A Case for Sad Books

There is a little girl inside of me. She is alive and sometimes she is very sad. I read this picture book for her.

We need sad books.

They remind us that grieving people still smile. And maybe they need someone to look behind their smile. Maybe...

We need sad books.

They hold our hands and sit on our laps. They whisper things like "It's okay. I understand. I too have been sad."

We need sad books.

They remind us that sad is okay. It is not bad. It is just sad.

We need sad books.

Sometimes life is sad. At times like that a happy book won't do. It feels wrong. Like know one thinks you have a right to hurt. Reading 'Happy' is like sandpaper to open wounds when all you want to do is have your 'Sad' be noticed.

We need sad books.

They give us words to say to the hurting people we care about when we ourselves are out of words. They give us words to share with children who know what sad is, who might be sad, or who just wish someone big would tell them that sad is okay.

Michael Rosen writes:

"Where is sad?

Sad is anywhere.

It comes along and finds you.

When is sad?

Sad is anytime.

It comes along and finds you.

Who is sad?

Sad is anyone.

It comes along and finds you."

At the end of his book he says, "There must be candles."

I agree.

Even in the sadness, there must be candles. This book, Michael Rosen's Sad Book, is a candle.

We need sad books, because they light a little light.

They are the hope that we are not alone. Even in sadness.

Someone else was there. They wrote about it.

Some one else is here. They bought the book.

And they want you to know they care.

Buy the book for the person inside you who knows what sad is.

Or give the words away to some who you desperately wish you had words for.

We need sad books.

Light a little light.

I am giving away one copy of this picture book to the person who, in my humble opinion, comes up with another great reason why we need sad books. You have until Friday this week to enter. Leave your response in the comments section of this post. No extra points for tweeting or posting on Facebook, but that would be nice :)

Old: Imagery in Picture books

[Imagery: the use of vivid or figurative language to represent objects or ideas.]

Old, how you leave us before we have kissed you one last time.

I am enthralled with imagery. Language. And all things vivid and figurative. Words are many things to me. Friends. Warmth. Haunting. Light and dark. Amoral and Moral. Whatever they are in a piece of writing, I want my readers to feel... whatever they may feel. One things words are not is lifeless and flat. If you have loved, lost or lived then you have something to breathe into words.

And Margaret Wild's picture book, Old Pig, captures imagery in all its texture. I can't help but grieve... and breathe again. Her words command it of me.

TIME:

Granddaughter knew old. How she loved old. Old Pig knew granddaughter and together they loved.

"I hate corn and oats," Granddaughter always said. And Old Pig always replied, "Corn and oats are good for you. While I'm alive my dear, you'll eat them up."

At that, Granddaughter stopped complaining. She'd eat corn and oats for breakfast, lunch and dinner if it meant that old Pig would live forever.

But forever is that wave upon the sand of life... never forever, never.

DUST ALONE:

One morning old Pig did not get up as usual for breakfast.

"I'm feeling tired," she said. I think I'll have breakfast in bed...

While Old Pig slept, Granddaughter chopped the wood, cleaned out the fire grate, swept and dusted... she tried to whistle while she worked, but all she could managed was a lonely little oink.

The next morning Old Pig was still tired, but she made her self get up.

PENNIES:

Old pig returned her books to the library- and didn't borrow any more. She went to the bank, took out all the money and closed the account... she paid the electricity bill, the greengrocer's bill...

When she got home she tucked the rest of the money into Granddaughter's purse.

"Keep it safe," she said, "and use it wisely."

"I will," said Granddaughter. She tried to smile but her mouth wobbled...

"There, there, no tears."

DANDELIONS THAT FLOAT ON THE WIND:

"Now," said Old Pig, "I want to feast."

And feast they did. Around the town they walked...

"Look!" said Old Pig. "Do you see how the light glitters on the leaves?"

"Look!" said Old Pig. "Do you see how the clouds gather like gossips in the sky? ...

Can you smell the warm earth?

Let's taste the rain!"

STILLNESS IN THE CHAOS:

"Tonight, said Granddaughter, "I'd like to come into your bed and hold you tight. Would that be alright?"

"That would be very alright," said Old Pig.

So Granddaughter switched off the lights, and opened the window to let in the breeze, and opened the curtains to let in the moon.

Can you hear the music play?

She put her arms around old Pig, and for the very last time...

The last page of this book has no words. Just a picture of Granddaughter standing out under the sky, watching the world go by...

Beautiful.

If you need a moment to hold grief with your child over the loss of something or someone, I recommend this picture book and all its texture and imagery. Cry. Because that too is apart of life. And because words sometimes open doors that Little Ones find hard to push through on their own.

Enjoy. Even in sadness...

What about you? What words move you to tears? What picture books have you curled up around with your child and been very glad you did?

[PS- thanks to Katie for my five words: dandelion, time, pennies, dust and chaos. What? You didn't think I was going to just post my five words with a paragraph about what they mean to me did you? ? :) This post is what those words mean to me though- that counts right?]

[image courtesy]

Rhyme with me?

Monday Run-day by Nick Sharratt

I'm tired of being deep and meaningful and a snotty little WIP's (work in progress- writting you are currently working on) that is currently standing with his back to me in the corner refusing to speak. Of course this is an improvement from the fit the thing threw when I told him that this was the month. We are going back to the beginning. We are going to iron out the wrinkly sentences and cut the crap. We are going to lose whole paragraphs if need be. It won't be painless. But I am hoping it will be worth it.... You get that I am talking about my writing right...not the kids!

So, today I am taking a break from the land of 'Have-To-Think-Hard-I-Need-To-Post-My-Blog' and I am going to introduce you to my rhyming buddy Mr. Nick Sharratt and his too cute picture book for beginner readers. 

The words are few and far between, but oh so fun. they go like this...

Monday, Run-day

Tuesday, Snooze-day

Wednesday, Friends-day

Thursday, Grrrs-day

Friday, Tie-day

Saturday, Splatter-day

Sunday, Bun-day

Now... my turn... A Week of Editing...

Monday, Stunned-day (is that how much I need to get done this week? Really? Damn!)

Tuesday, Bruise-day (from head banging on desk over how far behind I already am with my writing/editing and it is only Tuesday)

Wednesday, Make-a-mends-day (sorry family, no Mamma hasn't left home. Just writing...)

Thursday, Stirs-day (brain finally thinking, writing happening, editing singing along nicely...you believe me?)

Friday, My-day. (Six year old at school, toddler at once a week day care. Hello writing all day! How are you? Gosh I missed you since last week!)

Saturday, What's-the-matter- day (nothing. It is Saturday. What could be wrong?!)

Sunday, Fun-day (writing, what writing? No, I'm not supposed to be editing anything. Did someone say beach?)

Your turn! (ah, my six-year-old can do this rhyming thing people. Doesn't even need to be about writing. Just pick a day out of your week and let me have it. Whatcha been up too? 

I've Created an Addict...

I've created an addict, a book glutton, a wordaholic... and I am unapologetic.

I started spoon feeding him books when he was barely 6 weeks of age. Truth be told this was not done out of some teacher notion of what would benefit him, but out of pure desperation. He was unsettled and I was...unsettled. Something about the language in books was soothing. A rocking chair by the window and a handful of board books seemed like good things to have when he was screaming and I was crying.

Then I discovered another use for all the picture books I'd religiously collected during my five years teaching the under fives. My son loved them. Two before nap time was not enough. So we increased the dosage to unashamed levels. Books when he woke, books while he ate finger food in the high chair, books in the car, books if he went potty, books before bed and then just books for the sake of books. We shared them together, under rugs, by lamp lights, next to the beach and, on one occasion, while he was getting a needle at the doctors.

By three he had such an affection for The Poky Little Puppy, that we all thought we might be physically ill if we heard him recite it again.

By four he wanted to 'read' every written thing we came across. Shops signs, street advertising, junk mail, words on the side of cereal boxes, even the tags on his clothes were not exempt.

By five he discovered that words were reliable little things that said the same thing, in the same way, every time you read the same sentence. He exploited this knowing and without my knowledge taught himself the alphabet and enough sight words to render the prep teacher's job (kindergarten if you are in the USA) a task already completed.

By six we had a problem. Picture books didn't cut it any more. Take home readers from first grade were read too quickly and that left, what....? Beginning chapter books? Enter reading suggestions from a friend with older boy children who are also book addicts.

Zac Power has come to live with us this year. Don't know him? He is saving the world people! One word, sentence and chapter at a time. He is not, however, saving my money. My son loves him and his adventures... a whole lot. And is chewing those books at the rate of one every three days. We have come to an agreement. One new book each Friday....if he behaves himself at school. So there might have been a few occasions where he had to re-read last week's book. (Are we the only parents using books to bribe, um, reward our child?!)

In short, I have created an addict. A boy who loves to read... almost as much as he loves to kick his soccer ball up on our roof.

I think on the whole, my work here is done.

What about you?
Got any budding little addicts in your house? And if so, what are you currently reading them?

A Book in Times of Need?

Now before I say more, I am not a counselor. I never have been and, as far as I can see into my future, I never will be. But I was a First Grade and Kindergarten teacher (Prep and Year One teacher if you are Australian :) and I do know a thing or two about little ones. Children are amazing, but they are not miniature adults. And life often throws up difficult, frightening, confusing or even terribly sad events. Children lack adult powers of reasoning, they don't see cause and effect the way we do and if they can't explain or understand something they often blame themselves. They also often struggle to explain what they are feeling or thinking or just embrace the fact that they are feeling anything at all. This is where the secure nook of a parent's arm and a trusted listening ear can make all the difference. Books are wonderful things. Period. But have you thought about using them with the intention of opening up conversation and speaking into difficult life events that your child might be going through?

The circumstance doesn't need to be particularly stressful in the eyes of an adult for it to rock you little dude's world. While you may be over the moon about another baby on the way, your child may have distinctly different feelings. Now if there are any psychologist/counsellors etc who want to weigh in on this issue then by all means, please do.  My point is simply that books provide a wonderful and gentle world for exploring feelings and events that may be completely confusing or even traumatic to a young child. 

Helpful Books

So I thought I'd list a few favourite books that I have read to both my own children and classes I have taught over the years. Beware... oh the wonderful and heartfelt discussions you may invite :)

Expecting a New Baby?

There's a House Inside my Mummy by Giles Andreae and Vanessa Cabban (Australian picture book)

Laugh out loud stuff! If you have ever wondered what a mother's growing belly and the experience of waiting and preparing for a new baby might look like  through the eyes of a three year old, then this is the book for you. Your children will love it too.

If I had a Dragon by Tom and Amanda Ellery

Having a new brother can be a difficult adventure. And perhaps a dragon would make a better play mate? So far my boys are enjoying being the 'dragon brothers' and I don't breathe fire too often!

First Day of School?

Starting School by Janet and Allan Ahlberg

A must read for tentative children and perhaps the odd tentative parent??? :)

Loss of a Grandparent or Other Relative?

Old Pig by Margaret Wild. 

Heartbreakingly gentle tale of the death of grandma pig. A beautiful story celebrating living, yet honoring the sadness of loosing a love one.

School Yard Bullying?

Just You Wait By Megan de Kantzow

A tale of standing firmly on your own two feet. I read this to my son when he was afraid of a particular boy at his school. We used the characters in the book to role play what he could do or say if he felt threatened.

Don't Fit In? Feeling Just a Little Bit Different?

Stellaluna by Janell Cannon (Australian picture book featuring fruit bats)

A fruit bat raised as a bird naturally feels a little displaced. This story embraces friendships across the boundary lines of differences. And along the way lovable Stellaluna learns to both accept and challenge her limitations.

Recovery from illness?

How do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon? by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague

A playful tale that might open up discussion about taking medicine, visiting the doctors or just a great story to cheer up your little one when they are unwell.

Feeling Something, but Not Sure What?

How are you peeling? Foods with Moods by Saxton Freymann and Joost Elffers.

Funny stuff that could lead to serious conversation surrounding feelings. Identifying the various feelings of the different foods might be a non-threatening way to broach the topic of what might be going on with your child. My son enjoyed talking about why the various foods might be feeling the way they were feeling and what things in his life have made him feel that way. Great discussions :)

Tough Boris by Mem Fox

Yes boys can cry! Even pirates cry... and so do I.

Augustus and His Smile by Cathrine Rayner. One tiger's search for 'happy' and the simple things Augustus finds along the way that make him smile. A beautiful book of hope that might open up discussion on what it means to be happy and look after ourselves.

Of course there are so many other situations that arise in life and the titles I have listed are really just a few books off a much larger bookshelf, if you get what I mean :)

So, What About You? 

Any experiences with your little ones and a beloved book to share? Got any other great titles to suggest?

Good Thing, You Make my Heart Sing, You Make Everything Groovy.

Too many Pears! picture book by Jackie French

Pamela likes pears... the way that fish like water, mosquitoes like to bite me and the way that I like to read books. Only she's a cow who has found something better than the grass addiction so common to her kind.

One pear is good. Two pears is twice as nice.

A library is lovely, a book shop is fun and an open credit limit is priceless. Debit is not. It has a cost. So does overindulgence.

Pamela is about to find that out. She's a pear glutton. Pamela likes pears even more than Amy.

Pamela likes Amy's lunch pears, her picnic pears, her dessert pears and the pear pie she baked to replace the dessert that Pamela ate. Poor Amy.

I like books. Books in the bath, books before bed, books before morning and books with dessert. Books in the bath with dessert is even nicer. Books, bath, dessert and a glass of wine... heaven!

Poor my husband Matt. When I was not at uni, not at work and not out with friends, I was reading. I had yet to discover writing. Matt did not know about my reading. We had only lived together for a short time before we were married. Not long enough for him to discover.

Pamela liked pear picking. Poor Amy's pear tree. Amy picked lots of pears. Pamela picked more.

Matt tried to get into the reading thing once. He read one book, yah him. When he finished, I'd read three.

Grandpa fenced off the pear tree. Pamela crawled under. Who knew cows could crawl? See why I love to read. The things you learn.

Grandpa tried tying Pamela to another tree. Pamela learnt to pear pick with a tree dragging behind her. Amy bemoaned ever getting another pear to eat in her life.

Matt tried ignoring my reading. I didn't notice. Matt rolled over when the bedside light was still on. It was still on at 2am. Matt had fallen asleep. I had finished yet another book.

Then Amy had an idea. She laid on a pear feast for Pamela's pear fetish. Chocolate pears, baked pears, cream and pears, pears and cake, pears of all varieties and colours and shapes.

Matt had ideas too. He found my library card. I wondered where it was! He came with me to borrow books. We were newly wed. We had no cash. We were saving money. Then he watched me pay the replacement fees on all the books I lost. Now we were not saving money.

So Matt bought me books for my birthday, books for Christmas and books for Easter. Then he bought me books because he loved me, books because it was the weekend, books because it was Friday, then Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. It was no longer fun to buy me books. So I bought myself books. Just because. And I read.

Pamela ate and ate.

I read and read.

When Pamela got to 600 pears she turned a nice shade of green.

When Matt and I had been married about a year he turned a nice shade of green too. And I noticed the widening gap between us. I didn't know how his day was, didn't see him come home, didn't see him go to bed. We chatted at the dinner table, but then I went back to reading. Okay, it might not have been this bad, but it was not much better.

Pamela wasn't smiling anymore.

I wasn't either.

The very next day Grandpa took Pamela out into the garden to show her the pear tree. Pamela wasn't interested.

Matt bought me another book. I bought me another book. But I also wanted to share me with the man who still ventured to buy me books. These days I am just as likely to read to 2am as I am to talk to Matt until the wee hours of the morning. We know each other. Very well.

Pamela discovered apples.

Matt read another book. His second. Yah him. Again.

Then I discovered writing...

We'll work it out.

To purchase your copy of Too Many Pears, a must read for anyone who understands the belly aches of an overflowing, slightly out of balance life... or anyone who just wants to laugh with their kids about crawling cows that turn green after consuming 600 pears, click here.

To read more about author Jackie French and her whacked sense of humor, click here.

Of course there are libraries... for those of you who know where your cards are and would spend less in library fees than you would just buying the book outright.

Whatever. Enjoy :)

Cows that Type?

Click Clack Moo. Cows that Type.

Picture book by Doreen Cronin

The importance of words typed by the right kind of cow...

When being a cow without a blanket seems like an unfair lot in life, comes a tale of communication breakdown, leaders who don't and cows that won't...

Farmer Brown has some intellectually frustrated cows with cold hides. They have made their request. In a typed letter no less. All day long he hears them.

Click, clack, moo. Click, clack, moo.

The barn is cold. They'd like some blankets.

I've visited a barn in winter. I can understand.

Farmer Brown is a bit of a traditionalist. Cows give milk. They don't type letters. Fair enough. Not very opened minded, but farming is fairly straight forward. No need for divergent thinking. This is the way it has always been done.

Oh, how many Farmer Browns I have met! They are in charge, but they aren't reading their letters, if you know what I mean.

Poor Farmer Brown. Being a leader is tough. It's lonely at the top they say... and lonely at the bottom when you feel like a cow with no blanket.

The cows go on strike. Farmer Brown is the only one who didn't see thatcoming.

They type another letter. No milk today. Reasonable really. What else do you have to withhold when you are a cow who isn't being heard?

Click clack moo. Yet another letter is typed. The cows have needy friends. Friends who can't type. The hens are cold too. They'd like electric blankets.

Well, you may as well go for broke when you are not being heard. If you are a cow with no blanket, you probably do know some hens who, though they come from very different walks of life, still suffer with the cold on a blanketless night.

Farmer Brown gives no response. Ignore the problem. It will likely disappear. How wise those at the top can be.

Click, clack, moo.

Yet another letter. Now the hens are on strike.

No milk. And no eggs.

Farmer Brown finds a type writer of his own. Milkless, eggless farms are a bit of a problem, even for the Farmer Browns of this world. You can't ignore the cows and hens when you aren't getting what you need.

All be it late, Farmer Brown is going to lay down the law. They are cows and hens. They WILL give him milk and eggs. This is his farm after all. Yeah... I wonder how they will work for him.

Duck gets involved.

There is always one isn't there? The on looker who feels everything going down on the farm is their business. A 'do gooder' who takes it upon themselves to 'do good' with alteria motives. Watch out

for the duck in the midst of a problem...

The cows hold an emergency meeting.

Click, clack, moo. They will exchange their typewriter for electric blankets. Simple. Brains at the top could have thought of this.

Duck delivers the cows' letter. How helpful...

Farmer Brown gives in. No more letters, and he will have his milk and eggs... he agrees to the blankets.

Beast and foul are now warm in the barn. The masses are appeased. All creatures are happy. Peace reigns. Right?

Click, clack, quack.

The pond is quite boring, the ducks would like a diving board...

Here's my take on life.

If your cows are a typin' better see what can be done before the ducks get involved and you end up with a diving board in your pond. Farmer Browns should realize that cows may eventually find a type writer. The desperate often find a voice.

Those who can write, should. Every hen needs a cow willing to type up their cause. Stories need to be told. Letters need to be written. Farmer Browns need to know. Effects of decisions should be explored.

In short, the world is full of ducks and cows and hens, and a few Farmer Browns at the top. But words are mighty little things with great potential in the ...um...hands of the right kind of cow.

PS- I'm a cow. What about you?

Full version of this picture book, minus my... um... 'insightful' input, is available at Amazon.com. Your kids will love it too. Although little ones will get a laugh, try reading this book to older children. Just think of all the cows and hens and farmers you could chat about...

Goodnight Moon- Books Before Bedtime

It's that wonderful time of the evening. The stars are out, and your little ones are bathed, fed and almost tucked up in their beds. And in a perfect world, all that went off without a hitch! Your kids are now begging to be snuggled up and kissed goodnight, right? No?

Okay, mine neither. But, as both a teacher and mum,  I have a few suggestions about bedtime reading that might settle the troops and create some lasting memories of shared quiet time snuggled up with wonderful books. What could be nicer for children at the end of the day than your time and attention? I think most of us have discovered though, that such moments of stillness with our children cannot be forced. You can, however, provide the right setting, routine and an appropriate book. 

1. When do you read the bedtime story?

I have played around with this a bit over the years of raising my kids. I used to read to them before bath time, but found that having a good romp in the bath negates any effects of the soothing rhythms of my reading. Maybe that's also because their Daddy thinks bath time is a great time for uproarious laughter and seeing how wet the bathroom floor can get. ( You can tell who is in charge of bath time, hey) So I moved story time to immediately before bed. This works well with children older than one. But I did find that while I was still breastfeeding my youngest it was easier to let his nighttime feed be the the last event of the day (as it lulled him to sleep) and stories happened just before. It's up to you really, but I would suggest you chose a time as close as possible to bedtime and pick a moment that children have nothing else going on. In other words you are heading in the direction of bed and not merely filing in time in between the adds of their favourite show. I think routine really helps to establish this as a nightly event leading to sleep time. I also think it helps children to wind down and settle their bodies and minds at the end of the day.

2. Where do you snuggle?

I think where you read is just as important as when or even what you read. After all, you are not only wanting to focus your child's attention on the book, but you are wanting this to be a relaxing and quiet event. Needless to say then, (but I'll say it anyway), don't read in the kitchen, lounge room or any place that is super lit with overhead flood lights and plenty of other commotion going on. Personally I think bedrooms are perfect for nighttime stories. Pick a soft lamp light, a comfy chair or bed, gather the favourite cuddly toys and blankies and settle down to read. 

3. What do you read?

I would chose bedtime reading selectively. The latest story on some monster related theme (no matter how child friendly) will do nothing to promote a sense of security about being left alone in their rooms to sleep. Even some dinosaur books can leave little ones calling out long after their bedtime and mummy's and daddies crawling around under beds and opening cupboards to prove to their child that no creature from the book is actually living under there. Any story that your child loves is the right one to read, but if you want to add a quiet bedtime book at the end ,here are my suggestions.

• Kisses For Daddy by Frances Watts & David Legge
• Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
• Sleepy Bears by Mem Fox
• Time for Bed by Mem Fox
• How do Dinosaurs say Goodnight? by Jane Yolen & Mark Teague
• Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney
• Mommy's Best Kisses by Margaret Anastas
• Sleepy-time Dance by Kathrine Grace Bond

For Older Children

As I have said on previous posts, keep reading to your kids as long as you are both happy for this to occur. Now that my eldest son has moved on past picture books we read one chapter of whatever book he is currently reading. I still focus on making this a quiet event, but we now spend a lot more time talking about the characters and how their stories related to our own. He asks plenty of questions, which often leads to chatter that winds down some interesting paths that have nothing whatsoever to do with the book we are reading. But I think that is the whole point. Books are a wonderful spring board for conversation and they often provide just the right sort of atmosphere for kids to ask questions they might otherwise shy away from. Life is plenty busy. I really milk this quiet reading time for all it's worth. There are precious few moments in the day for me to sit alone with my children without distractions and really focus on them and their thoughts and concerns. Bedtime reading is a wonderful distraction all of its own. I encourage you to indulge nightly and introduce your little ones to the art of stillness as you snuggle together to share the last event of their day before bed.

Possum Magic by Mem Fox

Holiday Fun with an Aussie Icon

Recently I hailed Australia's very own Tim Winton and his novel 'Breath' , so I thought it only fair to select one of my all time favourite children's book authors to profile.

Mem Fox is really an icon of the Aussie picture book world and I think most of us would know of and possibly have read 'Possum Magic'. Grandma Poss and little Hush have moved into the hearts of many children and their parents since it was first written in 1978. Did you know that the book was rejected by publishers 9 times before Omnibus books in Adelaide picked it up? The publishers wanted the title changed ( it was originally called 'Hush the invisible mouse') and the main characters went from being mice to the possums we now know and love. The books was finally published in 1983. Since then it has sold a whopping 3.5 million copies world wide. Persistence pays off in the writing world! Mem has now written many other amazing stories for children including 'Where is the Green Sheep?' and 'Boo to a Goose'. 

Find out more at www.memfox.com

So, soon as we are all on winter school hols down here, I thought I'd  suggest some great activities that you and your little ones can do with this picture book. I used to love reading this to the children I taught in Hong Kong and the USA to introduce them to some of the great foods we love down here. Not too mention some of the cute and furry wildlife we share this great land with. My kids and I now adore it.

Activities with 'POSSUM MAGIC'

1. Read the book! Don't forget to do the voices and get totally lost in Hush's quest for the right food.

2. Bake the food. Mem's website has many of the recipes for food found in her book, including ANZAC biscuits and Pavlova. Just a funny note on that, when we lived in Denver we tried cooking the pavlova and ended up with a rather flat slab of mixture that never rose to the appropriate fluffy white expectation. Apparently when cooking waaaaay above sea level one needs to adjust recipes, times for cooking and temperature- none of which we did!

RECIPE for LAMINGTONS

1 cup butter

1/2 milk

3 cups SR flour

4 eggs

Method

Beat butter, sugar & eggs. Add milk, then flour and beat well. Bake in a large square cake tin for 45-50 mins (180 C or 350F)

When cold cut into 3 inch squares and cover with icing (frosting)

Icing (Frosting)

1kg (2lbs) of icing sugar & 4 tbl spoons cocoa. Work in 250g (1/4lb) of butter, then slowly add half cup of hot water to thin it. Add 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla. Place bowl with icing mixture over a bowl of hot water to keep runny. With a skewer hold each piece of cake and dip in icing until completely covered all over. the toss it in shredded coconut. Eat. Enjoy!

3. Find out more about possums. Visit your local library for some great non-fiction books.

4. Make your own possum hand puppet. My boys loved this one. It's very easy.  make a paper funnel with card, then draw on eyes (or glue on goggle eyes) on either side of the pointed end of funnel. The make two small ears (cut out round ovals and squeeze in half) and tape to funnel just back from eyes on either side. Then curl piece a thin of paper  around a pencil and stick on for the tail at the back of funnel (or use string or wool) Put funnel over hand and there you have it- a paper possum!

Local Fun with BOOKS

The Queensland State Library is hosting 'The Queen of Colours' a performance for under 8's based on the picture book by Jutta Bauer. The show features painting, shadow puppetry and video projections. It's one from June 30 -July 4. Times: 9:30-11:30am. $8 per person or $35 for 5 tickets. Check it out at www.slq.qld.gov.au/whatson/events/children

Top 10 Picture Books

Picture Books I recommend For Children 

1. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

This book is a classic! Take one ravenous caterpillar add a week of eating and hey presto- a butterfly!  Exposes kids to concepts like repetition in text, days of the week and numbers. 

2. Rosie's Walk by Pat Hutchins 

Another classic. You have to love the blissfully ignorant chicken in this book! Great for talking about the pictures because the text does not tell the whole story.

3. Some Dogs Do by Jez Alborough

Oh, poor Sid! If your heart doesn't melt over this tale I want to know why! And remember, some dogs do...

4. We're going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen

This book will inspire some bear hunts of your own- or not! Kids love the anticipation! And I kind of feel sorry for the bear.

5. Dinosaur Roar! by Paul and Henrietta Stickland

Lovers of crazy dinosaurs, this is your book. Contains great concepts like opposites and plenty  of  descriptive language.

6. Who Sank the Boat? by Pamela Allen

Who indeed?! Kids love trying to figure out who it was. Contains great concepts about sinking and floating and plenty of rhyming and repetition- great for later reading skills.

7. Hattie and the Fox by Mem Fox

We should all listen to the 'Hattie's' in our lives! Again great repetition in the text. I often use this book to encourage children to make predictions in text. Another beginning reading skill.

8. Too Many Pears by Jackie French

Laugh out loud fun! Don't read it if are battling morning sickness or feeling squeamish. But kids just adore Pamela and her pear obsession. 

9. Bamboozled by David Legge

How I wish I had a grandpa like the one in this book! Kids love finding all the crazy, impossible things going on in the pictures. Another great book for talking about the pictures.

10. The Magic Hat by Mem Fox

I have always believed that a little imagination is a most realistic thing to own. My kids walked around with 'magic hats' for ages after we read this one!

Well, my list could go on and on. But they're my favourites and the ones I have used as a teacher and enjoyed with my own children. So- Enjoy!

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