Stories for .....

Stories for ... 5, 6, 7, 8 years old

Random House are about to release (Dec 1st) some great classics with a twist. Remember those books when we were young: Stories for 7yos or Bedtime tales for 8yos? They are about to come into a book shop near you. These updated versions are from various Australian writers. (Ursula Dubosarsky; Andy Griffiths; Paul Jennings; Jackie Harvey; Robin Klein; Morris Gleitzman and more)

Stories for 5yo's: Large Print. Short stories which would hold attention; a little illustration every now and then; 10 stories to last more than a few readings.

Stories for 6yos: Very Australian and funny (I've only skimmed this one so grain of salt and all that); very contemporary - one story called "No Hat No Play"; and aimed well at the age group. Funny stories they will like to either read to themselves, or be read to by an adult.

Stories for 7 and 8 yos: Good; smaller print for kids to read to themselves. Lots of fun with kid humour; a good stocking filler. 

Random House recommend to book shops to sell them for around $15.00. Also remember they can be read by kids either said of the 'ages' that they are suppose to be written for. Enjoy these fun family friendly stories.

Went to a lovely literary dinner last night

Had a lovely chat with Libby Gleeson, and my dear friend, mentor and author, Toni Brisland.
Here's a photo from the night, with my other friend Lisa also.

Figaro and Rumba and the Crocodile Café

Figaro and Rumba and the Crocodile Café by Anna Fienberg and Stephen Michael King Publishers: Allen and Unwin, 2012

This is a whimsical little book which follows the drawn out adventure of best friends Figaro the dog and Rumba the cat. Figaro is desperate to go on the brand new super fast train which rapidly takes travellers all the way to the beach, though Rumba is concerned about the criminals and villains who frequent the journey. 

Before they even get to board the train, each chapter has a mini-problem that arises, for instance, they must clean the house, help out their friend Nat who is lost in the river, find dancing Nancy, and fix Mrs Foozy’s motorbike. 

With all these hurdles out of the way, the train trip is exciting, and Figaro and Rumba end up at their new friend’s café, but what does the crocodile really want from them? And what is the mystery of the humming house?

Enjoy the tale told by the creator of the Tashi series and the awesome illustrations by King.

Things that a Map Won’t Show You – Stories from Australia and Beyond.

Things that a Map Won’t Show You – Stories from Australia and Beyond. Edited by Susan Lamarca and Pam Macintyre Publisher: Penguin Books

This is a fun book, which is a collection of short stories, comics and poetry penned by some great writers from Australia (and beyond). With short blurbs about each author and their lives, we then read their offering which is often witty or insightful and seldom boring. It includes anecdotes of a boy who tries to fly, a cricket game in a refugee centre, a government guide to kissing, the perils of hunting goannas, an arranged marriage, an awkward blind date, a girl who stands on her head, an imprisoned king and a cursed Maori stone. 

Fun and fascinating. Great for readers who want short little bursts reading. 

Featured authors include: James Roy * Tanveer Ahmed * Michael Pryor * Ursula Dubosarsky * Sonya Hartnett * Doug MacLeod * Oliver Phommavanh * Brenton McKenna * Tara June Winch * Sudha Murty * Oodgeroo

A very, very enjoyable read. And great for kids who like 'bite sized' stories to paw through for bedtime reading.

The Moon Shines Out of the Darkness

The Moon Shines Out of the Darkness By Stephanie Dowrick and Anne Spudvilas Publisher: Allen and Unwin

Harry loves thinking about the moon. 

Harry is a child who is a thinker, and as he ponders all the things around him, he contemplates what is past, he imagines the future, and he focuses on the present. 

He likes to know exactly when things are going to happen. 

In this books Harry is missing his Mum, who often tells him what is going to happen and when. Without his mother’s voice he’s a little lost, although he is growing in confidence as he watches the moon shine out of the darkness.

Beautifully written by author Stephanie Dowrick and superbly illustrated by Anne Spudvilas.

For all ages, everyone should read this heart- warming book.

The GIRL WHO COULD SILENCE THE WIND By Meg Medina

 
The girl who could silence the wind by Meg Medina

Sonia's entire village believes she has a gift, but it's only in leaving home that she

finds out who she truly is. A compelling tale from a rich new voice in young adult

fiction.

Sixteen-year-old Sonia Ocampa was born on the night of the worst

storm Tres Montes had ever seen. And when the winds mercifully

stopped, an unshakable belief in the girl's protective powers began.

All her life, Sonia has been asked to pray for sick mothers or missing

sons, as worried parents and friends press silver milagros in her hands. Sonia knows

she has no special powers, but how can she disappoint those who look to her for

solace? Still, her conscience is heavy, so when she gets a chance to travel to the city

and work in the home of a wealthy woman, she seizes it. At first, Sonia feels freedom

in being treated like all the other girls. But when news arrives that her beloved

brother has disappeared while looking for work, she learns to her sorrow that she can

never truly leave past or family behind. 

With deeply realized characters, a keen sense of place, a hint of magical realism, and a flush of young romance, Meg Medina tells the tale of a strong-willed, warmhearted girl who dares to face life's harsh truths as she finds her real power
.

A very haunting tale. Well written.