The latest book on our ‘to read’ pile is Roland Harvey’s big book of Christmas. (Roland Harvey’s pictures are always fun and full of detail and we admit that’s possibly what shifted BBOC to the top of the reading pile.)
This is a new and updated edition of an old Australian favourite. It’s an entertaining book, with explanations about Christmas traditions around the world, recipes, activities and crafts, instructions for making your own gifts, games, even pages of sheet music for Christmas carols, and gift tag stickers.
We highly recommend it!
And now we’re off to find a billycan to try out Billycan Pudding. Mmmmm.
As part of our promotion and marketing, we are sending a free copy of the magazine to most public libraries in Western Australia. So this week the printer is working overtime churning out address labels and we’re buying up big at Officeworks on envelopes … and labels.
The whole label printing-and-sticking exercise has also exposed the shocking ignorance of the Alphabet Soup office when it comes to the names of towns in Western Australia. For example – there was general consensus that none of us had heard of Grass Patch. (Apologies if you live in Grass Patch. If it’s any consolation we all thought it was a fabulous name for a town and just like something out of a book.)
So if you live in Grass Patch and would like to preview a copy of the magazine, next week you can ask your librarian about Alphabet Soup. 🙂
I interviewed Duncan Ball for the ‘meet the author’ section in issue 2 of Alphabet Soup (due out in February 2009). When issue 1 was published I sent him a copy, so he could see what he was in for (naturally we hoped we wouldn’t get an email saying ‘I hereby remove previous consent to have interview appear in your publication. D. Ball’.)
As it happened, he must have thought AS came up to scratch – he sent a handwritten note of support and goodwill.
Entries for the first children’s writing competition are keeping the post office staff busy filling up the PO Box! The competition closes on 21 November, so if your budding writer hasn’t sent something in yet, tell them to get to it! There are three age categories: ages 6 & 7, ages 8 & 9 and age 10.
Book voucher prizes! Kudos! And the possibility of having their winning entry published in Issue 2! They don’t have to subscribe to the magazine to enter, but there are some rules to read before posting in an entry. Go to www.alphabetsoup.net.au and click on ‘competitions’ for more info.
Perth editor and mother-of-three, Rebecca Newman, has launched Alphabet Soup magazine for primary-school aged kids who love books and reading. Rebecca started work on the magazine 18 months ago, after she was unable to find a suitable magazine for her young daughter, who is an avid reader.
Schools, children’s libraries and early childhood educators have been enthusiastic about issue 1. Specialist literacy educators have previously imported similar publications from Canada and the USA — while despairing at the lack of a local product. Alphabet Soup magazine, with a section devoted to showcasing children’s writing, has found a ready-made readership.
‘Alphabet Soup will be very popular with children who love books, and already write their own stories,’ commented primary school teacher, Paulina Sweeney. ‘But magazines like this are also valuable for kids struggling with literacy. Seeing their writing in print gives a huge boost to their confidence, and that flows into their schoolwork.’
The magazine is not limited to children’s own work. ‘I aim to help kids develop a love of reading and literature, from a young age,’ says Mrs Newman. ‘I want to expose children to a variety of writing styles and genres … and also to give parents some ideas about suitable books for their children. There are many excellent children’s authors writing quality literature — but it’s not always easy for parents to know where to start.’
Inside issue 1, readers will find:
•   Q&A with children’s author, Jackie French
•   An interest article — interview with a WA bushfire brigade firefighter
•   Stories, poems and book reviews for children (by adults)
•   A crossword
•   A kids’ writing competition
•   6 pages of kids’ writing (stories, poems and book reviews)
Greg Mitchell’s colourful and quirky illustrations round out a really fun read!
Alphabet Soup is published quarterly and can be ordered online (www.alphabetsoup.net.au), or by sending address details with a cheque or money order to the publisher.
Free postage and handling until 31 December 2008 for all orders with Australian delivery addresses. Contact the editor for postage and handling costs to addresses outside Australia.
Alphabet Soup is an Australian literary magazine for children aged 6 – 12. Issue 1 is out now!
From February 2009, the magazine will be published quarterly.
Single copies cost $7.00 and a 1-year subscription (4 issues) costs $25.00. Orders can be placed online at www.alphabetsoup.net.au and Westbooks (the specialist children’s bookstore in Victoria Park) also stock Alphabet Soup.
Westbooks
396 Mill Point Road
Victoria Park WA 6100
Ph: +61 8 9361 4211
alphabetsoup.net.au 