The “Liebster Award”

Posted on 04/02/2012 by Diane Tulloch

A big Thankyou goes to Debbie LaCroix  A lovely Mum of 2 who awarded me the Liebster Blog  Award.  Just click on her name to visit her blog.

“Liebster  is a German word, meaning dearest or beloved, but it can also mean favorite. The  idea behind the Liebster Blog Award is that it is given to bloggers who have  less than 200 followers in order to create new connections and bring attention  to these wonderful blogs!”

The requirements are add the award to your blog.  thank the giver with a link back to them.  List 5 bloggers and let them know they have been given an award by leaving a comment on their blog.

Hope  that your followers will spread the love to the blogs you’ve spotlighted.

I also have to share 5 facts about me….mmm …

1.  If you didn’t know before you will now and in a post coming soon…I am a lover of potatoes, you name I’ll eat them cooked anyway, especially mashed.

2.  I once dressed as Snow White for a whole day at work.

3.  I can make the best Pavlova’s  …. my grandmothers recipe.

4.  And for those who don’t know, I also bake and decorate wedding cakes, beside my normal job.

5.  Love travelling, stayed in an orangutan reserve, ridden an elephant, held a snake, and eaten frog.

Now the bloggers I have chosen to receive the award,  mainly because they seem new and interesting, I hope you will head over and check them out,…….

Loni at      http://loniedwards.com/

Natalie at  http://wadingthroughwords.wordpress.com/

Margaret  at   http://pentoprint.blogspot.co.nz/

Catherine at     http://catherinemjohnson.wordpress.com/

Stacy at     http://stacysjensen.blogspot.co.nz/

 

 

Posted in Blogs, Literature | 23 Comments

“Perfect Picture Book” – Friday

Posted on 04/02/2012 by Diane Tulloch

“Charlie and Kiwi” an evolutionary adventure

Created by:   New York Hall of Science

Illustrated by:  Peter H Reynolds

Age:   4 – 8 years

Theme:   Science,  Adventure, Evolution, History, Learning, understanding, Fun

Published:  June 2011

Opening pages:   This is Charlie.  Charlie has to write a report for school.  About a bird.  He knew everyone else would write about robins and eagles and blue jays.  Charlie wanted something different.  Something a little surprising.

Synopsis:   When Charlie presented his kiwi project in class he didn’t really know much about his unusual bird.  Given till the next day to finish his project. That night by magic his stuffed kiwi came to life, and together they travel back in time, meeting his Great, Great, Great, Great, Great Grandfather along the way…. to the dinosaur age!  Learning about how kiwis evolved and how they live, Charlie also discovered that although all birds are different it is believed they originally came from the dinosaur.

What I liked about this story:    I was really impressed to come across a well written, fun, and entertaining flight through time about a New Zealand icon –  the Kiwi.  Written in simple clear text for easy understanding of ancient fossil with nature study and history, all in one.  As a New Zealander this was a different approach for me, and one I found very interesting, as I am always used to the myths of the Kiwi and how it came to be such an icon.  Children will love the humour in the artwork that Peter has managed to incorporate.

[The New Zealand myth not in this book is…….

Often asked “why do New Zealanders like being called a kiwi as opposed to Australians being called Kangaroo or roos or Koalas…”  You will find we refer to the ancient myth of the loving, selfless, bird who gave up everything, colourful feathers, wings, daylight, and much more …to live in darkness and come out only   at night to save the foliage and forestry from being killed off by bugs and insects so as other wildlife may live.  It is believed the Gods paid homage ever since by declaring the kiwi would be forever known as the country’s icon and respected by all.]

Resources/Finds:   Some wonderful websites about Concepts of Evolution Factsheets and Questions and Answers as well as an interactive video and exhibits..http://www.nysci.org/explore/ontour/charlieandkiwi    http://www.nyscience.org/pressroom/article/charlie09           http://readperiodicals.com/201107/2390154181.html              http://natureandscience.org/exhibits/charlie_and_kiwi/about.asp   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNM2N9zJcjk     …I loved this video.

Here is a link to FableVision founded by Peter H Reynolds and his brother Paul  Reynolds…  http://www.fablevisionlearning.com/    Peter is the award-winning illustrator of such books as  “Someday” and “Little Boy”.  Also author and illustrator of “the Dot”  and “Ish”

For more books with resources please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog and find the tab for Picture Perfect Book

Posted in Children's literature, Picture book, Picture Book Review | Tagged , , | 29 Comments

I’m back in “Action” and wanted to Thankyou All

Posted on 01/02/2012 by Diane Tulloch

For those of you who may not know, I was the butt of a “smash and Grab” last week.  I had popped two doors along for a morning coffee before work, gone only ten minutes, when on my return to work a staff member met me with the words…”your car has a smashed window, did you know?”  We both ran to my car only to find the back window behind the driver smashed and glass everywhere.  Immediately my heart sunk as I had left my laptop complete with my novel I was finally redoing again, along with other papers, passwords and a number of flashdrives with copies of photos, teleseminars, writing information etc… on, were all inside the laptop bag, which I had left covered by a jacket behind my drivers seat.  I have to admit I burst into tears when I confirmed it had gone.  You can’t imagine how I felt, I was so heartbroken that my writing material had been taken and at the same time what a fool I had been to not only leave it in my car, but have hard copies with the laptop along with flashdrives……… what an idiot I had been.

Well, I have some good news folks,   insurance is a good thing to have.  The car was fixed that same day and today, I received my new laptop.  It will take awhile getting used to.  The keys are a little different to the touch and the screen is wider,  I will eventually have it set up to what it was.   But the most wonderful part of all,  my editor/friend whom had critiqued my novel a couple of times a few years ago still had it on file and sent it to me when she heard….. YAY!   She’s the best!   I am hoping to view her as a guest on my blog in a couple of weeks so I can introduce her to you all.  As for a couple of picture book stories I had written, I managed to track down old copies.  Luckily my PiBoldMo ideas and other writing lesson papers where in another folder here at home…. yay!  So not all is lost.

Here I am with my new laptop, sorry the picture is not the best quality as it was taken by an old cellphone.  I thought I would appear in person, as I was so overwhelmed and wanted to thank you all for the lovely comments, wishes and love that was sent to me on facebook and in emails.  I was absolutely devastated when it happened, totally heartbroken and for two days suffered a blood nose and my back went out.  Hence my dear hubby took me down country for a couple of days to a lovely beachside town where he hoped it would take my mind off everything for awhile.

I am happy that much of what I can retrive is with me now and I am looking ahead thanks to the help of all of you, my fellow writers.
A BIG  “THANKYOU”  to   PiBoldMo, Childrens’ Book Hub, and 12x12in12  friends.  Now on with the writing……. lol.

 

Posted in Literature | 50 Comments

Perfect Picture Book – Friday

Posted on 28/01/2012 by Diane Tulloch

This book review was not the intended one for this week but due to an unfortunate incident which has left me without a laptop among other things and in such a distressed state, one of my staff knowing I review children’s books offered to cheer me up by reading the following book aloud to me.  They say things happen for a reason……..

“BIG MUM PLUM”

Author/Illustrator:  Daniel Postgate

First Published: in 2004 by Meadowside Children’s Books

Second Edition Published: 2006 by Little Bee – Imprint of Meadowside Children’s Books.

Age:  3 years and up

Opening Page:  “Now listen up,” said Big Mum Plum, “And hear the words I say –

Eat your porridge everyone… you’re off to school today!”

That gave her pigs a mighty scare.  They jumped from table, stool and chair

And scattered here, there, everywhere and hid themselves away. 

Back Cover:   Everyone hide – it’s school today!  But the little ones haven’t counted on Big Mum Plum.  Will school be so bad?  Or will it be Big Mum Plum who is surprised?

Theme:   Starting school, fear, nervousness,

Synopsis:  It is first day of school for 7 little piglets and feeling scared they run off in all directions to hide.  Unfortunately no one can hide from Big mum Plum.   After finally dropping them off , just how did they find their first day of school?  Well I’ll let you discover that little treat.

Why I liked it:   Daniel is a master at putting hilarious tongue-in-cheek words in clear lyrical text surrounded by colourful cartoon illustrations sure to cause a roar of laughter from both young and old.  In one of the most funniest moments Daniel shows us how not to use words to “tell” us where one little pig had hidden but instead left it for the illustrations.  The text…..  The next one out was Betsy-Mae.  Oh what a place to hide away!  Big Mum Plum she pulled the chain….. Dear Betsy won’t hide there again.   I could visualise the kids laughing all the way through this book.

Activities and Findings:  http://www.celiacatchpole.co.uk/illustrators/postgate-daniel.htm   This is a website showing some of Daniels books also if you click on the link on the page it will trafer you to his website so you can see more of his work.  He is also the author of Smelly Bill and Kevin Saves the World among many others.  As a freelance author, cartoonist with over 20 years experience he has won many award in England.

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/backtoschool/  this is a great activity website for back to school activities for the kids.  Love the idea of getting the kids to write a small booklet about themselves…

For more books with resources please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog and find the tab for Picture Perfect Book.

I will be “off air” for a day or two for normal  posting, (using only iphone), but hope to be back up soon.

Posted in Children's literature, Picture book, Picture Book Review, Reading Aloud | Tagged , , | 20 Comments

“ERIK “…. NEW KID ON THE BLOCK

Posted on 23/01/2012 by Diane Tulloch

Just over a week ago a beautiful picture arrived in my mailbox from Erik one of the new kids on the block in the 12x12in12 writers group headed by Julie Hedlund. I had won the gorgeous illustration by Lindsay Barrett George the author/illustrator of “That Pup” in a giveaway comment competition on Erik’s Blog. Isn’t it gorgeous?

Through emails, I found Erik to be quite something. I found him considerate, interesting, thoughtful, well mannered, witty and charming. Naturally after he gave me such a lovely mention on his blog linking mine to his, I just had to ask if he would be interested in doing an interview with me. Over the ensuing week I thoroughly enjoyed my interaction with him and so…..  I was going to hold off for another day or two but I am so excited and delighted I couldn’t wait any longer, in introducing you to our youngest blogger….

                       ERIK! .. This Kid Reviews Books

Question 1…You mentioned on Tara’s website back in November how you came to have a blog and I wondered if you would mind briefly enlightening us about that…?

Erik:   I got the idea to do reviews when my grandmom told me that a kid (a stranger) in a book store told her to get me “The Strange Case of Origami Yoda”. He said I would like it, so she bought it. It is a good book and I did like it! I thought that if my grandmom would take the advice of a kid maybe “this kid” (me) could help other kids and grown-ups looking for books. Plus I really love to read and I wanted to talk to more people about books. I wanted to write for a newspaper but my Dad suggested that a blog would be a good idea. My parents helped me learn how to set the blog up and I wrote my first post in January of 2011.

Question 2… You mentioned on your blog that you actually met Lindsay Barrett George the author/illustrator of “That Pup”. What’s it like actually meeting and interviewing authors…. I imagine it’s quite exciting and I have only done email interviews so far?

Erik:   I am actually really nervous before I meet an author, but when I start talking to him or her I get less nervous. Just being at book signings and going to them is pretty exciting for me. I usually read one or more of the author’s books and go to their website before going to a signing or asking for an interview and I make my questions up before time. One time I went to the book launch party for “The Throne of Fire” by Rick Riordan (my favourite author). I had a lot of time to make my questions up (we had a long drive and a long time to wait in line). When it was my turn, Mr. Riordan asked me if I had any questions for him and I was so nervous I FORGOT THEM ALL and just got my book signed!! I did give Mr. Riordan my blog address and told him I was going to blog about the event. When I did the post I put the questions I didn’t get to ask him in it and Mr. Riordan must have seen them because he actually answered one of them on his blog under “the best question never asked”! I really like hearing what authors have to say about their books and how they got the ideas to write their books. Every author I have ever talked to has been very nice.

Question 3… Now I think everyone will laugh at me here, but then I think a few will be just as gob-smacked as I was when viewing your blog….. You just celebrated your 10th Birthday… that’s right folks 10! A very impressive blog I might add, your reviews are intriguing, thoughtful, well produced and researched …. Do you get any help with your posts/write-ups at all?

Erik:   Thank you for the nice compliments! Yes, I am ten years old. People ask me that a lot; even when people meet me in person (I look older than I am). I do go through a couple drafts when I write all of my posts and reviews. The thing I wrote for Ms. Lazar’s PiBoIdMo literally took me all month to do. My parents do help me and I appreciate it. I’ll show them what I write and they will tell me if something doesn’t make sense or suggest that I re-write parts. They also make sure everything that has to do with my blog is kid-friendly and helped me learn how to set-up and run my blog. They drive me to the events I want to go to (not all of them, but a lot) and if there is something I want to learn about, they make sure I can find it. I get a lot of ideas from reading other people’s blogs (like yours J ) and people are really helpful to me when I ask questions. Author Michelle Isenhoff has helped me with learning about punctuation when writing conversations when I was writing my book. One thing that has helped me a lot with writing my blog is something my fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Deitrich, taught me about; hamburger paragraphs. If you don’t know what that is, it is a way of making a good paragraph. I took the hamburger and made it into a formula for my reviews (*hint* if you look at my reviews they pretty much follow the same formula). For my reviews I have 2 hamburgers, one for the story summary and one for my opinion.

(Here’s my story summary hamburger if you think it helps you can use it)

Question 4.…I believe, reading back on your blog, that you are starting a draft on your second book, following “The Adventures of Tomato and the Pea” (your first), can you give us an overview of what that one is about, and you also are talking about self publishing it… will you take us on that journey so we to, may learn from you?

Erik:   THAT’S A GOOD IDEA! I never thought about blogging about trying to self-publish my book. I think I will (if it is OK to steal your idea –I’ll give you credit)!

Thank you for asking me about my book. The story I wrote, “The Adventures of Tomato and Pea,” was for an end of year project for the enriched program I am in at school. When I wrote it, I really liked the story and I added to it. Then decided I really liked it and added more and more to it over the summer. It finally became a book. Here’s what it is about; Tomato is Oarg’s greatest crime-stopper (Pea is his sidekick). Wintergreen and his gang have been trying to get rid of Tomato and his friends and take over Oarg for years. In a plan gone bad, Wintergreen and his gang and Tomato and is friends, get caught in a rocket ship and crash land on a strange planet called EAR-TH. The story follows the fighting bunch of aliens on EAR-TH as they try to get along and survive on the strange planet.

Question 5… I am sorry for asking so many questions, but I am so enjoying this and I could not let you go without asking you if you could finish up by giving us some advice from a teens point of view, what do you think would be a magic ingredient for writing the perfect book, for kids today?

Erik:   I don’t know if it would be “perfect” for everyone but what I think a good book is, is a really good story but mixed with a little humor and a lot of adventure. I want to like one of the characters a lot. It doesn’t even have to be the main character, but I want him or her to be someone I want to be like or be friends with. I hope that makes sense.

Thank you for asking me to do this!

Erik, the pleasure is all mine. 

I can just see my fellow writers making notes on your Hamburger analogy here and we did have some fun getting it to my blog, didn’t we!  We would love for you to keep us informed on how you go about your self publishing venture, it would be fun to follow you on that, so no worries there. 

I think I speak for many when I say, good luck in your writing and blogging and in the 12x12in12 challenge, we are enjoying having you along for the ride.  

Thanks again Erik ……. your Kiwi chum

You can check out Erik’s blog here……http://thiskidreviewsbooks.com/

Posted in 12x12in12, Children's literature, ideas for writing, Interviews | Tagged , , | 75 Comments

Perfect Picture Book – Friday

Posted on 21/01/2012 by Diane Tulloch

Okay, so I was in two minds whether to post this book since I had already mentioned the second book of ”Magical Tales by Kiwi Kids.” This is the very first time that NZ Post gave Kiwi kids the chance to share their writing talents. They were surprised and delighted that the future of NZ Literature looks very encouraging based on the creative minds of our young. I felt this book was even more special and deserved to be on the Perfect Picture Book-Friday list, read on and see if you agree……

“Leprechaun Icecream” – Magical Tales by Kiwi Kids

Author:  children aged from 5 to 12 years.

Designer:  Liz Tui Morris

Published by:  Learning Media Limited

Ages:   5 – 12 years

Theme:  Magic and wonder of New Zealand through children’s eyes.

Leprechaun Ice Cream

by 9 year old Kiara-Jade West

Ingredients

2 pots of gold

1 pound of rainbow

40 medium-sized four-leaf clovers

10 green colouring pencils

4 cups of Irish hailstones

Rainbow sprinkles

Method

Take two posts of gold and melt in microwave for ten minutes.

Crush four leaf clovers, drain out the luck and place in fridge

Add crushed clovers and rainbow.

Heat green colouring pencils in the oven at 180 degrees Celsius until soft.

Add to mixture.

This recipe finishes with a note:

Do not serve to anybody but Leprechauns.

If you serve this to humans, they will shrink and start talking with Irish voices.

Synopsis:   It take as few magical ingredients and a whole lot of imagination to make Leprechaun Ice Cream. It’s a recipe you’ll quickly learn when you read this collection of fifty stories and poems written by Kiwi kids for Kiwi kids. The stories – sometimes imaginary, sometimes true, but always inspired – are written by storytellers from primary and intermediate schools from across New Zealand. Take a spoonful and enjoy….

What do I like about this:  What’s not to like…. With over seven thousand applicants only fifty were chosen, with such titles as “Chinese Whispers” a poem by  9 year old Juliet McLachlan, “If you give a Chick Chocolate” by 10 year old Chelsea Gibson and “Magic Spray Can” by 11 year old Louise Christina Davis and the incredible “8pm Question” by 12 year old Kate Warburton.

A quote on the back of the book reads “ The stories and poems do what young people’s writing so often does: make you see the world again, in a anew way.” … Kate De Goldi- Children’s author.

Resources/Finds: http://the-hub.tv/content/view/2566/106/ a great meet and chat to the kids who wrote the stories.

http://the-hub.tv/content/view/2566/106/ a Booksellers website of upcoming NZ Book Month and other NZ Writer’s blogs and Competitions and Award news.

http://the-hub.tv/content/view/2566/106/ article on a local 10 year old boy with Asperger’s whose story won entry into the second Book for Magical Tales by Kiwi Kids

http://www.learningmedia.co.nz/our-work/portfolio/leprechaun-ice-cream Learning Media gives full description of this book and if you click on “Write Tools” at bottom right-hand corner under Related Topics there is information on this resource for Teachers.

For more books with resources please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog and find the tab for Picture Perfect Book.

 

Posted in Children's literature, Picture book, Picture Book Review | Tagged , | 27 Comments

“Dear Me ” — A Letter to My Sixteen-Year-Old Self

Posted on 14/01/2012 by Diane Tulloch

Oh Boy! I had a fun time trying to decide how to write this post… what to spill and what not to spill so as to keep you wondering.

If you haven’t read this book, I suggest you do, it’s a must read. I came across it while browsing the book shops in the middle of Christmas shopping with hubby and when he noticed I became engrossed in the first couple of pages he offered to buy it for me as part of my Christmas gift. After all, it did intrigue him also.

It’s like stepping into a time shell of some 30, 40, 50 and even 60 plus years of not only the rich and famous, but best selling authors, dishy doctor, film directors, comedians and even an Archbishop, along with Actors, and pop stars. We are treated to a unique insight of their lives and thoughts, resulting in a moving, sometimes tearful, uplifting and often hilarious read, dotted with young pictures of themselves, some typed others hand written with cross outs and all!

Sir Ranulph Fiennes starts his with …”Since you’re 16, please accept this letter purely as it’s meant…friendly advice on being “an adult”, the next stage up from “teenager” which begins with some folk when they’re 60.….” And then proceeds to list these, with the first being… Take a bath or shower as often as possible.

Jackie Collins starts….”At 16 you know a lot – maybe too much!! You are a wild child ready to try anything once. But fortunately you are street smart and wary of horny old men (30, 40) on the make….”

Joanna Lumley’s advice to herself is cute… “Volunteer for everything because that way lies adventure…”

Julie Goodyear’s “Look at you-so confident-so insecure-so cocky-so very shy…” leads to some very strong advice.

Julian Clary’s “it’s hard to swallow, but in a few years time you will swann around in black rubber consuming men like After Eight Mints”

And there are the moving four pages from Stephen Fry.

I resonated with the moving thoughts and advice of Jane Fonda and Julia Sawalha.

And so the list goes on from Emma Thompson and Yoko Ono to Will Young and Rosanne Cash, the amazing Hayley Mills, Debbie Harry, Denise Lewis and Edmund White….to name just a few.

The idea of the book and compilation was Joseph Galliano, a freelance writer and editor, published by Simon and Schuster, and it serves to raise funds for Sir Elton John’s Aids Foundation and Doctors with no Boarders, (Elton’s letter to himself is within the foreword).

Here also is a website for the book:…http://www.dearme.org/readersletter/

I wonder! If you sat down and took a moment to think of what you would write to your young selves back then, or if you came face to face with your sixteen year old you!

What would you say, what advice would you give, would you have predicted your life to have turned out the way it did?

 Interesting isn’t it?

What would your letter be to your Sixteen-year-old Self? I would love it if your comment consisted of one specific piece of advice you would give yourself!

This could be fun!

Posted in ideas for writing, Literature | 36 Comments

Perfect Picture Book – Friday

Posted on 14/01/2012 by Diane Tulloch

 

“Quaky Cat”

Written by: Diana Noonan

Illustrated by: Gavin Bishop

Published by: Scholastic 2010

Age:  3 – 7 years

Theme: Earthquake, fear, comfort

Open Line:

On a cold Christchurch morning, while the city was sleeping

Before the birds roused him with twitters and cheeping,

Curled up on the end of his friend Emma’s bed,

Tiger woke with a start… and a feeling of dread.

Synopsis: Woken from his sleep and fearful, Tiger flees down the buckling street and up a tree. Later when all is calm he looks for his young owner and finds her in a shelter and realises as he snuggles in her arms that home is the place of caring.

I had early last year reviewed this book and felt I had to bring it back.  With earthquakes still occuring, and the book in reprint this endearing story is intending on being around for a long time…. here is my earlier review.. https://thepatientdreamer.com/2011/03/27/quaky-cat/

Why I love this story:  Who wouldn’t? Colourfully illustrated the text allows children to know what it is like to be caught in an earthquake, to understand and talk about it, and to not be fearful.   A glossary of terms in the back makes for discussion.  Author Diana, wanted desperately to help in some way after the September quake and realised instead of wishing, she decided to use the only tools she knew and along with illustrator Gavin Bishop, from the rubble of Christchurch the “Quaky Cat” was born.  A very special book to help children who had lost everything.

Since I last reviewed the book it has been reprinted again and because of its popularity, (touching hearts around the world), allows for distribution overseas. With continuing earthquakes and aftershocks to this day in Christchurch, and the realisation that the city may never be rebuilt, much of the proceeds of the sales are going to Christchurch Women’s Refugee and to Te Tai Tamariki a Christchurch based Literacy Programme.

Resources/Findings:   In the back of the book is a glossary of words and their meanings to help children understand and talk about their fears.

http://www.scholastic.co.nz/Resources/Notes/Quaky_Cat.pdf  Scholastics provide a great PDF file that can be used by teachers, carers, and parents, in helping to talk with, and getting young children to talk, in the aftermath of such an horrific time. 

http://beattiesbookblog.blogspot.com/

For more books with resources please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog and find the tab for Picture Perfect Book.

Posted in Picture book, Picture Book Review | Tagged , , | 24 Comments

As Promised here is ……..“My Picture Book Party”

Posted on 07/01/2012 by Diane Tulloch

If you have been following my blog you will know I travelled to Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam in July/August last year 2011. See my post here https://thepatientdreamer.com/2011/08/20/the-children-of-laos/ While I bargained for gift items and enjoyed the quiet, simple life of a small village, I noticed there were no books to be found. Only when I was leaving did I manage to buy a children’s book at the airport in Luang Prabang. On my flight home I discovered in the back of the book there was a small publishing group trying to put books into the hands of children living in remote jungle areas, who would otherwise never see or own one. See here my interview with Sasha the founder of “Big Brother Mouse,”

https://thepatientdreamer.com/2011/12/24/books-for-children-thanks-to-big-brother-mouse/

Yesterday I received a lovely email from Siphone (one of Sasha’s staff) along with photos of the children who enjoyed my Picture Book Party that my contribution had helped. Looking at the children engrossed in the wonder of opening up a book for some of them it is the first time ever, it brought such a warm feeling and I am so happy I could have helped in some small way.

I thought I would share with you my email and a few of the photos that were sent to me….….

Dear Diane,
We recently held a book party, and set up a book swap (what we call a mini-library), using the donation you made to Big Brother Mouse.

Date: Tuesday, 20 December 2011
Village: Ban Simoungkhoun,

Here are a few pictures from that day. On our website, as you probably know, there’s a fuller description of what we do at each of these events.

At the end of the party all the kids got a free book of their own, nearly always the first book they’ve ever owned. Then we left more books with the school, so they can trade their book for a different one after they’ve read it. We left a total of 205 books.

It was an exciting day for all of the children, and we expect many of them will always remember it — both because they had fun, and for the magic of opening a fun book for the first time, and discovering the new world that opens up. Thank you for making this possible!

We’re putting pictures from this event on our website, in our new Photo Album section, at:
www.bigbrothermouse.com/photoalbum/111220simoungkho.html

My hope is that maybe somehow we can help put more books into the hands of these children, and I also hope that one day I can return with an armful of my own picture book to hand out to them. What a joy that will be!

Posted in Children's literature, Folklore / multicultural, Interviews | Tagged , , , , | 55 Comments

Picture Perfect Book – Friday

Posted on 07/01/2012 by Diane Tulloch

                                     “Old Hu Hu”

written by: Kyle Mewburn award winning writer of “Kiss! Kiss! Yuck! Yuck!

illustrated by: Rachel Driscoll Rachel and her partner Michael Greenfield worked together on this book, to make the evocative and beautiful illustrations so special.

published by: Scholastic, 2009 A Storylines Notable Book in 2010.

Age:   4 – 8 years (I think.)

Theme:   death, loss, educational, science　

Synopsis: Old Hu Hu flew all the way to the moon (so they said) then fell down dead.

A moving tale of discovering what happens when someone dies. While Hu Hu Tu is heartbroken that Old Hu Hu has died, he is encouraged to look around him to see his old friend is everywhere, in all things that make up the world around us such as the clouds, soil, and air, flowers or hair. It is only when he awakes one morning to discover his beloved Old Hu Hu lives on within that he begins to understand.

Why I liked it:  The simple beautifully message so delicately written accompanies the whimsical illustrations. As one reviewer wrote… “if you look closely at the illustrations you can see Old Hu Hu in the background, reminding us that those we love never really leave us.”

Resources/ Findings:  http://www.scholastic.co.nz/Club/Pdfs/Old%20Hu-hu.pdf is an Activity page from  Scolastics…in PDF form as a teachers aid in encouraging discussions and activities.

http://www.picturebooks.co.nz/old-hu-hu-activities/ also has teacher aid activities relating to science and also regarding losing a loved one.

http://www.bookcouncil.org.nz/writers/mewburnkyle.htmlKyle Mewburn’s very organised website, is an amazing source of information from Educational resource for teachers to files of information on many of New Zealand writers plus reviews on his books and question and answers for kids of all ages regarding his books and writing in general.

For more books with resources please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog and find the tab for Picture Perfect Book.

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