Roald Dahl

Each week as students in Stages 2 and 3 are picking their library books, I am asked about Roald Dahl. They are oldies, but they are still requested because they are goodies. They are reasonably easy to read and students love them! A great book present!

The Terrible Plop

This lovely book was nominated for book week. It didn't win, but it was my pick. The chilren loved it and read along with me as I read them the book. It is about some rabbits hearing a terrible plop and running out of the forest to escape it. They see a bear on the way and warn him, but he is not frightened. He picks up one rabbit to take him back to the site of 'The Terrible Plop.' Once there, the rabbit sees that the terrible plop is not something to be frightened of, but the bear runs off, petrified!!! A lovely read!

Fearless by Colin Thompson

What a lovely book! I read this to Stage 1 today as it is one of the shortlisted books for Book Week 2010. It is about 'Fearless'-a bulldog who has quite a lot of fear really. Will he be able to protect the house when an intruder comes in? This is a funny story main with a lovely main character.

Once, Now and Then by Morris Gleitzman

This is an extremely popular trilogy and if you want to get your child 'hooked' on a book, you are likely to have success with these stories. The stories are based around Felix, a boy who starts out as a naive 10 year old living through the Holocaust in the first book 'Once.' You need to be aware that there are some heavy issues in these books, including violence and death, but Morris Gleitzman seems to have mastered the art of using serious content in his books, but also providing humour and a lovely sense of hope in his writing. Felix is a lovely character with a sense of optimism even throughout all of the trials he faces. Boys and girls alike should enjoy these books and you will find them at almost every book store, including places like K-Mart and Big W.

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly

Boy was this book popular!!! I read this with Early Stage 1 and they wanted it read to them for weeks afterwards. Even now, they still ask that I read this to them again! When the Stage 1 students saw this book on the book stand, they also excitedly asked to have it read to them as well! I think I can safely say that this book is popular with students.

It is a nonsense tale really, all written lightheartedly and for a bit of fun. It has a consistent beat which makes it easy for the younger students to learn the worlds in the book. There are also plenty of visual keys throughout the story. It certainly is popular!!!

Are We There Yet? by Alison Lester

I have been reading 'Are We There Yet?' by Alison Lester with Stage 2 students to link in with their Maths topic of position in class. The book is great because it teaches kids all about the unique features of Australia as you read through the book. They have looked up boab trees and listened to stories about Monkey Mia to Kakadu and Mount Isa. The students have been doing a mapping exercise based on this, but there are so many great places in it to research that it could keep you occupied with craft activities at home for ages! A great and highly recommended book!

Early Stage 1 and Stage 1: Josephine Wants To Dance

I read this lovely book with Early Stage 1 this term and it was quite popular. It is a charming book about Josephine- a kangaroo- who wants to dance, but can't dance like the other ballerinas. The book has messages about finding out your own strengths and believing in yourself and puts a smile on your face. Probably better suited to girls, though the messages are relevant to boys.

Cheers,

Alison :)