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).

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).