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Frog Finds a Friend

May give-away from Bookstart!

Last chance to enter the competition to receive a free picture book from Bookstart.

This month you can win a wonderful picture book from Max Velthuijs , either Frog finds a Friend or Frog is Frog.

Great books to have and to share with your children. There is a whole series of Frog books and the illustrations are terrific, simple and appealing in the same way as the Maisy series.

The Frog titles have been translated into over 50 different languages and there stories and simplicity have the same appeal the world over.

‘Frog is worried about his health: His heart is beating too fast. His friend Hare says that he must be in love – but who is he in love with?‘

From Frog in Love 1989

The Bookstart website has a huge range of information and details about future events. The front page is just a delight, watch the bear and his friends come out of the sandcastle armed with books.

The Booktrust Children’s Books site has even more information about the whole range of children’s books.

But try the May competition, there may just be chance over the holiday weekend and you may be lucky.

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Books go Walkabout is our international books and literacy project - connecting authors and illustrators with children and young people around the globe.

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Hotbook

Hotbook was launched at the Free Word Centre, Farringdon Road, London on 2nd February 2010. It was really exciting to discover this new style of accessing texts.

The message below will be beamed from the future to secondary students in the UK via the HOTBOOK, a ground breaking and free digital resource created by if:book, the think and do tank.

‘The Great Wipe hath irrayzed much of world culcha, butta few bits of licheracha haveth bn found pleez help mi choose most bestest 2 exxibit’ –
from the curator of a history of the book 2/2/3010

The HOTBOOK aims to ignite a passion for literature, by introducing and exploring fragments of great works.These are presented in ways that will excite the audience of young people, who also use electronic games and social networking as well as reading.

“Schools have good I.T. equipment and technical support, but English teachers need inspiring resources to help them stretch their digital imaginations and make creative use of the amazing potential of new media for literature,” said Chris Meade, Director of if:book, a charitable company which also offers training to teacher

‘These are a fantastically creative set of multi modal resources with which to deliver the rich experience of both language and literature at the heart of the revised curriculum at KS3’.

if1 Ellie Clarke, Head of English at Queensbridge School , one of the pilot schools, in the picture with two of the pupils and the box!

The teachers guide, is available from the website at Future of the Book.

Funding and support is given from Esmee Fairburn Trust and the Arts Council, along with Booktrust.

Perform-a-Poem

Perform-a-Poem is a terrific concept. Children perform their own poems, which are put onto a video and safely uploaded on to the web site. All you have to do is stand back and watch the performance.

Michael Rosen launched Perform-a Poem on 3rd November at the National Theatre. He wanted to create a website where it was easy for children to upload their own videos and to browse other children’s poetry.

A fantastic concept and I guess its going to grow and grow. There’s a whole host of poems that are out of copyright, such as Edward Lear and the Book of Nonsense. And you will be able to find the poem that matches your feelings, and make it come alive.

A Michael Rosen quote from the website;

“Poetry is the sound of words in your ears, it’s the look of poets in motion and that can be you. Make your poems sing, whisper, shout and float. Let the words make the rhythm and give the viewers a buzz to see you.”

It has started with support from Booktrust and the London Grid for Learning and is available across the capital. But it can be hosted by other UK learning grids.

pfp This is a web site for sharing and for children, teachers and parents to get involved in. Would be great for some Christmas poems?

Dolphin Booksellers supporting great books for children.

Children’s Laureate 2009- 2011

Anthony Browne, illustrator is the new Children’s Laureate for 2009- 2011.

Famous for many of his books, he is a brilliant choice and at Dolphin Books we send our congratulations.

It was fantastic to be present at the announcement and to feel part of the real uniqueness that the Children’s Laureateship brings to the future of children’s books for all our children.

Great to hear Anthony so enthusiastic about Picture Books, ” They’re special, perfect for sharing,. There’s a gap between pictures and words and they encourage a way of looking. They are for everyone, not just for younger children.”

His own picture books are certainly that, try Willy the Wimp or Gorilla. (…links to books below).

More details on the event and the speeches that were made will be added to the Dolphin site soon.

You can visit the home page of Dolphin Booksellers. Bringing information about the best in children’s books direct to you. Working with authors and illustrators in school book events and supporting literacy projects in a community nearby.

Amazon link for Anthony Browne

Amazon link for Willy the Wimp

Amazon link for Gorilla