For the first time in the history of Chatham Primary School, we had a new competition in the Library called ‘What are the rabbits reading?’

Ten rabbits appeared on the noticeboard outside the library and they each had their noses in a book.

Entrants were asked to write the title of the book each rabbit was reading and the author too, if they could. Some students even included the illustrator.

Entry was optional and we had over 128 entries.

Every Foundation student entered with assistance from their Year 5 Buddies. Most could recognise 3 or 4 books.

Most Year 1 students could name 7 or 8 books and complete their entry forms without assistance, so that shows what happens after a year of reading and visiting the Library at Chatham!

'Pippi Longstocking' by Astrid Lindgren tricked most students who thought it was a 'Charlie and Lola' book. This is because the copy of 'Pippi Longstocking' we have in the Library was illustrated by Lauren Child, who also wrote and illustrated the 'Charlie and Lola' books.

Another tricky one was a new book we have only had in the Library for a few weeks – 'Frog, Log and Dave Almost Save the Day' by Brent Wilson and Trent Jamieson. Not many students got that one right!

Entry was also open to staff and our Year 6 winner got a higher score than the staff entrants!

There was a prize and certificate for each Year level winner, as well as a staff prize.

Prize Winners

Foundation – Ayla Gayde (FKB)

Year 1 – Olivia Johnston (1/2M)

Year 2 – Ryo Yoshino (1/2A)

Year 3 – Abigail Bailey (3/4G)

Year 4 – Mabel James (3/4L)

Year 5 – James Talbot (5/6C)

Year 6 – Will Hughes (5/6B)

Staff – Ms Macdonald

New Books

Primary Fiction Highlights

'How to Sail to Somewhere' - It is summer in the town of Willow, and Bea should be spending it going to Somewhere with her Uncle Byron. Instead, she finds herself on the hunt for answers, as does her new friend Arabella. A beautiful story of friendship, dealing with grief and having hope.

'Something Terrible: Becky Brush-Your-Hair' and 'Something Terrible: Time Tie-Your-Shoelaces' - These two titles are both entertaining and humorous stories, with a cautionary tale. Maybe parents do know best after all!

'Luna’s World #1 Library Dreams' - The first title in a great new junior series. Luna is determined to be the library monitor this year. But so is Jade Jones! Told in diary format, junior students will thoroughly enjoy this story.

'The Marvellous Submarine' - This is a very humorous younger novel by Australia’s Clayton Zane Comber, the author of the 2022 Prime Minister’s Literary Award shortlisted '100 Remarkable Feats of Zander Maze', in collaboration with his friend Conor McCammon.

'The Lost Ponies: Millie and Stella Best Friends Forever' - This is the beginning of a terrific new series, by Australian author Josephine Moon, that will delight emerging readers.

'Jo Weston’s Netball Besties 1: The Mystery of Missing Billie' - A wonderful story about friendship, that sport and animal lovers will thoroughly enjoy.

Primary Graphic Novels Highlights

'Inked: A Graphic Novel'- A fabulous, humorous graphic novel about a talking octopus called Otto, and a boy called Sid, both just trying to achieve their goals!

'The Thylacine and the Time Machine' - Take a ride with Violet into the past, present and future, as she tries to get the information she needs for her school project about the de-extinction of the Tasmanian Tiger.

Picture Book Highlights

'One Word and a Bird' - Stephen Michael King brings us this beautiful and emotive story about a child trying to find just the right word, but who manages to find something else on their journey too.

'Higher Ground' - A unique story about resilience, strength, hope, wisdom and sustainability, told in a mix of graphic novel, picture book and journal. This is a story that will best suit those in upper primary.

'Rosie’s Garden' - Rosie and her neighbours love their community garden. So when it is replaced with a building, Rosie comes up with a creative way to get their garden back.

We hope that you all enjoy some relaxation and reading over the school holiday break. Happy Reading!

Andrea McLeod

Library Coordinator

“Letting children read what interests them is the bridge that turns learning to read into reading to learn.”

- Dr Brad Johnson

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