Intergenerational learning

Children best develop a sense of the value of reading from seeing significant others, including parents, siblings and friends engaged in activities involving early literacy skills. This could be reading, but might also be looking at the labels on food whilst grocery shopping, catching public transport and buying tickets and navigating bus routes or even playing games together. While I agree that picture books are one incredible way of building literacy confidence and skills in children, new technologies like the iPad are also highly valued support mechanisms for developing literacy skills. as an added bonus, they often introduce an element of intergenerational learning by allowing children and adults to work together across digital media. If you are anything like me you might even find that the child takes the lead in the learning taking place.

Favourite apps at the moment include:

Nighty Night
The Wonky Donkey - complete with sing along
The Very Cranky Bear - just in time for National Simultaneous Story Time on 23 May 2012
http://www.alia.org.au/nss/
The Cat in the Hat
...and of course, for slightly older children, Alice for iPad with wonderful ways of connecting to all things Alice.

Why we do the things we do....

We do things because we love them, they bring us pleasure and we seek joy in sharing experiences with others in our world. For me, the best combination of the ability to achieve this is with children. Through introducing them to the worlds available as they become literate and engage with their world. Through picture books, learning and creativity. Beyond that, give me a dog and I am happy.

Thrill seekers

Another new classic whereby a child's sense of what is normal, rapidly deteriorates to requiring some inventive thinking to come through a challenge, The boy and his toy has some similarities to The incredible book eating book. Other than the obvious, in that both picture books feature a male progragonist, both also feature events where over zealous actions almost cause permanent damage. Why is it that children's imaginations are so taken with the idea of the extreme, with all its inherent dangers, yet they return to face another day. Both of these wonderful books survive multiple readings without becoming boring, and each sparks a myriad of related discussions, activities, connection points and encourage young minds to race away with new and exciting concepts.

The boy and his toy by Sonya Hartnett
Illustrated by Lucia Masciullo
Penguin, Australia 2010.

If you like this picture book see Somebody for me. (See separate blog post).

Indigenous inclusion

August 9 2012 is International day of the world's indigenous people. Library activities readily linking common themes between indigenous children and their sense of place can be easily developed.

Settle down for some story time with Jamela, Olive and Rose in Where's Jamela? and Collecting colour.

Consider online resources such as Children's Picture Diaries from Cherbourg, Poruma and Ipswich http://www.slq.qld.gov.au/find/virtualbooks/children

and check out resources on the UN Cyber School Bus site http://cyberschoolbus.un.org/indigenous/index.asp

Collecting colour to create a sense of kinship

How do children understand the concept of family. Who they are, how they connect. The strength in belonging, of family and of having a base to come home to. Many picture books deal with these concepts, some more successfully than others.

Collecting colour by Kylie Dunstan introduces us to Rose, her friend Olive and their community in the Top End. Sharing traditional ways of collecting and colouring Rose and Olive work with Olive's mother Karrang, and Aunty to create original pandanus baskets. Elders sharing their knowledge with the children who offer hope for the future that the old ways will remain.

Family and kinship is important to Torres Strait Islander culture. This picture book presents the concept in a way that is truly unique and culturally appropriate, in a way that is able to be shared by all.

Activities relating to the picture book have been prepared by artsworkers from the State Library of Queensland. Included as resources within The Corner Toolkit they are available for use at http://ck.slq.qld.gov.au/theme/explore/family

Other online resources available include Children's Picture Diaries, available at http://www.slq.qld.gov.au/find/virtualbooks/children

Collecting colour by Kylie Dunstan
Illustrated by the author.
A Lothian Children's Book,Sydney 2008.

If you like this picture book see Special Kev, Sunday Chutney and Marshall Armstrong is new to our school for other stories about children finding their sense of self. (See separate blog posts).

Walt got it right!

On a visit to the recently refurbished Bundaberg Library I came across this quote from Walt Disney. I am happy to say, that for once I think he got it right.

A sense of relevance.

For children, literacy is a form of communication, a means of having a vocabulary and a way for them to determine a sense of relevance. Literacy in everyday life builds skills for children to determine what something looks like, what it feels like and what it sounds like. Picture books combine all of these literacies through text, visual clues and through the emotional responses gained by sharing a story together. Literacy for children is as essential as food, sunshine and time to play.

The Queensland Ready Readers Program aims to develop literacy levels in our children. Designed to develop a love of reading, rather than being a program that teaches children how to read, details about the program can be found online.

http://deta.qld.gov.au/initiatives/flyingstart/parents-carers/learning-early-years/qld-ready-readers.html

Inside cover art.

With one of the forums going into over drive regarding the discussion of how the cover sells a book (or not) I found the ideas put forward by a fellow blogger well worth considering. so, when you get a minute have a look at Controversial Picture Books – Titles, Subjects and Covers on the Book Coasters blog
posted on 31 March 2012 by James N Simpson.

https://gcbooks.wordpress.com/2012/03/31/controversial-picture-books-titles-subjects-and-covers/

The image for this post comes from the endpapers of the Stella Danalis illustrated picture book, What the sky knows.

Libraries are magical, wonderful places.

Stephen Fry talks about libraries in Fry's Planet Word Episode 4; spreading the word. He recalls his love of the library and the books contained therein saying "It's like a will-o-the wisp. One book lights another book, which lights another one, which lights another one.....these are magical, wonderful places."

This is what I hope children the world over will find their experience of libraries, and picture books to be. Something that sparks a desire for knowledge and learning, that sets fire to their imagination, something that supports their dreams, that is there for them when they need a friend. Something to celebrate their joy with, or to provide comfort when things are tough. That is what books have been to me, and I for one will always have a book by my side....and yes, often that book will be a picture book.

http://www.abc.net.au/iview/#/program/919129

Image shows Bundaberg Regional Library, Queensland

It's a miracool!

With echoes of Hansel and Gretel,Audrey takes on the challenge of ensuring that directions are in place for the arrival of the Tooth Fairy as he undertakes his important work, yes, the Tooth Fairy is a male! Dealing with real issues that impact children in their world, this picture book will become a favourite - a modern fairy tale in the making.

With little Audrey the same heroine from the Audrey of the Outback series, It's a miroocool provides an easy transition for children to tackle chapter books, with a little encouragement from mum and dad.

It's a miroocool! by Christine Harris.
Illustrated by Ann James.
Little Hare Books, Victoria 2012.

Check on me

For children the ritual of going to bed is a very real one. The saga of "good nights", teeth brushing, toileting, drinks of water, and bed time stories are for parents, the basis of childhood memories. Both for themselves looking back, and as parents creating new memories.

For ideas of other picture books related to this theme I invite you to look at http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/may/12/best-childrens-books-ever

In the interim, enjoy Check on me and for those who have access to an iPad - Nighty Night which is bound to become a favourite part of the going to bed ritual.

Check on me by Cameron Daddo.
Illustrated by Jonathon Bentley.
ABC Books, Harper Collins, Australia 20009

If you like this picture book see It's a miroocool (See separate blog post).

The somebody for me

Every child flourishes with a sense of belonging. A knowledge of who they are. This is developed through their interactions with siblings, parents, family, nature, and their environment. It is built upon as they navigate their way through their world, celebrating successes and giving things a go. Everyone needs a cheer squad - to have someone in their corner, and The somebody for me gently shows us just why this is so important.

For ideas of other titles to keep the conversation going, try
http://childrensbooksguide.com/top-100

The somebody for me by Minako Chiba
Illustrated by the author.
NorthSouth, New York, 2010.

If you liked this picture book see Sunday Chutney (See separate blog post).

Special Kev is a star.

"Dad wanted to call me Trevor, Special Kev is better" and so starts another picture book about a child finding his space in a way that is right for him, but that sets him apart from others in his world. He has the same red, curly haired freckle thing happening that I relate to so well. Not to mention his cat Gary Junior.

Special Kev by Chris McKimmie
Illustrated by the author
Allen &Unwin, Crows Nest 2008.

If you like this picture book see Marshall Armstrong is new to our school and Cloud Boy. (See separate blog posts).

From a girl who loves books

Children need to see how reading, literacy and books are central to their world. Seeing siblings, parents and others reading, enjoying and involved with books is part of the solution. Providing quality content goes a long way to building lifelong rapport with books. In rare circumstances we find a picture book that combines all of the essential elements. The incredible book eating boy is one such treasure.

Join Henry as he eats story books, dictionaries, atlases, joke books, books of facts, even maths books. The result of eating all of these books is that Henry becomes smarter than his teacher. For Henry "red ones were his favourite." unfortunately Henry doesn't quite become the smartest person in the world. Instead, he begins to turn "green, greener, greenest....beginning to feel a little ill" finally realizing that eating might not be the best way of tackling a book after all.

Discovering how to read a book turns Henry's world around, as he decides that becoming the smartest person in the world might still be achievable, even if it does take him a little bit longer than originally planned.

With wonderfully evocative illustrations by the author, this picture book takes something ordinary, makes it extraordinary and then gives it it's proper place in our world.

The incredible book eating boy by Oliver Jeffers Illustrated by the author
Harper Collins Children's Books, Great Britain, 2006.

If you like this picture book see Iggy Peck architect for another young boy with a passion for learning. (see separate blog post)

New kid at school.

Growing up on the Gold Coast I was one of those kids who was never going to fit in. I wore glasses, had curly hair with a red tinge, when everyone else's was straight. To make matters worse, I had fair, glow in the dark, skin. When I went out in the sun I didn't tan like the cool girls did. I got burnt, went lobster red, my skin peeled and I got more freckles. Did I mention that I hung out at the library? I was never going to be cool.

It is refreshing then to see the hero of this picture book is a boy not unlike the male version of me when I was growing up. Yes, he has reddish hair and wears glasses. "His freckles look like birdseed on his nose. He has lips like my tropical fish, Ninja." Marshall looks like he has sweaty palms, but hang on, he can't possible, he is uber cool. How do I get to be Marshall Armstrong's friend? Another wonderful picture book about children finding their place in the world.

Marshall Armstong is new to our school by David Mackintosh.
Illustrated by the author.
Harper Collins Children Books.
Great Britain 2011.

If you like this picture book see also Special Kev, The incredible book eating boy and Sunday Chutney. (see separate blog posts)

Sunday Chutney

Sunday Chutney has lived in New York and in Outback Australia. Her family moves around a lot and so she gets dragged from school to school.

Sunday Chutney is one of those precocious, dare I say, annoying children - everyone knows one like her, and just when you think you can't cope with them anymore, you stop to think what life would be like without them.....and it wouldn't be pleasant. Sometimes a unique way of looking at the world is just what you need to keep on going. This picture book helps children understand that it is ok to be different and that the world is made up of unique individuals, just like them.

With obvious connections to the classic Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, this book makes it easy to scaffold learning through a variety of related titles, including the Alice for the iPad app.

Sunday Chutney by Aaron Blabey
Illustrated by the author
Penguin Viking Australia 2008

If you like this picture book try Stanley Paste by the same author, or Where's Jamela (see separate blog post).

Under the same old sky

Jamela makes sense of her world by using a star to mark her place. In her old home, the star shines down on her bed from outside the window. In a time of upheaval, with mum packing up to move house Jamela struggles to make sense of her place in a shifting world.

Jamela packs Christmas her chicken, her red suitcase, her books, her dolls and even her school things. When packing becomes overwhelming - and the bumps, thumps and fussing all becomes too much for her, she packs herself.

For children, this picture book deals with the upheaval of leaving their home in a way they can relate to. The story brings to life the noise, the angst and the stress of moving house, but ends on a note of familiarity as Jamela "sees her little star in its right place up in the evening sky" and she goes "to sleep in her new room in her new home - under the same old sky."

Where's Jamela? by Niki Daly.
Illustrated by the author.
Francis Lincoln Children's Books
London, 2004.

If you like this picture book about a little girl who moves house see also Sunday Chutney.

An invitation to look at the clouds.

For children their imagination is limitless while it is nurtured and encouraged by significant adults in their lives. Picture books read to them during quiet moments during the day, stories told to them as they are snuggled in bed, thoughts they have as they look at their world. All of these things, help them to learn and engage as citizens of the world. With the right encouragement this skill will carry through to adulthood with them.

There are few better feelings than lying on grass and looking up at the sky. With clouds scudding overhead, the imagination can roam free. It must surely have been one of these idyllic moments that inspired Rhode Montijo in his quest to capture the world of Cloud Boy.

A simple little story about belonging and sharing, it invites you to look up at the clouds and imagine what they could be. If you stand really still, and hold your breath, you might just catch a glimpse of Cloud Boy.

Cloud Boy by Rhode Montijo.
Illustrated by the author.
Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers New York, 2006

If you like this picture book about a boy with a big imagination see also Sunday Chutney.

Iggy Peck architect does Bachelard.

Continuing the discussion about children and their using home as their departure point for their interaction with the world at large. Starting school is another departure point in the journey to develop a concept of the world around them that is relevant and meaningful. What is valid for one child may not register for another child. That is the beauty of life and dreaming. We develop a scenario unique to each individual, adult or child.

Iggy Peck architect is the perfect picture book to pull this concept together. Starting at home, the lively text, moves on to the school environment and beyond. All the while our hero takes us along looking at the world from his unique viewpoint.

"Young Iggy Peck is an architect and has been since he was two, when he built a great tower - in only an hour - with nothing but diapers and glue."

In turn Iggy tackles, the Sphinx, a church and a temple, before building a castle from chalk.

"Dear Ig made it until second grade when his teacher was Miss Lila Greer. On the very first day, she had this to say: "we do not talk buildings in here!"

Iggy's world takes a down hill turn as he tolerates school without the buffer of his passion for building. All is looking dire until an excursion one day, where Iggy steps to the fore to rescue not only Miss Greer, but his 16 fellow students as well.

Miss Greer has one of life's lightbulb moments....."It all became clear to Miss Greer, as she crossed the bridge over the stream. There are worse things to do when you're in grade two than to spend your time building a dream."

Bachelard couldn't have said it better.

Iggy Peck architect by Andrea Beatty.
Illustrated by David Roberts
Harry N. Abrams Inc. 2007

If you like this picture book about a boy and his experience at school see also: Marshall Armstrong is new to our school as well as Sunday Chutney.

A sense of space.

The French philosopher Gaston Bachelard talks about the concept of needing space for dreaming. This is true for everyone, but particularly for children. In his seminal work The poetics of space he writes "Sometimes the house of the future is better built, lighter and larger than all the houses of the past, so that the image of the dream house is opposed to that of the childhood home…...maybe it is a good thing for us to keep a few dreams of a house that we shall live in later....for a house that was final, one that stood in symmetrical relation to the house we were born in, would lead to thoughts serious, sad thoughts and not to dreams."

For children, their home is their first space. Children grow and learn, within their home environment. It is the first space they experience before moving on to a wider context of the world. It is that safe space from whence their perceptions of the world gradually broaden.

Children often experience new concepts through their engagement with picture books. They have a concept of what they know. They see the stars and the sky outside their window, in the night sky and in their picture books. They understand the concept of the sky as a space and can relate to it even though it is outside their immediate realm. The sky is meaningful to them well before they have a chance to experience the sensory adventure of flying in the sky, or swimming in the ocean during a rain storm.

Picture books help children make the leap from their safe space at home, to the space of imagination, allowing them space to dream.

The perfect title to get children dreaming, to lose themselves in their sense of place? Try What the sky knows by Nike Bourke. Illustrated by Stella Danalis, this book provides the perfect opportunity to scaffold learning opportunities for children. With collage the artistic medium of choice by the artist, try craft activities relating to collage. Think textured papers, fabric, moon beams and glue sticks. Fun to be had by all.

What the sky knows by Nike Bourke, illustrated by Stella Danalis.
University of Queensland Press, Brisbane 2005.