The Flying Emu


Book Description

A beautifully coloured emu learns about vanity and immodesty when he and his friends race to the sun. Sally Morgan writes and illustrates some of her best short stories in this amusing and entertaining compilation. Did you know that Emu was once a colourful bird with large wings? Or that the Good Spirit created Moon to be mysterious? These are just some of the engaging Australian tales in this illustrated collection by award-winner Sally Morgan.




Henry the Flying Emu


Book Description

Henry the emu wanted to fly! But flying fish, eagles and launchers can’t seem to help. It’s only after meeting Wallagoot Jean that Henry learns about the science of orbit, and the importance of flying first with his mind...




My Place


Book Description

My Place begins with Sally Morgan tracing the experiences of her own life, growing up in suburban Perth in the fifties and sixties. Through the memories and images of her childhood and adolescence, vague hints and echoes begin to emerge, hidden knowledge is uncovered, and a fascinating story unfolds - a mystery of identity, complete with clues and suggested solutions. Sally Morgan's My Place is a deeply moving account of a search for truth, into which a whole family is gradually drawn; finally freeing the tongues of the author's mother and grandmother, allowing them to tell their own stories.




Gadi Mirrabooka


Book Description

Take a journey into the fascinating world of Australia's Aboriginal culture with this unique collection of 33 authentic, unaltered stories brought to you by three Aboriginal storyteller custodians! Unlike other compilations of tales that were modified and published without permission from the Aboriginal people, these stories are now presented with approval from Aboriginal elders in an effort to help foster a better understanding of the history and culture of the Aboriginal people. Gadi Mirrabooka, which means below the Southern Cross, introduces wonderful tales from the Dreamtime, the mystical period of Aboriginal beginning. Through these stories you can learn about customs and values, animal psychology, hunting and gathering skills, cultural norms, moral behavior, the spiritual belief system, survival skills, and food resources. A distinctive and absolutely compelling story collection, this book is an immensely valuable treasure for educators, parents, children, and adult readers. Grades K-A




The Boy Who Tried to Shrink His Name


Book Description

Perfect for fans of Alma and How She Got Her Name and Your Name is a Song, this picture book encourages readers to take up space and support each other with respect and kindness When Zimdalamashkermishkada starts at a new school, he knows he’ll have to introduce himself to lots of new people. He trips over his long name and decides to shrink it down to the shorter, simpler Zim. The nickname works fine for introductions, but deep down, it doesn’t feel right. It’s not until a new friend sees him for who he truly is that Zimdalamashkermishkada finds the confidence to step proudly into his long name. The Boy Who Tried to Shrink His Name is a warm and uplifting story that encourages young readers to celebrate their authentic selves, and proclaims that no one should ever have to shrink themselves to fit in.




The Emu Who Ran Through the Sky


Book Description

Lofty, a young emu desperately wants to win a big emu race, but he is slow and clumsy - and his first race ends in disaster! But, Lofty realises there is another way to win the race. He enlists the help of his Bush Mob friends Eagle, Sugar Glider and Bat - who are all excellent fliers - to teach him to fly. But it is Bush Mob's inventor, Platypus, who designs the Feathery Paraglider that allows Lofty to win the day!




Australia's Most Unbelievable True Stories


Book Description

Did you know that in 1932 the Australian army was called out to wage war on an invading army of 20,000...emus? Or that the first royal personage to arrive in Australia was the King of Iceland and he came as a convict? And how about the spooky phenomenon of the mischief-making Guyra Ghost? From Jim Haynes, one of our most successful and prolific tellers of yarns and bush tales, comes this ultimate collection of unbelievable true Australian stories: the unknown, the forgotten, the surprising, the truly weird and the completely inexplicable. Told with a refreshing understatement, Australia's Most Unbelievable True Stories vividly evokes a vanishing Australia when anything was possible, when characters were larger than life and the bizarre and strange were normal.




Edward the Emu


Book Description

Edward the emu was sick of the zoo, There was nowhere to go, there was nothing to do, And compared to the seals that lived right next door, Well being an emu was frankly a bore. Tired of his life as an emu, Edward decides to try being something else for a change. He tries swimming with the seals. He spends a day lounging with the lions. He even does a stint slithering with the snakes. But Edward soon discovers that being an emu may be the best thing after all. And so he returns to his pen, only to find a big surprise awaiting him. . . . Edward is tired of being an emu, so he decides to try being something else for a change. First he spends some time swimming with the seals. Next, he lounges with the lions. He even slithers with the snakes. But Edward soon discovers that being an emu may not be so bad after all. So he heads back to his pen, only to find a big surprise awaiting him . . .Sheena Knowles' upbeat, rhyming text and Rod Clement's deliciously droll illustrations are sure to make readers laugh out loud in this whimsical picture book by the creators of Edwina the Emu."If you buy one book...for sheer fun, there's no question it should be this one." San Diego Union Tribune




Stories, Time and Again


Book Description

Lively and imaginative book-based programs make it easy to engage young learners, while building their literacy and reading skills, and their love of books and reading. Your library or classroom will sizzle with excitement when you present these creative, book-based programs—and you just may have as much fun as the kids. Each of the ten chapters focuses on a popular theme or study area—Tropical Rainforests, Animals Down Under, In the Know (manners), and more—offering an annotated list of selected picture books and chapters books, and two complete programs with step-by-step instructions, materials lists, and all the reproducible patterns, scripts, and stories you'll need. Through reading, storytelling, puzzles, creative dramatics, writing exercises, arts and crafts, and more, you can engage young learners, while building their literacy and reading skills, and their love of books and reading. Children will delight in learning about amazing rainforest animals, performing a skit based on myths from ancient Egypt, writing their own fantasy stories, and holding a mouth-watering Medieval banquet. Designed for public and school libraries, these programs also fit beautifully into classroom studies. Grades K-6.




Stories in Action


Book Description

Promote the love of story, familiarize children with a variety of story forms and stimulate curiosity in diverse subjects while building basic literacy skills. In this guide, dozens of enchanting stories from around the world are accompanied by simple learning extensions for children (ages 4 through 8) that build such important literacy skills as print awareness, print motivation, vocabulary, phonological awareness, listening skills, and predicting and sequencing skills. Each of the 14 chapters begins with an interactive, illustrated folktale finger play as the starting point for a range of literacy building activities such as acting out, re-telling, writing, and discussions; and ends with a short list of related books. A great resource for library story hour, the book will also be invaluable to storytellers, teachers, day care centers, and after school programs. Grades PreK-3. Enchant children with these interactive stories while building a solid foundation for literacy in young learners. This guide is designed to promote in children (ages 4 through 8) the love of story, familiarize them with a variety of story forms, stimulate curiosity in diverse subjects, and build literacy skills. It offers approximately 40 engaging and interactive tales from around the world along with related activities, and it provides educators and storytellers with a wealth of exciting material for literacy and storytelling programs. The book is organized in three sections-Exploring Structures of Stories, Exploring Themes and Characters through Stories, and Exploring Cultures through Stories. Each of the 14 chapters begins with an interactive, illustrated folktale finger play as starting point for a range of literacy building activities such as acting out, re-telling, writing, and discussions. Related stories and picture book references build upon such themes as tall tales, sharing, magical helpers, and the rain forest. Tips for working with younger children, as well as gifted and older children are also included. Grades PreK-3.