Posted in competitions, info

Winter issue out soon!

Posted on by Alphabet Soup

Winter is the season to snuggle up under a blanket with something good to read – and maybe something good to nibble on at the same time. Don’t miss the winter 2009 issue of Alphabet Soup magazine – out in mid-May!

Inside you’ll find:

  • a Q&A with Jo Oliver (author-illustrator of Pilgrim)
  • info about what an Air Traffic Controller does
  • book reviews, stories, poems and writing tips
  • the winning entries in our autumn 2009 writing comp
  • the details of our winter 2009 writing comp
  • kids’ writing: book reviews, stories and poems!

You can subscribe (or order your copy of the winter issue) online via the ‘subscribe’ tab on the magazine’s website.

If you haven’t got your hands on a copy of the magazine yet, you can also download a sample copy of an earlier issue from the website’s homepage.

Happy reading!

Posted in authors, illustrator

Author website: Hazel Edwards

Posted on by Alphabet Soup

book cover
book cover

There’s a Hippopotamus on Our Roof Eating Cake Answering Questions!

There’s a Hippopotamus on Our Roof Eating Cake (by Hazel Edwards and illustrated by Deborah Niland) celebrates its 30th birthday this year. Do you have a question you’d like to ask the hippo? You can ask away on Hazel’s website! (You can also find out the answers to to questions from other kids, like: What kind of cake is it? and Do you talk?)

The site also has news about Hazel’s latest picture book Flight of the Bumblebee, which comes with a CD of Antonia Kidman reading the story, and Rimsky-Korsakov’s famous music Flight of the Bumblebee.

Posted in info

New Children’s library in Western Australia!

Posted on by Alphabet Soup

FREE EVENT! The State Library of Western Australia is launching its new children’s library, known as ‘The Place.’

Come along to the Kids Day Out at The Place, State Library of WA on Sunday 24 May 2009, 10am to 3pm. Celebrity readers, original picture book art, family reading centre, famous people’s favourite books and a sneak peak tour of the library.

You’ll find the State Library of WA at 25 Francis St, Cultural Centre, Perth City. (3 minutes walk from the train station.)

For further details, refer to the State Library of WA website.

Posted in Book reviews by Rebecca

Pancakes and Painted Eggs (Jean Chapman)

Posted on by Alphabet Soup
Pancakes and Painted Eggs
Pancakes and Painted Eggs

This book is an old favourite of mine. It may not be in print now (correct me if I’m wrong, and I’d love to be wrong), but still seems to be available from many libraries and you could try finding second-hand copies through Amazon (or perhaps ebay).

Pancakes and Painted Eggs is a book for Lent and the Easter Season. It has stories, poems, songs (even sheet music, arranged by Margaret Moore), explanations of customs and festivals from a variety of cultures, recipes, craft activities, and fun illustrations by Kilmeny Niland. There’s something for everyone!

So get yourself down to your local library!

This book was selected for review from the Editor’s own collection.
Posted in authors, competitions

Write-a-book-in-a-day

Posted on by Alphabet Soup

Write-a-Book-in-a-Day is a fundraiser by the Katharine Susannah Prichard Writers Centre and Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation.

Sponsored teams write a children’s book in a day, raising funds 40% for KSPWC and 60% for Children’s Hospitals in each Australian State. Additionally a copy of each finished book will be donated to the hospital library. Teams may compete from school, home, office, library, telecentre or elsewhere.

Write-a-Book-in-a-Day runs from April to the end of August and the teams of writers nominate their day to write a children’s book. (Teams will be given some details about the subject of the book they are to write.)

Teams of 5-10 people will obtain sponsorship (a minimum of $300 per team to enter) and will compete for awards in the following sections-

* Primary School – Minimum 2000 words

* Under 18 – minimum 4000 words

* 18 and over – minimum 8000 words

In addition there will be an award for the highest sponsorship.

A booklet containing rules, hints and judging criteria can be found at  http://kspf.iinet.net.au/bookinaday/

Posted in competitions, info

Writing comp closing on 3 April

Posted on by Alphabet Soup

Just a reminder: our poem-writing comp is closing on 3  April 2009. The competition is open to children aged 12 and under, entries are judged in three age categories and there are $20 book vouchers to be won! Plus, the winning entries will be published in Alphabet Soup magazine!

Your poem needs to include the word ‘float’ in it.

For further details, and an entry form, go to the ‘competitions‘ page of Alphabet Soup’s website.