Some Bookish Things

The high school that my daughters attended, in conjunction with local service organisations such as Rotary and Lions, have put a call out for children’s books. Both fiction and non-fiction books are required to establish libraries in Vanuatu.

They did this last year and it was a huge success. “ We collected enough books to fill 11 libraries in schools that had never had libraries before, with 26 shelves per library.” Way to go or what!

Another local Rotary Club holds an annual fundraiser selling preloved books donated mainly by the State Library of Queensland. I’ve already started collecting my $2 coins in a jar.

All monies raised will be donated to The Sycamore School, “a Primary School (Prep to Year 6) for young people living with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The school provides a safe and inclusive educational environment with programs supported by allied health, aimed at achieving academic, social, emotional and behavioural goals”.

This school, also just up the road, was created by a couple with a child on the spectrum, and though only a few years old is gaining huge inroads in ensuring these kiddies find their place.

My local Library also held an Author talk recently. Charlotte Nash, a Redlands lass, writes romantic fiction which has achieved international success. Romance is not my thing, but I went along to hear her speak and she was phenomenal. I still don’t need to read her books though her command of language was so fluid, so easy, I could listen to her all day long.

And my recent find at the weekend markets : a box set of C S Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia books for the princely sum of $2. Bargain.

I loved Prince Caspian at Primary School where I had an older, male teacher who encouraged his charges to read outside of the curriculum and to sing Bob Dylan and Joan Baez songs. Will get through them quickly so they can join the boat trip to Vanuatu.

Isn’t it just marvellous that books can bring so much joy to so many people in so many different places?

Children’s Literature And Stamps

Growing up as a child in Australia in the sixties I have fond memories of play with my friends involving Cowboys and Indians, Malvern Scooters, Slippery Dips, Marble tournaments and Stamp collections. That’s correct. Stamp collections. When rain prevented outdoor play we gathered at a mate’s home to swap postage stamps before adding any new additions to our albums. We would exchange stamps with the same enthusiasm that we exchanged football cards or the plastic jewellrey found in breakfast cereal boxes.

Yes, okay, so I was a nerd.

My enthusiasm for stamps waned many, many years ago when I became more interested in glitter eyeshadow and collecting vinyl LP records. Waned, not stopped completely, as to this day I continue to collect the colourful postage stamps of the Cocos Keeling Islands.

Yes, I’m still a borderline nerd.

Each year Australia Post honours individuals who are leaders in their field of endeavour, having dedicated their adult lives to their chosen pursuit, shaping Australian society and culture in the process.

A longtime favourite.

This year’s recipients are celebrated and award-winning authors – talented creators of narrative books and picture books for young people, from the youngest readers through to adolescents.

The Legends of Children’s Literature stamp issue, released for Australia Day, honours Mem Fox AM, Morris Gleitzman, Leigh Hobbs, Alison Lester and Shaun Tan. 

The 2019 Australian Legends of Children’s Literature stamp issue comprises of five $1 stamps, a first day cover, stamp pack, maxicard set, five booklets of ten $1 stamps, and a booklet collection pack.

Just remember : “ The President of today is just the postage stamp of tomorrow”.