"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.
When does your story turn into a song?
The simplest answer is when you are Ruby Hunter and Archie Roach.
"Butcher Paper, Texta, Blackboard and Chalk" a song book written by Ruby Hunter and Archie Roach, and illustrated by Ruby Hunter captures the voices and words of the children of the communities of Cape York (published by One Day Hill Pty Ltd in 2011)
Why do I love it ? Well, I was so lucky to be sitting in the audience and listening to Archie Roach tell the story of Ruby and their children and their tour of far north of Queensland. He talked of Ruby's love of the children and the way she could become one of them. He shared the songs of the children with a story and a tear ( the songs were theirs, the tears were mine).
I can think of no better way to connect the children of my school in Sydney with the children of Cape York than by sharing this songbook and CD that accompanies it.
Children singing with children.
You know Ruby never changed a word the children wanted to write.
Thanks Ruby.We shall miss you. Thanks Archie. Thank you to the children and communities of Cape York.
Archie can tell you about it far more eloquently than I can.
It has taken me months ( in fact years) to get
started with my first blog. I spent most of my time worrying that I had nothing
much to say.
A wise friend told me that I should share
what I feel most passionate about in my day to day work. I am a primary school teacher, and I am truly passionate about picture books and reading -out -aloud to
children. ( In all honesty, sometimes I don’t even need children, I just read - out - aloud).
The passion was reignited a few weeks ago, sitting
amongst a group of teachers on a Saturday morning (yes, a Saturday morning.) We
were all listening to and loving the
work of two passionate people : one a teacher and now proud and enthusiastic owner
of a bookshop and a remarkably talented author (more about them both another time). As
I sat there listening, I kept saying to myself “Why hadn't I taken time to read all
these wonderful books?"
I want this blog to be a place where that
love of picture books can be shared. So join me whenever you are able.
No expectations, just pop in whenever you
can.Tell a story. Share a title. Shed a tear, or laugh out loud. You are in good company. OK. I had better start:
I have been captivated by a beautiful
book written by Margaret Wild and illustrated by Freya Blackwood. (Penguin 2013)
The Treasure Box
Margaret Wild and Freya Blackwood
It is called The Treasure Box, and tells the story ofa
little boy
Peter, who loses everything that is precious in his life – well,
almost everything.
As life changes around him, he carries with him a small iron box, until he can carry it no longer….
It is
a story of the power of words, and resilience that a little boy builds over his lifetime.
I read it to Year 5 today, and there was not a sound in the room
