Eliza

Favourite books: Mystery, real life and recommended books

Best book I’ve read lately:  Life of Pi by Yann Martel

Favourite childhood book: Enid Blyton books

Peter

Favourite books: Harry Potter series

Currently reading: The Hunger Games (third book)

Peter has also just ordered a new series online, ‘The Mortal Instruments’, which is in the genre of Urban Fantasy by Cassandra Clare.

Mikaela

Favourite books: True stories

Currently reading: The Horse Whisperer by Nicholas Evans

Favourite childhood book: The Cat in the Hat by Dr Seuss

Favourite magazine: Dolly

Chelsea

Favourite book: Goosebumps series by R.L. Stine

Favourite childhood book: Barbie ‘Fairytopia’

Currently reading: Fangtastic from the My Sister the Vampire series by Sienna Mercer

Likes:  Horror/Scary books

Eren

Favourite books: War-themed books (real life)

Last book completed: Twilight by Stephanie Meyers

Favourite childhood author: Roald Dahl

Favourite magazines: Road bike magazines

Where’s the best place to read?

At home relaxing on the couch or in bed of a night.

What was the last book that you couldn’t put down?

Dreamcatcher by Stephen King – a story about a group of childhood friends who as adults are attacked by aliens while on a trip.

What would you like to read next?

On Writing: A memoir of the craft by Stephen King – a perspective on the formation of a writer.

Can you recall the first book that made an impact on you. In what way?

The 12th Planet by Zecharia Sitchin – theorises that biblical history relates to aliens visiting earth – a great read!

What’s your favourite book to share with children?

1001 Children’s Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up – a fantastic literacy resource for kids and parents.

Education Institute staff and children took picture books, novels, research papers, magazines, e-books and newspapers and sat down for some spontaneous reading to highlight the variety of ways in which we can improve our literacy simply by stopping to read for just twenty minutes a day.

We enjoyed the experience so much that we have plans for a regular silent reading block in our calendars!

What is the best place to read?

My favourite place to read is somewhere warm, at the beach or sitting somewhere outside. On a cold rainy day I like to snuggle up in a warm bed, I find it so relaxing.

What was the last book that you couldn’t put down?

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and the Girl Who Played with Fire.

What would you like to read next?

I’m currently reading the third book, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest.

Can you recall the first book that made an impact on you and in what way?

This is very old school, Flowers in the Attic by VC Andrews. This was my first step into the adult reading world. It impacted me because I’d lived a pretty sheltered childhood and couldn’t imagine a story like that happening. My mum assured me it was fiction, but it made me really think.

What’s your favourite book to share with children?

Again a bit old school, when I was working in classrooms I liked to read to the class Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume. The characters in this book I found the students could really relate to and they loved the expression I used with one of the characters, Fudge. It’s very funny.

Much-loved children’s author and illustrator Alison Lester began her national tour at the RCH as the inaugural Australian Children’s Laureate, an honour that is awarded to an Australian author and/or illustrator of children’s literature who is making a significant contribution to the children’s literature canon of this country.

Alison Lester is as much of a celebrity to Aussie mums and dads as she is to children—ask nearly any Australian parent of a toddler or teen and they will tell you they know of Alison’s charming work that includes best-selling titles such as ‘Clive Eats Alligators’, ‘Ernie Dances to the Didgeridoo’ and the award-winning ‘Are We There Yet?’.

Alison shared some of her favourite illustration techniques with patients in the Day Medical clinic and presented a hands-on watercolour painting workshop with budding artists on the Kelpie ward.

After the workshop, a crowd of young fans sank into comfy beanbags on Main Street to hear Alison read from some of her most popular books.

“I was a little bit nervous about coming here today,” said Alison.

“I wanted to do a really good job because there’s no-one who really wants to be unwell and in hospital, but I was really happy that it turned out to be such a beautiful day,” she said.

In the weeks leading up to Alison’s visit, RCH teachers immersed hospital wards and clinics in a celebration of Alison Lester books and children produced reviews, collages, rhymes and multimedia works inspired by Alison’s books. Some of this work can now be seen in the Children’s Galleries on ward corridors.

Alison’s visit was a highlight of The Royal Children’s Hospital’s celebration of National Year of Reading. The RCH signed up as a partner of the 2012 National Year of Reading, joining state, public and school libraries, and community groups around the country in an initiative that promotes reading and literacy.

Heather Sawyers is a Nurse Educator on the Cockatoo Ward at The Royal Children’s Hospital.

What is the best place to read?

I like to read anywhere outside but when I have the chance, my favourite place to read is the beach.

What was the last book that you couldn’t put down?

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

What would you like to read next?

The next book in this trilogy.

Can you recall the first book that made an impact on you and in what way?

Anne of Green Gables because it was so different to my lifestyle growing up.

What’s your favourite book to share with children?

I don’t have one yet, but I look forward to finding one when I have my baby!

*Thanks Heather, good luck with discovering books to share with your baby!

Lily is a Nurse on the Cockatoo Ward at The Royal Children’s Hospital.

What is the best place to read?

On the beach.

What was the last book that you couldn’t put down?

The Seamstress by Maria Duenas.

What would you like to read next?

The Hunger Games.

Can you recall the first book that made an impact on you and in what way?

Tomorrow When the War Began by John Marsden and the whole series – I couldn’t stop reading these books.

What’s your favourite book to share with children?

The Hairy Maclary books by Lynley Dodd.

What is the best place to read?

On the train. It’s the only place I don’t get interrupted.

What was the last book that you couldn’t put down?

I read War and Peace over the last summer holidays. I loved the way it could be 30 degrees outside but still you feel like you are riding over the Russian steppes in a horse drawn sleigh, wrapped up in a fur cloak with the snow in your face.

What would you like to read next?

Autumn Laing by Alex Miller. He is one of my favourite Australian authors.

Can you recall the first book that made an impact on you and in what way?

When I was quite young my brother had a little golden book about volcanoes. I loved that book so much that I was convinced I would grow up to study volcanoes. When I was ten my family went to live in England for a year and on the way we stopped at Pompeii especially for me. That triggered a fascination with archaeology which lasted all through school, undergraduate and postgraduate studies and ten years of working on archaeological sites across the Middle East and Central Asia.

What’s your favourite book to share with children?

I love reading to my kids, and watching the way they learn and progress form the simplest stories to being independent readers (who still like to be read to even when they are quite big). There are so many good ones out there for all ages that it’s hard to choose, but I do think that Dr Suess is one of my favourite authors to read aloud. His use of language is always spot on and a pleasure to read, along with his wacky illustrations which are so much fun.

What is the best place to read?

Outside in the garden.

What was the last book that you couldn’t put down?

A book by Matthew Reilly called Scarecrow and the Army of Thieves – it was like watching an action movie full of explosions and near misses. Very entertaining!

What would you like to read next?

The Julian Assange autobiography – it seems like an interesting story, full of intrigue.

Can you recall the first book that made an impact on you and in what way?

Child of the Coral Coast – this book is the reason that I fell in love with Australia. When I was a kid, I was mesmerised by the pictures and what I imagined Australia to look like – when I was old enough, I found a way to come to Australia and study.

What’s your favourite book to share with children?

I don’t have any children myself, but I think the most interesting books for kids are those that teach them a lesson, without being too obvious about it. I think of Harry Potter and I can see why it’s so popular – it has lessons within it about friendship and loyalty and bravery but it doesn’t shove those lessons down the reader’s throat.

Every year on 21 March UNESCO celebrates the World Poetry Day to support linguistic diversity through poetic expression and to offer endangered languages the opportunity to be heard within their communities.

RCH teachers will be reading and composing poems with children today, exploring the music, rhythm and emotive qualities that make poetry so enchanting.

Perhaps you can take some time today to reflect on a poem that has inspired you.

A fantastic National Year of Reading initiative is An Australian Poem a Day.  This website  shares a poem a day initially drawn from The ABC Book of Australian poetry, selected especially for young people. The website will feature a rich variety of poems from favourites like Banjo Patterson and Henry Kendall to contemporaries such as Judith Wright and Steven Herrick.

You can follow An Australian Poem a Day on Twitter at @ozpoems.

Alison is a prolific author/illustrator with a long list of award-winning and best-selling books to her name.

We love this video of Alison Lester on Techniques where she demonstrates her use of watercolour, pencil and stencils. This video is part of the Look! The art of Australian picture books today exhibition, which features original artwork, sketches and drawings by more than 40 Australian illustrators and is currently touring Australia for National Year of Reading.

Thanks to the State Library of Victoria, there are some fantastic resources to support the Look! exhibition on the website.

The LitWorld website explains that ‘World Read Aloud Day is about taking action to show the world that the right to read and write belongs to all people. World Read Aloud Day motivates children, teens, and adults worldwide to celebrate the power of words, especially those words that are shared from one person to another, and creates a community of readers advocating for every child’s right to a safe education and access to books and technology.

By raising our voices together on this day we show the world’s children that we support their future: that they have the right to read, to write, and to share their words to change the world.’

The Royal Children’s Hospital celebrated World Read Aloud Day with story time sessions presented  in outpatient waiting areas. A cosy corner filled with beanbags was installed and parents with babies and young children were entertained by popular children’s books read aloud by our talented teachers.

Across hospital wards, RCH teachers continued the read aloud theme and shared stories with inpatients. There were several Alison Lester books read aloud on the day, in preparation for our exciting visit from the Australian Children’s Laureate in a couple of weeks. We can’t wait to report on that event soon!

In the meantime, Happy Reading!

RCH Leading Teacher, Tara Linke explains.

“For this project patients are creating beginner books that are aimed at encouraging a love of reading for babies and toddlers.  So far, all of the students that have participated in this project have planned, authored and illustrated their book using original ideas,” Tara says.

“Initially students use a ‘storyboard’ and this enables them to plan out each page, including the front and back cover, so they have a plan of text and illustrations.”

“They then create the book either by hand or using a variety of iPad apps such as Draw Free and Doodle Buddy.  Each book is then reproduced so there are multiple copies to be given out and each copy is laminated and bound. We plan to circulate these BookStart books to families on the Butterfly ward (for neo-natal patients), at local maternal and child health centres, as well as to newborns and toddlers on other wards in the hospital,” says Tara.

“Each book has a blurb about the project along with the author’s name and age.  One long term teenage student was initially reluctant to participate in the project but when she thought of a toddler she had met in the waiting room of an outpatients clinic, she decided she would like to make a book especially for this boy. She made not just one book, but TWO for her young friend.  Another teenage patient who has been restricted to lying on her  back for approximately 10 weeks engaged in this project and enjoyed the challenge of planning, writing and illustrating a book with the outcome of promoting reading among younger learners,” smiles Tara.

Where’s the best place to read?

Anywhere! But I do love to read on the train and I always read before going to bed – very relaxing!

What was the last book that you couldn’t put down?

The Secret River by Kate Grenville.  A sometimes chilling read which tells the story of white settlement on the Hawkesbury River through the eyes of one convict William Thornhill, sent to Australia for stealing from barges.  Apparently Kate Grenville wrote the book following a search into her own family history.  I’m looking forward to reading the sequel.

What would you like to read next?

The sequel to The Secret River, titled Sarah Thornhill.

Can you recall the first book that made an impact on you. In what way?

My dad used to read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy to my siblings and I as children.  He used to put on funny voices for all the different characters and we absolutely loved it.

What’s your favourite book to share with children?

Anything with rhymes in it.  My niece and I have been reading All Together Now by Phil Cummings and Cassandra Allen.  You can’t get away with reading it just once!

What is the best place to read?

Anywhere that is comfortable and I won’t be interrupted too many times.

What was the last book that you read?

Black Tide by Peter Temple.  I read this for my Book Club. It was an interesting thriller and Australian.

What would you like to read next?

Caleb’s Crossing by Geraldine Brooks.

Can you recall the first book that made an impact on you and in what way?

When I was younger, my sister tried to get me to read the James Bond stories as I was a very reluctant reader. Like many parents, I always read my children’s school novels and later, when time and physical condition demanded more rest I took up reading more enthusiastically.

What’s your favourite book to share with children?

I always love reading books to children, especially my own. I refer to it as sharing stories or experiences. I guess the first would be what the child would like but otherwise, The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame (with a box of tissues nearby), Possum Magic by Mem Fox, anything by Colin Thiele, and Roald Dahl and Paul Jennings are always good for a laugh.

What is the best place to read?

Outside in the sun – preferably on the grass  :-)

What was the last book that you couldn’t put down?

Angels and Demons by Dan Brown, though my last National Geographic issue has some fantastic articles. I really enjoy reading non-fiction articles, particularly focusing on conservation, animals and world culture.

What would you like to read next?

I will read my next monthly issue of National Geographic.

Can you recall the first book that made an impact on you and in what way?

Roald Dahl was my favourite author growing up. I love his books Fantastic Mr Fox, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, The Twits, The Witches, The BFG and of course, his first biography, Boy. Roald Dahl has a great writing style, weaving mischievousness throughout his stories, which you can relate to and it provides lots of giggles. I also really loved The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis.

What’s your favourite book to share with children?

For older kids I like The Lorax by Dr Seuss, which has a great message for environmental awareness. My last Year 7 class really enjoyed Paravana by Deborah Ellis and Far North by Will Hobbs.

I also really like sharing The Wonkey Donkey by Craig Smith with the younger children.

When you open a book, you open your mind,

Open your mind to any place in the world your imagination leads you to,

Over the years as we mature,

We lose our imagination and it fades away,

All you have to do is open a book,

You can travel at anytime and go to any place,

It’s as easy as 1,2,3 read…

By Isabella

Where’s the best place to read?

My favourite place is in my living room, on my couch, especially in the morning when the sun streams in the window and warms my back and shoulders. Mmmm!

What was the last book that you couldn’t put down?

The Slap by Christos Tsiolkas. I’m always interested in books and movies that capture a slice of contemporary life and this book certainly does that. It provokes reflection on families, friendships, parenting styles and the fragility of relationships. A really great read!

What would you like to read next?

I’m keen to read something by Elliot Perlman, possibly Seven Types of Ambiguity or his latest novel, The Street Sweeper. People have recommended this author to me.

Can you recall the first book that made an impact on you? In what way?

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. This book was written in the 1800s and I got it for Christmas when I was about 10 years old. I loved it and read it many times. I subsequently read the sequels, Good Wives and Jo’s Boys but it was Little Women that made the biggest impression on me. I loved the main characters, all female, and still to this day often find myself drawn to books and films that focus on the lives and stories of women.

Where’s the best place to read?

In a library or in my bedroom.

What’s the last book you couldn’t put down?

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

What would you like to read next?

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

Can you recall the first book that made an impact on you and why?

Chinese Cinderella by Adeline Yen Mah. The book was written really well, it took me on a journey and into someone else’s mind.

Thanks Izzy for contributing to our RCH Reads blog!

Where’s the best place to read?

In the bath.

What was the last book that you couldn’t put down?

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling.

What would you like to read next?

Patricia Cornwell’s  Red Mist.

Can you recall the first book that made an impact on you. In what way?

Alice Walker’s The Color Purple. It was the first time I had really been exposed to racism and poverty and it started a real interest in social justice for me.

What’s your favourite book to share with children?

There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly by Pam Adams.

Where’s the best place to read?

In a hammock under the shade on hot day.

What was the last book that you couldn’t put down?

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

What would you like to read next?

Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer

Can you recall the first book that made an impact on you. In what way?

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. I loved the characters in this book and I became addicted to analysing characters in my head in a lot more depth.

What’s your favourite book to share with children?

Sunday Chutney by Aaron Blabley is my favourite book to read with children.  It is about a girl who moves around a lot because of her parents work.  She is also in love with her optometrist.

Where’s the best place to read?

In a hammock somewhere peaceful, for me, by the Murray River!

What was the last book that you couldn’t put down?

Lost and Found: The true story of Jaycee Lee Dugard and the abduction that shocked the world.

What would you like to read next?

Footprints – The  inside story of Australia’s best-loved band Powderfinger

Can you recall the first book that made an impact on you. In what way?

It was one of the books from the ‘Little Golden Book’ series, called Grandma and Grandpa Smith.

My Nanna and Pa are Smith’s and Nanna used to read it to us whenever we stayed there when we were little. She would change the kids’ names in the books to mine and my brothers’.  We thought it was about us!

What’s your favourite book to share with children?

I think The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a great one, it’s easy for kids to get involved in and will never date!

Where’s the best place to read?

Sitting in the sun… next to a pool… or on a beach… somewhere exotic!

What was the last book that you couldn’t put down?

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, I hadn’t had the pleasure of reading this book during my childhood and it was given to me recently by a colleague. I am only part-way through but it’s a fantastic story!

What would you like to read next?

Steve Jobs: Exclusive Biography by Walter Isaacson. I am a bit of a geek and one of my friends recommended it to me.

And Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang by Chelsea Handler, who is my favourite comedian.

Can you recall the first book that made an impact on you. In what way?

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak and Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar. The illustrations were fantastic and I loved reading these books over and over when I was a kid.

What’s your favourite book to share with children?

The Wonkey Donkey by Craig Smith – especially with the song that goes with it, young children really enjoy this book.