No 22, August 2003

Greetings for the new school year with this 22nd newsletter.

I have just worked out that means that I have written a newsletter twice each year for eleven years. It’s amazing that the time has gone so quickly! It is even more amazing that in that time many of you have shifted schools three or four times, often changing schools from one side of the world to the other. There are always so many changes in the International School environment. It’s a great area to be working in.

I was privileged to gain a greater insight into the work that many of you have been doing in the PYP programme of the International Baccalaureate. Ron and I went to the PYP Summer Workshops in Martigny in June. Our display of books was greeted with enthusiasm, especially when teachers found the perfect book for one of their workshop sessions. The Upside Down World Map (paper $10.95, laminated $24.95) also was the cause of great interest to teachers, and to staff at the hotel. It’s great to have a different persective on the world! I really appreciated the opportunity to attend some of the sessions and get a much better idea of the overall concepts of the PYP. It is a marvellous programme and I am full of admiration for all the teachers who work so hard to implement the PYP at so many schools throughout the world. It’s a real challenge.

Since I now have a better idea of how the PYP is structured and how the Units of Inquiry are set up, I have made up a list of books that I think would be a good resource for the library or for teachers’ classrooms. This is an initial list and as I get feedback from teachers and attend more Conferences and visit more schools, I shall add to it and improve it. I am sure that the list will be useful for all International Schools, not just for those with the PYP programme. The list is included with this newsletter. (Some schools have also asked me to make up more specialised lists of recommended books for their own particular Programme of Inquiry, which is time consuming but well worth while.)

It was wonderful to be in Switzerland in the warmth of summer, instead of during the chill of November when the ECIS Conferences are held. We also were lucky to miss the worst of the heatwave and to fit in some beautiful long mountain walks. Our next Conference will be the ECIS Conference in Hamburg in November. The Stand number is 131. Do come and say hello and browse through the books. We always enjoy catching up with people.

In January we are planning to go to the NESA Early Childhood / Library Conference in Dubai. Dubai is a wonderful place to visit and this year we hope to have time to visit some of the schools. If you would like us to call, do contact me and we can work out a time.

By the way author/performer Richard Tulloch will again be visiting Europe next year, mainly during April, May and June. Teachers and students are very enthusastic about his writing workshops at schools. He has also been invited to speak at TARA (The Arabian Reading Association) in Bahrain in February.

Contact him direct on his email address, richardtulloch@hotmail.com, if you are interested in an author visit. Even if your school is not in Europe or Bahrain, it may be on the way from Australia to either Europe or Bahrain, after all many different routes are possible.

Recently I have received a number of enquiries from Purchasing Officers at various schools asking which materials can be supplied through Austral Ed. As a result I have enclosed a leaflet with this newsletter explaining what services Austral Ed can offer. New teachers and librarians who have not dealt with Austral Ed previously will also find it of interest. I would very much appreciate if it you could pass the leaflet on to whoever is in charge of purchasing at your school (or to anyone else who could find it of interest.)

Very best wishes for this new school year. I hope it goes well and I hope to see many of you during the year. Do contact me on kateshep@iinet.net.au if you have any queries.


The Reading Bug ... and how you can help your child to catch it by Paul Jennings pb $24.95
Paul Jennings is still probably Australia’s most well known author. His quirky short stories with the twist in the tail have been extremely popular with children since the first publication of Unreal eighteen years ago. The titles appeal especially to boys and thankfully to those boys who read reluctantly, until they discover that Paul Jennings’ books are fun and quirky. He wrote the books originally because his own son expressed his disinterest in most of the books around and Paul, as a teacher, knew what was available and thought he could do better. He certainly did. Over the years, he has given many children “the reading bug” and many of these have gone on to become enthusiastic readers.

“ If children don’t like something, you can’t make them do it - if children love something, you can’t stop them.” This is an early quote from The Reading Bug as Paul sets out to explain to parents how they can help develop a love of reading in their children. He emphasises the importance of reading aloud to children and the delights this can bring both to the child and the parent. To my surprise, he even explains the beliefs behind various reading methodologies. He does it simply and clearly and with a complete lack of jargon so that parents and others will understand the various methods of teaching. They will also realise that if they read to their children regularly with love and enthusiasm, they will instill a love of reading that will make the child want to read, regardless of the method with which he may be taught at school. Throughout the book, Paul refers to many books that children will enjoy reading, and there are also other lists of recommended books. Amusing cartoon style illustrations by Andrew Weldon add to the humour. Andrew often adds a wry comment through the illustration - he doesn’t just illustrate what Paul has written.

Paul Jennings also makes some very interesting comments about his own writing, as in the following examples. “There is no such thing as books for reluctant readers. If a story does not interest the good readers it will never attract the children who are having difficulties.” When he writes he opens the door for these children “ by making the prose accessible.” He says “ Kick up a fuss if your library is underfunded, or has an information technologist but no-one who loves books” and “I always say that my stories have ethical values because I am a moral person and not because I want to moralise.”

As you can see I am most impressed with The Reading Bug and think that it is an excellent book for teachers, as well as parents. Paul writes succintly and entertainingly about many aspects of learning to read. His own stories have never been shortlisted for the CBC Book of the Awards. The humour and simplicity of his stories do not seem to meet the criteria of literary excellence that is required by the judges. As a result perhaps his books don’t receive the recognition in some overseas International Schools that they deserve. In case your school library doesn’t have his books, here is an up to date list of most of his books.

The Cabbage Patch Fib, its sequels The Cabbage Patch War and The Cabbage Patch Pong pb $12.95 each have large print and are ideal for those just beginning to read. (7 - 10 years)
The Paw Thing, Singenpoo Strikes Again, Singenpoo Shoots Through and oSingenpoo’s Secret Weapon pb $12.95 Wacky stories about Singenpoo, the remarkable cat who can read and even play Scrabble. Large print, simple text and illustrations. All four stories also available in one volume pb $19.95 (7 – 11 years) Unbearable, Unbelievable, Uncanny, Unmentionable, Unreal, Quirky Tales, Undone, Uncovered, Unseen, Round the Twist and Tongue-tied all pb $14.95 Sucked In pb $12.95 (8 - 16 years)
The Gizmo, The Gizmo Again, Come Back Gizmo and Sink the Gizmo are single short stories with the usual bizarre twist and illustrations. pb $12.95 (8 - 12 years)
Spooner or Later by Paul Jennings, Ted Greenwood and Terry Denton pb $16.95
The authors must have spent many hilarious hours working on this extraordinarily clever, challenging and funny book. It combines illustration and text to explain what a spoonerism is and then progresses from examples ranging from the very simple to the fiendishly difficult. They perform similar feats, with riddles, in Duck for Cover pb $18.95 and with conundrums in Freeze a Crowd pb $16.95 (8 years up)

Picture Books for Early Childhood

Scary Bear by Tania Cox illus by Danny Snell hardback $24.95

Repetition, rhythm and rhyme are so important in books for young children and their use is most effective in this story, making it great fun to read aloud. Bear wakes early from a long hibernation and wants to surprise his friends but they all run away, frightened by a huge scary bear. Bear is also frightened and runs too until he finally realises that he is the “huge, fierce, mean, hungry bear” who is frightening the animals and then he starts to laugh “a great, big, giggling, gurgling, friendly laugh”. A lovely use of language and inviting illustrations make this an appealing and ultimately reassuring book for young children.

Little Humpty by Margaret Wild, illustrated by Ann James hardback $24.95
Ann James’ illustrations of Little Humpty, a baby camel and Big Humpty, a large mother camel, are the most endearing depictions of camels I have ever seen. The desert where Little Humpty loves to play is also shown in beautifully soft muted oranges and yellows. When Big Humpty and Little Humpty set off for the big waterhole, Little Humpty knows they could find crocodiles, or hippos or elephants there. However there is a surprise as they find something even better, they find lots of Big Humpties and Little Humpties. This is a warm story about family love, playing and making friends, beautifully illustrated in warm colours.

Tadpole’s Promise by Jeanne Willis and Tony Ross hardback $27.95
This pair have formed a marvellous partnership and have produced a number of memorable picture books. This one shows a particularly wicked sense of humour. When a tadpole met a caterpillar, they fell in love. She was his beautiful rainbow, and he was her shiny pearl. “I love everything about you”, said the caterpillar. “Promise you’ll never change.” Of course we all know that caterpillars and tadpoles do change. The tadpole changed gradually, causing great distress to the caterpillar. But when the caterpillar changes the result is far more devastating. I couldn’t possibly reveal the ending of the story. It is sufficient for you know that it is a tragi-comic tale. The story would make an excellent introduction to the life cycle of butterflies and of frogs. Because of its deadly sense of humour, it could also be used with older children in the elementary classes.

Fiction

Aussie Chomps is the latest addition to the very polular series, Aussie Nibbles and Aussie Bites. As you can guess from the name, Aussie Chomps are aimed at those kids who are ready to bite off a bit more in their reading. Here are two new ones from the series which particularly appealed to me. (8 - 12 years)

The really really high diving tower by David Metzenthen pb $12.95
I have never had the slightest interest in diving from absurdly high heights into swimming pools but surprisingly became absorbed in this book as Shiny, Pod and Virginia spend the summer at the local swimming pool, gradually making their dives from higher and higher boards. Their aim is the 10 metre board. There is an engaging mixture of bravado, humour and suspense as the trio summon up the courage for the next jump and then exhilaration as they make the jump and survive. Finally the pressure is on as the Council decrees that the diving tower is dangerous and it will be closed. They have just one week in which to make their 10 metre jump. Will they do it? (The author is very aware of the dangers involved in diving irresponsibly and gives a number of warnings and suggestions for safe diving.)

Stella by the Sea by Ruth Starke pb $12.95
Ruth Starke has an ability to write well about communities, about a real mixture of people working and living together. In this story, Stella’s mother is a dynamic real estate agent and the family home is a penthouse with a wonderful view of the sea, but Stella is not impressed and wants some space of her own. As a result, the resourceful Stella finds and rents a cubby house of her own, in the backyard of an elderly man who had wanted to sell it, but is very happy with his new tenant. She fixes up the cubby house, decorates it and arranges to take the neighbours’ dogs for walks. This is a most engaging story which is at times very funny, especially with its entertaining use of the deceptive language of real estate. It would lend itself to discussion to topics such as the language that is used in advertisements, how language can deceive, and also communities and how they can work together. Other Aussie Chomps are
Grommet saves the World by James Moloney
Boots and All by Sherryl Clark
Walter Wants to be a Werewolf! by Richard Harland
The Boy Who Would Live Forever by Moya Simons (pb $12.95 each title)

Rowan and the Bukshah by Emily Rodda pb $14.95
This is the latest in the very popular Rowan of Rin series. It is more complicated, more exciting and directed at an older age group than the original Rowan of Rin story. Rin is threatened by a very deep cold winter which gives no sign of ever stopping. In order to save Rin, Rowan and three companions make their way in the path of the bukshah on a perilous quest to find the answers to the witch Sheba’s prophecy. (8 - 13 years)
The first book in the series is Rowan of Rin which contains many of the elements of the traditional fantasy - the quest, the dragon, misty swamps and walls of spiders. Sequels are Rowan and the Travellers and Rowan and the Keeper of the Crystal, Rowan and the Zebak pb $14.95. each (7 – 10 years)

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke translated from the German by Anthea Bell pb $19.95
It is such a delight to open a book and to find oneself entranced by a story in which books and storytelling are treated with such wonder. Meggie loves books, she loves their mystery and the way they can magically open up other worlds and this is what does happen in this book. Meggie’s father is a book binder and he has passed on to Meggie his love and reverence of books but he never reads aloud to her, though he is a wonderful storteller of stories that he has made up himself. The reason for this gradually becomes clear through the very strange appearance one night of a stranger. I don’t want to tell you more because I found the plot of Inkheart intriguing, absorbing, very exciting and a continual surprise. This is very much a story about books and storytelling, about how stories and books are made. It talks about a vast range of books and at the beginning of each chapter there is a very inviting quote from a book, generally a well known children’s book. This provides a lovely glimpse of what may come in the next chapter but is also an invitation or temptation to search out and read this book as well. Cornelia is a well known German children’s author. I have immediately ordered her other book that has been translated into English, The Thief Lord pb $15.95. It is intriguing that most of the quotations are from books written in English, and I wonder if that is also the case in the original German?

Eagle Strike by Anthony Horowitz pb $14.95
There is excitement and action plus in this latest Horowitz title. For those of you who haven’t yet read the Alex Rider books, this is the fourth book in the series about the adventures of this amazing young man who is now just fourteen and who has been a reluctant MI6 agent. There is great suspense and also fun in these stylish books which are an action fantasy inspired very much by James Bond. Other titles about Alex Rider are: Stormbreaker, Point Blanc and Skeleton Key pb $14.95 each title (11 - 16 years)

Some of Horowitz’s earlier titles are also great favourites. I am especially fond of The Falcon’s Malteser in which the crazy and usually inept exploits of the Diamond Brothers are a very amusing sendup of American detective stories. An interesting recent interview with Anthony Horowitz in this month’s issue of Magpies, the Australian children’s literature magazine, reveals that the Marx Brothers, Buster Keaton and Tintin provided a source of inspiration for some of the many jokes and word play gags in his books. Other Diamond Brothers titles are Public Enemy Number Two and South by South East. (9 - 12 years). An even earlier title Groosham Grange is also back in print. It is funny, witty, nonsensical, gripping and of course gruesome at times. Horowitz has great fun with this story of a very weird boarding school. pb $14.95 each (8 - 11 years)

Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta pb $24.95
It has been ten years (I can’t believe it!) since the publication of the extraordinarily popular Looking for Alibrandi, pb $17.95, which was Melina Marchetta’s first novel. Saving Francesca is her second novel and is set in all boys’ school which is for the first time taking in girls. Francesca is reluctantly starting Year 11 there. I found this aspect of the book most interesting as Melina Marchetta, explores the influence that an influx of Year 11 girls has on the culture of this previously all boys’ school. Some of the boys find the arrival of the girls a moderating influence however Francesca finds that it is a difficult year. She seems to be moving further away from her old friends but she is uncertain of her own identity. This a warm realistic novel and students will relate strongly to the various characters portrayed, especially to Francesca as she searches to understand her true self. Melina Marchetta has obviously drawn strongly on her own experiences teaching in a boys’ school which took in girls for the first time while she was at the school.

Non-fiction

Global Citizenship series by Susan Watson hardback $27.95 each title
Being Active Citizens Respecting Cultural Differences
Understanding Human Rights Improving the Quality of Life
Living Sustainably Valuing World Heritage
Making Global Connections Protecting Global Environments
As you can see from the titles, the series appears to have been written with the concepts and interests of the PYP in mind. Each book is well set out and information is presented in an accessible way making good use of charts, maps, photos, and examples of particular children or adults. The books also emphasise what action children can take themselves. The books would be a very helpful resource when studying any aspect of global citizenship. (9 - 14 years).

THE 2003 SHORT LIST

Book of the Year: Older Readers (NB Some of these books are for mature readers)
Winner
The Messenger by Marcus Zusak pb $16.95
This is a most unusual book. When Ed Kennedy inadvertently stops a bank robbery his life changes dramatically. He is sent the first of a number of playing cards, an Ace, and he begins his quest to do as the cards instruct to help where he can. He is the messenger.
Honour Books
Painted Love letters by Catherine Bateson pb $16.95
A very moving story of a family and their artist father who is dying of cancer. It is a story which tells of the struggle to come to terms with death and of continuing to live on when their father dies. It is also a story of humour and love, and of the painted love letters that their father left to his family and friends in the form of all of his art works.
Walking Naked by Alyssa Brugman pb $16.95
A sharply observed story about the friendship of girls and the devastating effect that peer pressure can have. It is also about schoolyard politics, personal responsiblity and how different people react when they are thrown together. It is also about poetry and the painful getting of wisdom. A moving story which is absorbing and at times funny. (13 up)
Shortlisted Titles
The Girl from the Sea by James Aldridge pb $16.95
An entrancing story, set in the fifties on the coast of Provence. Lelee is the girl from the sea who swims as though she belongs to the sea but she has one vulnerability - her inability to read and write. She is just thirteen, the same age as Beau who comes to Provence to recover from an accident that left him badly injured. The description of how these children become attached to each other makes for an absorbing story. (12 years up)
The Song of an Innocent Bystander by Ian Bone pb $18.95
A most unusual story of a young nine year old girl who is taken hostage with others by a crazed man in a fast food restaurant. This is a reliving of those tense hours by the girl who is now nineteen years and also a description of the effect it had on her life, on her family and on the other survivors. A sophisticated, gripping novel. (14 years up)
Njunjul the Sun by Meme McDonald and Boori Pryor pb $15.95
Njunjul is sixteen years old when he leaves his close-knit Aboriginal family up north to stay with his uncle Garth and his white girlfriend in the big city of Sydney. He has been in some trouble with the police and this is a chance to sort himself out and to get rid of a black depression and the feeling that he is no good. The book gives us an insight into the way a young Aboriginal views his world. It is at times desperate, but also has its funny and exhilarating moments. (14 years up)

Book of the Year: Younger Readers
Winner
Rain May and Captain Daniel by Catherine Bateson pb $14.95
Rain is the narrator for most of the story, describing how she and her mother start a new life in the country. There she meets Daniel, an unusually intelligent, chess-loving boy who has a rough time at school. Daniel’s chapters are written in the form of a Star Trek journal and are highly entertaining. Further contrast in writing styles is provided by fridge poems written by Rain and her mother. Rain and Daniel’s unusual friendship makes a most engaging story. (9 - 13 years)
Honour Books
Horrendo’s Curse by Anna Fienberg pb $13.95
Horrendo was cursed when a baby with a charming spell and so, whenever he felt like cursing someone or something, it always came out as a compliment. This made life very difficult for Horrendo as he lived in a village where everyone was always cursing in order to appear tough. Every year pernicious pirates captured the twelve year old boys of the village and made them work as crew on their pirate ship. The rollicking adventures and ordeals of Horrendo and his friends are described gleefully by Anna Fienberg. (8 - 12 years)
The Barrumbi Kids by Leonie Norrington pb $16.95
Dale and Tomias are best mates. They both come from the same outback country but one boy is Aboriginal and the other is white. This book contains lots of adventure and exploration of the cultures of both boys and their love for their country. (9 - 13 years)
Shortlisted titles
Where in the World by Simon French pb $14.95
This is a beautifully constructed book about Ari and his mother and their new life in Australia. Chapters telling us about Ari’s new life in Australia are interspersed with flashbacks to his life in Germany with his grandfather Opa. Ari is a talented musician and his grandfather had been his teacher and the relationship was very close. There are many warm descriptions of a caring family, of the difficulties and joys of travelling to new places, of living in diferent places and of old and new friends. (8 - 14 years)
Tom Jones Saves the World by Steven Herrrick pb $16.95
In this novel written in verse, Tom and his family have just shifted into a new walled community called Pacific Palms, where all the houses look alike with one palm tree in the garden. Tom calls it a Prison. Luckily Tom meets a like-minded friend called Cleo and they go to rescue Tom’s grandfather who is in a retirement village, also like a prison. It is a bit too didactic for me but would spark off discussion on these issues. (8 - 11 years)
The Slightly True Story of Cedar B Hartley by Martine Murray pb $14.95
This is a delightfully quirky story about a girl called Cedar who loves life, the people around her, hanging upside down and anything to do with acrobatics. She also loves using language. Cedar and a friend called Kite build on their friendship and their acrobatics and put on a wonderful performance which entrances the neighbourhood.

Book of the Year: Early Childhood (Picture Books)
Winner
A Year on Our Farm by Penny Matthews illus by Andrew McLean hb $26.95 pb $14.95
A wonderful exploration of a year on an Australian farm. Seen through the eyes of three children who live on the farm and help their parents with many farm jobs which change with the seasons. There are beautiful detailed illustrations showing the changing seasons, the activities and the many animals on the farm, both pets and farm animals.
Honour Books
The Potato People by Pamela Allen hb $25.95
This is a story of great warmth and affection which describes what happened when Jack and his grandmother made a little old woman and a little old man out of potatoes. The story is of course told with Pamela’s lively sense of humour and rollcking rhyme and repetition.
Too Loud Lily by Sofie Laguna illus by Kerry Argent hb $26.95
Lily couldn’t help being noisy in almost everything that she did and she was forever being told to shush. However when the new drama teacher arrives at the school, Lily’s loudness is appreciated when she is the exuberant star of the school play .
Shortlisted Books
Guess the Baby by Simon French illus by Donna Rawlins hb $25.95
A delightful picture book. When Sam’s baby brother comes to school for Show and Tell, it sparks lots of discussion about babies with their teacher Mr Judd. As a later activity everyone brings a photo of themselves as a baby and the class has to pick which baby is which child. There are delightful illustrations of sixteen babies in all sorts of poses and kids will also have great fun trying to pick who belongs to which baby.
Bear and chook by Lisa Shanahan illus by Emma Quay pb $14.95
Bear and Chook are the best of friends even though Bear loves adventures which always seem to end in mishap, especially for Chook. This exasperates Chook as she just wants a peaceful life in which she is able to grow up to be an old chook. (“Chook” is a much used and loved Australian word for a farmyard hen, which has a wonderfully expressive sound.)
Playmates by Jane Tanner pb $14.95
A charming, beautifully illustrated story of Ben and teddy who were best friends until the boisterous arrival of a bouncy new puppy called Rosie causes teddy to be left alone at first and then even worse to be injured. Ben and Rosie are full of remorse and teddy delighted when the three of them start to play together.

Picture Book of the Year Award (These picture books may be for mature readers)
Winner
In Flanders Field by Norman Jorgensen, illus by Brian Harrison-Lever, hb $24.95
Beautiful detailed and intensely realistic illustrations bring to life this story of a young soldier in the trenches of World War 1 who risks his life to save a robin, trapped in no-man’s land between the German and Australian lines.
Honour Books
A Year on Our Farm by Penny Matthews illus by Andrew McLean hb $26.95 As above.
Diary of a Wombat Jackie French illus Bruce Whatley hb $24.95
This is a delightful whimsical diary of a sleepy, barrel like wombat called Mothball, whose life revolves around sleep, scratching and food. Bruce Whatley’s illustrations of this hefty, very determined but endearing wombat are a delight.
Shortlisted Books
The Potato People by Pamela Allen hb $25.95 As above
Jethro Byrde, Fairy Child by Bob Graham hb $27.95
Bob Graham succeeds in bringing a touch of the magic and fantasy of a child’s world to the most mundane of family outings, as Annabelle searches for fairies and finds one, Jethro Byrde, a fairy child, in the weeds and cement of the yard near their apartment.
Old Tom’s Holiday by Leigh Hobbs hb $25.95
Old Tom is a wicked old cat but his owner Angela Throgmorton really misses him when she goes on a trip alone, she thinks. However glimpses of Old Tom can be seen everywhere and Leigh Hobbs the illustrator has great fun in making the reader search for Old Tom.

Eve Pownall Award for Information Books
Winner
Iron in the Blood: Convicts and Commandants in Colonial Australia by Alan Tucker pb $18.95 A gruesome description of the harsher treatment dealt out to convicts who reoffended on arrival in Australia and who were then sent to secondary penal settlements. This book shows how convicts were treated by a number of commandants including some of the most brutal and a few who tried a more humane approach. (9 - 12)
Honour Books
The Mighty Murray by John Nicholson hb $27.95
The River Murray is Australia’s longest and greatest river. In the world’s driest continent it provides water for many cities, communities and agriculture. This is a remarkably detailed book which describes how the first Aboriginal people regarded the river, its exploration by early settlers, the riverboats and how it was used for trade, the irrigators, how it was dammed and controlled and how it is now under threat from salt and lack of water flow. Its trees and wild life along its banks are also under threat. This is a remarkable book with beautiful detailed illustrations of life along the Murry and maps of its long course. (9 years up)
Black Snake: The Daring of Ned Kelly by Carole Wilkinson pb $16.95
Ned Kelly was a bushranger in Australia in the 1870s. He robbed banks, stole horses and cattle but is regarded by many as a folk hero a bit like Robyn Hood. To others he was a murderer who deserved his sentence of death by hanging for his crimes. Here Ned Kelly’s life is described factually but is interspersed by short fictional personal accounts by various people who knew Ned Kelly or who were there at the scene of his crimes. (8 - 12 years)
Shortlisted Books
Awesome! Australian Art for Contemporary Kids by Laura Murray Cree hb $45.00
This is a most unusual book which I think will be appreciated by the art teacher as it is rare to get a book in which contemporary art is shown and discussed. There are photos of fify four works of art which include sculpture, installations, cartoons, video stills etc. A short text accompanies each piece of art, and includes some background information about the artist and a short description of what the artist is perhaps trying to do. Some of the art is humourous, some has a strong message, some is weird while others did not impress at all but in each case the writeup was revealing. As the author says in the Introduction, kids have great imaginations and are not so set in their ideas as adults. (10 up)
Discover & Learn about Australian Forests and Woodlands by Pat Slater pb $14.95
Full of beautiful photos of the different types of animal and plant life in the forests and woodlands in Australia, there is also detailed information about the forest ecology and the risk from clearing. (8 - 13 years)
Endangered! Working to Save Animals at Risk by Rick Wilkinson pb $24.95
Kids will enjoy reading about these endangered animals and the programmes underway to increase their chances of survival in Australia and elsewhere in the world. The text is made more interesting through personal touches of information such as the curator from Melbourne Zoo who flew to Hong Kong with a plastic container on the seat next to him containing thirty Romer’s Tree Frogs! Excellent design and photographs. (9 - 14 years)


If you would like to order any of the books reviewed in this newsletter or in the accompanying list, send orders to Austral Ed by fax, post or email.

All prices are in Australian dollars. Prices include GST of 10% which is not applicable to overseas schools.

For additional lists of recommended books and newsletters from Austral Ed, visit our website www.australed.iinet.net.au

© Kate Shepherd 2008.