(no title)

Fabulous First Line Friday (23 March)

Posted on March 23, 2012March 21, 2012 by Alphabet Soup

To celebrate the National Year of Reading, every Friday for the rest of the year we’re posting a fabulous first line here on Soup Blog. (The first lines are quoted from children’s books on our bookshelves.)

Here’s today’s Fabulous First Line*:

My Obasaan told me the story of the dragon that used to visit her at night.

What do you think—if you opened a book and read that first line, would you want to read on?

Do you know the name of the book? (We’ll put it right at the end of this post so you can try to guess first.)

*For the purposes of Fabulous First Line Friday, we’re counting the first line as the first line of chapter 1 in any book. So if there is an introduction or an author’s note or something before chapter 1, we don’t count that bit …

The book is Kumiko and the Dragon by Briony Stewart.

authors

QLD events: Meet Tania McCartney

Posted on March 21, 2012 by Alphabet Soup

If you’re in Queensland, there are two chances this weekend to meet the author of Australian Story: an illustrated timeline.

Tania McCartney, author of Australian Story

1. Saturday 24 March 2012 at 2pm.

Maroochydore Library (Sunshine Coast) a fun event to celebrate the launch of Australian Story! Come dressed as your favourite Aussie character. For more info and bookings, visit Tania’s blog.

2. Sunday 25 March at 3.30pm

Join Tania McCartney at Black Cat Books and Cafe for a fun afternoon of interactive historical fun! Things kick off at 3.30pm. Come dressed as your favourite Aussie historical character and you could win a prize! For more info and bookings, visit Tania’s blog.

Tania visited Soup Blog earlier this month to talk about Australian Story and why history is cool. Read her post here.

National Year of Reading, teachers' resources

Fabulous First Line Friday (16 March)

Posted on March 16, 2012March 16, 2012 by Alphabet Soup

Have you ever been hit with a wonderful story idea but when you sat down to write, you just couldn’t find a first line that would get the story flowing?

We read lots of books at the Alphabet Soup office. Lots. And we’ve noticed that we pick up some books to read before others because their first lines jump out and grab us and we want to read on and on. (The sort of books where you think ‘I’ll just look at the first page’ and you read the first line and then an hour later you hear someone calling you for dinner and you realise—OOPS—you’ve read 243 pages and you’re nearly to the end of the book … )

To celebrate the National Year of Reading, we thought it would be interesting to share some first lines from books on our bookshelves. So, every Friday for the rest of the year we’ll post a fabulous first line.

But isn’t it Friday TODAY? we hear you ask. Why, yes, it is! So here’s the very first Fabulous First Line Friday*:

It must be the longest day this winter, Grace thought, and all I’ve found are a few bits of coal and a piece of rope.

What do you think—if you opened a book and read that first line, would you want to read on?

Do you know the name of the book? (It’s at the end of this post.)

*For the purposes of Fabulous First Line Friday, we’re counting the first line as the first line of chapter 1 in any book. So if there is an introduction or an author’s note or something before chapter 1, we don’t count that bit …

The book is Our Australian Girl: Meet Grace by Sofie Laguna

illustrator

VIC event: Ann James exhibition

Posted on March 15, 2012 by Alphabet Soup

If you live in Victoria, don’t miss the exhibition of Ann James’s original illustrations.

When: 31 Mar to 15 Apr 2012 (Go on Thursday 12 April and you can meet Ann James and have your books signed!)
Time: Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm
Where: Foyer Gallery, Gasworks
Suitable for all ages.

For more information, visit the Gasworks website.

info

Perth writing workshops for kids with Cristy Burne

Posted on March 14, 2012 by Alphabet Soup

Do you like reading fantasy, adventure, action or horror stories? Cristy Burne has a writing workshop for kids who want to write their own! The workshops start on Monday 7 May and run for 6 weeks at the Victoria Park Centre for the Arts.

(If you know a grownup who likes writing, there are workshops for grownups, too!)

Check out Cristy Burne’s blog for all the details or email her with your questions. Get writing!

Book reviews by Rebecca, National Year of Reading

Featured Book: Lightning Jack

Posted on March 7, 2012January 6, 2015 by Alphabet Soup

Lightning Jack by Glenda Millard and illustrated Patricia Mullins. Published by Scholastic Australia, ISBN 9781741693911.
(A review copy of this book was sent to us by the publisher.)

Sam Tully dares to ride the midnight horse, Lightning Jack—a stockman’s horse, a flying horse, a daring horse, a dancing horse. On the back of such a horse, magnificent feats are accomplished.

This tale is a modern-day bush ballad. The rhythm of the words keep the story moving along, like the galloping horse and—along with the poetic language—this makes Lightning Jack a fantastic book for reading out loud.

The illustrations feature the colours and scenes of the outback and capture the adventurous spirit of horse and rider. (The imprint page states that the illustrations are ‘created entirely from paper, meticulously blending coloured tissue, Japanese and Indian papers.’ Perhaps you could have a go at creating your own outback scene using torn papers.)

Like many good bush ballads, this tale has an unexpected ending. A great Australian picture book—add this one to your ‘must read’ list!

**© March 2012 “Review of Lightning Jack by Glenda Millard & Patricia Mullins” by Rebecca Newman (Alphabet Soup magazine)**

teachers' resources

10 Reasons Why History is Exciting (& a sneak peek inside the book!)

Posted on March 6, 2012March 6, 2012 by Alphabet Soup

Today we have National Year of Reading Ambassador Tania McCartney visiting Soup Blog as part of her blog tour to celebrate her new book Australian Story: An Illustrated Timeline.

You might know Tania as the author of the Riley and the Grumpy Wombat: A Journey Around Melbourne (and her other Riley books!). In Australian Story she takes us on a trip into the past—from the explosive beginnings of our planet to modern day Australia.

Earlier today we posted a review of Australian Story. Now Tania is here to give us 10 reasons why history is exciting. Over to you, Tania!

—

One of my biggest aims in writing Australian Story was a far-flung idea that I wanted to make history ‘cool’ for school kids. Most kids would look at the subject of history and not in any way, shape or form, associate it with ‘cool’. I know I didn’t when I was a kid, so yes, my cool-seeking goal was certainly a big one.

I do, however, think that maybe—just maybe—I’ve succeeded.

Australian Story isn’t your typical history book. First of all, it’s mostly pictures—and we all know how much fun picture books are; even us big kids know that.

Secondly, it’s light on text—so it doesn’t bog you down with those boring facts and figures that go on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on—almost as long as this sentence.

Thirdly. It’s exciting. That’s right. Its entries have been hand-selected, like the choicest cherries on the supermarket pile, and they are just the most delicious bites of action, fun, terror, invention, shock, sweet, sour, romance, achievement, winning, losing and yes yes yes—cool.

And now [DRUM ROLL!] Here is an exclusive sneak peek at two pages inside Australian Story!

Writing Australian Story, for me, made history not only cool but exciting. And here are 10 reasons why I think history is making a major comeback because it’s sooooo exciting.

1. It tells the truth (well, as far as we know, anyway). And the truth is always stranger and more bizarre and more eye-opening than fiction.

2. It’s oftentimes unbelievable. Did you know, for example, that in 1859, a farmer released 24 rabbits into the wild near Geelong, and these 24 rabbits became the fastest multiplying mammals in world history!? Unbelievable. But true.

3. It reveals where we’ve been—but also where we’re going, and it’s always exciting to look towards the future and all the breathless possibility that lies ahead.

4. It sheds light on how things came to be and how we have come to know them today. For example, the humble lamington may just be a chocolatey/coconuty cake to you, but where did it get its name? Why, it was named after Lord Lamington, the Governor of Queensland during the 1890s, of course! Don’t you know anything?

5. It makes us realise how little we know about our country and how it formed. Knowing these things and being able to tell your friends or even better—your parents—all these really cool facts is a very exciting thing indeed, especially when it impresses them (and it will).

6. It’s a snapshot of our achievements—and for such a small population, we have certainly achieved a lot, including the creation of both the bionic ear and artificial skin, offering the first round-the-world air service, and the claiming of almost half of Antarctica, excuse me.

7. History allows us to learn from our past—and hopefully do even better, and make better choices. Looking back helps us understand what NOT to do. Well, that’s the hope, anyway. Understanding how people did things a long time ago—and comparing it with how we live now is kind of awesome (and certainly makes us appreciate where we are now!).

8. It makes us feel. Whether it be laughter, shock, pride, anger, appreciation or even crying our eyes out (how embarrassment), when we hook up with history, we are guaranteed to feel a range of emotion —and that’s what good books are all about.

9. It’s worth celebrating. No country has a perfect past, but we have much to celebrate and much to look forward to and work towards. We are quite possibly the finest example of successful multiculturalism in the world. And if that’s not cause for celebration, I don’t know what is.

10. It’s entertaining, especially when done in a way that’s memorable and fun. Not many topics can both educate and entertain at the very same time, but history absolutely can. Now, that’s exciting. And, dare I say it—cool.

—

Check out the other stops on the Australian Story Blog Tour!

Monday 5 March

Blog Tour Schedule and Book Giveaway

Kids Book Review

kids-bookreview.com

Book Launch Party Wrap-Up

Tania McCartney’s Blog

taniamccartney.blogspot.com

Book Giveaway

Alphabet Street

alphabetstreet.com.au

—

Tuesday 6 March

Book Review

Buzz Words

buzzwordsmagazine.blogspot.com

Australian Story Research Process

DeeScribe

deescribewriting.wordpress.com

Book Review and 10 Reasons Why History is Exciting

Soup Blog [You’re here!]

soupblog.wordpress.com

—

Wednesday 7 March

Australian Story Teaching Notes for Key Stage I

Sheryl Gwyther’s Blog

sherylgwyther.wordpress.com
Book Review and Teaching Notes Ideas for Key Stage II

The Book Chook

thebookchook.com

Book Review

Kids’ Book Capers

content.boomerangbooks.com.au/kids-book-capers-blog

Image-Sourcing for Australian Story

Blue Dingo

bluedingo.ning.com

—

Thursday 8 March

Book Review

Reading Upside Down

readingupsidedown.com

Book Review

Pass It On

jackiehoskingpio.wordpress.com/school-magazine

Book Review

Bug in a Book

bugreviews.wordpress.com

—

Friday 9 March

Book Giveaway

HerCanberra

hercanberra.com.au

The Writing Process for Australian Story

Sally Murphy’s Blog

sallymurphy.blogspot.com

Book Review

Books for Little Hands

booksforlittlehands.blogspot.com

Book Review

ReadPlus

www.readplus.com.au

—

Saturday 10 March

Book Review

Kids Book Review

kids-bookreview.com

Book Giveaway

Posie Patchwork Blog

posiepatchworkblog.blogspot.com

Book Review

Suite 101

suite101.com/worldliteratures

—

Sunday 11 March

Book Review

My Little Bookcase

mylittlebookcase.com.au

Book Giveaway

Australian Women Online

australianwomenonline.com

Blog Tour Wrap-Up

Tania McCartney’s Blog

taniamccartney.blogspot.com

Book reviews by Rebecca

Book Review: Australian Story

Posted on March 6, 2012January 6, 2015 by Alphabet Soup

Australian Story: An Illustrated Timeline by Tania McCartney.

Published by National Library of Australia, ISBN 9780642277459.
(A review copy of this book was sent to us by the publisher.)

Follow Australia’s history on a timeline from Earth’s beginnings until 2010.

Every page of Australian Story is packed full of facts, dates and interesting bits of information—everything you ever wanted to know about Australia from long, long ago until today. Read this book and everyone will be begging you to join the quiz night team as the Expert on Australia. (Only agree if someone on the table brings lamingtons … )

The timeline is illustrated with artwork, photos and maps from the National Library of Australia. There are images of postage stamps, old magazine covers, Australian money (see what the $1 note looked like!), old posters, flags and an image of Captain Cook’s handwritten list of Indigenous words. And there’s lots more, too.

Do you know the answers to these questions?* (See if your mum and dad know.)

What is the name of the last volcano to erupt on the Australian mainland?

Who designed the Aboriginal flag?

What was the name of the first recorded European to land on Australian soil?

When was the first Melbourne Cup horse race held?

Who was Australia’s first Prime Minister?

Which Australian creature featured on the two-cent coin?

*You’ll find all the answers to these questions in Australian Story.

This is a book that we highly recommend for Aussies of all ages.

(You can WIN a copy of Australian Story. In fact, you have two chances. Chance 1: Head over to the Kids Book Review blog. Chance 2: Head over to the Alphabet Street site. Good luck!)

**© March 2012 “Review of Australian Story: An Illustrated Timeline by Tania McCartney” by Rebecca Newman (Alphabet Soup magazine)**

competitions, National Year of Reading

Autumn 2012 writing competition

Posted on March 5, 2012 by Alphabet Soup

Entries close 12 APRIL 2012

Imagine your favourite folktale or fairytale has been rewritten as a newspaper article. Create the perfect headline for that article! (We only need a headline. You do not need to write the article.)

You can enter as many times as you like, but each entry must include a separate competition entry form. This may be printed from the website (see competition rules), photocopied, or contact us to have one emailed or posted to you.

Your entry can be handwritten or typed. Make a copy of your entry as we cannot return entries.

A $20 book voucher is awarded to the winner in three age categories: Under 7s, Under 9s, and Under 12s.

info

2012 Perth Writers Festival

Posted on February 27, 2012 by Alphabet Soup

Yesterday was Family Day at the Perth Writers Festival and we had a brilliant time wandering about the grounds of UWA listening to free talks and bumping into authors and illustrators of our favourite books.

Here’s a photo of other people who were also wandering about enjoying the literary goodness of the day. ———————————————————————->

We started the day in the tropical grove listening to Cristy Burne talking about school camping trips and Japanese horror stories (it turns out there’s not much difference). James Roy was giving out some good writing tips to keen young writers in his audience. Mark Greenwood and Frané Lessac had their audience roaring with laughter, stamping feet … and throwing plastic fruit … as they performed the story of The Greatest Liar on Earth—their new picture book. There were also baby animals to help launch Karen Blair‘s book Baby Animal Farm (and cupcakes, too). And heaps of other author and illustrators talks which we didn’t get to because we were so interested in each session we kept forgetting to duck out halfway through to check out the others that were running at the same time. (OOPS—did you go to any others? Let us know what you thought in the comments!)

Here’s a photo of Briony Stewart, author of the Kumiko and the Dragon series.

(She looks like she’s singing opera in this shot, but actually she’s talking about the bravery of the characters in her story.)

And a shot of author and comedian Oliver Phommavanh signing a copy of Thai-riffic! for us.

And we just had to take a photo of this art installation by Korean artist Choi Jeong Hwa. It is called Breathing Flower and it was floating on the reflection pond at Whitfield Court. It’s HUGE and amazing to look at. And it’s there for the Festival of Perth (not just the Writers Festival) but we reckon it makes a good writing prompt for a story or poem …

If you’re in Perth, did you go to Family Day this year? Who were your favourite speakers? (Was there anyone else you wish was a speaker?)