We want to help create motivated and engaged young readers. This blog is about children's and YA literature (especially New Zealand), literacy research, and ways to get, and keep, kids reading.
Gavin Bishop is certainly on a roll. Two of his books are finalists in the 2008 New Zealand Post Book Awards for NZ Children; Rats! and Snake and Lizard and now leaping into life come two plays adapted from a couple of Bishop’s picture books. Both will be touring New Zealand later this year.
First, is Kiwi Moon (one of his best picture books IMHO). Aimed at younger readers the play incorporates a novel mix of puppetry, performance and music and will be initially performed at Wellington’s Capital E McKenzie Theatre this month. From there it’s off on tour - one that will cover most of our major metropolitan centres.
And there’s more. Later in the year a theatrical adaptation of Bishop’s moving book, Hinepau will also take to the stage in Wellington. It’s a play pitched at a slightly older audience than Kiwi Moon but it also will do the rounds - from Whangarei to Invercargill. Make sure you catch one or both. Details here.
In the ancient Olympics there was an event called the pankration where fighters were allowed to punch, bite and scratch – hardly the behaviour we would like to see in the Olympics today. However in Welcome to the Olympics there are many other ancient events described which are indeed the forerunners to modern events.The Manawatu Reading Council (NZRA) are pleased to present Joy Watson (author of Grandpa books like Grandpa's Shed and humorous poetry)as guest speaker at their Annual General Meeting.
When: Thursday 13 March 2008 The Manawatu Reading Council (NZRA) are pleased to present Joy Watson (author of Grandpa books like Grandpa's Shed and humorous poetry)as guest speaker at their Annual General Meeting.
When: Thursday 13 March 2008
4 to 6.30 pm
Where: Central Normal School Library, Featherston Street, Palmerston North
Free food, drinks and …
AGM followed by Guest Speaker, Joy Watson
Joy's love of words and love of children are the catalysts for her writing books for children. Encouraging young people to read and write is very dear to her heart. Joy has published 15 books. She enjoys visiting schools to talk about her work. She looks forward to sharing her successes with members and guests.
RSVP: Monday 10 March to Yvonne ylovelock@lyttonstreet.school.nz
Indian Tales: a Barefoot collection
Written by Shenaaz Nanji and Christopher Corr.
Barefoot Books, 2007
Eight traditional tales, each showcasing a different region of India. Shenaaz Nanji’s lively retellings are perfect for reading aloud, and Christopher Corr’s bold and colourful artwork makes this a very inviting book to pick up. Each story is complemented by a double page spread of information about the cultural traditions of the region where the tale is set. All in all, a gem of a book for multicultural primary school classrooms!
Reviewed by Pamela
Robin Hood : outlaw of Sherwood Forest
Written by Paul D. Storrie, illustrated by Thomas Yeates.
Published by Millbrook Press Inc. 2007 (Graphic Universe Series )
Not the complete legend of Robin Hood but several of his adventures in an easy and breezy format. I can see why this graphic novel approach to well known stories persuades reluctant boy readers to read. I had no problem following it till the end.
I therefore would recommend this book for lads in a year six class right up to senior secondary level…….a rollicking read.
Reviewed by Robin (no relation)
You probably hear about the complexities of the Israel-Palestinian situation almost every week on the news. Real Time by Pnina Moed Kass is a frighteningly real minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day depiction of how quickly lives can change by acts of terrorism.
The story is set in contemporary Israel. The book is strung together through narrations by Thomas, a German boy on a mission to find out more about his grandfather, Vera, a Jewish girl trying to escape her distressing past, Baruch, a Holocaust survivor working on a kibbutz, Sameh, a Palestinian boy on an assignment and his friend Omar, Dr Ibrahim Stitti, a Palestinian doctor working in a hospital in Israel and Clive Burleigh, a Middle East news correspondent.
The format of the book is brilliant as it sets the pace for the events that unfold. The author Pnina Moed Kass says in her interview that writing this book seemed to be her only act of release from feelings of overwhelming sadness, bitterness and incomprehension.
This book was the winner of the 2004 Sydney Taylor Award. Read this book and get a feel for the effects of terrorism from different points of view.
reviewed by Janice Rodrigues
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