ALBUMBLE

1) Take a moment to look through some old photos or videos you might have from special days such as Christmases, birthdays or summer holidays. Choose one that really fires up your memories and chat to someone about what you did, where you were and how it made you feel. It is thought that remembering good experiences as the emotions and felling come back to you and might make you feel more positive, or may inspire you to plan something for the future!

2) Go through one of those cluttered boxes in your house or bedroom that has your bits and pieces in it. You will find somethings that you had forgotten you had and could still come in quite useful. You may also find things that are useful - but not for you. Maybe think about someone who you could give it to in the future. Not only will this clear up the clutter but also give someone you love an unexpected gift at the end of lockdown!

3) Next time you find yourself about to say or write something negative - STOP. Can you think of a different, kinder way of saying what you were about to say? By carefully choosing how we respond to things we can bring ourselves out of a pessimistic train of thought to a more positive one. You can still be down or dislike things that are going on but changing the language and the words can make us less impulsive. Sometimes our gut reaction can be a bit too strong or even wrong.

1) Stop looking back and thinking about things that have happened. Take a moment to think of 3 things in the near future you can look forward to... Maybe it's someone's birthday and you can play what you might get them... Perhaps you'll be moving school in the summer and you can think about all the new opportunities that may arise.... Or maybe you can think about when you can next visit a loved one you haven't seen for a while. 2) Pay somebody a compliment - it could be in person, on the telephone or in a message. Maybe say thank you so someone who has helped you at school, or to a delivery driver who has brought something to your house or maybe you could just tell somebody that they look nice today. It is said that by personally making someone else happy, it can in fact make yourself happier too. 

3) Think about an activity that you are good at, but maybe have not been able to partake in it over lockdown. Could you pick it back up today? Maybe you ask an adult when you might be able to do it again. Maybe you could watch some videos or TV programmes about it to get your enthusiasm up or talk about pictures or trophies you might have in the cupboard. Doing things you are good at make you happier, and can often make other people smile too !

It's a brand new book!

Charlie McGuffin has an incredible secret - he can change into all sorts of animals: a flea, a pigeon, even a rhino. Trouble is, he can’t decide when – it only happens when he gets worried.  Even though every kid wants a superhero power, Charlie isn’t keen on changing into a chicken in the middle of the school play. So with the help of his three best friends, Charlie needs to find a way of dealing with his crazy new power – and fast!

On the face of it, this is just a basic funny story about superpowers but in fact its REAL power lies much deeper. It's more about how one deals with situations seemingly beyond one's control as well as looking at coping with stress, anxiety and dealing with the sickness of a loved one. It also looks at other relationships through bullying, friendship, families, working together, loyalty, and stage fright.

So, instead of questions next to each section I'm just going to ask you to make a note of some of the worries, fears and even happy moments you've had the last few days and I'll paste some quick activities you can do to keep yourself positive and keep your mind off things :) 

Enjoy!

It’s Faizah’s first day of school and she’s got a brand-new backpack and light-up shoes. For her older sister, Asiya, it’s her first day of wearing a hijab at school. Faizah sees her sister as a princess wearing her beautiful blue hijab But not everyone sees hijab as beautiful. In the face of hurtful, confusing words, will the two girls find new ways to be strong?

Growing up in America, Ibtihaj Muhammad never saw herself in children's books. Now she's an accomplished sportswoman and children's author. She shares her feelings in this beautiful and powerful story about the bond shared between siblings and being proud of yourself and your beliefs. and tells us here how she hopes it will help kids pursue their dreams...

 

THE PROUDEST BLUE

 

BEFORE

Why do you think it is important to know the back story of the author? Find out more about Ibtihaj Muhammad and seek out some of her videos online.

What associations does the colour blue have for you? Why do you think blue might be an important colour in the story?

Find (or think of) different fabrics and materials – think about the uses for each one and find words to describe their feel and movement.

Look at the thumbnail of the cover – who do you think is in the picture? What might the blue represent? Where do you think the characters are going/looking at?

What does the word ‘proud’ mean?. When was someone proud of you? When were you proud of someone else?

 

DURING

Identify what a ‘hijab’ is and who might wear one. Explore other ethnic garments like sari, poncho, kimono, dirndl, kameez, gákti etc

Have you even bought a special set of clothes for special occasion? Why was this?

‘…there’s no line between the water and the sky.’ What do you think this means?

During a part of the book the characters whisper. Why do you think this might be?

How are the two girls being ‘strong’? What are the different ways of being ‘strong’?

 

AFTER

Who do you share a special bond with? Discuss the value of supportive and loving relationships.

Think about the idea of having an open mind and not having preconceptions. What ideas do we have about people (or even yourself) because of what we see on the outside or how a person talks?

What possessions might you be able to own once you are older? How might you act differently once you own them?

Do you have an older sibling or friend you look up to? Is there someone younger who looks up to you? Why might this be important as you are growing up?

All the animals covet Osebo's drum, but he won't let anyone else have it, not even Nyame, the Sky-God. So, Nyame offers a big reward to the animal that brings him the drum. All try - the monkey, the elephant, even the python - and all fail. Can a very small jungle dweller succeed in outwitting the boastful leopard? The short, rhythmic text is perfect for reading aloud and young children will find much to identify with in the themes of this story and satisfaction in the final triumph of the triumphant creature !

 

THE LEOPARD’S DRUM: An Asante Tale from West Africa

 

Think of a synonym for ‘boastful’.

Do you think Osebo should have let Nyame use the drum? Why?

Why do you think Python and Elephant failed to get the drum?

What was the tortoise’s name?

How were tortoises different at this time??

How did Tortoise act towards Osebo? How did this make the Leopard feel?

What did Tortoise use to trap Leopard inside?

What was Tortoise’s reward to successfully getting the drum?

Think about what you might have asked for if you had won.

Can you think of any alternative rhymes of any of the lines? Maybe have a go at rewriting a stanza yourself using language older children might appreciate.

This book was inspired by Chiara Mezzalama’s childhood experience of her father being appointed Italian ambassador to Tehran in 1980 when Iran was at war with Iraq. It is the story of an unexpected friendship of two children, on either side of war and peace, told through the metaphor of a garden.

Although a spectacular graphic novel, its atmospheric setting makes it perfect for an audio book. Video of the pages can be found here: https://vimeo.com/387741146

 

THE GARDEN OF INSIDE-OUTSIDE

 

Why do you think the introduction is important to read before you get to the story?

How old was the carp?

How does the writer describe the soldiers’ appearance?

Why did the children get a dog?

What did mum scold? What did they do to upset her?

If the characters spoke different languages, how did they know they were friends?

What does ‘breached’ mean?

Did she really become lion taming princess?

Why do you think the boy ‘fled’?

How does the phrase ‘golden prison’ make you feel?

Why do you think Massoud’s gift was so special?

“There are so many walls” What kind of walls do you think the writer means?

Do you think there is a moral or lesson to learn from this story?

When a terrible drought hits the beautiful Kapiti Plain and the animals leave, young herd boy Ki-pat must find a way to end the drought and save the wildlife on the plain.  "Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain" by Verna Aardema is a delightful rhyming story full of bright and vivid illustrations by Beatriz Vidal.

 

BRINGING THE RAIN TO KAPITI PLAIN

 

Where might Kapiti Plain might be? What clues do you get from the front cover?

 

What happens because of the drought?

 

How does Ki-pat end the drought?

 

What happens after the rains come?

 

Think about the structure of the poem – do you know of any other poems, stories or songs that work in a similar way? What are the positives and negatives about this style of writing?

 

“Bringing the rain to Kapiti Plain” is based on a Nandi story – a tribe based around Kenya. Investigate other stories from Africa, many of which have animals as main characters. Compare some of these tales to that of Aesop’s Fables - do you see any similarities or differences?

Happy New year to you all !

 

Whether you are new to the feed or seasoned veterans I'll just give a brief outline to the podcast and how it can be used.

Each podcast contains a story, or chapters of a longer story, read my me. If you just want to use the podcast as a sort of story time, bedtime story or as something family friendly in the background then that's great but there is also an extra educational side to the podcast. In the show notes there are questions or activities based on the story. You may find it beneficial to have the questions to hand during the reading so you can go through them as the podcast progresses. If you also have access to the text - that's great - but not integral. Of course, if it inspires you or you young ones to go and find explore the wider world of books then I see it that my work here is done!

 

This month I will be uploading some short stories set in Africa & Asia or by authors of African and Asian origin. 

 

CHINYE

 

Who does Chinye live with?

Why did they need more water?

Which animals did Chinye meet on the way? What other animals could they have seen?

Is it normally OK to talk to strangers? Why do you think Chinye talked to the old woman?

What is a ‘gourd’ – what do they remind you of in a local supermarket?

What did Chinye have to do once back home?

Where does ivory come from? What is damask?

“For once in her life she was speechless” What does this tell you about Nkechi?

Why did Adanma’s trip to the hut go wrong?

Where do you think Nkechi and Adanma went?

Do you think there is a moral to this story?

The final podcast of this year is reading of Clement Clarke Moore's seminal poem "'Twas the night before Christmas" also known as "A Visit from St. Nicholas".

We will be back in the new year with a brand new set of books starting off with a modern take on fairy tales by Jamila Gavin; a child's take on war by Chiara Mezzalama and the ups and down of the first day at school by Ibtihaj Muhammad & S.K. Ali.

 

'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS 

or A VISIT FROM ST. NICHOLAS

 

Where were the stockings? Why had they had been put there?

Who were they hoping was going to arrive?

Which word in the second verse tells you there was a lot of noise?

In the context of the poem, what is the ‘sash’ that they open?

Which 2 words meaning little describe the sleigh and reindeer?

How many reindeer does he have?

Which simile is used to describe Santa’s nose?

“And laying a finger aside of his nose” – what does this action mean?

What is the rhyme scheme/pattern of the poem?

Try to come up with alternative rhymes or even an extra verse to add more detail about your favourite part of the poem.

My penultimate reading of the year is that of one of the lesser known of the Mr. Men tales - Mr Christmas !

 

MR CHRISTMAS 

 

What is the name of the postman?

 

Why does Father Christmas need help? What can Mr Christmas do for him?

 

What does Mr Christmas need from Wizard Winterbottom?

 

Do you think a flying teapot would be a sensible mode of transport? Why?

 

Who got a cookery book?

 

What did Mr Topsy-Turvy do with his present?

 

Where did Father Christmas get into a bit of a problem?

 

Make a list of some of the other Mrs Men and Little Miss characters and think of suitable presents for them.

 

Have a look out for some of the other winery characters (Little Miss Christmas, Mr Snow) as well as some of the special Mr Men Books retelling famous other tales and explaining festive traditions !