Book

Write-a-book-in-a-day

March 26, 2009 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/

illustrator

What we’re reading: Can You Keep a Secret?

January 17, 2009October 13, 2009 Alphabet Soup

In our opinion, children just aren’t exposed to enough traditional rhymes anymore. Sharing them with your children aids memory, and encourages a love of rhythm, rhyme and poetry. It’s also FUN!

Can You Keep a Secret? (Timeless rhymes to share and treasure)

Can You Keep a Secret? is a selection of rhymes from a variety of cultures presented in a gorgeous hardback book. The illustrations, by Jobi Murphy, are appealing, colourful and simple.

The rhymes have been selected by Mark Carthew and are divided into sections: nursery rhymes, playtime rhymes, action rhymes, counting rhymes, finger plays, and lullabies and gentle rhymes.

Highly recommended!

Review copy provided by Random House

competitions, info

Giveaway: War’s End by Victoria Bowen

November 11, 2008 Alphabet Soup

2008 is the 90th anniversary of the end of The Great War. We have one copy of War’s End by Victoria Bowen to give away to a Soup Blog reader.

From the blurb: ‘Dad is finally on his way home from The Great War. Twelve-year-old Nell barely remembers him but when the Spanish Influenza enters their lives, threatening Dad’s return, she begins to understand the gap in the family his absence has created. This is one family’s experience of the end of the war, a time of hope that turned into a time of trial.’

Email us at editor @ alphabetsoup.net.au (remove the space after editor) with War’s End in the subject line. In the body of your email, include the statement ‘I agree to the terms and conditions of this giveaway.’ Then, in 25 words or less, tell us why you’d like to receive a copy of War’s End.

If your entry is the winner, we’ll contact you by email.

Terms and conditions:

1. Immediate family members of Alphabet Soup staff are not eligible to enter. 2. The prize is only open to Australian citizens or residents and can only be sent to an Australian delivery address. 3. Email entries must be received by midnight (in Western Australia) on Friday 14 November 2008. 4. Chance plays no part in this giveaway. 5. The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. 6. The prize is one copy of War’s End by Victoria Bowen. 7. Entry is free 8. All entries become the property of Alphabet Soup Publishing and will be destroyed after the winner has been announced. 9. The winner’s initial of their first name, surname and Australian state of residence will appear on Soup Blog and remain for as long as Alphabet Soup Publishing desires. 10. You must abide by these conditions to be eligible to enter the giveaway.