Reading, at last!

Book Week approaches apace, which means it is the season to be reading shortlisted titles to my classes, and for my own amusement as well!

Today I read Windy Farm by Doug Macleod and Craig Smith to my Kinder classes; I loved the silliness of the illustrations bringing out the true quirkiness of Doug’s ideas! There are also many subtle jokes in Craig’s illustrations, and each time I read it (three different Kinder classes) I found something new to make me giggle. I am looking forward to reading it with Preps and Year 1, as children pick up different qualities from stories as they get older. The little Kinder boys were very concerned with absolutely literal ideas and personal connections (I’ve seen a chicken!), while some of the humour floated past them. I am looking forward to the other classes who may pick up on jokes without any explanation (eg making selfish, greedy uncle sleep with the pigs).

I read another funny book today, by Barry Jonsberg: My Life As An Alphabet. I picked it up to flick through and couldn’t put it down – the main character/narrator is hilarious in the most unintentional way! At one point (involving almost drowning, only to be saved in the most peculiar fashion), I laughed till I cried, prompting my Library Tech to come down and see what was going on at my desk. This is a very funny story, but also quite touching – Candice’s family is falling apart and she decides to do something about it, but both her methods and the results are quite unique and unexpected. I don’t know how I would share this with classes, other than picking out the seasickness page to grab their attention, but it is one I will promote quite heavily!

I am looking forward to reading many wonderful books with my classes this term, rediscovering the fun of exploring new titles with the older classes, Too often the joy of story can get buried under the weight of timetables and curriculum outcomes, but Book Week provides a welcome chance to bring books up front and centre!