Welcome to the blog of the Tasmanian branch of the Children's Book Council of Australia!

Monday, 8 September 2014

The Joy of Listening




Earlier in the year I had the opportunity to hear Julie Hunt read aloud her award winning picture book The Coat, illustrated by fellow Tasmanian Ron Brooks, to a group of school children.  Julie introduced her story and the writing process by reflecting on her childhood and inspirations.  The reading of the story was accompanied by a talented performer embracing the role of the coat complete with piano accordion.  The children and I were enthralled and it reminded me of how much we all enjoy listening to a story read well aloud.

As part of the recent Book Week celebrations I read aloud to my students a variety of books:  shortlisted titles, new releases and old favourites.  Some of the following you may wish to seek out and share.

A beautifully illustrated picture book enjoyed by older children is Lindbergh: the Tale of a Flying Mouse by Torben Kuhlman.  Inspired by Charles Lindbergh’s solo transatlantic flight in his plane “The Spirit of St. Louis”, the story is of a mouse needing to escape from his current home in Hamburg to the refuge of America by means of a flying machine.

An old favourite that I found on my bookshelf that all children love is the classic A Fish Out of Water by Helen Palmer.

Jillian Jiggs by Phoebe Gilman is also a wonderful book to read aloud as children enjoy the rhythmic flow of the words and the bright illustrations of a young girl’s imaginative play and the mess it makes in her room.  Over repeated readings you will know the book off by heart! “Jillian, Jillian, Jillian Jiggs it looks like your room has been lived in by pigs.”






Enjoy!

Tricia Scott


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