Everyone's got a bottom review

I wrote about the value of this book a year or so ago when I was writing a blog called Our Park Life. I thought I would take another look at it with my youngest child (who has a habit of stripping off anywhere) and write a review.

Everyone's got a bottom is a book written by Tess Rowley and illustrated by Jodi Edwards. It was published by Family Planning Queensland in 2007, and has got to be one of the best books of it's kind. And has been described as "the little book that is badly needed for helping parents, carers, teachers and child care personnel to keep children safe" (Professor Fredda Briggs)

Everyone's got a bottom is aimed at younger children up to about the age of 8. The key message of this book is to teach children about keeping their body's safe. This book is a great tool for parents, carers and teachers as it allows us to open up conversations about sensitive issues such as our bodies and 'private parts', the differences between boys and girls, sexuality, appropriate touch, trust and open communication and secrets.

The book tells the story of Ben, a boy of around the age of eight, his two siblings and family. The language in the book is simple and straight forward and together with the illustrations, the story presents some clear and important messages like; we own our own bodies and no one else has the right to touch them, it is important to care for our bodies, the appropriate and correct words for genitalia, it is okay to be nude at home - but not out in public, and importantly, the book talks about what is rude, or uncomfortable and what to do if someone wants to do something rude to you, even if it is someone you know, it is not okay. 


What I like about this story, is that the author uses simple language, rhyme and verse to help explain the message, which in turn is empowering for young children and will help them to understand about touch, bodies and stranger danger without being frightening for them.


This book is available online from Family Planning Queensland.


Be Happy, 
Nicola

Pearl Barley and Charlie Parsley

Pearl Barley and Charlie Parsley is the first picture book by author Aaron Blabey. Cleverly written and illustrated, the story tells the delightful tale of friendship between individuals with many differences. This book won the 2008 Children’s Book Council Awards — Book of the Year, for Early Childhood books and was shortlisted for the NSW Premier Literacy Awards and the Crighton Award for New Illustrators. Pearl Barley and Charlie Parsley was also listed on the 2008 Smithsonian Institutes' Notable Book list. And you can clearly see why.

Pearl Barley and Charlie Parsley has fast become a favourite in our home. Not only do we love the names of the two characters, the book provokes lots of laughter and conversation from my children, and we like to talk about the differences between the two friends. Apart from the obvious gender difference, we learn that Pearl Barley is out going and adventurous. She is loud and flamboyant and full of energy. Where as Charlie Parsley is quieter. He is a bit shy and insular and likes quiet activities. However, despite their differences, Pearl Barley and Charlie Parsley are the best of friends.

What we love about this book is that the images are very engaging. You can really feel and see the differences between the two characters. I like the message of tolerance, courage, independence and friendship throughout the book. These virtues are easily understood by both of my children and they have been able to apply them in their own lives, demonstrating  acceptance of each others' differences as siblings and also the differences of their friends.

If you haven't seen Pearl Barley and Charlie Parsley before, buy, borrow or beg your library to get it in and support a talented Australian author. It is great reading for children aged 4 - 8, and adults will enjoy the message too. 

Be Happy, 
Nicola 

image sourced, Penguin Books Australia 

Anthony Browne - 5 a Day Books

This week we are having a treasured author week at home. We love Anthony Browne books. From his illustrations to his tales, he is one talented children's author. Our favourite books are those that have the chimpanzee and gorilla's in them. Like the Willy stories. Willy is a Gorilla, but not your usual kind. He is a bit different. He is not great at sports and he is not Big like other Gorilla's. But he has a big heart and always tries his best. Sometimes he gets picked on by the bigger Gorilla's.

All of Anthony Brownes' stories have messages and meaning for children. Books like Silly Billy, help children to find ways of coping and combat fear. Billy is a worrier. He often worries at night when he tries to go sleep. One day he discovers Worry Dolls.  

And Through the Magic Mirror shows children how to use their imagination. Toby was bored at home. His parents were being boring, he was fed up with all of his toys. Then he looked into the hallway mirror and saw some things that changed his view.

What I love about Anthony Browne is that many of his stories are based on his own childhood experiences and imaginations. He is also the creator of the My Mum/Dad/Brother book series. We gave Junior the My Brother book when Mini Hoges was born. It helped him to gain a positive perspective on having a brother and being a big brother.

Do you have a favourite Anthony Browne book? 

Nurture the Little People is joining up with The Imagination Tree's 5 a Day Books Linky. Check it out to see what other books people are reading to their children.

Be Happy, 

 

Images sourced from Walker Books and Macmillan

Just Jack - a book review

essential reading for all pre kindy kids!

We have a great love of books in our house, I've posted about it here and here. One of our favourites is a book by Jane Tanner, Just Jack.

Just Jack, beautiful illustrations

Jack is a young boy who is about to embark on his early childhood education journey. His first day of kindy he is Super Jack, wearing his super hero costume. The costume gives Jack the confidence to go to kindy, make friends and be funny, but when Mum says Jack has to wash it, Jack refuses. Jack wears the costume all week. It gets filthier and filthier until Mum has had enough and washes it. Jack is sad when he can't wear the costume the next day. But he goes to school anyway and is loved by his friends.

This story is fantastic for those about to enter the schooling world. Not only does it have beautiful illustrations that make you feel the book, it drives home the message that you are ok just being you, you don't need to be anything else, just be true to yourself.

We had this book for my first born just before he started kinder and it really helped him transition from home to school. He is now eight and enjoys sharing this book with his younger brother who will start kindy next year.

Be Happy, 

Nicola

Good Manners on Monday # 4

Last week ago, I received a Gift from a bloggy friend, the lovely Felicity at Gifts of Serendipity. Felicity gave me the gift of a link to "Life Matters", the radio program on Radio National. Danny Katz was the guest on this show, and he was talking about his latest book on Manners and Ettiquette, "No thanks Hank".

No thanks Hank, by Danny Katz

Now, at Nurture the Little People, we are all about Manners and we love books too, so when I saw this book, I rushed out to get it straight away, and it's a Classic!

"No thanks Hank" is a hilarious book of rhymes, verse and nonsense poems based on the use of manners and etiquette in everyday situations. The book is based on two characters, Hank and Hank, two boys who refuse to say "thanks" for anything, and their folks have had enough!

There is some great humour in this book and it will amuse parents and kids alike. One of my favourite tales in the book is Stephie said the "S" word and there is also a really funny take on the modern day version of Pass the Parcel.

I love how Danny Katz and Mitch Vane have written and illustrated a book about manners so cleverly, it's bound to get the kids (and their parents) thinking.


Have you read "No thanks Hank?" Do you have any other books on manners to recommend or any other favourite Danny Katz stories?

Be Happy 
Nicola

5 a Day Books

A few weeks ago I came across an inspiring blog by UK teacher Anna Ranson. The Imagination Tree is a fantastic resource that explores different ways to play and create with children, and it ticks all of my boxes for Nurture the Little People.

We love books and reading in our family, and so when I saw the 5 a Day Books linky, I just knew that I had to join in.


Our five a day favourites include classics like Each Peach Pear Plum, a Miffy Book about growing up and riding your bicycle, because we are all about riding our bike at the moment! We love Lucy Cousins and were so pleased to come across I'm the Best! Peter Rabbit is always a favourite at our house, so Count with Peter Rabbit gives us the perfect opportunity to learn our numbers, and finally, Oliver Jeffers, Lost and Found. I have fallen in love with his beautiful stories and amazing illustrations.

Oliver Jeffers delivers beautiful imagery

Counting to ten

a Miffy favourite

rhyming fun

a story to show we are all the best at something

Read a book or five and share the treasures you've been exploring in your family with The Imagination Trees' 5 a Day Books linky!

Be Happy 
Nicola

Favourite Reads

Here at Hogan Central, we love books. I mean we REALLY LOVE books! I didn't realise just how much we love books until this week when I boxed up 38 large boxes of books to relocate to our new house on the weekend. That is a lot of books, and a lot of reading.
I asked the children to choose three of their favourite books to keep out and we'd read those over the week. Here is their selection:


Mini Hoges' top three reads:

the quiet book

the potato people

just jack

Junior Hoges' top three reads:

I think, I am

disgusting dave

world without fish

For myself, I often find I have two or three books on the go at once. I am currently reading "Soul Lessons and Soul Purpose" by Sonia Choquette, "What Alice Forgot" by Lianne Moriarty and "The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul" by Deborah Rodriguez. Hoges is enjoying "How to Make Gravy" by Paul Kelly and "Breaking the Sheep's Back" by Charles Massy.

What does your family love to read?

Happy Days, 

Nicola