Tag: poems

Posted in poetry, teachers' resources

Introducing a new poetry book: If I Could Eat the Stars and Other Poems

Posted on by Alphabet Soup
A poster showing the cover of a children's book against a Space themed background and text (rewritten in the caption of this image).
If I Could Eat the Stars and Other Poems, chosen by Rebecca M. Newman and Sally Murphy, illustrated by Briony Stewart

If I Could Eat the Stars and Other Poems has just been released by Fremantle Press (in association with our publishing arm, Alphabet Soup Books). It’s perfect for young readers in mid to upper primary school.

With stellar illustrations by Briony Stewart and featuring shape poems, haiku, cinquain and free verse … these are poems to tickle your funny bone, make your belly rumble and keep you up at night!

Defend a goal with Sally Murphy, rocket through space with Amber Moffat or get radioactive with Cristy Burne. Walk the dog with Deb Fitzpatrick and play with your food with James Foley. Then … Barlay! (Watch out!) with Cheryl Kickett-Tucker.

Order here!

Praise for If I Could Eat the Stars:

“Humorous poems, evocative poems of the ocean, shape poems, rhyming poems, free verse, haiku, tiny poems and long poems – this has it all, and I gobbled it up like a bag of lollies.” Sue Warren, Just So Stories

“From the lyrical to the laugh out loud, If I Could Eat the Stars and other poems is ideal to dip in and out of. Teachers could even select poems to read as lesson-break rewards. If I Could Eat the Stars showcases a fabulous depth of talent.” Joy Lawn, Paperbark Words

“With its variety and accessibility, this is a text that warrants multiple readings. As a teaching resource, If I Could Eat the Stars lends itself perfectly to modelling, comparison activities and creative writing tasks across the primary years. Illustrations by Briony Stewart add another visual dimension to the text.” Kathryn Beilby, ReadPlus

“If I Could Eat the Stars is a captivating collection of poems for younger readers.” Good Reading Magazine

Ask for If I Could Eat the Stars at your favourite bookshop or library.

The cover of a children's book: If I could Eat the Stars and Other poems floats on a space-themed background.
Posted in Book reviews by kids

Book review: It’s the Sound of the Thing

Posted on by Alphabet Soup
The cover of It's the Sound of the Thing by Maxine Beneba Clarke

It’s the Sound of the Thing by Maxine Beneba Clarke, Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing, ISBN 9781761212123

REVIEWED BY NINA, 10, NSW. Nina received a review copy of this book.

Maxine Beneba Clarke’s book It’s the Sound of the Thing is a stunning collection of 100 poems that features limericks, haikus, sonnets, tongue twisters, funny poems, serious poems any type of poem you could think of. The ideas for the poems are creative and fantastic! They are about all sorts of things (a messy room, your grannies dancing, phones, teenagers and more).

Good for readers of all ages but best suited for ages 8-12 years old. It makes you wonder what type of poem will come next.

I personally rate this book 10/10. I would highly recommend reading it. 

This is Nina’s first book review for Alphabet Soup. To send us YOUR book review, check out our submission guidelines. Happy reading!

Posted in poetry

Time for a Poem: Windy Nights

Posted on by Alphabet Soup

Happy Hallowe’en — here’s a poem to spook your friends!

—

Windy Nights by Robert Louis Stevenson

 
Whenever the moon and stars are set,
Whenever the wind is high,
All night long in the dark and wet,
A man goes riding by.
Late in the night when the fires are out,
Why does he gallop and gallop about?
—
Whenever the trees are crying aloud,
And ships are tossed at sea,
By, on the highway, low and loud,
By at the gallop goes he.
By at the gallop he goes, and then
By he comes back at the gallop again.
—
Do you know any other scary or spooky poems good for sharing at Hallowe’en? Tell us your favourites in the comments below!
Posted in info, teachers' resources

Issue 7 out May 17!

Posted on by Alphabet Soup

Inside the winter 2010 issue of Alphabet Soup:

  • Meet Sandy Fussell, author of the Samurai Kids series, Polar Boy, and Jaguar Warrior
  • stories and poems by adults and children
  • inside a hotel made of ice
  • writing tips for kids, from The Book Chook
  • book reviews
  • writing competition – win a $20 book voucher!

We’ll also have details of the 2010 design-a-cover competition. The winner will have their artwork featured on the cover of our summer 2010 issue (out in November 2010). For details, check inside issue 7, or visit the competitions page on the Alphabet Soup website on Monday 17 May 2010.

Are you a subscriber? Subscribers are entered into a draw every season – this season’s winner receives a $200 book pack from Walker Books! (Books may differ from those pictured.)

Visit the Alphabet Soup website to subscribe online.

Posted in authors, competitions, info, teachers' resources

Summer 2009 issue – out 16 November!

Posted on by Alphabet Soup

Issue 5 cover, Alphabet SoupIssue 5 will be arriving in your letterboxes from 16 November. We love the bright and summery cover – it was designed by Kate Larson, winner of our design-a-cover competition!

We received many many excellent entries and choosing a winner was very difficult. We thought Kate’s cover was eye-catching, we loved the kids on the beach, and the design left room for the Alphabet Soup logo and a few words about what’s inside the issue. Congratulations Kate!

So, what will you find inside the upcoming issue?

  • Q&A with Christine Harris, author of the Audrey of the Outback series.
  • Meet an astronomer, Peter Birch.
  • Stories, poems and book reviews.
  • Crossword.
  • Kids’ writing.
  • Summer writing competition (win a $20 book voucher!)

If you’d like to buy a copy online, subscribe, or renew your subscription, visit our website: www.alphabetsoup.net.au.

Keep reading and writing!

Rebecca Newman, Editor

Posted in authors, competitions, info

Spring ’09 issue out soon!

Posted on by Alphabet Soup

Well, here’s a photo of a daffodil which has just flowered in my front garden, isn’t it Happy daffodil growing in the Editor's garden!lovely? (Try not to notice the weeds at its feet!) This means, of course, that the spring issue of Alphabet Soup magazine is just around the corner – it will be out next week!

What will you find inside?

  • Q&A with Mark Greenwood, author of Simpson and His Donkey, The Legend of Moondyne Joe, and Fortuyn’s Ghost (among others!)
  • Curiosity corner: a family growing their own vegies
  • Stories and poems
  • Writing by kids!
  • Crossword
  • Book reviews
  • Writing tips for kids from The Book Chook
  • Spring writing competition
  • Design-a-cover competition

(You can subscribe to Alphabet Soup via our website – parents can order with a credit card online, or print off a form to post to us with a cheque. Subscribers with an Australian delivery address are entered into a draw each issue – this issue’s winner will receive a $200 book pack from Fremantle Press!)

Yes, this issue has a spring-is-in-the-air feel to it! Daffodils are easy to grow in Perth, and they suit my garden perfectly, as they don’t mind a bit of neglect! I do love to see their yellow trumpets bobbing about in spring. So – what’s growing in your garden at the moment?

Posted in competitions, info

Winter 2009 issue OUT NOW!

Posted on by Alphabet Soup

Winter issue 2009

Doesn’t a serve of delicious alphabet soup sound like just the thing for this cooler winter weather? The winter 2009 issue of Alphabet Soup is out now!

Inside Alphabet Soup magazine this issue:

  • Q&A with Jo Oliver (author-illustrator of Pilgrim)
  • interview with an Air Traffic Controller
  • Stories, poems and good books
  • Kids writing (poems, stories and book reviews)
  • winners of our autumn writing competition
  • details of our winter writing competition
  • details of our design-a-cover competition
  • and more!

Where can you buy a copy? If you live in Western Australia, you can buy copies at Westbooks children’s bookstore (396 Mill Point Rd, Victoria Park) and   Zero to Ten (330 South Tce, South Fremantle).

You can also order single copies (or subscribe!) from our website www.alphabetsoup.net.au, where you can order online with a credit card, or print off an order form to post in to us with a cheque or money order.

Get reading (and writing)!

Posted in info

Issue 2 out next week!

Posted on by Alphabet Soup

Issue 2 of Alphabet Soup magazine is at the printer’s –  you’ll be reading it by Wednesday 18 February!Alphabet Soup issue 2 cover

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.

Posted in authors, info

Subscriptions for addresses outside Australia

Posted on by Alphabet Soup

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!

Posted in authors, competitions, illustrator, info

Behind the scenes: January 2009

Posted on by Alphabet Soup

Greg Mitchell has been very busy, and we’re currently adding his illustrations to the upcoming issue of Alphabet Soup. Issue 2 is due in February 2009 and includes an interview with Duncan Ball (author of the Selby books), an article about scuba diver Liz Brodie, book reviews, stories, poems, kids’ writing, a crossword and a kids’ writing competition!

For more information about the magazine (or to find out how to subscribe), see www.alphabetsoup.net.au and stay tuned!