21st Century
Learning Space
Library News
CHILDREN’S BOOK COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA (CBCA)
The CBCA Books of the Year are regarded as Australia’s most prestigious children’s literature awards. There are five sections to the awards that are suitable for primary school children. They are: The Younger Readers section, The Early Childhood section,
The Picture Book of the Year, The Eve Pownall Award for Information Books and the
New Illustrator Award (formerly the Crichton Award).
We’ve already had a look at the Early Childhood section, the Younger Readers section and the Picture Book of the Year nominations. The last two sections are the nominations for the Eve Pownall Award for Information Books and the New Illustrator Award.
The nominations for the Eve Pownall Award for Information Books are:
The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Peculiar Pairs in Nature
by Sami Bayly
This is another book from the award winning creator of
The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Ugly Animals and The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Dangerous Animals. Sami Bayly looks at the unusual pairings in nature such as Barnacles living on
Grey Whales, The Lord Howe Island Stick Insect and the
Melaleuca plant, the Pseudoscorpion and the Giant Harlequin Beetle to name a few. It’s fascinating to learn about the pairings, their conservation status, diet, location, habitat and some fun facts as well. Highly recommended.
Heroes, Rebels and Innovators: Inspiring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People from History by Karen Wyld
Reading is learning! This tells the stories of seven Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders who made a difference in Australian history. From Bungaree who circumnavigated Australia with Matthew Flinders, Yarri and Jacky Jacky who rescued settlers from freezing flood waters to David Unaipon inventor and author who features on our $50.00 note. Be inspired through History!
The First Scientists: Deadly Inventions and Innovations from Australia’s First Peoples by Corey Tutt
This book brings the stories of science to life as seen through the eyes of Australia’s first peoples. We take a look at bush medicines, the management of the land, eel traps, predicting the weather, cooking food, bush tracking, and much, much more.
Book of Curious Birds by Jennifer Cossins
The introduction to this book says “Birds are curious creatures. Some are dazzlingly beautiful and others just plain weird looking… some are sneaky, some are artistic, some make and use tools, some can learn to talk and some are even poisonous!”
For curious readers who love to learn about birds this book is really interesting.
Walking in Gagudju Country: Exploring the Monsoon Forest by Diane Lucas & Ben Tyler
This is a wonderful walking journey through the Monsoon Forest with beautiful illustrations depicting the wildlife you will see along the way. The glossary is a helpful addition to further our understanding of the language used throughout the book. It felt like you were walking along with them as you turned the page to discover new things along the way.
The nominations for the New Illustrator Award are:
Everyday Wonders by Author and new illustrator Natala Graetz
This is a collection of short stories written in four lines per person on a beautifully illustrated double page spread, about people who are kind, brave, clever and curious – we are all everyday wonders no matter what we do! Be inspired.
A Trip to the Hospital by Author and new illustrator Freda Chiu
The illustrations for this book are bright and cheerful depicting the stories of three children on their trips to hospital. The book explains what will happen when they get there, who will look after them and gives the reader a better understanding of how hospitals are run.
Great White Shark by new illustrator Cindy Lane text by
Claire Saxby
Claire Saxby has written a series of narrative-nonfiction titles and Great White Shark is one of her latest. The blurb says “from above, her charcoal skin blends with the dark depths of the ocean. From below, her white belly floats pale in the sky.”
From the moment you open this book you are faced with a Great White Shark in the depths of the ocean looking at you! It’s really good! Cindy Lane’s illustrations are powerful and realistic and compliment the text on every page. Highly recommended.
Walking in Gagudju Country: Exploring the Monsoon Forest by new illustrator Emma Long, text by Diane Lucas & Ben Tyler
This book has been nominated twice in this year’s awards. Once for the Eve Pownall Award for Information Books (refer above) and again for the New Illustrator Award. The illustrations are detailed and embrace the feel of the Monsoon Forest on every page.
For Love by Author and new illustrator Cristina Neri
Cristina Neri has written a touching story about the depths of love. The illustrations captivate the reader with its standout colours and style and thus enhance the story. It is refreshing to come across a book like this one which I thoroughly enjoyed from front cover to back!
The Boy Who Tried to Shrink His Name by new illustrator Michelle Pereira text by Sandhya Parappukkaran
To start with I really enjoyed this story. If you have a name such as Zimdalamashkermishkada and you are starting a new school do you shrink your name to fit in? Do you shorten your name or take courage from a friend and announce it boldly! The illustrations are mainly done in black, browns and shades of oranges and greens. This in itself compliments the story beautifully. This book has a great message and a style of illustration that definitely enhanced the story.
I hope you enjoy reading this year’s CBCA Shortlisted books. Further information is available at https://cbca.org.au
Next week is Book Week, my favourite week of the year. I hope that if nothing else you can pick up a book that you have never seen before, be curious with your reading, try something different, and immerse yourself in another world. Books can take us anywhere all we have to do is dream with our eyes wide open! Enjoy our Book Week celebrations at Rowville Primary School.
DONATIONS THANK YOU
Thank you to the Bailey family for your recent book donations. A stack of popular children’s books including several from the The Dork Diaries series and an American Classic called Stickeen which is about a small black dog’s endurance in a blizzard, a true story written by John Muir. I am sure these books will be quickly borrowed!
Thank you very much.
Jackie Hicks
21st Century Learning Space Manager