Thursday, October 28, 2010

Pink Month- Picture Books about Cancer

Yesterday I had the honour of attending a Breast Cancer Fundraising Luncheon. This is an annual event organised by my darling next door neighbour and her daughter, who spend countless hours campaigning, organising and baking for this special occasion. Each year, they are successful in raising thousands of dollars for the very valuable cause.

Afternoon Tea is an absolute delight.
It is so special to be at an event with a range of women from all walks of life.  Most of whom have experienced breast cancer personally or through a friend or relative. It is always lovely to catch up with women from the neighbourhood, and also with women who don’t live so close. For some of us, it is the one day in the year we actually catch up with one another.
Musical chairs: These were the gorgeous tables set up for our luncheon. Which seat would you take up?
 Since becoming a mother, attending this event has become even more meaningful to me. Having my daughter by my side has also become highly significant. You see, I have this regular thought (fear) which wrenches at my heart: the thought of getting ill and leaving my daughter without a mother. I’m sure this is not an uncommon thought for a mother.
I listen to stories of breast cancer, and I am reminded of how precious life is and how quickly it can be taken away. So, I have made a personal pledge that each year my daughter and I attend this luncheon, we must celebrate another precious year together.

2010: Another year to treasure together.
I am not alone. I am not the only mother in the world. I was surrounded by mothers at the luncheon yesterday. Women, like me, who have children. None of us are immune to breast cancer. According to the National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre, breast cancer and lung cancer are the two leading causes of cancer-related death in Australian women (Breast Cancer in Australia: an overview, 2009). When a mother dies of breast cancer she leaves behind a child. It is a fear for me, but it is a reality for so many Australian women.

I think there is absolutely nothing sadder or more unjust in life than a child losing his mother. I have taught many children who have lost their mothers to breast cancer, and they are amongst the bravest little big people I know. I have so much admiration for them. 

I can only hope that I am not faced with this particular challenge in life. I’m not sure how I would handle the situation if I ever am.  I have so much respect for mothers who fight the personal battle with cancer and who also find the strength to comfort and support their children at the same time. 

As we know, each family copes in their own way. Many families use books to help explain the situation to their children. There are also many women and children who find that writing their own stories becomes a way of coping. To recognise ‘Pink Month’, I thought I’d put together a list of picture books written to help families discuss cancer. 

CHILDREN'S BOOKS ABOUT CANCER
Each of these 3 books has been written by Australian women and recently published. 

My Mum has Breast Cancer- A Family's Cancer Journey, by Lisa and Harrison Seward
This picture book, suitable for children (3+), was written by a cancer-survivor based on the journal she kept with her son. It has also been illustrated by her son. The book opens areas of discussion for families about cancer and all profits go to cancer organisations.

Can be purchased from the Breast Cancer Network



My Mum's got Cancer, by Dr. Lucy Blunt and Eloise Osborn
(Jane Curry Publishing)
This picture book, suitable for children (3+), has been written with honesty and humour. It was written by a clinical physcologist, mother and cancer-survivor. It has been illustrated by her daughter, age 11.

Can be purchased online from Booktopia





Always Jack, by Susanne Garvey and Cathy Wilcox (HarperCollins)
This is the third book in the junior fiction 'Jack' series. The book cleverly discusses the effect of cancer on families, as young Jack finds the courage to help him deal with  his mum's illness.

Read a full review at Bug in a Book.

Can be purchased online from SeekBooks






Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Australian Wordless Wednesday:Learning to stand

Today we are participating in Babble On's Wordless Wednesday!


'Learning to stand by myself has opened up a world of new adventures!'

Friday, October 22, 2010

CHILDRENS' WEEK 2010-My Top 10 Activities

I read a beautiful poem on the Sunny Mummy site yesterday. Although we are thankful for our children, it’s nice to be reminded of how lucky we are to have them. Next week offers us one of those moments when we are given the chance to value and celebrate the children in our lives, Children’s Week (23-31 October, 2010).

'Children's Week celebrates the right of children to enjoy childhood. It is also a time for children to demonstrate their talents, skills and abilities'. It begins tomorrow with fun-filled launches in each state.

There are hundreds of activities taking place around the nation for children and their families during the week. So many in fact, that it was impossible for me to list them all on my blog. There will be many private events taking place in schools, kindergartens and childcare centres but there are numerous community events available for the general public to attend.

There are so many activities on offer during the week: art, acrobatics, barbeques, train rides, teddy bears’ picnics, farm activities, science activities, talent quests, drawing competitions, tabloid sports, toy sales, family fun days, treasure hunts, pram strolls, dress-up days, billy kart races………………. Ooh! I'm excited already!

Not being able to list all of the reading-related activities, I decided to put together my own Top Ten list. Most of these activities require bookings. Make sure you follow the links for dates, times and booking details.

  • Always at the top of my list are our local libraries. They are running fantastic events and workshops during the week. Many with the help of children’s book authors and illustrators, such as Lee Fox (Ten Little Hermit Crabs), Andy Griffiths (The ‘Bum’ Series),  Jeanette Rowe (SmartyCat), Kim Kane (The Vegetable Ark) and Tony Wilson (The Princess and the Frozen Packet of Peas). Find your local library here and see what fun adventures they have planned.
  • ‘Hercules the Horse’ story adventure at Sovereign Hill, Ballarat. (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday). More details.
  • ‘I Spy with my Heide Eye’: Explore elements of art within the grounds of Heide Museum of Modern Art, Bulleen. (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday). More details.
  • ‘Poppets and Puppets in the Park’: Puppet making, face painting and story-time at the Yarraville Gardens, Yarraville: (Tuesday). More details
  • Storytellers’ Guild will present a ‘bush frolic’ of stories, songs and rhymes in the tent at the ACT Playgroup Expo, Cook Community Hub. (Tuesday). More details.
  • Mobile story-time in Gippsland. Each child who attends will receive a book to commemorate the day. Visiting Bairnsdale, Orbost, Omeo, Lakes Entrance and Paynesville. (Tuesday to Friday). More details
  • ‘Romp and Stomp Fun Day’:  Craft, dance, music and story time for Under 5s at the Melbourne Museum- Carlton. (Wednesday) More details.
  • Local Indigenous art, story and dancing activities at Portland Child and Family Complex, Portland. (Wednesday). More details
  • Parent and Kids' Expo (0-5yrs) at Bankstown: Singing, dancing, puppetry, story-time, kindergym, face-painting and arts and craft for the kids. There will also be parenting workshops on baby massage, mummy and bubby pilates. (Thursday). More details.
  •  ‘Home Among the Gum Trees': Storytime in the Garden at Commonwealth Reserve, Williamstown (Friday). More details
  • Moreton Bay’s ‘My Space, My Face, My Story’ writing competition. Competition closes on October 31, 2010. More details.
  
If none of these tickle your fancy then you must definitely check out the program for your state. Enjoy the week with your children.

Are you planning on attending any events near you?

Monday, October 18, 2010

MAKE YOUR OWN 'WINKY, WONKY DONKEY' PUPPET!

 THE WONKY DONKEY, by Craig Smith & Katz Cowley (Scholastic NZ)

Available for purchase for $15.49 from

The Nile Bookstore

See a review at Kids' Book Review


Have you seen this book yet? 
This award-winning, bestseller has been extremely popular of late, due in part to the visits that Craig Smith has been making to book stores all over Australia. (Read an interview with the author at Kids' Book Review). 

The book was also included on this year's 'Get Reading! 50 Books You Can't Put Down' list. Once you read it, you'll soon agree that it's a story that you and your children will want to read over and over again!  

'The Wonky Donkey' by Craig Smith is an absolute hoot and the graphic illustrations by Katz Cowley are a real winner with the kids.

We first meet a donkey in this story that only has one leg. As we turn each page we learn about each of his quirky characteristics,  and so begins the cumulative story about one very interesting donkey.

The book reminds me of the memory game we used to play in primary school: 'I went to the shop and I bought an apple.... I went to the shop and I bought a banana and an apple.... I went to the shop and I bought a cantaloupe, a banana and an apple......' Did you play that game?

Kids find the story fascinating and hilarious. They will probably also giggle at you getting your tongue twisted as you read the story. Listening to Craig Smith sing his story, (CD comes with the book) certainly puts my storytelling to shame.  It is a story that suits all ages, and I have an activity that brings this 'Winky Wonky Donkey' to life.

MAKE YOUR OWN 'WINKY, WONKY DONKEY'!

We just love using props for story-time and most of all we love puppets, especially those you make yourself!

I'm sure your kids will really enjoy making their own 'winky, wonky donkey' with 3 legs and one eye. Once you have made the puppet you can use it as a prop each time you read the book.

I have provided you with the basic instructions, but you may need to adapt the activity to suit the age and ability of your child. 

Because the activity requires the use of small split pins it is not suitable for children under 3. At the end of the post I have listed some other activities you could do with your child after reading the book.

YOU WILL NEED:


-A copy of our donkey template
-2 split pins
-1 googly eye
-1 feather
-Scissors
-Glue 
-Paddle pop stick
-crayons, pencils, textas (or anything else you would like to use to decorate your donkey.)

(These supplies are difficult to purchase in small quantities. I ordered these supplies in bulk for the Fairy Floss Market. I have some left over I could send to you for a few dollars if you didn't want to purchase a large quantity of them. Contact me at info@mylittlebookcase.com.au if you are interested)






INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Download and print the donkey template.

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD. Not suitable for children under 3 due to the use of small parts.

2.  Colour or decorate your donkey.
(We coloured ours in a traditional grey, but creating a spotty donkey or a stripey donkey could be a lot of fun!)


3.  Cut out the donkey's torso and legs


4.  Line up the dots on the legs with the dots on the torso and secure with a split pin



5.Finish the donkey by attaching the paddle pop stick to the back of the donkey and gluing the eye and feather (as the tail).



Your kids will love making the 'winky wonky donkey' do weird and wonderful things. 

  


OTHER ACTIVITIES
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD
  •  If your children are under 3, you might like to download and print this version of the donkey, for them to colour and decorate. 

  • My daughter is only 15 months old. She is just learning to manipulate a crayon. We used the donkey template to help her identify and colour eyes, ears, nose and feet.
  • You could also print this version of the donkey and play a family game of 'Pin the Tail of Donkey'. 





THESE ACTIVITIES ARE INTENDED FOR PERSONAL USE AND HAVE NOT BEEN 
COMMISSIONED OR ENDORSED BY THE AUTHOR OR PUBLISHER.
        

 

Thursday, October 14, 2010

TOO BUSY TO READ?

FINDING TIME TO READ TO OUR CHILDREN

Family life is busy and can often seem chaotic. We know the value of reading with our children but it is often difficult to find the quality time for it.

This topic was made up of 4 posts, each providing busy families with strategies or suggestions for creating interesting reading moments. 

Snuggled together with your child on a comfy couch is always heart-warming, but there are really no rules to when and where you should read with your child.  The suggestions may even suit families that already read numerous books together during the day because it can also be beneficial to introduce some variety to your reading routine. 


The suggestions offered in the series of posts simply encourage you to get creative with your time.


Click on each suggestion to take you to the article, where you will also find some suggested books.

1. Read at a meal-time.



2. Read at bath-time.


3. Read while your child is sitting on the potty.


4. Take a book with you on a supermarket trip.


Where is your favourite place to read with your child? Do you have any interesting or bizarre places that you like to read?

TOO BUSY TO READ?????-Part 4

FINDING TIME TO READ TO OUR CHILDREN

After suggesting meal-time, bath-time and potty-time as moments when you could read to your child, we bring this series of posts to a close with our final suggestion: on a shopping trip.

I truly do enjoy being a SAHM but I have to be honest and admit that there are a number of duties that drive me around the bend. Topping the list is cleaning the highchair followed very closely by the grocery shopping with a toddler in tow. Are there any duties that you dislike?

It is such hard work that I refuse to go to the supermarket more than once a week. It is probably my fault that I feel this way as a grocery shop for us becomes an epic adventure. A typical itinerary includes a visit to Aldi, the greengrocer, the butcher, the fishmonger, a stop for morning tea and then we finish off at the supermarket.

While I make a day out of it, many other families take frequent but short trips to the shops. Shopping can really consume so much of our time. So, here we have another opportune moment to read to our children.

ON A SHOPPING TRIP.

For older pre-school children, who have the necessary motor skills and attention span to manipulate a book on their own, reading  while they sit in the shopping trolley is an option. Although our minds couldn't possibly concentrate entirely on a story while we search the shelves for grocery items, you could choose a book that has a strong focus on the illustrations. Rather than concentrating on the written story you could have a great conversation about the artwork. I think something like this would be ideal:

Who's Hiding? by Satoru Onishi (Gecko Press)
I love this book more than my daughter does. It is a simple but incredibly fun book that encourages a use of memory and observation. With the use of 18 animal characters, each page presents the reader with a puzzle such as who's hiding?, who's crying? and who's sleeping? A book suited to every age.

Buy the book for $18.95 from
Alternatively, you could have a break during or after your grocery shop. My daughter and I like to stop for a treat which includes a smoothie and a savoury scone. What do you do for a break? Or do you get home as quickly as you can? 

My daughter isn't yet old enough to share an indepth converstion with my over morning tea (although she certainly does try!) so we read a book together. An adventurous story about shopping can inspire their imaginations:

SUPERMARKET ZOO by Caryl Hart and Ed Eaves 
(Simon and Schuster UK)
Albie finally goes on a shopping trip with his Mum that is not boring. He has a great time with a trolley full of animals.

The author has created some great activities to complete after reading 'Supermarket Zoo': http://www.carylhart.com/

See inside the book here.


Buy the book for $15.95 from The Book Depository UK




The Shopping Expedition by Allan Ahlberg & Andre Amstutz (Walker Books)
Read about a shopping trip that is so adventurous the family encounters a river and a jungle. 

Buy the book for $13.49 from The Nile

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

TOO BUSY TO READ?????-Part 3

FINDING TIME TO READ TO OUR CHILDREN

Each morning I wake up with the best of intentions and an action plan to complete the tasks on my 'to-do' list. At the end of each day, without fail, there are tasks I just don't manage to cross off the list and my next 'to-do' list instantly becomes longer. Does your list keep getting longer too? 

Like most people I feel that there simply aren't enough hours in the day to get things done, and there are some particular activities that I never seem to get around to.  For some families finding time to read with their children is one of those activities. 

This is the third installment in a series of posts on finding time to read with our children. I admit that none of the suggestions are rocket science. They're just encouraging you to think outside the square and be clever with your time. So far, the suggestions have included reading a story at meal-time and bath-time. Today's suggestion is to read while your child is sitting on the potty!!!!


ON THE POTTY!
Really, did I just suggest that? Yep, I did. 

I recently had an interesting discussion with my maternal and child health nurse. She was sharing with me some anecdotal evidence that toddlers prefer disposable nappies over underwear because they are made to feel quite comfy these days. It means they are hesitant to sit on the potty because they know they will have to trade in their comfy nappies. 

So, we have informally started the toilet-training process in our home. Once a day we find some time to sit on the potty. My daughter doesn't really like it. I don't blame her I suppose. It's not overly comfortable, it's cold close to the ground and to be honest there are many other interesting things she would rather be doing.  I don't think that is an uncommon attitude to the potty. Since I started reading with her at potty-time, it's been a hard-work to convince her that her time is up.

Some kids take to toilet training like a duck to water, but others need a lot more guidance. Reading can take their mind off the process for those kids that fit into the latter category, especially if the story makes them laugh. It also provides them with the chance to sit still for a little longer.  You don't have to read a 'potty' story. One of your child's favourite books would be ideal, but if you're interested here are some brand new, cute and funny potty stories I have recently found:


On My Potty, by Leslie Patricelli (Candlewick Press)
A story based on a baby's inner voice as he makes the choice to visit the potty.


Buy the book for $9.95 from Readings.



Potty Animals by Hope Vestergaard & Valeria Petrone (Sterling)
A cute and novel story about potty etiquette.


See inside the book here.


Buy the book for $14.50 from The Book Depository.






Dinosaur vs. The Potty by Bob Shea (Hyperion)
Dinosaur is too busy to go to the potty. He doesn't think he needs to go, that is until he starts doing the potty dance! I think you'll feel like you're reading about your own busy toddler in this story.


Buy the book for $14.89 from The Book Depository.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

TOO BUSY TO READ????- Part 2

FINDING TIME TO READ TO OUR CHILDREN



Today's post is the second in a series of posts about finding time to read to our children in this jam-packed life we live. Yesterday's suggestion was to read to your children while eating lunch (or any meal for that matter!) Did any of you try that yesterday?

Working closely with families as a teacher made me realise that it's not only adults that have busy lives. Children today are also busy little creatures. I might have heard from a child or two that there simply wasn't enough time to do homework after completing all the scheduled after-school activities. I can't believe the array of wonderful activities designed for toddlers too. Having a bath at the end of the day is a relaxing way to slow down and take stock of the day for you and your children.

BATH-TIME:
There are so many bath books out there that your child could explore in the bath, but what's stopping you from setting up a chair beside the bath and reading a lovely story aloud to them? I personally can't think of anything more relaxing than sitting in the bath while listening to the rhyme and repetition of a story read by Mum or Dad. Here are some gorgeous water stories:

'A Giraffe in the Bath' by  Mem Fox, Olivia Rawson 
& Kerry Argent  (Penguin Australia/Viking)
A witty story, full of clever rhyme, that is perfect for reading beside the bath. Children will laugh at the funny place each animal finds itself.

Look inside the book here

Read a gorgeous book review at Kids' Book Review 

Enchanted by Books (Williamstown, Vic) is reading this story at 10.30am each day this week

Buy the book for $19.95 from



'Who Sank the Boat?' By Pamela Allen 
(Penguin Australia/Puffin Books)
A classic, rhythmical story about a group of animals that decide to embark on a boating adventure.

See inside the book here.

Read a book review at Kids' Book Review

Buy the book for $14.95 from



'Flash the Fish', by Alison Maloney & Maddy Mcclellan (Meadowside Children’s Books)
Read about the daily adventures of back-yard animals in this energetic story that uses lots of colour and fun alliterations.

See inside the book here.

Buy the book for $9.14 from The Book Depository


Monday, October 11, 2010

TOO BUSY TO READ?????

FINDING TIME TO READ TO OUR CHILDREN

 Isn't life crazy? Everyone around me seems so busy: working parents, stay-at-home mums, even friends without children. We're all busy, busy, busy. 

Finding somewhere cosy to snuggle up with your child to enjoy a book together sounds perfect but, for some of us, finding time to read with our children is almost impossible once we get through the daily chores. 

 There are moments in the day that you make time for because you don't have a choice, such as feeding your children, bathing them and doing the supermarket shopping. Try making these daily tasks more enjoyable by using them as an opportunity to to read with your child. 

Over the next four days, I will share with you some reading opportunities you may never have thought about.

 LUNCH TIME: 
You've taken the time to prepare lunch for your little munchkin. Why not join them at the table with a special book? Read to them while they munch away on their little sandwiches. 
Here are some meal-time book ideas:


'Lunch' by Denise Fleming (Henry Holt and Company)
A board book exploring delicious foods and bright colours.

Buy this book from The Book Depository for $7.78



'Toddlersaurus: Time to Eat' by Stuart Trotter 
(Rockpool Children’s Books)
Read about the dinosaur's daily diet in a lift-the-flap book full of colour, description and rhyme.

See inside the book here

Buy the book from The Book Depository for $9.14


 'The Lighthouse Keeper Stories '
by Ronda Armitage & David Armitage  (Scholastic)
Read two classic stories,  'The Lighthouse Keeper's Lunch' and 'The Lighthouse Keeper's Picnic', in one book. Two stories about feeling hungry and being greedy.

Buy the book from The Book Depository for $8.46



The Runaway Dinner by Allan Ahlberg & Bruce Ingman (Walker Books)
A funny, action-packed story about dinner and cutlery on the run. 

Buy the book from The Book Depository for $9.14