Book Review

The Story of Barbar

Author: Jean De Brunhoff

Babar runs from a hunter who killed his mother, finally coming to a town where he makes friends with a rich benefactor. But Babar is the kind of elephant who doesn't just rest on charity; he works hard to learn people's ways and be accepted into society. Still, he must eventually return to his own kind, the elephants, who give him the highest tribute when they see the results of his hard effort.

First published in 1933, this book has become a classic beloved by generations of parents and children. Its long staying power attests to its value, and yet, in retrospect, one suspects it would not be published if it were offered to editors today. But, indeed, its simple charm lies in its innocence, its matter-of-fact presentation of all aspects of life, its value system, and its celebration of flexibility, wonder, acceptance, hard work, and happy pursuit of using one's gifts to make others happy.

The detailed primary-color chromatic art and line drawings are reminiscent of Margaret Wise Brown's classic Goodnight Moon. So many children, their children, and their children's children who have enjoyed this book and all the others by Jean de Brunhoff for so long know that not everything in life has to make sense, but that trying to behave sensibly has its rewards.

www.commonsensemedia.org

Try this - Making your own Hotdog Book

The Hot Dog Booklet has a front and back cover and six pages inside. You can use any size paper. For a book from recycled materials, use the front panel of a grocery bag or any piece of paper with writing on only one side. The writing should be on the inside when you make the first fold. To make multiple copies of a book, make a blank book with plain copy paper (no writing on either side). Write and illustrate your book with black marker or pen. Open the sheet and lay it face down on a copier. Make as many copies as you want. Fold and cut each one.

1. Fold the paper in half the long way, like a hot dog.

2. Open the paper and fold it in half the short way, like a hamburger.

3. Take one layer of paper, flip the edge back to meet the fold, and crease.

4. Turn the paper over, flip the edge of the paper back to meet the fold, and crease.

5. Place the paper on the table so that you          see a W when you look at the end.

6. Cut the centre of the W along the centre fold. You'll be cutting through two layers of paper and stopping at the cross fold.

7. Turn your wrists to the sides. You will have an open book with four sections.

Bring three of the sections together. Fold the last section on top of the other three so that you have a flat book

Homework for learners

 

Doing homework is always a bit of a pain for children, especially if there are other, more fun things to do after school, like go play with friends or watch TV, or play computer games, or read something fun

But! Learning to do your homework regularly isn’t just about being up to date for school-it’s also about learning how to manage your time, and meeting deadlines. It’s about developing a work ethic. Habits of behaviour develop in childhood, just like the way we learn to speak or walk-making sure you do your homework every day is a way you grow into a hard working adult. Doing your homework first, before you play, means you won’t have to freak out about being in trouble for not having completed your work, and that will make school more fun.

Starting your own book club

Starting your own book club can be fun - and challenging. Of course, the first thing you need to do is nail down all the details: the number of participants, for instance. You don't want the group to be too large or too small, so 12 is an ideal number. Then you need to decide how often you should meet, and where. Monthly meetings are the norm, giving all plenty of time to read the selected book and keep everyone involved. If time is a problem for your members, once in six weeks or two months could work.

Selecting  a meeting place could be a challenge since you probably don't want your home to be the exclusive venue. All members could take turns in hosting the meeting at their homes - or you could choose somewhere 'neutral' - the local library, recreation centre, church hall or your school.

Members themselves should organise the meeting which, ideally should last about an hour and a half. This allows 30 minutes to discuss the book, 30 minutes for refreshments and to enjoy each other's company, and 30 minutes to go over any book club business, such as selecting next month's selection.

Most importantly, members should share your love of reading and, even if all your interests are not the same, you should be able to exchange views on the same level. The real joy of a book club is the way it stirs the love of reading.

Discover the world through your nearest library

The magic of books is their power to take you to places and put you in situations you may never have the chance to experience - and couldn't imagine were possible. Books open your mind to many, many worlds. This is why the love of reading is the greatest gift, and once you get into the habit you'll want to develop and maintain it all your life. Books are also an amazing tool for research. There are books written on anything and everything, which makes them a great way to learn and investigate theories and facts.

But because paper is so expensive, so are books - unless you take advantage of your nearest library. So how do you go about looking for a book in a library? There are three main things to know:

Firstly, you must decide whether you want written fiction - a made-up story, or non-fiction which is pure fact based on true information, or picture books or 'easy books'. Secondly, since these three types of books are on shelves in different areas, you need to learn where these areas are. Lastly, there is a 'call number' on each book's spine: this tells us where the book 'lives' on the library shelves. You'll find it helpful to make yourself familiar with the Dewey Decimal System for finding specific books, which any good librarian will help you with.

Once you've discovered how easy, and inexpensive, it is to take books out of your nearest library, you'll be amazed how your mind will open up and be more receptive to more and more new ideas and new thinking. You'll also find your ability to focus is greatly enhanced - at times you'll find it almost possible to put down a book that engrosses you. Reading also helps you tap into the extraordinary power of your imagination.

Discover your library - and change your life!

Protect yourself

Don't let yourself become a victim, if you let someone bully you, you are giving them power over you which makes you feel weak and helpless. This does not have to be the case. Always make sure you have an adult that you trust in your life, someone who you feel comfortable confiding in about your inner most deepest thoughts.

You have to make a friend, generally people who bully others tend to go for children who are alone as this makes it easier for them to dominate. When being tormented by a bully always maintain your composure as studies show that when they hear things like 'I've had enough' or 'leave' they become more determined to prove a point.

Make sure you are always with someone. Another good idea is to do activities that help you build confidence and self-esteem like dancing, sports and music. Always remember that you are your own person and nobody has the right to harm you in any way, all you have to do is break the silence!

Be smart about your education

Before you go and spend all of yours, your parents, or banks hard earned money on a tertiary qualification, do a bit of research. It is vital for you to collect all the information you need for you and your parents to make a good choice about what and where you choose to study. It is not only about how much you will spend on education, but rather how well you spend it.

What does spending well on education mean in practical terms? It means spending money on getting a qualification that is worth more than the paper it is printed on. The main reason you have to get a qualification is because it makes it possible for you to find work that will fulfill you and enable you to earn a living.

Don't let yourself be caught in a situation where after years of dedicated study you realise that employers in your field do not recognise your qualification or value it.

When considering furthering your studies, find out what your course entails, what qualification you will receive once you have completed your studies, the qualification's level on the National Qualifications Framework, what accreditation it enjoys and whether it is recognised by employers in the industry in which you wish to work.

Be smart and make the right decision for you!