Title: The Dreadful Fluff Author: Aaron Blabey Illustrator: Aaron Blabey Publisher: Penguin ISBN: 9780670075997 Themes: Beauty, Perfection, Self Image, Narcissism, Fear, Choice, Change, Imperfections, Growth, Control, Loss of Control Oooh oooh oooh ooooooooh, I think I just had a bookgasm… Was that too much? Sorry… Aaron Blabey, creator of Stanley Paste, Pearl Barley, Charlie Parsley, [...]
Over the last few years I’ve collected a number of Christmas books, let’s face it, there are hundreds of them out there, the catch is that there aren’t enough quality Christmas Picture Books out there, books that inspire wondering, awe and the re-imagining of the Christmas story and what it might mean for us today, here. [...]
I’ve a few more songs to add to my top 10 alternative Christmas songs, but before I do I should let you all know about the Sufjan Stevens Christmas Project. Sufjan had released a Christmas album, (actually it was 5 albums in 1) back in 2006 and this week he’s released another Christmas anthology, “Silver [...]
So… Uno becoming a bit boring? Here’s a few ideas to spice it up a bit… It really depends on how silly you want to make the game… When a yellow card goes down everyone has to snap the pile and last person to do that either a) gets the pile or b) picks up [...]
I’ve hosted a number of Advent Workshops over the years, and during the time I’ve collected a number of alternative Christmas songs, songs that perhaps might not get regular airplay over Christmas time, especially during worship or around the candles at Carols by Candlelight. A confession: I’m not a fan of christmas carols, I’ve been [...]
Title: Empty Fridge Author: Gaetan Doremus Illustrator: Gaetan Doremus Publisher: Wilkins Farago ISBN: 9780987109934 Teacher’s Notes by Jaclyn Small: Notes for Teachers and Parents Advance Information Sheet: Advance Information Sheet Look inside the book: Empty Fridge Themes: Food, Friendship, Community, Sharing, Neighbour, Neighbourhood, Inclusion, Generosity, Dreams, Recipes, Imagination, Business, Slowing Down, Cooking, Miracle, Scarcity, Abundance Winner, 2010 Grauoilly Children’s Choice Prize [...]
Title: This is Not My Hat Author: Jon Klassen Illustrator: Jon Klassen Publisher: Candlewick Press ISBN: 978-0763655990 Themes: morals, stealing, revenge, anger, excuses, moralising, ethics “This is Not My Hat” is a perfect sequel to Jon’s previous, beautiful and hilarious “This is Not My Hat.” Where the previous release told a story from the viewpoint of [...]
Title: I Want My Hat Back Author: Jon Klassen Illustrator: Jon Klassen Publisher: Walker Books Ltd ISBN: 978-1406336832 Themes: Community, responsibility, Lost things, crime, theft, forgiveness I’m going to have to stop saying things like “I’ve found a new favourite illustrator” or “this has got to be one of my favourite books from the last [...]
I’ve been running Advent Workshops going on 10 years now, I’ve collected so many Advent and Christmas resources and ideas that, if a community ever decides to give me the reigns for a couple of years I’d be at a loss for where to start… Last year my community started Advent by creating our own [...]
Title: The ABC Book of Christmas Author: Mark Macleod Illustrator: Various Artists Publisher: ABC Books ISBN: 9780733324819 Themes: Christmas, Wonder, Art, Nativity, Story, Advent ‘And there in the stable this special baby was born, just as the angel Gabriel had said.’ In this beautiful picture book, Australia’s most-loved children′s illustrators have chosen their favourite Nativity scene to illustrate. Featuring the artwork [...]
