entries is $2 per poem. Entries open to children from anywhere in Australia.
Children’s Categories:

First Prize $20 plus a book prize
Second Prize $10 plus a book prize
Third Prize $5 plus a book prize

Download your entry form & conditions for entry via the Toolangi & Castella website. (Make sure you download both PDFs, not just the entry form.)

Some interesting information:

CJ Dennis was born in South Australia in 1876, but he moved to Toolangi in the wooded hills east of Melbourne in 1908. It became his home for the remaining 30 years of his life, and he wrote all the books for which he became famous in or near Toolangi. (You might remember his poem, ‘The Triantiwontigongolope’ which we published in issue 3 of Alphabet Soup magazine.)

In 2008 a festival was held at ‘The Singing Gardens’ to celebrate the centenary of CJ Dennis’ arrival in Toolangi. It was a great success, and has now become an annual event. This year, it will be held on the weekend of November 12 – 13. The closing date for entries to the poetry competition is 7 September (CJ Dennis’s birthday).

competitions

Kids’ writing comps

Posted on June 15, 2011 by Alphabet Soup

Here’s an up-to-date list of current Australian writing competitions for kids. Apart from the magazine’s writing competition, Alphabet Soup doesn’t have an affiliation with these competitions. Make sure you read each competition’s Terms and Conditions (i.e. rules).

Good luck!

Australia-wide:

Dorothy Mackellar Poetry Awards (Closes 30 June 2011)

Sally Odgers Aussie Schools Writing Contest (Closes 30 June 2011)

Alphabet Soup‘s winter 2011 poem comp (Closes 29 July 2011.)

Pilot Pen Creative Writing Scholarship writing comp (closes 31 July 2011)

WA:

The West Australian Young Writers Contest (closes 30 June 2011)

Randolph Stow Young Writers Awards 2011 (Only open to Geraldton area. Closes 8 July)

Write a Book In a Day (Teams must complete the challenge by 31 August 2011)

NSW

Sydney Youth Writing Competition (closes 21 June 2011)

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Do you know of any other writing competitions for kids?

Book reviews by Rebecca

George and Ghost–book review and giveaway!

Posted on June 10, 2011January 6, 2015 by Alphabet Soup

We recently interviewed Catriona Hoy about her new picture book, George and Ghost. Today we’re reviewing George and Ghost—and you can win a copy, too!

George and Ghost by Catriona Hoy and illustrated by Cassia Thomas. Published by Hodder Children’s Books, ISBN 9780340988862.

(A review copy of this book was sent to us by the publisher.)
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George and Ghost are friends but George isn’t sure he believes in Ghost anymore. When George suggests that Ghost isn’t real, Ghost asks him to prove it. Can something be real if it doesn’t weigh anything, you can’t take its photo, and it doesn’t take up space?

Just when you think George has proved that Ghost isn’t real, Ghost comes up with some interesting questions of his own. This is a picture book that will have you asking your own questions, scratching your head and thinking hard.

Cassia Thomas’s colourful illustrations match the story well and you’ll love George and his ghost friend … whether Ghost is real or make-believe.

This is a story about friendship—with a good helping of philosophy and science thrown in!

© “Review of George and Ghost by Catriona Hoy”, June 2011, Rebecca Newman (Alphabet Soup magazine)

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WIN YOUR OWN COPY OF GEORGE AND GHOST!

We have one copy of George and Ghost to give away. To enter, simply email your name and postal address to editor@alphabetsoup.net.au and put ‘George and Ghost’ in the subject line. We will draw the winner at 5.30pm (WST) on Friday 17 June 2011. We will email the winner and the book will be posted to the winner’s postal address as per the email entry. Good luck!

[This giveaway has now closed. The winning entry drawn was S Burton in Victoria. We have emailed the winner and copy will be posted to them on Monday. Thank you for your interest—you can find out more about George and Ghost on the author’s website.]

authors, illustrator, teachers' resources

WA book event: BOOKWIZ 2011

Posted on June 7, 2011June 28, 2011 by Alphabet Soup

28/6/2011 notice: We have been advised that this event has been cancelled.

The Children’s Book Council of Australia (WA branch) runs an annual book-based quiz in the style of ABC TV show, Spicks ‘n’ Specks. It’s called BOOKWIZ! Bring your family and friends along for a fun afternoon and meet local authors and illustrators.

Sunday 3 July, 2-4 pm

MC: MEG MCKINLAY (author of Duck for a Day and The Truth About Penguins
Where: Boulevard Centre, Floreat [beneath Cambridge Library], Western Australia
Cost: $12 adults $6 school students [includes refreshments]
Bookings: Chloe Mauger –cmauger@iinet.net.au– phone: 9295 1328

competitions, info, teachers' resources

Design a cover comp (tips!)

Posted on June 1, 2011May 14, 2012 by Alphabet Soup

As you know, Alphabet soup runs an annual cover-design competition. The 2011 competition is now open and entries close 16 September 2011. Here are the covers done by our 2009 and 2010 winners, K Larson and A Hatton:

Aren’t they brilliant? Yes! And now we need a cover for our summer 2011 issue.

We know you are busting to get to it, so here are some tips for all you budding artists.

COMPETITION DETAILS

Using any materials you like, design a cover for Alphabet Soup magazine.

Important – your artwork must be on one side of a sheet of white A4 paper. Make sure the paper is portrait orientation. Do NOT include the Alphabet Soup logo.

You may eneter as many times as you like, but each entry must have a competition entry form with the declaration signed by you and a parent. (Entry forms can be printed from the website, or contact us to have one sent to you.)

The winner’s artwork will be used on the cover of the summer 2011 issue of Alphabet Soup magazine (out in November 2011), and the winner will receive one copy of the summer 2011 issue and art supplies worth $20.

The theme for the cover is: MEDIEVAL.

Artwork can be realistic, or abstract, or collage, or cartoon-like, or any style you choose. It must be your own work and it must be original (no tracing pictures!). Remember that the magazine’s readers are aged 6 to 12.

If you’d like some more info on Medieval life, ask your parents if you can check out these sites:

Medieval Times: The Middle Ages for Kids
Magnificent Medieval Times: a website created by 4th & 5th grade students from USA
Stained glass windows at www.therosewindow.com: all beautiful. Check out meals and travel and work

Remember that our covers don’t usually have a lot of unused white space. If you draw one item in the middle of the page and nothing else, it would be tricky for us to turn it into a cover for the magazine!

There will be one winner chosen. By entering the competition, you agree to us using your artwork on the cover of the summer 2011 issue of Alphabet Soup magazine. We cannot return entries.

Download an entry form from the Alphabet Soup website.

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competitions, info, teachers' resources

Autumn 2011 writing comp: THE WINNERS (Part III)

Posted on May 30, 2011May 29, 2011 by Alphabet Soup

Here is the winning Under 7s story from our autumn 2011 writing competition. You were asked to write a story about something to do with cooking.

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 7s winner: O Small (WA)

THE BALLISTIC CHEF

Once there was a chef, a crazy chef. He was so crazy that if someone ordered pizza he would give them pasta instead. But one day he said “I’m going to make myself a coffee. I love coffee it’s my favourite thing.”

So he went to the cupboard and got out what he thought was coffee beans. The milk was real, but the coffee beans were really poisonous sultanas.

“ARGOOWY!!!!! I used the poisonous sultanas” and he flew up to heaven never to be crazy again, still wearing his chef’s hat.

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Enter our winter writing competition. Entries close 29 July 2011.

competitions, info, teachers' resources

Autumn 2011 writing comp: THE WINNERS (Part II)

Posted on May 30, 2011May 29, 2011 by Alphabet Soup

Here is the winning Under 9s story from our autumn 2011 writing competition. You were asked to write a story about something to do with cooking.

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: G Oakley (WA)

THE MAGIC STEW

Once upon a time there lived a girl named Misty. Misty lived with only her mother.

One day Misty’s mum was making a stew.

But then all of a sudden there was a cry from the kitchen. It was Misty’s mum. Misty ran to the kitchen as fast as she could. And there right in front of her mum was the stew, but the stew didn’t look like a stew it looked like a monster.

Misty asked her mum what she did to the stew but her mum just said ‘I just put this sauce in that a stranger gave me’ said her mum.

After Misty’s mum said this Misty was just about to ask her mum about the stranger but before she could say anything the stew monster tried to jump on her. All of a sudden Misty found herself being chased by the stew monster.

As Misty was running very fast she had an idea. Misty remembered that stew goes rotten in the sun so Misty made the stew monster chase her outside into the bright sun then Misty quickly ran inside and locked the doors. As soon as Misty locked the doors she sat down and asked her mum about the stranger her mum had met. Her mum said she had a big wart on her nose.

Misty started to laugh, ‘Oh mum’ she said, ‘you bought something off the witch who lives outside of town.’

Misty and her mum both looked outside to find the monster but all they found was a puddle of stew.

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Enter our winter writing competition. Entries close 29 July 2011.

competitions, info, teachers' resources

Autumn 2011 story comp: THE WINNERS (Part I)

Posted on May 30, 2011May 29, 2011 by Alphabet Soup

Here is the winning Under 12s story from our autumn 2011 writing competition. You were asked to write a story about something to do with cooking.

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: R Mukherjee (NSW)

JUST BELIEVE IN YOURSELF

“No, Amanda!” Kathleen groaned to her friend, “I am not entering!”

“Oh, Kath! Everyone is entering. It’s just for fun, after all!”

Kathleen watched her brown hair ripple out in the breeze. After a moment she replied quietly, “I’m hopeless at cooking.”

Amanda had piercing green eyes and she fixed them determinedly on Kathleen. “You are not! It’s just a Cupcake Competition, Kathy! C’mon, we are entering!”

She leapt out of the pool, grabbed her towel and strode away. Before she left she yelled over her shoulder, “Just believe in yourself!”

Two weeks later, Kathleen and Amanda were ascending the steps to Harrow Hall, where the Cupcake Competition was to be held. Kathleen was so reluctant Amanda practically had to drag her along. Amanda loved cooking and decorating, but Kathleen was different. She loved reading. Her favourite genre was crime fiction and she adored puzzling out mysteries! As a result, she’d become exceptional at finding lost things! But reading couldn’t help her now. This was a cooking competition. Kathleen knew she couldn’t do it. She was about to let her team down—and embarrass herself. Oh, what was she doing here?!

Jeanie and Maria, who went to school with Amanda and Kathleen, joined the girls at a bench. The workbench was full of icing, sprinkles and flour. It was a mess!

“Ladies and gentlemen!” the announcer cried, “Are you ready?!”

No, I’m not! Kathleen whined to herself. She spied Tom Wright at another bench. They were school enemies. Great! This really would give him something to snigger about! “You have fifteen minutes to make a batch of four cupcakes,” the announcer continued, “so manage time effectively! On your marks, get set … go!”

It was eight minutes into the competition. Everyone except Kathleen was enjoying themselves and working hard. Kathleen stood to one side, eyeing the mess of supplies. Suddenly someone cried, “The ladle!” It was Jeanie.

“What’s wrong?” asked Amanda, impatiently.

“The ladle’s gone! It’s not here!” At this, everyone made a frantic search for it—but it was truly gone. Kathleen snapped into action. A minute later she returned, smiling, with the large wooden spoon.

“Kath,” Amanda breathed, “you’re a life saver! But … where was it?”

Kathleen nodded towards Tom Wright’s group with a wry smile. “Kath, you didn’t want to come—and now you’ve saved the group!”

Kathleen shrugged, “You’re the one who told me to believe in myself!”

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Enter our winter writing competition. Entries close 29 July 2011.