My Friend Nigel by Jo Hodgkinson

Title: My Friend Nigel
Author & Illustrator: Jo Hodgkinson
Publisher: Anderson Press

This hilarious story is about a little boy named Billy and his dear friend Nigel, who happens to be a snail. Billy's parents have a hard time understanding the new friendship and attempt to convince Billy that he would suit another pet. 

My Friend Nigel is filled with bright and colourful illustrations that keep the reader intrigued. I guarantee that on every page their is quirky and interesting picture that entertains the reader and keeps them wanting more. 

The exciting and rhyming text allows the story to unfold and become more alive on each page. It also encourages children to consider who their special friend is, and why they are so unique and important to them.It is a feel good book filled with many laughs that both adults and children will enjoy. 

My Friend Nigel is all about the true magic of friendship.

It's Okay To Be Different by Todd Parr

Title: It's Okay To Be Different
Author: Todd Parr
Illustrations: Todd Parr

Publisher: Little and Brown Company

 

 

It's Okay to Be Different is a colourful picture book that helps children to accept that we are all diverse and never quite the same. By addressing that we are all different, students are able to express themselves and also make sense of the people around them.

The simple yet effective illustrations make for more entertaining reading, the illustration style could easily be implemented within an art unit.

This would be an effective picture book to read at the beginning of the school year, when children are being critical of each other,and also for a topic unit about cultural diversity. 

 

The Girls in the Kapahaka by Angie Belcher

Title: The Girls in the Kapahaka
Author: Angie Belcher
Illustrations: Debbie Tipuna
Publishers: Reed Publishing

The Girls in the Kapahaka is a beautifully illustrated picture book which teaches children about the different aspects of Kapahaka. These aspects include the poi and taiaha, piupiu, and Waiata. 

It briefly touches on the roles of both female and males, and would be a great picture book to read before Kapahaka to extend children's understanding.

A bonus of this book is the glossary which not only provides new vocabulary and meanings, but also provides pronunciations. I found this especially useful for a new entrant class, as this is the first time they have been exposed to Te Reo Maori.

The Girls in the Kapahaka is a great book to either introduce Kapahaka to children, or extend their current vocabulary.

This is the Kuia who made the piupiu that swished and swirled,
that swung from the hips of the girls in the Kapahaka.

Oh, No Mister Possum by Erin Devlin

Title: Oh, No Mister Possum!
Author: Erin Devlin
Illustrations: Greg O'Donnell
Publishers: Penguin Group

Oh, No Mr Possum is a fantastic picture book for children. It not only entertains readers but also educates them about the effects that possums have on New Zealand native bush. It encourages children to consider why possums are a pest here in New Zealand, as opposed to a protective species in Australia.

New Zealander Greg O' Donnell's illustrations complement the narrative fantastically, and are very original and interesting.

This book comes with a sing-a-long CD that can be used when reading the book, which is very motivating and exciting for younger readers. Would also be very easy to create hand actions to go along with text. The narrative could be used for various age groups in primary school (especially in the junior school). It would be very useful when beginning an inquiry learning unit, based around some of the key themes.

"Oh, Mr Possum, no, no, no,no!
Don't eat my trees, don't eat my leaves.
Hey, Mister Possum, no, no, no!
Don't eat my trees, I beg you, please"

 

Steel Pelicans by Des Hunt

Title:     Steel Pelicans
Author: Des Hunt


Steel Pelicans offers readers excitement, explosions, and delves into the dynamics of family relationships and friendships. The story is set in both Australia and New Zealand, where a boy named Pelly experiences some life changes that influence many things including school, friends, and the ultimate Steel Pelicans.

I read this novel to a year 7-8 class during my second teaching practicum. Everyday the students begged me to keep reading as they became immersed in Pelly's story. The plot encouraged the students to think critically about decisions made throughout the book and offer alternatives and different perspective. A brilliant book to use within the classroom to engage, entertain, inspire, and motivate the more reluctant readers.


Des Hunt's Steel Pelicans is action packed, but also heart warming which means there's something for everyone.