Are you a teacher looking for a literacy lesson plan about friendship, community and sharing spaces? Or looking to download some cute colouring pages for your kids? Look no further than The Big Backyard Plan resources! Available for free download are full teaching notes and a three page colouring in activity designed by both author and illustrator.
Camping at Yamba last weekend I went to see Moana 2. It was fun but two things I especially loved.
1. Maui’s song - Can I Get A Chee Hoo? Such a great motivational concept of levelling up. Reminded me of a video game, was super catchy and fun and I think kids will really get it.
It got me thinking about how when you are a kid you are levelling up all the time. Aussie kids especially need to keep levelling up around water. It’s a big part of our way of life so being confident around water is super important for safety. And it can also be heaps of fun. But for some kids pushing out of their comfort zone is scary. I was one of those kids.
So, with the first warm weather of summer leading up to the holidays I wanted to share three picture books that show the joy, courage and satisfaction that comes with doing something hard or scary in the water for the first time. Any one of them would make a wonderful gift.
🌊 Over or Under by @piphaz and @hilaryjeantapper (Lothian Children’s, 2024)
Over and Under is a new picture book that looks at learning to swim in the waves. In big surf every wave has you asking yourself – over or under? - and Maisy is learning this for the very first time.
☀️ Jetty Jumping by @andrearowe_coastwriter and @hannahmsommerville (Little hare, 2021)
Award winning Jetty Jumping looks at summer fun down at the jetty. Milla watches her friends jump off the jetty into the cool refreshing water but it’s a long way down and she is scared to try.
💦 Like a Gannet by @kirstenealand and @debi_hudson (Windy Hollow, 2024)
Like A Gannet is mine so I won’t go on about it. But it explores going off the diving board at the local pool for the first time and all the emotions little Francie goes through.
All three books have a retro feel that reminds me of long-ago summer days in the water with friends, carefree and full of freedom taking small safe risks by trying new things, but with parents or older kids nearby if you needed them.
Which reminds me of the second thing I especially loved...
2. The Yamba Cinema – all the retro 80’s childhood beach feels right there – no mall in sight with kids lined all the way up the street.
Happy reading! Happy swimming! Happy days!
All year I have loved being a part of the #debutcrew2024 📚 and I’m super happy to say - it’s finally my turn 🤸🏽♀️🤸🏿♂️🤸🏽♀️
A huge congratulations to the next five of us who are now officially published authors 🤗
📚 Here are our October releases ...
🥳 Like a Gannet Launch 🥳
Thank you to everyone who came along to Murwillumbah Library yesterday to help @debi_hudson and I launch our new picture book Like a Gannet! 🥰 🙏
It was so wonderful to have a packed house of family, friends, colleagues and kidlit crew @writelinks celebrating with us 🥳 Thank you for your amazing support 🙏
It was so lovely to meet Deb for the first time 🤗🎨 Thanks for coming all the way from Melbourne and bringing Mike - what fun we had 💛
Thanks @zewlanmoor for being our perfect MC 😘
Thanks to Kym and everyone at @richmondtweedregionallibrary Murwillumbah branch for sharing your beautiful space and making us feel so welcome 🙏
Thanks for selling books for us @boardwalkbooks - and yay we sold out!!! 🥳
Loved seeing all the children who came along to enjoy the story, craft and cupcakes 📚✂️🧁 I loved reading Like a Gannet to you for the very first time! 💛
💦 Urrah! I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect debut launch!!!
I loved doing the Twelve Curly Questions with Kids Book Review. I have linked to the Kids Book Review page down below if you want to check it out.
1. Tell us something hardly anyone knows about you.
I came equal dux of my primary school because I very unexpectedly topped the grade in creative writing with my story A day in the Life of a Car. Wish I kept it – I’d love to read it now.
2. What is your nickname?
Family and old school friends call me Kirst, though I was Big Bird for a while in high school after the incident of the bright yellow dress.
3. What is your greatest fear?
Putting aside my biggest mortal fear of bad things happening to people I love, my biggest everyday fear is getting a chai latte when I ask for a chai tea – it’s a totally different drink and it really needs a totally different name.
4. Describe your writing style in 10 words.
Fresh, relatable and hopefully leaving the world a better place.
5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
Supportive, interested, considered, honest, playful.
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