Monday 27 May 2013

Abandonment

'When the enemy bombed the library, everything burned.'

And so reads the opening line in Margaret Wild's latest book, The Treasure Box.

This picture of an abandoned library in Russia reminds me of the devastation of war and the often forgotten side effects...themes explored in this amazingly touching book.




Review to come...

Wednesday 22 May 2013

Reading nooks

The colder weather has certainly given us the impetus lately to snuggle down with our books. There is nothing quite like a doona, a good book and a hot drink. Hot water bottles can also be a added luxury, but I am just as happy with cuddles from my four year old (preferably minus sticky fingers).

Here are some great ideas to create a space dedicated to all things reading and snuggling!













Friday 17 May 2013

Top ten books for boys

I was asked recently if I had any suggestions for some good reads for teenage boys.

Here are my top ten in no particular order:

1. Artemis Fowl series - Eoin Colfer
2. Harry Potter series - J K Rowling
3. Holes - Louis Sacher 
4. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
5. The Book Thief - Marcus Zusak
6. Tomorrow, when the war began series - John Marsden 
7. Lockie Leonard series - Tim Winton
8. Jurrasic Park - Michael Crichton
9. The boy in the striped pajamas - John  Boyne
10. Con-nerd - Oliver Phommavanh

This collection represents a little bit of everything - fantasy, science fiction, drama, thriller, comedy and a whole lot of escapism. 

The trick to hooking in a teen is finding out what they are interested in...if they like cooking, get them reading a cook book, and then get them in the kitchen!




Wednesday 8 May 2013

Our start of the ocean

Michelle Worthington's delightful new book, 'Start of the ocean', brought back memories of times that we have spent playing on the edge of the earth...








Hold on to your hat, for the wind will whistle and whip.
Sandy salt spray stretching and swirling over the swell,
Enticing me to seek protection in the arms of my dad,
Let's seek solace in the sand and look for that elusive shell.



Start of the ocean

Start of the ocean
Written by Michelle Worthington
Illustrated by Ann-Marie Finn
Wybble Publishing, 2013
Paperback $14.99







Childhood memories are often filled with experiences like trips to the beach, family holidays and the discovery of new places and things.  'Start of the ocean' is a picture book that encapsulates just that. 

Local author and illustrator, Michelle Worthington and Ann-Marie Finn, have teamed together for the first time to create words and images that evoke the different sights, sounds and smells that make up the great Australian beach.

The lyrical text is peppered with alliteration, gently nudging our childhood memories of the ocean to life. After hearing the story for the first time, my daughter immediately wanted to go to the beach, to create some memories of her own.

'Start of the ocean'...memories are made of this!