Monday 25 May 2015

Our 10 Favourite Caldecott Medal Books

This months theme for the Poppins Book Nook is Caldecott Medal Books.

If you had asked me twenty years ago what a Caldecott book was I would not have had any idea.  Thanks to homeschooling I was introduced to the concept of twaddle free literature and the importance of beautiful pictures in the lives of my children.

Before I began home educating I had no idea of the importance or impact of any of these things and thanks to Sonlight I now have a good insight into both. Our first three years of homeschooling were with Sonlight and a good many of the books I received in those cores contained Caldecott Medal books which served as good training to spot a beautifully illustrated book at the library and for that I'm really grateful to the people at Sonlight who choose the books for the cores.

Without further ado these are a few of our favourite things ...

Our 10 Favourite Caldecott Medal Books

A Tree Is Nice

By (author) Janice May Udry
Illustrated by Marc Simont
Format: Paperback | 32 pages
Dimensions: 158mm x 272mm x 2mm | 82g
Publication date: 22 June 2010
Publication City/Country: New York, NY
ISBN 10: 0064431479
ISBN 13: 9780064431477

This book is for younger students and helps them appreciate all the beautiful trees out and about. It is also used in Learning Language Arts Through Literature blue book.

Bill Peet: An Autobiography

By (author) Bill Peet
Format: Paperback | 192 pages
Dimensions: 203mm x 254mm x 14mm |
Publication date: 19 May 1994
Publication City/Country: Boston
ISBN 10: 0395689821
ISBN 13: 9780395689820

Bill Peet is an amazing author and illustrator.  The first book we read of his was Capyboppy and from there I was on a mission to find every book he had written and illustrated. Chester, the Worldly Pig is my all time favourite so far and we have also enjoyed Buford, the Little Bighorn.

Frog and Toad are Friends

By (author) Arnold Lobel
Format: Paperback | 64 pages
Dimensions: 216mm x 274mm x 8mm | 281g
Publication date: 26 April 2012
Publication City/Country: London
ISBN 10: 000746438X
ISBN 13: 9780007464388

Frog and Toad books are beautiful books illustrating the gift of friendship to generations of children world wide.

Grandfather's Journey 

By (author) Allen Say
Illustrated by Allen Say
Format: Paperback | 32 pages
Dimensions: 236mm x 287mm x 10mm | 136g
Publication date: 27 October 2008
Publication City/Country: Boston, MA
ISBN 10: 0547076800
ISBN 13: 9780547076805

This book impacted me very deeply.  Its a story about a man who immigrates.

Little Bear's Visit

By (author) Else Holmelund Minarik
Illustrated by Maurice Sendak
Format: Paperback | 64 pages
Dimensions: 140mm x 216mm x 8mm | 45g
Publication date: 31 December 1979
Publication City/Country: New York
ISBN 10: 0064440230
ISBN 13: 9780064440233

We adore the Little Bear books, they are wonderful little books for beginner readers.

Little House

By (author) Virginia Lee Burton
Format: Paperback | 40 pages
Dimensions: 224mm x 240mm x 6mm | 181g
Publication date: 11 January 2002
Publication City/Country: Boston
ISBN 10: 039525938X
ISBN 13: 9780395259382

We were introduced to Virginia Lee Burton via Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel and have thoroughly enjoyed The Story of Ferdinand and Katy and the Big Snow many times over in the compilation book: Mike Mulligan and More: A Virginia Lee Burton Treasury

Madeline 

By (author) Ludwig Bemelmans
Format: Paperback | 56 pages
 Dimensions: 211mm x 300mm x 5mm | 227g
Publication date: 7 August 2001
Publication City/Country: New York, NY
ISBN 10: 014056439X
ISBN 13: 9780140564396

Ah Madeline you have warmed the heart of little boys and girls in our home for years and years. We have explored the world through your eyes in books like Madeline's Christmas and Madeline's Rescue

Make Way for Ducklings

By (author) Robert McClosky
Format: Paperback | 76 pages
Dimensions: 233mm x 306mm x 8mm | 295g
Publication date: 17 September 2007
Publication City/Country: New York, NY
ISBN 10: 0140564349
ISBN 13: 9780140564341

This book stretched my read aloud capability! So many made up names which had my children in fits of giggles for hours on end while we explored the famous Mallard ducks of Boston.  This book ignited my desire to see Boston for myself!

Mirette on the High Wire

By (author) Emily Arnold McCully
Format: Paperback | 32 pages
Dimensions: 198mm x 252mm x 5mm | 113g
Publication date: 5 April 2011
Publication City/Country: New York, NY
ISBN 10: 0698114434
ISBN 13: 9780698114432

A beautiful book about french culture and the encouraging heart of a child as she helps Bellini overcome his fear and live life again.

My Father's Dragon

By (author) Ruth Stiles Gannett
Illustrated by Ruth Chrisman Gannett
Format: Paperback | 74 pages
Dimensions: 117mm x 191mm x 10mm | 91g
Publication date: 27 December 2005
Publication City/Country: New York
ISBN 10: 0440421217
ISBN 13: 9780440421214

Don't let this title fool you.  The adventures to be had in this book had me back at the library to find the sequels: My Father's Dragon: Three Tales: 50th Anniversary Ed

What is the Caldecott Medal?

In short it is an annual award, awarded by the American Library Association to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.

You can read more about the award here:


FREE for you
Jill from over at Enchanted Homeschooling Mom has made this FREE Poppins Book Nook pack for you.
  • An official interactive Poppins Book Nook bookmark for this month’s theme
  • This month’s Passport pages to add to your lap book
  • Several lap book elements centered around The Laboratory.
  • Reading response writing prompt

Next month we will be visiting the woods with the Poppins Book Nook so be sure to visit us on the last Monday of June for your monthly spoonful of reading fun.
Blessings
Chareen






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Saturday 23 May 2015

HSMJ it's been all about Knights and Castles

 In my life this week…
  • I'm really looking forward to the release of War Room later this year.
  • I have been deeply saddened by the christian response towards the Dugger family :'(  So far this is the only response I feel EVERY Christian aught to have towards this situation The Duggars: What's In a Name? As Christians we should not be eating him alive but rather covering him and his whole family in prayer.  I don't know when we have forgotten but our bible says: "For ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God Romans 3:23 
Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…
In our home school this week…
Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…
  • The new Tyransaur exhibition at Science Works
  • The Melbourne Aquarium
My favourite thing this week was…
 Things I’m working on…
 On the WWW I’m reading…
 I’m cooking…
 
Blessings
Chareen


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Photo collages made with: Photoscape a FREE photo editor


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Friday 22 May 2015

Women of Empire 1914 to 1918 {Field Trip}

1914 to 1918 signifies huge changes to role of women in the world.  Women of Empire 1914 - 1918 exhibition is dedicated to the bold adventurous women who took on new roles of support to the men in the war.

This exhibition was a wonderful opportunity to meet these amazing women and to see the types of clothing that they wore. These woman traveled the world.  Some of them stayed home and did amazing things and some traveled to the Western Front but each one did their own unique contribution to keep things afloat while the men served King and Country in far off places.

Women of Empire 1914 - 1918 is an exhibition which draws on personal experience of women from Australia and New Zealand during the First World War.

The original costumes and accessories on display are from the Dressing Australia Museum of Costume Collection.

The costumes used were to display an era; of women in uniform, working women, women campaigning, women fundraising and women in mourning ... These were the Women of the Empire.

Women of Empire 1914 - 1918 was jointly presented by Dressing Australia Museum of Costume and the National Wool Museum.  The exhibition will be touring venues in Australia, New Zealand and other overseas venues.  It is a tribute to the First World War centenary and is a tribute to the EXTRAORDINARY Women of the Empire.

Photo Journal

Florrie Forde (1879 - 1940) - She would perform at up to three theaters a night to entertain the troops and nurses. Florie was born in Fitzroy Melbourne.

Louise Mack (1870 - 1935) was the first female war correspondent.  She published A Woman's Experiences in the Great War in 1915. She toured Australia as a guest speaker raising funds for the Red Cross.

Jane Sam had 16 children.  She is known for having raised a family of war hero's despite her own upbringing.


Matron Grace Wilson (1879 - 1957) was an amazing woman.  She took over a field hospital in 1915 that in her words was 'too awful for words'. The hospital supplies had not arrived and despite the conditions she encouraged the nurses under her and together made order out of chaos.  Despite all the difficulties and primitive conditions of the hospital the mortality rate was only 2%.


  • From let to right: Louisa Blanche Riggall (served as a volunteer for the Red Cross and was known for her passion and compassion. Interestingly she was refused honours back in Australia because she was not registered here.  Her family raised funds for her memorial.  
  • Olive Kelso King was an ambulance driver. She supplied her own vehicle. 
  • Laura Salmond. 
The displays were grouped together and the clothing was beautiful. I really appreciated the attention to detail in each piece of clothing on display.


Dr Elsie Dalyell (1881 - 1948) was a  is know for saving life and limb. Her pioneering protocols for the treatment of gas gangrene saved many limbs and lives. She did ground breaking work on the causes and treatment of childhood rickets.


Mary Elizabeth Chomley (1872-1960) was secretary of the Prisoners of War branch of the Australian Red Cross. She kept track of over 4,000 soldiers who were prisoners of war, keeping track of them,  made sure that they received necessities of food, books and letters. She was awarded an OBE in March 1918 in recognition of her work.

Dear Aunt Maggie ...
I am enclosing a piece of blue ribbon which we wore on ANZAC Day 25th April, the other half I have sent to Mother, it's nothing much but I think you will like to have it. I will always remember ANZAC Day.
This is an original letter written by Monty Markham to his Aunt Maggie in Brisbane on 12 May 1916, he attached a remnant of blue ribbon to the letter.  Those who served at Gallipoli wore a blue ribbon and those who had taken part in the historic landing wore a red one as well.

Queen Mary's Needlework
This piece of embroidery was completed by Queen Mary in 1911. Another interesting aspect about embroidery is that it was practiced by soldiers in rehabilitation.  It was a part of their getting well regime.

Poppy Day 


Nathaniel Ethan and Laura at the 1914+ Poppy Project.

1914+ Poppies

1914+ Poppies is a satellite project to the 5000 Poppies ANZAC Centenary Tribute. Over 4,000 poppies were created by crafters of all ages in the Geelong region and collected between 2 August 2014 - 31 January 2015.

Poppy Day Pin


The very first Poppy Day was held on the 11 th of November in 1921 at the Cenotaph in London. Thousands of silk poppies and metal poppy pins were made to raise money for the Earl Haig Fund for Ex-Servicemen. The little metal pin is stamped 'Poppy Day'.

It was a wonderful experience to be immersed is history and to see the types of clothing worn a hundred years ago and to read the amazing stories of these women's lives and the contributions they quietly made to support all those who were on the front lines of World War One.

If this exhibition comes to a museum near you make the time to go and see it it's well worth the effort.
Blessings
Chareen

Linking to:  Field Trip Friday

Thursday 21 May 2015

Popsicle Stick Puppets {Virtual Fridge}

This Week
A few weeks ago Nathaniel and his friends made some popsicle stick puppets from a kit I purchased from our local Big W.  I love the creativity of these ideas and the simplicity was even better.  All you need are some popsicle sticks, wiggly eyes, pipe cleaners, coloured paper and glue.






This Month's Theme
Welcome to the Virtual Fridge for the month of May. If you are after some inspiration our theme is FLOWERS.

This weeks Feature
This weeks feature is a tutorial from over at Royal Little Lambs: Star Wars Angry Birds Egg Carton Craft.



Your Turn

I invite you to take some photo's of your children's artistic pursuits put them in a post and link up with me I would love to come over and see the wonderful art your children have enjoyed doing.
Virtual Fridge Link Up

Blessings
Chareen

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The Virtual Fridge a weekly art meme where we can hang our children's art on a virtual fridge. This meme was started by Jennifer over at A Glimpse of our Life who kindly invited three other bloggers to co-host this weekly meme.

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