LIBRARY NEWS

Term 1, Week 9

This week classes are finalising Term 1 units ahead of reading some Harmony Week and Easter stories. Time is flying!

This Week’s Reads

Kindergarten - are continuing the friendship theme with a Nick Bland classic, ‘King Pig’. They’ll discover that ordering people to do things doesn’t always make for good friends! While the story is a lot of fun, it also opens the door to discussing what things make someone a good friend and how students can practice some of these skills at school (and home!).

Stage 1 - are reading our final Australian author for the term and enjoying ‘Mutt Dog’ by Stephen Michael King. King is a prolific illustrator and author, writing 15 books of his own and illustrating over 80 for other authors. Students have enjoyed reading a story about a little stray dog whose life is transformed through an act of kindness.

Stage 2 - have saved the best Australian Literature Legend to last, Mem Fox. Fox’s ‘Possum Magic’ is still Australia’s highest-selling children’s book of all time and so many of her other stories are beloved. This week, we’re looking at reading one of her newer stories, ‘The Little Star’ which is illustrated by Freya Blackwood. The inspiration for this book was discussed by the illustrator at the conference I went to and it was written by Fox to her grandchildren as she wants them to be able to remember her when she’s finally gone. It’s a beautiful story with such a heartwarming message.

Stage 3 - we’re continuing to explore genres and are enjoying a student request, mythology. This week, we’ll be reading chapter 1 of the Greek mythology classic, ‘Percy Jackson & the Lightning Thief’ by Rick Riordan. This story is enjoyed by primary and secondary students and is an excellent introduction to this genre.

CBCA Books of the Year - Younger Readers Notables

This week’s preview category is ‘Younger Readers’ which is for stories that may be fiction, drama or poetry and appropriate in style and content for readers from the middle to upper primary years ( 7-12 years). Parental guidance is recommended for younger readers though as some stories involve mature themes. Some of Australia’s most popular children’s authors have entries this year including Jackie French, Deborah Abela, Katrina Nannestad, Gabriel Wang, and Oliver Phommervanh. A hot tip from all reviewers to win this category is ‘Runt’ by Craig Silvey. Students who have read this, love it!

Quick Bits

PRC Update - Congratulations to Ella,  the first student to complete the PRC this year. Wow!

PRC Book Lists  - Book lists for each year category are now available at the library to help students choose books on the PRC list. Don't forget each student has 10 free choice books this year.

Book Club - books have come surprisingly quickly this term and will be distributed on Wednesday. Thanks again for your support of this program, this allows us to buy more great books for our students!

St Patrick’s Day - a very famous frog (ie: Kermit) once said that it’s not easy being green but fortunately that doesn’t include books! In recognition of St Patrick’s Day, the library displays went green.

Overdue Books - with the end of term approaching, I will be sending home overdue notices shortly. If you could please help your child find any overdue books and return them to school, would be appreciated. 

Library with 2G

2G loved learning about the amazing lyrebird last week who can imitate the calls of over 20 forest species and even a chainsaw! Watch this incredible David Attenborough video to learn more.

Meet the Readers

It’s all in a name this week - Jack and Henry both borrowed books about them!

Happy reading,

Mrs Toni Fraser