As an Australia Reads Ambassador I am proud to announce that Australian Reading Hour is coming very soon, in fact it’s on the 9th March!

While you can choose to read quietly to yourself, why not share the experience with a loved family member, friend, class or colleague. The time of day doesn’t really matter, it’s just a chance to stop and contemplate and hopefully help make reading a part of your daily routine.

What will you choose to read aloud?

Naturally your choice of book or other reading material will depend on your audience, that is, the person you choose to spend the hour reading with.

Below are a few options to help you on your way.

Babies

Board books are always great for little ones. They can’t do too much damage to the pages as they try to turn them every which way. Board books are also quick and easy for that short attention span.

They are often concept books to help bub explore and make sense of the world around them. Books on colours, shapes, farm animals, vehicles and transport, fruit and vegetables, the list goes on and on.

These often have only one word and picture to each page, but some may have several words and pictures for your little one to point to. This also helps make it more interactive as you discuss each picture on the page.

Toddlers

They still love their concept board books, but are sometimes ready for books that Jen Storer terms contories. Books with basic concepts but also include a bit of a story. For those of you who don’t know this marvellous women, Jen is an amazing author, coach and chief inspirationalist that runs the incredible writers group The Duck Pond.

One of my favourite board books that could be called a contory is The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. With days of the week, food and the life cycle of a butterfly, you can’t go wrong.

Another favourite that I love reading and sharing, is Wibble Wobble, written by Jen Storer and Illustrated by Lisa Stewart. ‘Filled with the joyful moments of a toddler’s day as they discover and explore their world, this is a book guaranteed to become a firm family favourite.’

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle in board book format

Wibble Wobble by Jen Storer and Lisa Stewart

Pre-Schoolers

By the time your child is 3 - 5 years, they are ready for rhyming picture books. These are essential for the growth of language and comprehension. Rhyming picture books are ideal for learning about word play, patterns and prediction. As you read aloud with your pre-schooler, they can guess the rhyming word and ‘begin to read.’ The pictures often help these predictions as well.

‘Oi Frog!,’ written by Kes Gray and illustrated by Jim Field, is a great example of a simple rhyming picture book that pre-schoolers adore. Frog doesn’t want to sit on a log, and asks what other animals may sit on, such as cat sits on a mat, hares sit on chairs, mules sit on stools and gophers sit on sofas. My grandson loves to shout out the rhyming word as soon as I say the animal.

The Early School Years

Kids 4 - 6 years are ready for prose picture books. Books with a story line, an over-aching problem to be resolved. They are still learning about the world around them but that world is beginning to expand outside of the home. There are so many delightful picture books written for this age, it would be difficult for me to name just one favourite.

Picture books can still be read to kids of all ages, especially 6 -8 and even up to 12 years. I have read picture books to classes from Kindergarten to year 6. With a little thought it is amazing what type of lesson and enjoyment you can find from a fun read aloud session.

Sometimes your reader may be looking for something non-fiction and there are picture books to cover these too. CSIRO Publishing have recently released some great picture books. ‘Swoop’ by Nicole Godwinand illustrated by Susannah Crispe is the story of why magpies swoop people during Spring. ‘Wonderful Wasps’ written by Katrina Germein and illustrated by Suzanne Houghton, explores the beauty of our Australian wasps and the significance they play in our environment.

Swoop by Nicole Godwin and Susannah Crispe

Wonderful Wasps By Katrina Germain and Suzanne Houghton

Middle School Readers

Kids by the age of 8 - 12years are becoming confident independent readers but that doesn’t mean you still can’t enjoy reading aloud with them. See my post last month 5 Great Reasons to Read Aloud with Your Tweens

They may still enjoy a good picture book, graphic novel or non-fiction picture book.

‘Camp Canberra’ by Krys Saclier, illustrated by Cathy Wilcox is a fabulous example of a picture book suitable for this age group. It tells the story of things and places to see in and around Canberra through the eyes of a fictional group of school children visiting Canberra on a class trip just like so many kids around Australia do every day.

Camp Canberra by Krys Saclier and Cathy Cox

There are also an abundance of junior fiction books out there with lots of black and white illustrations to help your reader along the way. The ‘Aussie Kids Collection,’ published by Penguin Random House Australia, are great early readers and ESL resources. Each book in the series tells the story of a child in one of the States of Australia and is written and illustrated by people who live in that area. For example, ‘Meet Matilda At the Festival,’ is set here in Canberra and written by Canberra author Jacqueline de rose-Ahernand illustrated by fellow Canberran Tania McCartney. But if you really want to expand their reading level, chapter books like my own Adamson Adventures without illustrations, will help extend their confidence to try lengthier, thicker middle-grade novels.

Novels such as ‘The Riddle of Tanglewood Manor,’ by Tracey Hawkins, is a wonderful time-slip adventure (just like Fossil Frenzy the Adamson Adventures 3), but in this story the children are taken only as far back as country NSW in 1920.

Young Adult

By the time your children reach their teen years they are looking to explore many different genres. From Contemporary to Science Fiction, and Dystopian. Reading aloud with your teen allows you the opportunity to introduce a genre they may not have considered or a topic you might like to open for discussion.

One book I very much enjoyed was ‘Emergency Rescue Angel,; by Cate Whittle. It deals with the complications of life for a teenager after facing the tragedy of the sudden loss of his father who died trying to save the life of a local kid who was drowning in the surf. This book handles the topic gently and insightfully with a little help from a not so typical angel.

Above and Beyond YA.

Books can be shared and read aloud no matter the age. Whether in paper back or e-book format, fiction or non-fiction. You may even want to read aloud current affairs, history, science or even geography. The list is endless. You may even like to read to an elderly member of the family who has lost their sight or to someone in a nursing home.

Whatever you decide, I hope this list has been helpful and encourages you to take an hour sometime on the 9th March to read aloud with someone special in your life. There are also events happening around Australia that you may like to join. Check out the events in your local area at book shops, schools and libraries.

Here in the ACT there is Toddler Reading Time in Green Square Kingston, hosted by The Book Cow. Toddler Reading Time

If you prefer something online, ‘The Magic of Storytelling’ is being streamed live from the Sydney Opera House from 11:00 am. The Magic of Storytelling

What and who will you be reading with for an hour?

Summer holidays are the perfect time to relax, unwind and read a good book or two. January is that time for me where I feel no pressure to work, write or feel guilty about putting my feet up and enjoying a good book or two or three. As #australiareads celebrates Library Lovers Day on 14th February again this year, I thought I would share my choice of books that I loved and read in January in the hope that you might like to read them too.

This summer break I read three fabulous middle grade fiction books. Each so different from the next, but all equally entertaining stories.

Here are my reviews in no particular order.

Emergency Rescue Angel by Cate Whittle.

I have had this on my ‘to read’ list since it was published in 2020 and it didn’t disappoint. More upper middle-grade seeping into the young adult category, this story is definitely one for readers 12- 14 years. Mitch is having a hard time fitting in at school after everything changed when his father drowned saving a kid swimming at the local surf club. His best friend also moved away, leaving Mitch all alone and unmotivated. Enter Max, a strange new girl at school who seems to make it her mission to befriend Mitch and help get him back on track with his studies and life in general. But all is not as it seems and Max has a secret agenda. She is Mitch’s Emergency Rescue Angel, sent to help him whether he likes it or not.

I enjoyed the mystique of this story as Mitch began to unravel his new best friend’s true identity. Clues are given as Mitch slowly realises that no one else at school seems to know Max even exists. Cate Whittle is a masterful storyteller who weaves relatable characters and scenarios into magical scenes. She captures the imagination using all the senses at her disposal. Whether it’s the mouth watering piping hot meat pie with tomato sauce oozing through Mitch’s fingers and dripping onto his uniform during a conversation between the two or the chill of the incessant rain pelting down as he struggles to push his broken bicycle home from school. This story will hook the reader with intrigue, empathy and a wonder of the possibility of angels looking over our shoulder. A wonderful read for any student that is an outsider needing to come to terms with their own reality and learning to accept themselves in all their glory for who they are.

Dragon Skin by Karen Foxlee.

This was a really quick read. It only took me two days, mainly because I just couldn’t put it down. I knew it was a good story when my hubby read it too. He never reads fiction, no matter how good I tell him a story is, but he too, was captured by Karen Foxlee’s incredible story telling. Suitable for young readers 8 to 12 years this story will tug at your heart strings. Set in the Queensland outback mining town of Mount Isa, the imagery is rugged and beautiful. Dragon Skin explores a host of emotions from friendship and loss, to love and caring and the deep desire to escape the reality of ones world.

When Pip discovers a tiny dragon almost lifeless in her favourite waterhole, she is determined to save it. But Pip needs help. First from the memories of a friend lost forever, then from two unlikely friends from school. This story draws on imagination and the desperate need to change things, even those that are beyond her control. It explores the meaning of love and loss and the heartbreak of letting go. There is so much depth in this beautiful tale my words could not do it justice. Suffice to say, this one is a must read for anyone who needs help escaping family violence or for kids who would like to understand. Learning how to care for a dragon and what Pip feeds it, is a delight too.

The Beatryce Prophecy by Kate DiCamillo.

This story was not something I am used to reading. Written in the genre of a fairy tale or fable, it too, had me hooked. It is a tale about the power of words and how they are interpreted. When a monk finds a young girl hiding in the stables with only a goat for comfort, he soon takes her under his wing as her protector. Beatryce has no idea who she is or where she came from. To add to the mystery, she knows how to read and write, but it is forbidden in the kingdom for girls to be educated. Why is the king hunting her and what is the foretold prophesy that leads her on a quest to freedom and understanding? Learn the importance of words and how powerful they can be when the world of reading and writing is available to all.

An intriguing story for readers 8 to 12 years, especially those who enjoy a quest and adventure told in a unusual manner. Kate DiCamillo is an incredibly clever story weaver that will take you on a journey of discovery in a world far, far away from our reality.

With Library Lover’s Day being celebrated again this year on 14th February, why not head to your local library or school library to borrow one of these amazing books or any other amazing book that is waiting for you to choose to read. Your favourite Librarian is always there, keen to help you find that special book, the one that is a must read for you. I have fond memories of some amazing librarians over the years. They are passionate about the books and the children in their care and always know the right questions to ask to find that one special book for every individual reader.

I’ve told you what I have read, now it is your turn. What have you read over the summer break?

I’m reading two books at the moment. ‘ Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone’, book 9 in the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon and Tracey Hawkin’s new middle grade release, ‘The Riddle of Tanglewood Manner.’ What are you reading now?

What is on your ‘to read’ list?

I would love to read your book choices in the comments below.

What Will You Choose to Read Aloud?