Have you read a really cool book that you think other kids would love too?
We are currently considering book reviews by children under 12, for publication in the winter issue of Alphabet Soup, which will be out in May 2009.
If you’d like to send us a book review, you can find guidelines for submitting work on the ‘Writers Wanted‘ page of the the Alphabet Soup website.
We love hearing about your favourite books, so get writing!
This is taken from the Community page on the Borders website: http://www.borders.com.au/community.asp
Help Borders raise $200,000 for the Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Appeal. Bring in your second hand good quality books or purchase a new book to donate.
Borders will match the retail price of all donated books up to $200,000, which will go directly to the Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Appeal.
Borders will donate all books to schools and libraries in fire affected communities.
A dedicated area for book donations will be provided in store from Monday 23rd February 2009.
As 24 February 2009 is Shrove Tuesday (also known as Pancake Tuesday, and Mardi Gras), we thought we’d talk about a favourite book from our shelves: Pancakes, Pancakes! by Eric Carle.
This picture book has Carle’s characteristic illustrations and tells the story of how a boy, Jack, goes about making a pancake from scratch. This includes using a sickle to cut the wheat, grinding the wheat to flour, gathering eggs, milking the cow, churning the butter and pulling a jar of jam from the shelves in the cellar.
We read our copy every year in the lead up to Shrove Tuesday and the kids find it fascinating. (Would you go to so much work just for a pancake?)
Happy pancake making – and eating!
Win a $20 book voucher!
Write a poem or short story up to 200 words (shorter is fine). Your poem must include the word ‘float’ in it, and don’t forget to give your poem a title!
For competition rules, and to download an entry form, go to www.alphabetsoup.net.au and click on ‘competitions.’
Entries close 3 April 2009.
Happy writing!
Issue 2 (autumn 2009) is hot off the press! 
Visit www.alphabetsoup.net.au to subscribe, or to purchase single copies online. If you prefer to go into a store, we are pleased to advise that there are now two stores stocking the magazine in Western Australia:
Westbooks, 396 Mill Point Rd, Victoria Park WA
Zero to Ten, 330 South Tce, South Fremantle WA (Zero to Ten are open Tues to Friday from 10 am to 6 pm and Saturdays 9 am to 5 pm.)
Gleebooks Children’s is holding an event for children under 9 years. Put on your favourite superhero outfit (or create a new one!). Here are the details:
You are invited to join the exclusive Baxter branch of Superheroes.
Apply between 3 and 4 pm on Saturday, 4th April 2009 at the little church hall, opposite St Johns Church, St Johns Rd Glebe.
Extraordinary Ernie and his marvellous sidekick Maud the sheep, along with Fearless Frances Watts, will encourage you to take up your crimefighter cloak and meet Housecat Woman, the Amazing Desmond, Valiant Vera and Super Whiz.
Expect:
Cape swirling
Zooming
Easter egg hunt
Book launch
Special superhero bargain of 2 books for the price of 1
Story reading
Don’t forget to wear your superhero costume. Come as your favourite, or create a character of your own!
Admittance $5
RSVP Essential: events@gleebooks.com.au
Issue 2 of Alphabet Soup magazine is at the printer’s – you’ll be reading it by Wednesday 18 February!
To subscribe (only $29.80, including p&h), or to order single copies, go to www.alphabetsoup.net.au.
If you’re in Western Australia and prefer to buy through a store, Westbooks children’s bookstore should have this issue in stock by 20 February. You can find Westbooks at 396 Mill Point Rd, Victoria Park, WA.
Alphabet Soup magazine now has online ordering for local (Australian) and overseas addresses! (Go to www.alphabetsoup.net.au and click on the subscribe tab.)
Issue 2 will be out next week! Inside you’ll find: a Q&A with Duncan Ball, what’s cool about scuba diving, stories, poems, book reviews, crossword, kids’ writing, our issue 1 competition winners, and a new writing competition for kids.
Don’t miss it!
Now everyone is back at school and settling into first term, it must be time for a spot of reading. Or several spots.
If you live in SA, you can take part in the 2009 Premier’s Reading Challenge, SA.
If you’re in Vic, you have the 2009 Premier’s Reading Challenge, Vic.
And if you’re in NSW, you’ll be after the 2009 Premier’s Reading Challenge, NSW.
Happy reading!
Students in years 7, 8 and 9 (living in NSW and the ACT) may be interested in the Sydney Writers Festival ‘writenow’ Competition.
There are iPods and books up for grabs!
For more info, see http://www.swf.org.au/writenow-competition/
alphabetsoup.net.au 