Sally Murphy's Blog, page 8

Teaching Poetry in 2024? Right Way Down has teaching notes

Exciting news for teachers – and for me! Fremantle Press has produced Teaching Notes for Right Way Down, now available for free on their website here.

In case you missed  my earlier posts about this book, Right Way Down  is an anthology of  contemporary poetry for primary aged readers, suitable for classroom use and for private reading. It is coedited by Rebecca M. Newman and myself, illustrated by Briony Stewart, published by Fremantle Press in collaboration with Alphabet Soup Books, and including poetry on all kinds of topics and in a range of forms, from some amazing poets.

So, if you are thinking about how to include more poetry in your classroom this year (and  why wouldn’t you?) check out the teaching notes now and mark February 27 in your diary for the relapse of the book (of course you can pre-order it now to ensure you get your copy!).

And, if you are looking for a complementary book, and even more poetry and poetry teaching ideas, my PETAA publication Teaching Poetry for Pleasure and Purpose is still available, and includes lesson ideas, resources and poems for every primary year group.

But wait – there’s more! Because if you are looking for someone to visit your school and inspire your students about the fun and magic of reading and writing poetry – I’m your girl. I can also run Professional Learning for you and your colleagues.  I love poetry so much I made it the topic of my doctoral studies which kind of sort of makes me a doctor of poetry and means I LOVE to talk about poetry.

 

One or two (or more) goals for 2024

Happy Monday!

Like so many people, I have been thinking about what it is I want to  achieve in 2024. Although I am not a big fan of the idea of setting a single resolution – which just feels like a way of feeling like a   whole year can be a pass/fail depending on whether I quit something, or achieve something specific, what I do like to do is to think about goals for the year ahead – things I would like to focus on throughout the year, whether they are measurable or not.

I already posted about my guiding word for the year: Pause (or, as I explained in Friday’s post, paws).  But as today is the official start of my work year,  I thought it might be helpful to share what it is I am working on and towards this year.

Firstly, the things I have scheduled:

The release of Right Way Down in March. I am so proud to have co-edited this anthology with Rebecca Newman, (illustrated by Briony Stewart and co-published by Fremantle Press and Alphabet Soup) and cannot wait to share poems by some amazing children’s poets with the world.  I hope to sing the wonders of this book, and the words and images far and wide – and to spread the love of poetry wherever and whenever I can.The release of The Riding Gallery mid year. This is a verse novel, illustrated by Martina Heiduczek and published by Waker Books. In something a little different for me, it is a historical verse novel, set in St Kilda and using multiple voices.   I can’t wait to share this story with the world. It is based on a true story, that of a German immigrant and merry-go-round proprietor, and I really look forward to  sharing it with readers of all ages.I have had two conference papers accepted for conferences in May – one in France and the other in Singapore. I am just waiting for word on funding before I start planning this trip and writing these papers – one about children’s poetry and the other about juvenilia, and a book I wrote when I was in primary school.My study leave. I am lucky enough to have six months of academic study leave from my job at Curtin University. This is such a wonderful git of time and space to work on a new project – I am planning to research and write a historical novel. More details on this as I go, as it is still a little nebulous – I have a time period, a setting, and some real events, but am still working my way into the storyline as I deep dive into the research part.

Onto the things then that I want to achieve in that time, and the year as a whole:

The completion of that historical novel with a goal to have it drafted before I go back to my regular work in July.The finalisation of the middle grade prose novel (My Remarkable Year) I drafted on my May Gibbs Fellowship in in October. This is close to being ready to submit, so I really hope it might find a home this year.A new verse novel contract. Whether this happens is, as with every publishing contract, out of my hands, but I have two contenders here and would dearly love to see one of them be my next verse novel.A picture book contract. It’s been quite some time since I had a new picture book, so in 2024 I really hope to break back into this space. I’ve been fine tuning and submitting a couple of manuscripts over the past few months, and will keep plugging away at this, with many fingers and toes crossed. I love the magic of picture books. I am also investigating the possibility of doing a small self-publishing project to bring one or two of my out of print picturebooks back to life.An academic book chapter. I have a proposal accepted and due this month. So that is a priority over the next few weeks. Once that is completed I also hope to look at some other academic writing ideas, all about aspects of children’s literature.More poems. I aim to draft a new poem every week. Sometimes I share these on Poetry Friday, but I also submit to the School Magazine, anthology call outs and other new markets and contests. I Last year I had nine poems accepted (most of which will be published this year) and I would like to maintain that level of publication.

That is a lot, but I also have some aspirations for this year, which I will keep bubbling away as I try to figure out whether I have the time and the talent to pursue them.

I have not one, but two nonfiction book ideas for the adult market. Both of these are topics I really really want to explore and write about – but as you’ll see from my list above, I do have a lot planned this year, so realistically may not be able to achieve these. But neither idea will leave me alone, so at present I just keep making notes and pondering, and will see what happens after I have ticked off my study leave priorities.A podcast. Again two ideas, one related to one of the nonfiction ideas and another one. I have things to say, ideas to share, BUT little idea of the realities of putting together a podcast. So, we shall see. In the meantime, I would love to be a guest on more podcasts this year.More stories. Like so many writers, I have a  list of stories that I simply MUST write, or revise, or find homes for, and in my ideal world I would achieve all of the above plus give each of the stories on my list the time and energy they deserve.  This goal sits at the end of a long list not because it doesn’t matter, but because choices have to be made about what to prioritise. But I know that before the year is out one or more of these projects will put its hand up and demand to be worked on, NOW.

To help me achieve some of the above – especially around getting the word out about Right Way Down and The Riding Gallery, I am very much hoping to get and about and do more speaking this year. I love speaking at festivals, schools, libraries, conferences, events of all kinds and sizes – and if you are reading this and are looking for a speaker, drop me a line.

I’m also hoping to keep up with sharing my writing and life journey, as well as my reading and learning, here on the blog, via social media and more.

With so many things on my list, it would look like a busy year is planned, and it is – but, with the blessing of  six months to write, and the reminder of my word for the year to pause,  what unites all of this is not a need to hurry, but to savour the writing, the reading the speaking and the living. I hope you’ll savour it with me.

Poetry Friday: Pause/Paws

It’s Poetry Friday.  In 2024 I aim to post more regularly –  poetry is so integral not just to who I am as a writer,  or as an educator, but as a person, and the Poetry Friday community is one I really love being part of.

I started the year, as I do most years, by choosing a word that will hopefully guide my actions this year. My Word for 2024 is PAUSE. 

As you can see, I considered lots of other words, taking a while to select a word that really covered what I’m aiming for, but pause feels a good fit.

I plan to pause more to enjoy the small wonders in my everyday life. But also to pause to be more present when I encounter people who matter to me – family and friends. And, in moments of potential overwhelm, I want to remember to pause to breathe and refocus on what is truly important, and to consider how I’m going to meet a goal, or overcome a challenge.

It’s fitting too that pause is a homophone for paws, because George and Narelle both make sure I pause each day – George making sure I enjoy the great outdoors even on days I think I don’t feel like it, and Narelle reminding me that it is absolutely to just take a moment or three to sit and stroke a cat.

In honour of these two, I took a moment to draft a poem about what they bring to my days.

Paws

Busy days

Long days

Tough days and rough days.

Tired days

Wired days

Happy days or sad days.

Meh days

Bleh days

Feeling-not-so-sure days.

Any day

Every day

Is better when you paws.

(Sally Murphy, 2024)

In addition to a word, I have also spent some time this week  setting some goals for my work year, and getting clear on what it is that really matters to me in 2024. And, although I will post about some of those goals in another post, I do keep coming back to wanting to slow down, take time, enjoy my furry friends and my human ones, and pause.

Speaking of friends, Poetry Friday is hosted today by Marcie, who is also sharing her one word for the year. Head to her post to see what other poetry goodness has been shared.

What I Read in December 2023

Time to reflect on what I read last month – and, because it’s also a new year, my the year as a whole. In December I  cleaned out my to-read cupboard, and when I counted up how many books are waiting for my attention, realised I needed to perhaps not buy any new books in December. I did manage that, even though it was a challenge.  So, all bar two of the 14 books I read came from that cupboard. The exceptions were the Trixie Belden book, which I had to dig out of a storage crate in my back shed, and a Christmas book which was a gift.  So, here’s what I read in December.

Books for Children Secret of the Unseen Treasure , by Kathyrn Kenny (Golden Press, 1977). When I was in primary school I adored the Trixie Belden series, and much later bought the whole series off ebay for my own children to enjoy. But it had been some time since I read one for myself. I chose this one because of its title, and enjoyed getting back into Trixie’s adventures. One Wrong Turn, by Chenee Marrapodi (Fremantle Press, 2023). I loved this story of ballet rivalry, belonging and the challenges of trying to follow dreams while still maintaining friendships and other responsibilities. The two characters both dream of being professional ballerinas, but their rivalry threatens to derail these plans. You don’t have to love ballet as much as this pair in order to really relate to this story. Space Kids: Mars Mission, by Aleesah Darlison, illustrated by Nancy Bevington (Big Sky, 2023). This was a review copy I picked up out of my to-read pile. I hadn’t read the other titles in the series, but was pleased to see it stands alone so although a young reader might like to read them in order, they could still enjoy it on its own. A group of kids living on a Space Station where their parents work, and, in this instalment, an adventure to Mars. Super Sloth Episode 1: The Shar-Wolf of New York City, by Aleesah Darlison, illustrated by Cheri Hughes (Big Sky, 2023). Another from my review pile, by the same author. The first in a series featuring an unlikely superhero – a sloth named Romeo who, with his new friends, rescues New York from a mutant shar-wolf. The Bookseller’s Apprentice, by Amelia Mellor (Affirm press, 2022). Not sure why it took me so long to get around to reading this which was in my to-read pile for over a year.  It’s a delight to read – filled with action, magic, nastiness and loveliness, set in a magical  late 1800s Melbourne.The Sixpenny Island, by Ruth Park, illustrated by David Cox (Ure Smith, 1968).  I picked this up at a second hand book sale and enjoyed it – the story of an English family who, newly arrived in Australia, win a remote tropical island in a lottery, and decide to spend time there. I was surprised when I went looking for it for sale online to link to, to find that it seems quite rare, and also fetches a good price second hand so it seems I scored myself a bargain. Clancy’s Cabin, by Margaret Mahy (Puffin Books, 1987, first published 1977). Another second hand treasure as three siblings have an adventure holidaying in the cabin their father played in as a child, and solving a mystery.Stuff and Nonsense, Compiled by Michael Dugan, illustrated by Deborah Niland (Collins, 1974). And another second hand find. An anthology of nonsense and humorous poems, some by Dugan and others from further afield, including a sprinkling written by children. Brigid Lucy Wants a Pet, by Leonie Norrington, illustrated by Tamsin Ainslie (Little Hare, 2011). And yes yet another second hand treasure. Not sure how I missed this series when it was new, but glad I at least read this one. What’s not to love about a story narrated by an imp – which lives, unseen, in Brigid’s hair, giving us a close up into Brigid’s life as she navigates life, trying hard to be good. Toodle the Cavoodle: Crunchy Munchy, by Richard Tulloch & Heidi Cooper Smith (Big Sky, 2023). When I tidied up my to-read pile , I sat down and read three picture books in one sitting, all review copies from the one publisher. Not a bad way to spend an hour.  I’ve read a Toodle book before, and love the rendering of this little dog and his adventures. This time Toodle realises there is something wrong with one of the humans on Lillipilly Lane and needs to raise the alarm. Who’s the Gang on Our Street?, by Susanne Gervay & Nancy Bevington (Big Sky, 2023).  Another delight – this time focussing on a much-loved local Australian gang – of the bird variety. Cheeky sulphur-crested cockatoos flit through the pages, with readers encouraged to guess who they are. Ruby’s Rescue, by Elizabeth Mary Cummings & Cheri Hughes (Big Sky, 2023). The third of the three picture books, focussing on the plight of animals injured during bushfires. Stepfather Christmas: A Festive Countdown Story in 25 Chapters, by L.D. Lapinski (Orion, 2023). What a cool concept for a book – a Christmas story with 25 stories so that you read one chapter each day (or night) in December, culminating oat Christmas – so, in effect, an Advent book. Even cooler for me was that it was gift from my gorgeous friend Tamara reads, meaning I could imagine her reading the same chapter each day.Books for Adults Cellnight: A verse novel, by John Kinsella (Transit Lounge, 2023). A beautifully wrought verse novel – told in ‘spindle’ sonnets and moving between protests against visiting nuclear armed US ships to Fremantle in the 1980s as well as events before and after in a novel that challenges power in many forms.

 

This brings my total for 2023 to 133 books. This is 34 less than I read in 2022, which is fine – I actually had a goal to not worry about numbers, but about quality and enjoying what I read.  And I did, especially enjoying the number of classic Australian children’s books i read, especially ones I’d not read before, thanks to various second hand book shopping expeditions – planned and unplanned.

In 2024 I aim, again, to not worry about quantity, though I would like to significantly reduce the to-read pile which takes up a lot of cupboard space. There are two ways to do this – by reading them all or by moving them from there to by general shelves.  Probably I need to not do the latter, as my shelves are already overflowing.  I do feel that I need to either get more bookshelves, or actually do  more rehoming of books so that instead of sitting unread they get to be in the hands of other readers.

Anyway, too many books is a lovely problem to have, so I am not worried about it – just pondering a dilemma many book lovers have. To keep or to share. And i like to do a bit of both.

Here’s to an excellent year of reading coming to an end, and to an equally excellent one beginning. I’d love to hear what YOU have been reading.

Poetry Friday: A Gift in the Mail and the Gift of Time

Happy Poetry Friday. Today is a  happy day for me because it is my last day at my university job for the year AND after I have taken my annual leave, I have been gifted six months of time to write courtesy of academic study leave.  In some places this is called a sabbatical, but whatever you call it, I feel very very blessed that for the first six months of 2024 I will be focussed on researching and writing a historical novel, as well as new poetry and a chapter for an academic book. Apparently this is work, but to me it feels like a precious gift of time to do the thing that I am best at – and I intend to treasure the experience.

Another happy thing this week was a gift in the mail, courtesy of the annual Poetry Friday holiday swap, where Poetry Fridayers from around the world swap poems and other small gifts.  My gift came from Tabatha Yeatts, who moved me to tears with her thoughtful poems – yes, that’s right, not just one poem, but four. Each poem was a six word poem, (or hya(na)ku) which  was a lovely thing as I have shared this form a few times here on my blog . Even lovelier though was the thoughtfulness of the topics, from dogs to beaches and more.

Of course George loved this one best:

humdrum

triumphs, disasters

pup celebrates everything

(Tabatha Yeatts, 2023)

with the beach poem a close second:

sea

water knows

most fathomless self

(Tabatha Yeatts, 2023)

This one made me feel that Tabatha was connecting with my propensity to write about tough topics, and I love the idea of adversity providing rich compost for future growth:

 

adversity

buried in

imagination’s compost heap

(Tabatha Yeatts, 2023)

But, although it’s hard to have a favourite, this one took my breath away:

big

bang – story

explodes from core

(Tabatha Yeatts, 2023)

Why this one? Because Tabatha didn’t know it, but I am currently working on a story where an explosion is a central plot point. I had to browse my blog to double check whether or not I had shared this fact – but it would seem one of those lovely moments of serendipity.

So thank you Tabatha for the gift of poetry, and for also connecting Poetry Fridayers through this annual exchange. And for the unplanned inspiration to keep working on that story!

And speaking of inspiration, I am off to browse the other Poetry Friday posts. Today’s Roundup is hosted by Janice.

 

What I Read in November 2023

Time for my second last reading roundup for the year. November was a busy month but I still managed to read 16 books – a total helped by the fact that lots of them were picture books.  Here’s what I read:

Books for Children Friendly Bee and Friends: Woe is for Worm!, by Sean E. Avery (Walker Books, 2023).The second book featuring Friendly Bee and her friends – this time featuring Bee, Angry Wasp, Enormous Hairy Spider – and Pessimistic Earthworm. Lots of fun. Sean Avery is a genius. Raised by Moths, by Charlie Archbold & Michelle Conn (Midnight Sun, 2023).I was lucky enough to attend the launch for this while on my recent trip to Adelaide. Whimsical but also with a lovely exploration of belonging and childhood. The illustrations are divine. The Wheelbarrow Express (Walker Books, 2023). My copy is signed by the author – because she came for a sleepover on her recent trip to WA. How lucky am I that Sue Whiting is my friend? So I know I am a little biased, but this book is just wonderful, with a tale of a boy and his grandfather, with wheelbarrow rides, tender connections and love. Again, the illustrations are perfect.Madame Cholet’s Picnic Party, by Elisabeth Beresford, illustrated by Margaret Gordon (Ernest Benn, 1976).  I picked this one up in an op shop some time ago, and then read it late one evening when I wanted something light. I loved the Wombles when I was a child, and enjoyed a little glimpse back into their world. Mr Clownfish, Miss Anemone and the Hermit Crab, by Sean E. Avery (Walker Books, 2023). I adore Sean Avery – and his quirky books. This delightful picture book is about friendship, bravery and under water fun. Pog, by Lyn Lee, illustrated by Kim Gamble (Omnibus, 2000). Another bargain opshop rescue,. What a delight to rediscover this brave little monster who is, like the other monsters, scared of one thing – children. Nikki Hind: Dressed for Success, by John Dickson & Chantel de Sousa (Vision Australia, 2023). One of my reading delights this month was reading this one, and the two others (see below) that make up the Big Visions pack. This one tells the story of fashion designer Nikki Hind,  who lives with a vision impairment and has a successful fashion label. Craig Shanahan: Cooking up a Storm (Big Visions), by John Dickson and Claudia Frittitta (Vision Australia, 2023). Also part of the Big Visions imprint, this one is the biography of chef Craig Shanahan, aka ‘the blind chef’. Matt Formston: Surfing in the Dark, by John Dickson and Philip Bunting (Vision Australia, 2023). The third title in the Big Visions pack, which I was sent by Vision Australia. This one tells the story of Matt Formston, world champion surfer and cycling Paralympian. I love that these three books can work together or individually, in biographies that share amazing stories of people living wi9th vision impairment. Each includes the details of that impairment, and its progress but this is just part of each person’s story, with achievements and everyday life being a key part of each story.  With  the stories told in good sized bold font, as well as in braille, the books will be accessible to readers with any level of vision and this makes such a wonderful aid both for school and home use. It would be excellent to see these books in mainstream libraries making the stories, and their amazing subjects,  accessible to all young readers. City of Light, by Julia Lawrinson, illustrated by Heather Potter & Mark Jackson (Wild Dog, 2023). I was really happy to see this book come into the world, because it’s a topic I have long thought would make an excellent picture book. It’s the story of Perth’s label as the City of Light, after the people of Perth turned on their lights so that John Glenn could see them from space. Also, one of the illustrators, heather Potter, also illustrated my Pearl Verses the World which led, indirectly, to me needing to write a story about a cat.The Lucky Shack, by Apsara Baldovino & Jennifer Falkner (Working Title Press, 2023). I bought this after hearing the illustrator speak at the State Library of WA’s Young Reader’s Day Out recently. When she showed the images I sighed at their perfection and knew I had to own the book. So lovely.Books for Young AdultsNew Patches for Old, by Christobel Mattingley (Puffin, 1977). Picked up second hand on my recent trip to Adelaide, along with other Mattingley titles, giving me a chance to get to know her work better. The story of a teen (Patricia) who is really unhappy about migrating from England to Australia – and the journey to rebuilding her life. Ask No Questions, by Eva Collins (Puncher & Wattman, 2022). It was coincidence that I read this one and the Mattingley one sequentially, but both deal with the experiences of migrants to Australia. This one is an autobiographical verse novel about the a Polish family coming to Australia during the cold war.  Excellent poetry, and a perspective I found enlightening.Books for Adults

1. Things I Don’t Want to Know, by Deborah Levy (Penguin, 2013). I ordered this from my local bookshop after it was recommended on a podcast – but can’t for the life of me remember which podcast, or who recommended it. Still, I’m glad that past-Sally raced in and ordered it, and  really adored this, billed as ‘living autobiography, and exploring writing, womanhood, and the way childhood experiences have shaped the author’s ‘now’.  I am likely to order the two subsequent books, though it stands alone beautifully.

2. How to Love the World: Poems of Gratitude and Hope, edited by James Crews (Storey Publishing, 2021). What a beautiful beautiful anthology. From the format, with a cover to die for and hug, to the selection of poems to inspire, to reassure and to love, and little pauses for reflection throughout. I savoured this over about a month, reading a poem or two at a time.

3. The Red Witch: A Biography of Katharine Susannah Prichard, by Nathan Hobby (Miegunyah Press, 2022). This one took me a while to read – I actually started it in late August. That isn’t a reflection on its quality – but as it is quite dense, I put it aside a few times for lighter, quicker reads, finding I needed the head space to concentrate. A really thorough examination of the life, works and times of  author Katharine Susannah Prichard.

 

 

That brings my total for the year to 119. Happy with that – and there’s still a month to go. What have you been reading?

 

A Big Day Out

Yesterday I was lucky enough to meet and chat with young readers and their families at the Young Readers’ Day Out, an initiative of SCBWI West and the State Library of WA.

This event offers young readers the chance to hear from and see some of WA’s best creators of children’s books and I was awed by the readings, drawings and entertainment offered by luminaries including Julia Lawrinson,  Cristy Burne, Renee Treml, Sean Avery and more.  And of course, I got to trot out the tiara and get the audience to help me with some enthusiastic Narelling.

 

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Christmas is Coming (and signed books make excellent gifts)

It’s only 38 days until Christmas and if you, like me, are behind in your Christmas shopping, let me remind you that giving a young person in your life a book signed by a real author is a wonderful way to celebrate reading.

I don’t often do a direct sell through my website (or elsewhere) because I love when shoppers support book and mortar book stores.  But I do have some books which are no longer available in stores, and so, if you would like one of the following books, drop me a line and we can arrange a sale. You will also be helping me to clean out my book cupboard and perhaps pay for some travel for research in the new year.

 Doggy Duo. Published way back in 2003, this was my first ever trade title, published by Banana Books, and illustrated by Teresa Culkin-Lawrence. Featuring two chapter book stories for younger readers, this has a unique format – the two stories are published back to back, so one cover says Little Dog, the other The Dog Ate My Homework, and when the reader finishes the first, they close the book, flip it and start the other.  Because of its age, and the fact that I have quite a lot of stock of this one, price is $8 posted anywhere in Australia.Snowy’s Christmas. This very Australian picture book (published by Random House and illustrated by David Murphy)  tells the story of Snowy, a white kangaroo who – you guessed it – gets to help Santa pull his sleigh. Perfect for Australian kids, but also for sending overseas. Price is $20 including postage anywhere in Australia.Pemberthy Bear. One of my earliest picture books, this hard covering offering was illustrated by award winning artist Jacqui Grantford, and published by new Frontier. What’s not to love about a rhyming tale of a grumpy bear who is gradually persuaded to sing a duet?  Limited stock of this one. Price is $30 posted anywhere in Australia.The Floatingest Frog. Another picture book, illustrated by Simon Bosch and also published by New Frontier, this is a fun story about sibling rivalry, as well as a retelling of an Aesop’s fable.  Posted anywhere in Australia for $25.

I also have limited stock of  The Sage Cookson series (8 titles) and Brace Yourself  (links will give you more info on each title). Contact me for prices including postage.

Still in print and therefore hopefully available from a brick and mortar bookstore near you:

Queen Narelle

Worse Things

Bushfire

Looking Up

Roses are Blue

Do Not Forget Australia

Toppling

Pearl Verses the World

(NB – I support local book sellers by not actively hand selling my books in print. But if you can’t get a copy locally, or super duper want a signed copy, contact me)

Cheering for the Challenge Winners

This year I was privileged to play a small role in the Premier’s Reading Challenge WA – as a Challenge Cheersquad member. My job was to cheer on the readers across the state who did an amazing job of reading for pleasure – with more than 360 000 books read and logged in 16 weeks.

Yesterday I attended a ceremony at Parliament House where prizes were given to the readers in each age group who read the most books, as well as to four readers who were randomly drawn (a lovely initiative because while quantity is wonderful, simply participating is equally wonderful), and then also to the schools in different enrolment categories who had the greatest participation.

What I loved about yesterday’s event was the joy in the room from everyone from the young readers, to the educators, members of the challenge staff, politicians, including the Premier and the Minister for Education, and other MPs who came along because a child from their electorate was there. A real recognition that reading matters – and, specifically, that reading for pleasure matters. It was also lovely to join fellow cheersquad members, Chenee Marapodi , who did an awesome job as event MC, and Norman Jorgensen.

You can see some lovely official photos on the Premier’s Facebook post about the event. 

And if you are not sure why I am SO excited about the Challenge being back in WA, not only do I love reading and seeing children read, but as an educator I know  that there is evidence backed research  evidence that Reading for Pleasure is more significant than a raft of other factors in a child’s educational success. That is reading for pleasure leads to better outcomes not only in literacy, but across all subjects (yes, even science and maths). And, of course, not only does reading make you smarter, but it makes you nicer – ie it builds emotional regulation, empathy and more.

So, the Premier’s Reading Challenge is not just about counting books, and feel good moments like yesterday’s – it is an investment in the future of our young people, and thus in our whole society.

SLowvember: The Word

Through my Instagram account (which you will find here), I am challenging myself with something I call Slowvember.  The idea is that, in the midst of what is often a very busy month in my life, I am giving myself a word each day as a prompt to stop, contemplate, and slow down for at least a moment or two each day.

And it’s going well. I have completed the first seven days, and surprised myself with some of the connections my brain makes to each word.   Then, this evening, I sat down to read a poem or two out of a poetry anthology I am reading slowly, How to Love the World , and coincidentally, the poem I read was The Word, by Tony Hoagland, which you can read in full here, where it appears with permission. The idea of writing ‘sunlight’ on a to-do list is very much what I find myself doing, and even more so during Slowvember, and I love Hoagland’s rejoinder that ‘among your duties, pleasure/is a thing/that also needs accomplishing.’ Amen!

You don’t need to do Slowvember to take a moment to enjoy sunlight, or smells, or sights, or whatever it is that gives you pleasure, but I do wish you moments of pleasure this month. And, if you want to follow along by completing one or more prompt, feel free.