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Merry Christmas!

Posted on December 23, 2013 by Alphabet Soup

Merry Christmas to all you readers and writers out there. We’ll be taking a break now until just after Christmas …

But don’t go too far away. From 27 December until 31 December we’ll be posting lists from some of our Junior Reviewers — their favourite reads from 2013.

May you find books and creativity in your Christmas Stockings! Merry Christmas from Alphabet Soup.

~ Rebecca

Book review: Don’t Look Now series

Posted on December 9, 2013January 6, 2015 by Alphabet Soup

Don’t Look Now: Book 1 by Paul Jennings, ill. Andrew Weldon, ISBN 9781743311233, Allen and Unwin

Don’t Look Now: Book 2 by Paul Jennings, ill. Andrew Weldon, ISBN 9781743311400, Allen and Unwin

Don’t Look Now: Book 3 by Paul Jennings, ill. Andrew Weldon, ISBN 9781743311417, Allen and Unwin

Don’t Look Now: Book 4 by Paul Jennings, ill. Andrew Weldon, ISBN 9781743311424, Allen and Unwin

Series reviewed by Joseph, 9, WA

A copy of these books were provided by the publisher

This funny series is all about Ricky (the boy who can fly), Samantha (Ricky’s friend), Ricky’s mum and dad, and Jack (Samantha’s guide dog). Everyone calls Ricky a dork—once he tried to join the freckles on his nose like a dot-to-dot. (It didn’t work, he just got a face covered in pen.) Every book has one page with a single giant word on it: FAMOUS.

In book 1 Ricky learns that he can fly and there are good and bad things he can do with that skill. He’s trying to get back the kangapoo keyring his grandad gave him after an owl stole it from him.

In Book 2, Riley wants to show everyone he can fly but whenever he does he falls down.

In book 3, Ricky really wants to make friends with Samantha, the car wash girl. But all his strategies seem to fail.

In Book 4, Ricky’s problems continue. A flood is preventing Samantha and her school friends from getting their stuffed toys for the show’s exhibition. The toys are on the other side of the river …

This series is exciting—sometimes you can guess what will happen next but most of the time I have to keep reading to find out. Each book is very funny. There are lots of pictures (black and white sketches) and so many pictures makes it fun to read and extra interesting. The series reminds me of the ‘Treehouse’ series by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton but instead of fantasy adventures this series is more everyday funny happenings.

I like that there are maps at the beginning and end of each book. You can find things like Samantha’s yard, and the Tower and Surrounding Areas. I also liked the lists of things like ‘Things to Know about People,’ and ‘Things to Know About Samantha.’

Boys and girls aged 9 to 12 would enjoy the ‘Don’t Look Now’ series. (Books 2 and 4 are my favourites.)

—

Joseph is one of our regular Junior reviewers. His most recent review was Figaro and Rumba and the Cool Cats.

info, teachers' resources

Last chance to purchase back issues

Posted on December 2, 2013December 3, 2013 by Alphabet Soup

After 25 December 2013 we will no longer be offering back issues of Alphabet Soup magazine for sale. So now is your LAST CHANCE to order back issues! You can order copies through our website.

Some of the earlier issues are now in short supply and issue 7 is almost sold out. If an issue is no longer available it will not appear as an option on the list to purchase. (We will do our best to remove sold-out issues from the list as soon as they are sold out!)

NB: There was no summer 2008 issue.

Here is a snapshot of what was in each issue:

Issue 1 SPRING 2008 (limited supply)

Theme: Alphabet Soup (a bit of everything!)

Author Q&A: Jackie French

Interest article: Firefighting

Poetry and stories by AB Paterson, Charlotte Clarence, Nardia Bordas

Folktale/fairytale: The Magic Porridge Pot

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Issue 2 AUTUMN 2009 (limited supply)

Theme: Water

Author Q&A: Duncan Ball

Interest article: Scuba diving

Poetry and stories by Brian Langley, Charlotte Clarence, Michele Purcell.

Foktale/fairytale: The Fisherman and His Wife

Writing tips: Keeping a journal

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Issue 3 WINTER 2009 (limited supply)

Theme: Flight

Author Q&A: Jo Oliver

Interest Article: Air Traffic Control

Poetry and stories by CJ Dennis, Marie Clark, Michele Purcell

Greek Myth: Daedalus and Icarus

Writing tips: Describe it!

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Issue 4 SPRING 2009 (limited supply)

Theme: Gardening

Author Q&A: Mark Greenwood

Interest Article: Home-grown vegies

Poetry and stories by Ann Ingalls, Brian Langley, Hazel Edwards, Michele Purcell

Folktale/Fairytale: Jack and the Beanstalk

Writing tips: Writers’ block

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Issue 5 SUMMER 2009 (limited supply)

Theme: Space

Author Q&A: Christine Harris

Interest Article: Astronomy

Poetry and stories by Sally Murphy, Jackie Hosking, Paula Hayes and Mabel Kaplan

Folktale/Fairytale: The Red Riding Hood Rap

Writing tips: What does ‘write what you know’ mean?

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Issue 6 AUTUMN 2010 (limited supply)

Theme: Outdoors

Illustrator Q&A: Chris Nixon

Interest Article: Rogaining

Poetry and stories by Jackie Hosking, Beverley Boorer, Michele Purcell, Selina Duke

Folktale/Fairytale: Hansel and Gretel

Writing tips: Getting to know your characters

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Issue 7 WINTER 2010 (ONLY 3 copies remaining)

Theme: Ice

Author Q&A: Sandy Fussell

Interest Article: Art in the Ice Hotel

Poetry and stories by Karen Collum, Michele Purcell, Di Bates

Folktale/Fairytale: The Snow Maiden

Writing tips: Point of view

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Issue 8 SPRING 2010 (limited supply)

Theme: Music

Interest article: Playing the viola

Poetry and stories by Jeni Mawter, Valerie Thomas, Lyn Oxley, Rebecca Newman

Folktale/fairytale: The Smell of Bread

Writing tips: How do I write a funny story?

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Issue 9 SUMMER 2010 (limited supply)

Theme: Wetlands

Author Q&A: Hazel Edwards

Interest article: Wetlands Care

Poetry and stories by Sally Murphy, Edel Wignell, Rebecca Newman, Aleesah Darlison

Folktale/Fairytale: A Needle and Thread

Writing tips: The writer as crocodile hunter

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Issue 10 AUTUMN 2011 (in reasonable supply)

Theme: Chemistry Fun

Author Q&A: Oliver Phommavanh

Interest article: International Year of Chemistry

Poetry and stories by John Malone, Nadine Cranenburgh, Michele Purcell, Kathryn Apel

Greek myth: The Golden Touch

Writing tips: Playing with words

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Issue 11 WINTER 2011 (in reasonable supply)

Theme: Things with Wings

Interest article: Bee keeping

Author Q&A: Wendy Orr

Poetry and stories by Edel Wignell, Jackie Hosking, Lorraine Marwood, Michele Purcell and Emma Cameron

Folktale/Fairytale: The Six Swans

Writing tips: Writing great dialogue

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Issue 12 SPRING 2011 (in reasonable supply)

Theme: Sail Away!

Author Q&A: Briony Stewart

Interest article: Sailing

Poetry and stories by Pat (Tricia) Simmons, Edel Wignell, Michele Purcell, Susan Stephenson

Fable: The North Wind and the Sun

Writing tips: Finding the right title

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Issue 13 SUMMER 2011 (in reasonable supply)

Theme: Medieval

Author Q&A: Norman Jorgensen

Interest article: Fencing

Poetry and stories by Jackie Hosking, Marianne Musgrove, Michele Purcell, Tracey Slater

Legend: Robin Hood Meets Little John

Writing tips: Finding good names for your characters

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Issue 14 AUTUMN 2012 (in reasonable supply)

Theme: Fun with paper

Writer Q&A: Lorraine Marwood

Interest Article: Making paper

Poetry and stories by Edel Wignell, Jackie Hosking, Rebecca Newman, Zoya Nojin

Fairytale/Folktale: Why Evergreen Trees Keep Their Leaves

Writing tips: Journalists’ skills

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Issue 15 WINTER 2012 (in reasonable supply)

Theme: National Year of Reading!

Author-illustrator Q&A: Peter Carnavas

Interest Article: Judging Book Awards

Poetry and stories by Kathryn Apel, Sally Murphy, Lorraine Marwood, Michele Purcell, Susan Stephenson

Fairytale/Folktale: The Three Wishes

Writing tips: Beginnings — finding a hook

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Issue 16 SPRING 2012 (in reasonable supply)

Theme: Champions

Author Q&A: Jen Banyard

Interest article: Behind the Scenes at Big Events

Poetry and stories by Marianne Musgrove, John Malone, Dianne Bates, Rebecca Newman

Fable: The Tortoise and the Hare

Writing tips: 10 Behaviours of a Champion Writer

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Issue 17 SUMMER 2012 (in reasonable supply)

Theme: Come to the Fair!

Author-illustrator Q&A: Mark Wilson

Interest article: Juggling

Poetry, stories and a play by Jackie Hosking, Kathryn Apel, Michele Purcell, Susan Stephenson

Folktale/Fairytale: The Three Billy Goats Gruff

Writing tips: A lucky dip of prompts

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Issue 18 AUTUMN 2013 (in healthy supply)

Theme: Long, long ago

Author Q&A: Tania McCartney

Interest Article: School in 1941

Poetry and stories by Rebecca Newman, Tricia Simmons, Zoya Nojin

Folktale/Fairytale: The Little Red Hen

Writing tips: Writing perfect endings

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Order back issues from our website

Book reviews by kids, Book reviews by Matilda

Book review: Anton Can Do Magic

Posted on November 26, 2013January 6, 2015 by Alphabet Soup

Anton Can Do Magic by Ole Könnecke, ISBN 9781877467639, Gecko Press

Reviewed by Matilda, 7, WA

Anton is a boy with a hat that he thinks helps him be magic. He tries to make things disappear. Whenever he does magic, he wiggles his hands and the hat falls over his eyes and he can’t see what’s happening, so he thinks he’s done something magic.

Something interesting about the illustrations is that they use mostly hot colours like red, orange and yellow and reddy-orange. Only the bird is not orangey-red.

Can Anton really do magic? You will have to read this picture book to find out.

I would recommend this book to 5 to 8 year olds because it’s funny and it made me laugh.

—

Matilda is one of our regular Junior Book Reviewers. She previously reviewed: An Aussie Year. If YOU would like to send us a book review,check out our submission guidelines. Happy reading!

Book reviews by Rebecca

What we’re reading: Roland Harvey

Posted on November 22, 2013January 6, 2015 by Alphabet Soup

The Wombats Go on Camp by Roland Harvey, ISBN 9781743315040, Allen & Unwin

A copy of this book was provided by the publisher.

Mrs Nott and Ms Annabel are taking their students (The Wombats) on their first camp ever. Once they arrive, the kids have fun doing all sorts of activities — like exploring, cooking and performing. Each camper has a page (a bit like a diary entry) where they talk about what’s been happening that day from their point of view. Some kids are loving the camp … but not all of them!

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The illustrations are recognisably Roland Harvey’s — they are so detailed and there’s something new and even sillier to see every time you read the book. (Sometimes the illustrations show the real story of camp events, despite what the camper is telling us!)

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Don’t miss the endpapers where you can read all about each student and find out each one’s nickname, hobbies, enemies and more. (And a final tip: make sure you read their names out loud.)

——————–

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Everything We Ever Saw by Roland Harvey, ISBN 9781743313671, Allen & Unwin

A copy of this book was provided by the publisher.

If you are a Roland Harvey fan (is there anyone who isn’t?) you might have figured out that Everything We Ever Saw is Roland Harvey’s six picture books — about a family’s trips exploring Australia — all together in one book. What a good idea.

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Everything We Ever Saw includes:

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At the Beach:

—

In the Bush:

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In the City:

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To the Top End:

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All the Way to WA:

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On the Farm:

I love how different each trip is, and yet, they are all trips to different parts of the same country — Australia. I had fun recognising places I’ve been to and poring over all the parts of Australia I haven’t been to yet. Roland Harvey’s illustrations are hilarious and detailed, and studying each page closely has kept me busy for hours.

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I can’t help thinking that Everything We Ever Saw would make a fantastic gift for overseas friends who are interested in Australia’s landscape, climate, people and creatures.

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And — you already know how much I love looking at endpapers — this book has great endpapers, too. You’ll find a map of Australia showing the sites where the family travelled and the wildlife they spotted on the way.

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This is a book that will keep you entertained all summer holidays.

© November 2013 “Reviews of **The Wombats Go on Camp and Everything We Ever Saw***” by Rebecca Newman (https://soupblog.wordpress.com)*

Book reviews by Joseph, Book reviews by kids

Book review: Figaro and Rumba and the Cool Cats

Posted on November 18, 2013January 6, 2015 by Alphabet Soup

Figaro and Rumba and the Cool Cats by Anna Fienberg, ill. Stephen Michael King. ISBN 9781743313497, Allen & Unwin.

Reviewed by Joseph, 9 WA

A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher.

Figaro and Rumba are friends — Rumba writes songs for the Cool Cats (a band) but Figaro likes to sing along and Figaro is not a good singer. This book is about these two friends and a little cat called Dora. The Cool Cats band’s best singer (Marta) has a car and Figaro, Rumba and Dora take the car for a drive without Marta knowing. They end up at the house of one of Dora’s friends and Figaro is sure there is some kind of monster following them. At the house, they make a discovery about Figaro …

Will Marta figure out that someone’s taken her car? What IS the monster? Can Figaro and Rumba fix their mistakes and save the day?

My favourite thing about the book is when Figaro has a dream — it’s a sort of warning about the monster. At that bit of the book, Dad told me it was bedtime and I didn’t want to stop reading. (Unfortunately I had to stop because Dad took the book away, so I finished it the next day.)

One thing that made me stop and think was ‘Why would the friends take the car without permission?’

The illustrations make the story even funnier and you get to know the characters more. I recognised the illustrator from The Pocket Dogs, which is one of my favourite picture books and if you liked Tashi, this is the same author as those books.

I give Figaro and Rumba and the Cool Cats 7.4 out of 10. I think 6 to 9 year olds would enjoy this book best because of the type of storytelling, and they will enjoy the illustrations.

poetry

Young Writers in Action – The Tree’s Gifts

Posted on November 13, 2013July 25, 2025 by Alphabet Soup

The Trees Gifts

by Gillian, 11, USA

The

Tree’s gift

In the spring

Is to give us hope

That warmer days are

Coming. The tree’s gift in

The summer is to give us a shady

Spot to sit and read a book. The tree’s

Gift in the fall is to give us vibrant leaves

To jump in. The tree’s gift in the winter is to

Let us admire its glittering ornaments and bright

Lights and to remind us that a new year is beginning.

A tree is

A gift all

Year long.

Book reviews by kids, Book reviews by Pippa

Book Review: Alex, The Dog and the Unopenable Door

Posted on November 12, 2013January 6, 2015 by Alphabet Soup

Alex, The Dog and the Unopenable Door by Ross Montgomery, ISBN 9780571294619, Faber and Faber

Review by Philippa, 12, WA

A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher.

Alex lives near The Cusp, a border around the Forbidden Land which prevents humans from going in. Alex father has made it to the magical centre of the Forbidden Land but when he comes back he starts digging holes in the back garden, and trying to run back to the centre of the Forbidden Land. Then Alex is captured by the head of expeditions-to-the-centre. Can he escape and find out the truth about his father?

This is a fantasy-thriller. The story is gripping and it is not like any other book I’ve read before. Do not read it 5 minutes before bedtime! (You’ll want to stay up all night reading it.)

I think the title doesn’t match the story. There is a lot going on in the book but the title makes it sound like a light read and for younger readers than I think will enjoy it, and the title doesn’t tell you it’s a fantasy book. I thought a better title might be something like The Secret of The Cusp.

I recommend this book for ages 10 to Adult. (I gave it to my Nana to read, and she couldn’t put it down either.)

Alex, The Dog and the Unopenable Door is in my Top Ten reads for this year.

–

Philippa is one of Alphabet Soup’s Junior Reviewers. If you are aged 12 or under, you can email us your book reviews, too — check out our submission guidelines. You can also read Philippa’s most recent review — Liar & Spy.

Book reviews by kids, Book reviews by Matilda

Book Review: An Aussie Year

Posted on November 4, 2013January 6, 2015 by Alphabet Soup

An Aussie Year by Tania McCartney, ill. Tina Snerling, ISBN.9781921966248, EK Books

Reviewed by Matilda, 7, WA

A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher.

This is a book about 5 Aussie kids and one dog and each month they tell you what Australian children do in that month. Matilda is my favourite character because my name is Matilda too, and that character even looks a bit like me.

There are lots of illustrations scattered across the page of each month. My favourite month in this book is December because everyone’s celebrating.

Some of my favourite illustrations are:

The girl playing hopscotch in February (because I like to do that)
The Harmony Day pictures on 21 March where they’re all holding hands.
The Easter egg hunt with the costumes and the bilby
The Tasmanian devil at the tea party (he’s funny)

At the back of the book there’s a map of Australia with a bit about each of the states.

I learned some new things in this book — like Canberra Day is in March. (I didn’t know there was such a thing as Canberra Day).

I think all kids up to age 10 would like this book. There’s lots to look at and even if you think you know everything Aussie kids do in every month you can still learn some new things.

—

This review is part of a Blog Tour celebrating the launch of An Aussie Year. Check out all the stops on the tour. Or why not have a sneak peek at the characters in An Aussie Year?

© November 2013 “Reviews of The Wombats Go on Camp and Everything We Ever Saw” by Rebecca Newman (https://soupblog.wordpress.com)

Philippa is one of Alphabet Soup’s Junior Reviewers. If you are aged 12 or under, you can email us your book reviews, too — check out our submission guidelines. You can also read Philippa’s most recent review — Liar & Spy.

© November 2013 “Reviews of **The Wombats Go on Camp and Everything We Ever Saw***” by Rebecca Newman (https://soupblog.wordpress.com)*