Posted in Book reviews by Rebecca, teachers' resources

What we’re reading: Hanging Out by Catherine Bateson

Posted on by Alphabet Soup

"Hanging out (cover)"

Hanging Out, by Catherine Bateson, illustrated by Adam Carruthers,  Omnibus Books for Scholastic Australia, 2010

Weston is coming for a visit while his parents are on holiday, and Ben is worried.  Last time Ben saw Weston, Ben made up lots of stories about his life in Melbourne, and now Weston will find out he wasn’t telling the truth. Ben tries to make his mum change her mind.

I remembered everything I had said.

“Mum, he really can’t come here.”

The only true thing I’d told Weston was that we lived near Puffing Billy. We can hear its whistle blow from our house.

As soon as Weston arrives, he’ll start asking about all the activities Ben bragged about. What will Ben do?

This is an early chapter book in the ‘Mates’ series. The colour illustrations by Adam Carruthers are fun. My favourite is a drawing of Miss Phillips on page 35, but I can’t tell you why because it will spoil the story. 🙂

Do you think Ben should tell Weston that he made up most of the stories about his life in  Melbourne?

Reviewed by Rebecca Newman. Our review copy was sent to us by Omnibus Books.
Posted in authors

Totally Twins, an interview with Portia

Posted on by Alphabet Soup

 

"Musical Mayhem cover"
The first book in the Totally Twins series

 

Totally Twins is a new series for girls. The first book in the series, Musical Mayhem, was released in September 2010. The author, Aleesah Darlison, is taking Musical Mayhem on a blog tour to celebrate the launch of the book, and she arranged for us to interview a character from the series—Portia. You can get to know Portia’s twin, Persephone, on another stop on the tour.

But now, let’s meet Portia.

Your twin sister, Persephone, keeps a diary. Do you keep a diary too?

No. Not yet, but seeing Perse have so much fun with her diary sure makes me want one too! I’m usually kept pretty busy with school and ballet practice but maybe I’ll ask Mum to splurge on a new diary for me. I can’t let Perse have all the fun!

What’s the best thing about having a twin sister?

Having someone you can always, always rely on.

What’s the worst thing about having a twin sister?

Having to share a birthday—every year. But at least Mum lets us have our own cakes.

Describe yourself in 5 words.

Fun, friendly, fabulous, fashionable and … FUNKY!

Perse is a sensible, sensitive, shy, serious and super sister! But don’t tell her I said that, it might go to her head.

If you found $20 lying on the ground, how would you spend it?

I’d buy some pink-iced cupcakes for Perse and me (chocolate for her, vanilla for me)—but don’t tell Mum because she’s dead against high sugar food. I’d also buy some new jewellery and magazines.

—

"Aleesah Darlison"

You can find out more about Aleesah Darlison at: www.aleesahdarlison.com. (There are some Totally Twins colouring-in pages you can download from her website.)

Persephone (Portia’s twin sister) also has her own blog where you can send her messages and download Totally Twins material. Visit Perse at: http://totally-twins.blogspot.com.

Posted in authors, illustrator, teachers' resources

Happy Roald Dahl Day!

Posted on by Alphabet Soup

September 13th is Roald Dahl Day!

"Matilda by Roald Dahl"I loved reading his books when I was growing up, and I’m still reading them. Now my kids are reading them—my daughter really likes Matilda.

I can’t imagine Roald Dahl’s stories without Quentin Blake’s illustrations. (There should be a Quentin Blake Day, too. While we’re waiting for someone to organise that, you can check out Quentin Blake’s fantabulous website.)

Anyway, back to Roald Dahl. Here’s something you didn’t know about me. When I was about 11, I used to correct people who thought Roald Dahl’s name was RONALD Dahl. They never believed me. (I was quite bossy about it but they didn’t know anyone else called Roald, so they thought I had it wrong. Ha!)

"Revolting Rhymes cover"Then, when I was 15, I had to learn a poem off by heart to recite in front of the class. I was very slack and I didn’t think about the assignment again until three days before the recital. In a bit of a panic,  I borrowed Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes from the library and I spent two nights frantically learning ‘Jack and the Beanstalk.’ It was fun and actually not too hard to memorise (even though it’s quite long) because of the rhymes and the way the story unfolds. And because, when you have someone listening to you reciting it (and they don’t have the book in front of them, so they can’t read ahead) you can’t wait to get to the funny bits!

I can’t remember what anyone else’s poems were about but I can still recite big chunks of Jack. If you haven’t read Revolting Rhymes yet, find a copy immediately. (If you can’t buy your own, ask for it at your school library or your local library.)

Visit the official Roald Dahl Day site for a free PDF with Roald Dahl Day activities. You could have a Roald Dahl Party to celebrate your favourite books any day, of course. It doesn’t have to be 13 September!

Here’s my favourite Roald Dahl Book. What’s yours?

"The BFG by Roald Dahl"

~ Rebecca Newman, Editor,  Alphabet Soup

Posted in competitions, info, teachers' resources

Don’t miss the comp closing dates!

Posted on by Alphabet Soup

Just a reminder—i"Boy writing by Greg Mitchell"f you want to enter our design-a-cover competition, entries close on 16 September 2010. The winner will see their artwork on the cover of our summer competition (out in November) and receive $20 worth of art supplies. You can find details and an entry form on the Alphabet Soup website.

And if writing is more your thing, don’t forget we run a writing competition for kids in every issue of the magazine. Our spring story competition closes on 22 October 2010. There are $20 book vouchers for the winners in three age categories. You’ll find details and an entry form over at the Alphabet Soup website for that, too.

Good luck!

Posted in Book reviews by kids, poetry, teachers' resources, Winthrop Primary School

Winthrop Primary students review ‘There’s a Goat in My Coat’

Posted on by Alphabet Soup

There’s a Goat in My Coat, by Rosemary Milne, illustrated by Andrew McLean

Reviewed by students at Winthrop Primary School, WA. Teacher: Mrs Therese Cianfrini.

Suitable for Ages: 0 – 7 years

"There's a Goat in My Coat cover"Our Favourite Poems: Lazy Little Lizard, Piglet in Puddles, Wriggle and Giggle, Penguins, and The Hopping Song.

We loved the cover of the book, it was colourful and inviting, the illustrations made us want to open the cover and discover the exciting poems inside.

Each poem in the book was cleverly created with rhyme and rhythm that made the poetry fast and cheerful, with a good beat to encourage children to get involved with saying the poems. The author really used her imagination to create some hilarious and entertaining poetry that will encourage young children to learn as they sing along with these poems. They will learn to walk, count numbers and say new words.

Our little brothers and sisters would love this book of poems, they are silly and full of nonsense that would really make them laugh. The bright colourful illustrations would also involve them in the book. Rosemary Milne has created some awesome poems that will make small children want to hear and say them over and over again. The book keeps the reader interested, as you never know what the next page will have on it.

This exciting and entertaining book will even have the adults enjoying the time they spend reading to their young children. The book has a nice ending and would be a great bedtime reading book. We recommend that you get this fun book for your children, we know they will love it.

"Winthrop Primary students"
Winthrop Primary students review ‘There’s a Goat in My Coat’. Photo used with permission.

—

"Undercover Readers Club logo"These Winthrop Primary students are members of our Undercover Readers Club, a book reviewers club for kids. (The book was provided by publisher, Allen & Unwin.) If you or your class would like to join the club, you can download an information pack (PDF) from the magazine’s website. Membership is free!

Posted in Book reviews by Rebecca, Indigenous Literacy Day

Good books: Barlay! by Cheryl Kickett-Tucker

Posted on by Alphabet Soup

This is a new title in the Waarda series (Waarda is Noongar for talking and sharing stories and information).

"Barlay! by Cheryl Kickett-Tucker"Barlay! is an early chapter book (it’s only 45 pages, you’ll finish it in no time!). It starts with Nan telling Sarah, Jay and Rene a story about the woordatj.

‘One of his jobs is to make sure children behave themselves and listen to the wise things their Elders tell them. If you don’t … ’

Jay and Rene think it’s just a fairy tale. But when they go on a family outing to Rocky Pool, they’re suddenly not so sure. Could Nan’s story about the woordatj be true?

Barlay! has short chapters and the story zips along. There are black and white illustrations by Tracey Gibbs scattered through the book and it’s fun to learn some Indigenous words like koolbardi (magpie) and “Barlay!” (“Look out!”). At the back of the book, there’s some information about the author and a map showing you where Noongar country is.

This is the sixth book in the Waarda series, so if you like this one, you’ll want to read the other five, too!

(See a photo of the author, Cheryl Kickett-Tucker, reading a chapter of Barlay! to students on Indigenous Literacy Day when her book was launched)

~ Rebecca Newman, Editor, Alphabet Soup

Posted in authors, illustrator, Indigenous Literacy Day, teachers' resources

Indigenous Literacy Day 2010 (Perth City)

Posted on by Alphabet Soup

Today I went into the city to eavesdrop on Indigenous Literacy Day events. At the State Library I arrived in time for a Meet The Author presentation by Gladys Milroy and Sharyn Egan, who were answering  questions from an enthusiastic school group. Gladys Milroy has written a title in the Waarda series, The Great Cold and Sharyn Egan was talking about illustrating Dead Man’s Gold (written by Michael Torres).

"The Great Cold, by Gladys Milroy""Dead Man's Gold, illustrated by Sharyn Egan"

"Gladys Milroy and Sharyn Egan at The Place, Perth, WA"
Gladys Milroy and Sharyn Egan talking about their books. (ILD 2010)

Off in another room, Cheryl Kickett-Tucker was talking to two more school groups (and her gorgeous baby was with her too!). She talked about how there were different ways you could tell a story—not just writing a book, but also perhaps plays, movies, music with or without lyrics, collage, news stories and even more. She talked about how she loved writing in a diary when she was growing up. (Even if her brother did show it around to everyone and embarrass her!)  She also read two chapters from her new book, Barlay!, and showed some photos of the scenery around Rocky Pool, where the book is set.

"Cheryl Kickett-Tucker, reading a chapter from 'Barlay!"
Cheryl Kickett-Tucker, reading a chapter from her new book. (IDL 2010)

While the authors and illustrators were off having lunch and resting their voices, school groups were taking part in The Great Book Swap—looking through piles of books on trestle tables at the State Library. So many books!

"Gladys Milroy and Sally Morgan waiting for their session to begin."
Gladys Milroy and Sally Morgan waiting for their session to begin in the Art Gallery. (ILD 2010)

Next I stopped by the art gallery where two groups of children were busy experimenting with story and art, guided by Sharyn Egan, Gladys Milroy and Sally Morgan. Sharyn Egan talked about how sometimes you need to make lots of little sketches and play around a little to find what it is that you want to draw. And she pointed out there are different ways of looking at things (like an aerial view, rather than looking straight on)—which echoed what Cheryl Kickett-Tucker had said about storytelling earlier.

I thoroughly enjoyed meeting some more WA writers and illustrators, and hearing about where they find their inspiration!

Indigenous Literacy Day aims to raise funds for the Indigenous Literacy Project. You can read about the project on the ILP website, and donate while you’re over there. There are also a number of bookshops participating in Indigenous Literacy Day by donating a percentage of their sales on 1 September 2010 to the Indigenous Literacy Project.

Alphabet Soup magazine is donating 10% of all orders today to the ILP (and until 5 September, if you add a note ‘ILD order,’ we’ll count it with today’s orders!). Subscribe via our website! (It’s only $29.80 for a 1-year subscription!)

~ Rebecca Newman (Editor, Alphabet Soup)

Posted in Indigenous Literacy Day, info, teachers' resources

Indigenous Literacy Day

Posted on by Alphabet Soup

Subscribe to Alphabet Soup today and you’ll be helping the Indigenous Literary Project—we will donate 10% of all orders received today (1 Sept 2010) to the project. Indigenous Literacy Day aims to help raise funds to raise literacy levels and improve the lives and opportunities of Indigenous Australians living in remote and isolated regions.

If you already subscribe (thank you and hooray!) don’t forget that single copies make a light-to-post gift, or consider donating a subscription to your child’s primary school.

A 1-year subscription to Alphabet Soup magazine (4 issues) is only $29.80. You can subscribe via the magazine’s website.

Posted in info, teachers' resources

Indigenous Literacy Day, 1 September 2010

Posted on by Alphabet Soup

Indigenous Literacy Day aims to help raise funds to raise literacy levels and improve the lives and opportunities of Indigenous Australians living in remote and isolated regions. On 1 September our editor will be in Perth city checking out ILD events organised by Fremantle Press.

"Issue 8 cover Alphabet Soup magazine"On 1 September 2010 Alphabet Soup magazine will donate 10% of all orders received on that day (subscription and single issue orders) to the Indigenous Literacy Project.

If you’ve been thinking about buying a subscription, make sure you place an order on Wednesday! You can subscribe and order single copies of the magazine via our website. (Actually, if you order any day this week and add a note marking it ‘ILD order’, we’ll count it with the orders for 1 Sept!)

A 1-year subscription (4 issues) is only $29.80.