The Best Australian Picture Books for Reading Aloud.
Reading aloud to your kids is important. Very Important. It's also fun. Fun for kids and fun for adults too. But often it's hard to know what to read. Which books are good books?
This lens is devoted to the best Australian picture books for reading aloud. I own all the books listed here and read them all the time to my little girl. We love them all - for different reasons - but all the books here are tried and tested. They all have great stories, great pictures, and lots of room for having fun while reading. I recommend the whole lot of them!
Read Aloud to your Kids
It's the best thing you can do for them - ever.
I believe that reading aloud to kids is VITALLY important. As well as tonnes of fun.If you have any doubts about the benefits of reading aloud to your kids, then READ THIS BOOK: Reading Magic by Mem Fox.
Reading Magic is an inspirational read for adults. I read this book in a single afternoon. I couldn't put it down. I learned how to read aloud to my daughter, how to let go and have fun reading aloud, how to choose better books for her and how to see that she actually is a whole lot cleverer than I thought she was.
Reading Magic
Reading Magic: Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever
Amazon Price: $9.60 (as of 12/03/2008)
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The TEN Read Aloud COMMANDMENTS
Mem Fox's Rules for Reading
1. Spend at least ten wildly happy minutes every single day reading aloud.2. Read at least three stories a day: it may be the same story three times. Children need to hear a thousand stories before they can begin to learn to read.
3. Read aloud with animation. Listen to your own voice and don't be dull, or flat, or boring. Hang loose and be loud, have fun and laugh a lot.
4. Read with joy and enjoyment: real enjoyment for yourself and great joy for the listeners.
5. Read the stories that the kids love, over and over and over again, and always read in the same 'tune' for each book: i.e. with the same intonations on each page, each time.
6. Let children hear lots of language by talking to them constantly about the pictures, or anything else connected to the book; or sing any old song that you can remember; or say nursery rhymes in a bouncy way; or be noisy together doing clapping games.
7. Look for rhyme, rhythm or repetition in books for young children, and make sure the books are really short.
8. Play games with the things that you and the child can see on the page, such as letting kids finish rhymes, and finding the letters that start the child's name and yours, remembering that it's never work, it's always a fabulous game.
9. Never ever teach reading, or get tense around books.
10. Please read aloud every day, mums and dads, because you just love being with your child, not because it's the right thing to do.
Mem Fox is an Australian literacy and read aloud expert and consultant. She has written many books for children, including Hattie and the Fox and Where is the Green Sheep? Visit Mem Fox's website at www.memfox.net
Possum Magic
If you're not an Australian reader, and you're thinking you might like to read an Aussie book to your children, if you only pick one, make it this one.
If you are an Aussie parent, and you haven't read Possum Magic to your kids yet, I hate to say it but, shame. Go out and buy it now. It's a treasure.
I have a first edition that I'm very proud of that stays on the 'special shelf' as well as a recent paperback edition for the kid to shred, drool over, make food offerings to the characters etc, you know what I'm saying.
Possum Magic (Voyager Books)
Amazon Price: $7.00 (as of 12/03/2008)
The illustrations by Julia Vivas are just beautiful, and the story is delightful.
"Once upon a time, but not very long ago, deep in the Australian bush lived two possums..."
Yes, I can recite the whole thing.
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How to read aloud...
1. Get a child.2. Get a book.
3. Read the book to the child.
Of course, that's just the basics.
Reading aloud is as much about spending time with your child, so get cozy and get comfortable. Cuddle up on the sofa, snuggle under the covers in bed, throw a blanket over the coffee table and read under there...
Be as expressive as possible. Make the reading a performance. The more expressively you read, the more exciting the story will be, and the more your child will want to be able to read herself.
Read a book exactly the same way each time. Let it become like music - a 'tune' that a child can easily remember and later pretend to read themselves using the same tune and expressions.
Use your face and your eyes when you read. Find your happy face, do lots of smiling, frowning, thinking, pondering. Be shocked and surprised when necessary, be scared or sad, if it's called for. Expressions on your face will bring much more power to the story than simply reading it.
And use your voice - but DON'T read in a patronizing, teacher-y tone. Children know when you're talking down to them.
Use contrasts like fast and slow, loud and soft, high and low, always remember to pause (for dramatic effect). Children's books are often very short on words, so every word has been carefully chosen by the author. Every word has meaning and depth, it's just up to you to find it, use it, and delight your listeners with it.
Expressive reading will be remembered.
Classic Australian Picture Books
I Went Walking
Amazon Price: $6.95 (as of 12/03/2008)
John Brown, Rose and the Midnight Cat (Picture Puffin)
Amazon Price: (as of 12/03/2008)
One Woolly Wombat
Amazon Price: $7.95 (as of 12/03/2008)
Wombat Stew
Amazon Price: (as of 12/03/2008)
"Always choose books that you like.
You may end up reading them five thousand times."
How to Heal a Broken Wing
by Bob Graham
This book is very highly recommended for readers aged 2 to 6 years - and everyone else.
How to Heal a Broken Wing
Amazon Price: $11.55 (as of 12/03/2008)
In a spare urban fable, Bob Graham brings us one small boy, one loving family, and one miraculous story of hope and healing.
"No one saw the bird fall."
In a city full of hurried people, only young Will notices the bird lying hurt on the ground. With the help of his sympathetic mother, he gently wraps the injured bird and takes it home. In classic Bob Graham style, the beauty is in the details: the careful ministrations with an eyedropper, the bedroom filled with animal memorabilia, the saving of the single feather as a good-luck charm for the bird's return to the sky. Wistful and uplifting, here is a tale of possibility - and of the souls who never doubt its power.
Whose Nose?
These books offer great potential for lots of loud animal noises while reading. They are very loud, very fun books, of course, are great for learning parts of the face and body.
For very young readers and babes.
Whose Nose?
Amazon Price: (as of 12/03/2008)
Whose Ears?
Amazon Price: (as of 12/03/2008)
Whose Tail? (Whose? series)
Amazon Price: (as of 12/03/2008)
Whose Baby? (Whose? series)
Amazon Price: (as of 12/03/2008)
Whose Feet?
Amazon Price: (as of 12/03/2008)
Reading Aloud is The Most Important Thing
The benefits to your child of reading aloud cannot be stressed enough. Your kid will be smarter, will learn to talk and read earlier, will be able to concentrate better at school, will learn to love reading and love education.
Better than than, reading aloud is good for parents too. It's FUN!!! It's a great time to get silly with your kids and make animals noises and do funny voices. You'll be the star of the show and the center of your kids' attention. Who can resist that?
Margaret Wild
Piglet and Mama
Piglet looses her Mama in the farmyard. Lots of animal noises and cuddling when reading this book. For younger babes.
Amazon Price: $11.66 (as of 12/03/2008)
Piglet and Papa
Piglet and Papa have a little disagreement, and Piglet worries until she realises all is forgiven.
Amazon Price: $11.96 (as of 12/03/2008)
Fox
A haunting story for older children - I'd say 6 and up. Beautiful illustrations, but an edgy story about friendship, cruelty and betrayal.
Amazon Price: $7.95 (as of 12/03/2008)
Nighty Night!
All the baby animals in the farmyard engage the usual stalling tactics at bedtime!
Amazon Price: $12.92 (as of 12/03/2008)
Miss Lily's Fabulous Pink Feather Boa
The Last Potoroo feels fabulous and confident and ready to tackle anything when she sets her eyes on the pink feather boa.
Amazon Price: $9.00 (as of 12/03/2008)
Diary of a Wombat
Diary of a Wombat (Ala Notable Children's Books. Younger Readers (Awards))
Amazon Price: $10.66 (as of 12/03/2008)
Thoroughly wonderful examination of the hectic schedule of your average wombat. Very easy for just beginning readers - and strangely, extremely funny for 1.5 year olds. It is funny, but I haven't yet figured out why it's *that* funny - but hey.
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How often do you read aloud to your kids?
Shaun Tan
There is so much depth in all of his illustrations. You can stare at them for ages. And his subjects are often challenging, always interesting and always entertaining.
Shaun Tan's books are 'special books' in our house. They live on the 'special shelf' and go straight back to the 'special shelf' after we read them. I love them so much I don't really want to share them, but of course I do.
The Red Tree
A beautiful book dealing with childhood depression in a very sensitive and touching manner. I adore this book, and feel very privileged to have an original sketch from the book.
Amazon Price: $11.53 (as of 12/03/2008)
The Rabbits
A tale about invasion from the perspective of the original inhabitants. The text by John Marsden uses the effect of arrival of rabbits in Australia on native animals as a reflection of the trials of the Aboriginal people when White Man arrived. It is a story that is relevant in so many countries around the world.
Amazon Price: $11.53 (as of 12/03/2008)
The Arrival
With absolutely no words at all, this remarkable book traces the journey of a number of immigrants to a strange new country. It is about loneliness and belonging and friendship and family. It is beautiful.
Amazon Price: $13.59 (as of 12/03/2008)
The Lost Thing
The Lost Thing is marvelous. With a far less emotional story than Shaun's other books, this is a fun book, with illustrations you can completely loose yourself in.
Amazon Price: (as of 12/03/2008)
Imagine - Alison Lester
Imagine
Amazon Price: $6.95 (as of 12/03/2008)
"Imagine if we were deep in the jungle, where butterflies drift and jaguars prowl, where parakeets squawk and wild monkeys howl..."
Then turn the page be transported to the jungle filled with animals of every imaginable species.
More Mem Fox
Just because I can...
Time for Bed
Absolutely essential. We read it every night....
Amazon Price: $10.88 (as of 12/03/2008)
A Particular Cow
Very funny from a slightly more grown up perspective. Lots of potential for funny animal noises whilst reading.
Amazon Price: $10.88 (as of 12/03/2008)
Koala Lou
A good book for first children dealing with second and third children 'stealing' all of mummy's love and time.
Amazon Price: $7.00 (as of 12/03/2008)
Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge (Public Television Storytime Books)
A sweet story bringing toddlers and great-grandparent's generations together. Ever so slightly weepy for grown-ups.
Amazon Price: $7.95 (as of 12/03/2008)
Tough Boris
Tough Pirates cry too. Especially when they loose their pets.
Amazon Price: $7.00 (as of 12/03/2008)
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Edward and Edwina the Emu(s) - and Olga the Brolga
Edward the Emu
Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 12/03/2008)
Edwina the Emu
Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 12/03/2008)
Olga the Brolga
Amazon Price: (as of 12/03/2008)
Who Sank the Boat?
"Who Sank the Boat?" is undoubtedly her best book, though many of the others are just as good. It's such a favourite in our house I've had to buy a second copy already as the first copy has taken quite a beating.
Who Sank the Boat? (Paperstar)
Amazon Price: $5.99 (as of 12/03/2008)
"Beside the sea, on Mr Peffer's place, there lived a cow, a donkey, a sheep, a pig, and a tiny little mouse..." And one day they decided to go for a row in a tiny tiny boat.
It doesn't take much to guess what happens, but on each page our little readers are asked "do you know who sank the boat?"
Last few faves
Lizzie Nonsense (Bccb Blue Ribbon Picture Book Awards (Awards))
A little girl's imagination helps her family stay strong. Set in Australia's pioneer days.
Amazon Price: $11.25 (as of 12/03/2008)
The Bunyip of Berkeley's Creek (Picture Puffin)
A bunyip wonders about beauty and learns how it lies in your heart, rather than your skin.
Amazon Price: (as of 12/03/2008)
Animalia (Picture Puffins)
The bestseller from years ago. Great for helping little-un's learn their animals.
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 12/03/2008)
Bollygum
Wombats are just the cutest things in the world. No other reason, really.
Amazon Price: (as of 12/03/2008)
- How to Write a Great Children's Book
- Robyn Opie, author of more than 70 published children's books (Australia) reveals inside information on how to write for children and get published!
- Become a Children's Writer - Insider Secrets
- This book is jam-packed with writing tips and tricks by children's author, Jill McDougall. Jill published over 100 books for children in 6 years. In her book, Jill shares stacks of insider secrets to help writers fast-track their careers.
- Learn how to draw 50 animals
- Have a great time drawing with your kids. Learn how to draw 50 different animals.
What is the favourite book in your house?
Treasures-By-Brenda wrote...
My teenage boys (16 and 14) recently read aloud with a friend the combined book which has the titles If you give a mouse a cookie, moose a muffin, etc. in it. For them it was a trip down memory lane, for me it was just plain fantastic and I took some great photos!
Posted August 06, 2008
RedPanda25 wrote...
This is a really fantastic lens! You did a really great job! Also, Welcome to my Children's Books Group. 5*
Posted August 04, 2008
Barkely wrote...
I enjoy reading to my son, he's 9 so probably in a few years he'll think he's too old for it.
Posted May 14, 2008
Jimmie wrote...
We are homeschoolers, so although my daughter is almost 9, I read aloud to her daily. I love your quote about chosing books YOU like because you'll end up reading them over and over. So true! I remember one farm book my then toddler loved. I was sick as a dog on on the couch, but I had the book memorized and could "read" it to her with my eyes shut!
Posted May 08, 2008
- Mem Fox - Australian children's book author
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