Kelsey Shepherd-Smith and Diana Farfalla

BOOK OF THE MONTH . . . AUGUST

A LOO OF ONE'S OWN ( true story)

by Eleri Harris

Enid and Dorothy were the first women elected to the Australian parliament.

In this book you will discover a humorous and lighthearted version of events that took place in Australian history. These two ladies made significant modifications towards equality. The big boys' school was in for some serious changes!

Can you beleive it took 31 years to build a 'Ladies' toilet in Parliament House?

This is a new book in our BPS Library and it is a 2026 CBCA Shortlisted book.

This book is favoured by all BPS students! We think it's a winner!

SAVE THE DATE!

BOOK WEEK is coming soon! Monday 24th - Friday 28th August.

The Book Fair is coming too!

Monday 24th August is BOOK DRESS-UP DAY!

The theme is . . . "SYMPHONY OF STORIES".

Start thinking about your favourite book characters and get to that box of stuff in the garage to create your costume.

This year, the focus may be on books with a musical twist but all book characters are welcome! Any book!

We look forward to seeing you dress-up and improvise your book character for the day!

During the week students will celebrate and participate in a range of literacy activites, including, connecting with buddies, visiting the Book Fair and many games and competitions.

This will be another fun teaching and learning day!

VPRC 2026

Are you taking the Challenge?

You have 30 days to read and record your books!

I look forward to reading your book reviews!

Now tell me you are a DORK DIARY fan without telling me!

This is what Pippa had to say . . .

'I love it, it's like total showbiz because the comics are just relative to the ones that I make at home. Oops, I think I said too much (yep i'm a totally dorky girl). Oh and by the way i'm the new JSC [Junior School Council] vice representitive for my class. NO WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!'

CBCA 2026 SHORTLISTED BOOKS

Are you looking for a good book?

You are sure to like one of these books that has made it onto the short list for 'Book of The Year'awards!

We now have many of these new titles in the BPS Library.

Let us know which one you think is a winner!

Look below at the list!

Younger Readers

Run, Sarah Armstrong

Something Terrible: Tim Tie-Your-Shoelaces, Sally Barton, illustrated by Christopher Nielsen

Little Bones, Sandy Bigna

Spirit of the Crocodile, Aaron Fa’aoso & Michelle Scott Tucker with Lyn White

The Paperbark Tree Committee, Karys McEwen

Inked, Karen Wasson, illustrated by Jake A Minton

Early Childhood

The Thing About Christmas, Jo Dabrowski, illustrated by Briony Stewart

Derek, Anne Donaldson, illustrated by Matt Shanks

Frogs Are Our Friends, Toni D’Alia, Madeline White

My Nonno Loves, Adelle Frittitta, illustrated by Claudia Frittitta

The Colours of Home, Sally Soweol Han

The Emperor’s Egg, Rae Tan

Picture Book of the Year

Bob and Dob, Sean E Avery

Tiwi in Paris, Glen Farmer Illortaminni

Dear Broccoli, Cate James, text by Jo Dabrowski

Dawn, Marc Martin

The Frog’s First Song, Jason Phu, text by Jazz Money

Once I was a Giant, Zeno Sworder (Kelsey's favourite)

Eve Pownall Award

There’s a Prawn in Parliament House: The Kids’ Guide to Australia’s Amazing Democracy, Annabel Crabb, illustrated by First Dog on the Moon

A Loo of One’s Own, Eleri Harris (true story)

Peculiar Parents, Stephanie Owen Reeder, illustrated by Ingrid Bartkowiak

The Thylacine and the Time Machine, Renée Treml

Caution! This Book Contains Deadly Reptiles, Corey Tutt, Ben Williams

Ningaloo, Tim Winton

New Illustrator

Save the Gum Trees, Bees and Big Blue Seas, Luke John Matthew Arnold

Beyond the Shore, Mark Chester Harding, text by Kirli Saunders

A Loo of One’s Own, Eleri Harris

Prayer for a River, Uncle Glenn Loughrey, text by Andrew Kelly & Uncle Glenn Loughrey

A Farm by the Sea, Jillian Packer (Gr 2 favoured this one!)

Being Indy, Estee Sarsfield, text by Zoe Gaetjens

CHILDREN'S BOOK COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA

Book of the Year Awards

The CBCA presents annual awards to Australian books of literary merit for outstanding contribution to Australian children’s literature.

The CBCA was founded in 1945, in a time when Australian children’s books were few and Australian authors and illustrators were virtually unknown. The Book of the Year Awards was established in 1946. The Awards aim to:

promote quality literature for young Australians by Australians

support and encourage a wide range of Australian writers and illustrators of books for young people aged 0 to 18

celebrate contributions to Australian children’s literature.

These awards are now the most influential and highly respected literary awards for children in Australia. The Awards affirm the quality of some of Australia’s most creative people and provide a boost to their capacity to devote time to their craft.

Celebrate 80 years of the Book of the Year Awards with us in 2026.

THANK YOU!

Thank you for the book donations to the BPS LIBRARY and to our CLASSROOM LIBRARIES!

At times we find a lovely surprise outside our Library door! Thank you!

It is so nice to see a student pick up a pre-loved book to read!

So we just wanted you to know, you are making a difference and making someone smile.

Thank you for your wonderful book donations!

We love books at BPS!

OVERDUE BOOKS ALERT!

At times, some students have been disappointed that they cannot borrow a new book.

Please can you search for any overdue BPS books around your homes, cars, schoolbags etc.

There are many popular missing books from the library shelves that we would love to see returned.

Is your book LOST? Please replace it!

Thank you for your assistance!

READING QUOTE OF THE MONTH . . . AUGUST

' Reading is to the mind, what exercise is to the body.' Richard Steele

Read every day!

Diana Farfalla

Kelsey Shepherd-Smith

Year 6 - PYP Exhibition