The Day The Crayons Quit

Written by Oliver Jeffers, 

published by Harper Colllins, 2013

What do you do when your crayons have had enough?

Red is exhausted especially around Christmas,

Orange and yellow just can't stop arguing

and poor beige - just don't call him brown.

Well, if you are the one receiving their complaints, then you had better listen!

What a wonderful way to teach so much about life.

• We all reach frustration point, but what do we do ?
• How do we manage those frustrations?
• Do we quit and walk off ?

No, you read this book. You can learn about:

• conflict resolution
• self reliance 
• and resilience. 

You are also reminded to listen, really listen to those around you.

Listen to what they say, and  listen to how they feel. 

PS. Don't forget to laugh out loud.  

Oliver Jeffers has his very own world, go and visit

Tell Me About Your Day

Tell Me About Your Day Today by Mem Fox, with illustrations
by Lauren Stringer (published by Beach Lane Books, 2012).

There's something so very comforting about coming home and having someone ask "Tell me about your day today."

I love this book for many reasons: the love behind the words, the tenderness and memories behind the images.

I cuddle  my memories of childhood whenever I read this beautiful book: I remember those late night conversations with friends tucked in under the blankets, and making a cubby house under the table with sheets for walls and torches for lamplights.


I read this out aloud to children whenever I want to teach resilience and hope in a tomorrow that will be better.

And then sometimes just before bed, just before I turn out the light,  I  read this book again and again and again.

It's magic.

I love to go back to Mem's website. I can hear her talking to me about bedtime, and magic and possums. Perhaps you would like to visit with her too:

http://www.memfox.com/contact-mem.html

The Dark

Written by Lemony Snicket,
illustrated by Jon Klassen,
published by Orchard Books 2013.

What do you do when you are frightened?
Pretend it is not there or wait for help? Not Lazlo.

Lazlo lives with the dark, but he is scared.
What does he do ?
He gets out his torch, and dares to go where the dark is.

He faces the dark, he talks with the dark, and he is no longer afraid.


Year 5 tell me this is a story about conquering your fears.
Whenever I take a picture book out of my bag, they kindly smile at me as if to say "she doesn't realise how old we are.'

Yet as I begin to read, there is not a sound, not a whisper... just enchantment.

Why would you write about this  Lemony Snicket ?
Now, Jon Klassen why did you get involved in illustrating such a story?

Go on, just ask them:
http://www.bookish.com/articles/lemony-snicket-and-jon-klassen-on-going-dark

The best of friends....

'A good book is the best of friends, the same today and forever'.
(Martin Tupper).

How to Catch A Star

Written by Oliver Jeffers. Published 2007
by Harper Collins Children's Books.

Anything is possible...

This touching story by Oliver Jeffers, reminds us all of what it is like to hope and reach out for the impossible.

A story of possibility and friendship for all of us, no matter how old we are.

How do we teach  our children to write like a writer, and not like a  "text- typer"?

Have you met Oliver Jeffers? Allow me to introduce you. 

 He'll tell you how he starts to write , and he'll make you laugh at the same time. 

The Heart and the Bottle

The Heart and the Bottle written byOliver Jeffers.
Published by HarperCollins Children's Books 2010.

The books of Oliver Jeffers just touch your heart, whether it is in a bottle or walking along the beach.

'The Heart and the Bottle' is  the story of a little girl whose heart is full of wonder and delight until one day, when faced with emptiness, she puts her heart away in a place where she thinks it will be safe.

From that day on how her life changes. Her wondering and delights, her questions and her thoughts all disappear.  Until she meets someone 'smaller, and still curious about the world'.

This is a story of resilience and hope. 

http://www.oliverjeffers.com/picture-books/heart-and-the-bottle

Listen to Helena Bonham Carter read just a little ...but it is more than enough ( for now). 

The more you read...

"The more you read, the more things you will   know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go."

Dr Seuss, I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!

Life is there on the pages of a picture book. There is love, and laughter, family and friendship. You can find resilience, and great resolve to make this world a better place. You will find it. Choose the right book, listen to its story and sit with it.
I hope my blog and the comments you share with me about your favourite books, help each of us find another way to talk of  life and share all it has to offer.