Reading Connection for Kids

The month of July

July's birthstone is the Ruby
The birth flower for July is the Water Lily
Mother's Day, first cellebrated in 1908, always falls on the second Sunday of May.
The 14th of July is Bastille Day, this is the French national holiday, commemorating the storming of the Bastille, which took place on 14 July 1789 and marked the beginning of the French Revolution.
31st of July National Family History week is an initiative of the Australasian Federation of Family History Organisations. During the week events will be conducted across the country that focus on genealogy, family history, heraldry and related subjects.
Scientists set off the first atomic bomb, Alamogordo, New Mexico, July 16, 1945
U.S. astronaut Neil A. Armstrong became the first person to walk on the moon, July 20, 1969

Joke of the week

Q. Why did the teacher wear sunglasses?

A. Because his class was so bright

Fun Links

Children's Book Week

The winners have now been announced for Children's Book Week 2009. To see a list of the winners visit the Children's Book Council of Australia

New Books

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An elephant in the garden Michael Morpurgo

It's about…

It's 1944. Elizabeth's mother works at Dresden zoo, where her favourite animal is an elephant named Marlene. When the zoo director tells her the dangerous animals must be shot to prevent them running amok when the town is bombed, Elizabeth's mother moves Marlene into the back garden to save her... and then the bombs start to fall.

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This book is not good for you
Pseudonymous Bosch

It's about…

Between the pages of this book lies the secret to the best-tasting chocolate in all the world. I promise, your taste buds will tingle. Your palette will sing! Oh no, have I accidentally tempted you to read this book? I will warn you, however, the most delicious things are never good for you...and this story is particularly scrumptious! In this tooth-rotting adventure, Cass's mom has been kidnapped by the evil dessert chef and chocolatier, Señor Hugo! The ransom...the legendary tuning fork. Can Cass and Max-Ernest find the magical instrument before it's too late? Will they discover the evil secret ingredient to Señor Hugo's chocolate success? If you're tempted, take a taste, but just remember...this book is not good for you.

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Pearlie in Central Park
Wendy Harmer; illustrated by Gyspy Taylor

It's about…

Frost and icicles! In her first magical adventure beyond the gates of Jubilee Park, Pearlie takes a trip to snowy New York City. It's f-f-freezing and Crystal the Central Park Fairy is nowhere to be found! Can Pearlie find a warm and cosy place to stay? In this enchanting wintry tale Pearlie meets Chester the squirrel, hunts for walnuts in the snow and brings a welcome sprinkle of fairy dust to the icy fountain on Cherry Hill.

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Enchanted glass
Diana Wynne Jones

It's about…

A brilliant, intricate and magical novel from the Godmother of British fantasy. When Andrew Hope's magician grandfather dies, he leaves his house and field-of-care to his grandson who spent much of his childhood at the house. Andrew has forgotten much of this, but he remembers the very strong-minded staff and the fact that his grandfather used to put the inedibly large vegetables on the roof of the shed, where they'd have vanished in the morning. He also remembers the very colourful stained glass window in the kitchen door, which he knows it is important to protect. Into this mix comes young Aidan Cain, who turns up from the orphanage asking for safety. Exactly who he is and why he's there is unclear, but a strong connection between the two becomes apparent. There is a mystery to be solved, and nothing is as it appears to be. But nobody can solve the mystery, until they find out exactly what it is!

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