Visit me now at Wordpress. Resources for families has moved. You're welcome to visit me at the new blog.

Gov't adding fruits, veggies to WIC list

The grocery shopping list for the far-reaching Women, Infants and Children program is getting its first significant update since the 1970s. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains are being added to the program, which helps feed more than half the babies born in the U.S. To cover the cost, WIC will pay for less of the juice, eggs, cheese and milk that have been staples of the program.

Read on ... Tags: nutrition, food

Fruits: How to select, store and serve these healthy foods

Nature offers many sweet choices for eating well: juicy red cherries, plump purple plums, and orange, luscious tangerines, just to name a few.

In fact, all fruits fit into a colorful and healthy diet. Whether you eat them as snacks, main meals or trimmings, fruits offer a variety of nutrients, very little fat and relatively few calories. Find out why you need to eat fruits and the best way to select, store and serve them.

Read on ...

tags: fruit, food, nutrition

Communication Success Tip: Letter writing Writing a letter to someone who is personally important to you is a chance to give them a little more of your personality than is possible in an email and a little more to remember you by than is possible in a telephone call. More on Communication Tag: letter writing

Breast isn't best: readers tell US parenting magazine I was so sad to see this article. I know it is terribly important to uphold our standards of morality, but what is immoral about providing sustenance for your children?

Readers of a US parenting magazine are crying foul over the publication's latest cover depicting a woman breastfeeding, with some calling the photo offensive and disgusting. I was SHOCKED to see a giant breast on the cover of your magazine," one woman from Kansas wrote in reaction to the picture in Babytalk, a free magazine that caters to young mothers. "I was offended and it made my husband very uncomfortable when I left the magazine on the coffee table."

Read on ... Tags: breast-feeding

Communication Success Tip

Writing a letter to someone who is personally important to you is a chance to give them a little more of your personality than is possible in an email and a little more to remember you by than is possible in a telephone call.

More on Communication

Tag: Communication

Quote for the week. I used this quote in the ezine for families , and loved it so much, I thought I would share it here too.

We have done almost everything in pairs since Noah, except govern. And the world has suffered for it. -Bella Abzug

Tags: families

Baby fat: When to rejoice, when to worry By CHRISTINE ELLIOTT New parents learn quickly that everyone has something to say about a pudgy baby, with remarks ranging from harmless ("Look at those chubby cheeks") to hurtful ("Isn't he a little big for his age?"). "I got comments all the time from my so-called friends," says Lan Ma, recalling that her two children, as infants, had chipmunk cheeks and "rolls after rolls of flesh." Ma, of Edgewater, N.J., ignored any suggestion that Thomas, now 4, and Tyler, 2, were too big, even when both weighed in at 14 pounds — double their birth weights — at their 2-month checkups. "I was never worried about their weight when they were young, because they were both very, very healthy." Some other parents, however, can become anxious, given widespread reports that an increasing percentage of children and adolescents in the United States are overweight. Read on ... tag: childhood obesity, parenting

Herpes infections frequent in adolescent girls - Infections with the virus that causes genital herpes are common among teen girls, a new study shows. While none of the young women in the study had oral or genital herpes symptoms, some of those who tested positive for the virus were shedding it in their vaginal area, meaning it would be possible for them to transmit the infection to others, Dr. Kenneth H. Fife of the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis and colleagues report. Read on ... tag; Parenting

Nickelodeon to Kids: Go out and play

It's the heart of the summer, a time when a kid's thoughts may well turn to watching television — lots of television. But one television network is telling kids to turn off their sets, put aside their remotes and go outside and play. Read on ...

What's on in Brisbane in September http://www.brisbanecitylife.com.au/bcl/wotson-september.htmFriday 1 to Sunday 10 September - RiverfestivalSaturday 2 Sept - 2006 Kaleidoscope Festival Ipswich4 to 7 September: International RiversymposiumFriday September 8 - Fundraising Evening: Swing into SpringSaturday 9 September 2006 - Queensland State ElectionSaturday 9 September 2006 - Gluten Free Food Expo9th & 10th September - The 2006 Leisure Life Redland Spring Festival13th to 17th September - Brisbane Writers FestivalFriday 22 September - Last day of School Term 3 Qld schools

Bullying and Your Child Your child has always enjoyed learning, but lately seems eager to avoid school. Stomachaches and mysterious illnesses pop up in the evening and seem to get worse as the school bus creeps closer to your street the next morning. It's possible the problem has nothing to do with how last night's dinner was digested. Your child could be worried sick over a schoolyard bully. REad on ... Tags: parenting, Bullying

For Extra Health Benefit, Don't Chill Watermelon US Department of Agriculture scientists reported that watermelons stored at room temperature offer more nutrients than refrigerated or freshly picked melons. They found that watermelon stored at 70 F had up to 40% more lycopene and 50% to 139% more beta-carotene than freshly picked fruit. The researchers said their findings showed that watermelons continue to produce nutrients after they are picked and that chilling slows this process. More on the subject... Tgs: nutrition, health, fruit, food storage

Play by the Rules provides information and online learning about how to prevent and deal with discrimination, harassment and child abuse for the sport and recreation industry. Visit the site

VIOLENT VIDEO GAMES CAN INCREASE AGGRESSION May Be More Harmful Than Violent Television and Movies Because of the Interactive Nature of the Games Playing violent video games like Doom, Wolfenstein 3D or Mortal Kombat can increase a person's aggressive thoughts, feelings and behavior both in laboratory settings and in actual life, according to two studies appearing in the April issue of the American Psychological Association's (APA) Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Furthermore, violent video games may be more harmful than violent television and movies because they are interactive, very engrossing and require the player to identify with the aggressor, say the researchers. Read on ... Tags: Video games, gaming, parenting

Gene Simmons shows parenting skills on TV By night, Gene Simmons goes to work wearing makeup and spitting blood in the rock band Kiss. By day, he's got some downright normal ideas about parenting. Shannon Tweed and their kids — 17-year-old Nick Tweed-Simmons and 14-year-old Sophie Tweed-Simmons — let cameras into their home for the new A&E series "Gene Simmons Family Jewels." Read on ... Tags: parenting, Gene simmons

Violent Video Games - Psychologists Help Protect Children from Harmful Effects Psychological research confirms that violent video games can increase children's aggression, but that parents moderate the negative effects. Read on ... Tags: Video games, parenting

Depression tied to risky teen sex By Anne Harding Sexually experienced middle- and high-school teenagers with higher levels of depressive symptoms are more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior, a new study shows. Read on ... Tags: teenagers, depression, teenage depression

Adolescent sleep problems: Why is your teen so tired? Adolescents are notorious for staying up late at night and being hard to rouse in the morning. Your teens are probably no exception. But it's not necessarily because they're lazy or contrary. This behavior pattern actually has a real physical cause. And there are ways to help mesh your adolescent's sleep schedule with that of the rest of the world. Read on ... Tags: sleep, teenagers,parenting, family

Guide to a healthy heart

This is a visually exciting,interactive website which gives information about the heart, how it works and why it fails. Explore the Invision Guide to a healthy heart.

heart

What Parents Need to Know: Treating Depression in Children and Teens

During a National Mental Health Association telephone media briefing, a teen with depression, her mother and two mental health experts discussed what families can do if they think their child needs mental health treatment.

The briefing went beyond current controversies — such as rumors and myths concerning specific treatments and mental health screenings in schools — to address What Parents Need to Know: Treating Depression in Children and Teens. Read on ...

depression in kids

Study Finds Breast Milk Helps Preemies

A study found that extremely premature infants who were fed breast milk in the hospital did better on tests of mental development later in life than others fed only formula. The more breast milk the babies consumed, the better they did on the tests. Researchers believe this is because ingredients in breast milk, particularly fatty acids, aid in brain development. Breast milk had no effect on rates of cerebral palsy, blindness or hearing problems.

More on the subject...

breastfeeding

Experts debate labeling children obese That seems to be at the heart of a debate over whether to replace the fuzzy language favored by the U.S. government with the painful truth — telling kids if they're obese or overweight. Read on ... obesity in children

Genealogists discover royal roots for all

Even without a documented connection to a notable forebear, experts say the odds are virtually 100 percent that every person on Earth is descended from one royal personage or another.

Read the whole article

family, genealogy

Soup up your health... and scare off disease.

Pumpkin, aside from its great taste and versatility, is high in antioxidants and beta-carotene, known heart-disease and cancer fighters, so cook this up:

Get the recipe

antioxidants, soup, recipes, pumpkin,

Interactive Tool: Are You Ready to Quit Smoking? What does this tool measure? Click here to find out whether you're ready to quit smoking. This interactive tool measures your readiness to quit smoking. The tool uses the stages of change approach, which is based on research about how people typically make behavior changes. The approach suggests that to make positive change, people must go through distinct stages from not thinking about quitting to actually quitting. Based on your answers, this tool will identify the stage you are in and help you think about what to do next.

Bookrapt - Children's Literature Seminar

Bookrapt presents its 26th Annual Children's Literature Seminar(Bookrapt is the new name for the Bay of Plenty Children's Literature Association)

The 2006 seminar showcases local talent. Some of New Zealand's (in fact the world's) best known and loved authors and illustrators live in the Bay of Plenty.

Last year'sseminar was a sell out success (just like Eric Clapton at the MissionEstate!) so be in quick to secure a place. The Seminar will take place on Saturday August 5 2006 at the Tauranga Intermediate School Library from 8.45 a.m. and should wind up around 2.15 p.m.

Speakers:

LynleyDodd,

Sherryl Jordan,

Phyllis Johnston,

Jean Bennett,

Angie Belcher,

KimWesterskov

and Debbie Tipuna.

(Wow what a line up!)

The programme will also feature the official launch of the new name Bookrapt so come and celebrate with us!

Seminar cost is $25 for members, $30 for non-members.

(Membership costs $20)

For a full seminar programme and enrolment form please contact Lois Rout on 07 578 4956 Email: lois.rout at xtra dot co dot nz Fax 07 578 4953

children's books

ConsumerLab.com

ConsumerLab.com, is the leading provider of independent test results and information to help consumers and healthcare professionals evaluate health, wellness, and nutrition products. It publishes results of its tests at www.consumerlab.com — which receives nearly 2 million visits per year

families

Should You Take Your Baby Along On Your Bicycle??

(Via the Play Library Blog)

"If you love biking, you may be particularly eager to have your young child enjoy it with you. Don't be in too big a hurry to share the experience with your child.

In fact, NEVER carry a child under the age of 1 on your bicycle, either in a bicycle seat, a child trailer or any other carrier," warns Debra Holtzman, an internationally recognized safety and health expert and the author of the new book, "The Safe Baby: A Do-It-Yourself Guide to Home Safety (Sentient Publications, 2005).

" A baby does not have sufficient neck strength to support the weight of a helmet or to control head movement during a sudden stop. A one year old who can sit well when unsupported will have neck strong enough to support a lightweight helmet; at that point he can be carried in a child trailer or a rear-mounted seat.

Debra Holtzman's offers a checklist of suggestions to help keep young children safe: >> More

parenting

Video Game Facts

This site looks at what video games are out there at the moment and explains exactly what's in them and who they are suitable for. Also features a range of tips for parents who want to control the content and amount of gaming their kids get up to.

Visit the site

video games, families

Found Money: Surprising Ways to Save

Looking for money? Check your car, your mortgage - your child?

With minimal attention and effort, I bet you can reduce your typical costs by at least 10 to 15 percent -- maybe even a lot more.

This stuff is not about making any major life changes. The truth is that you may well be needlessly tossing away a bucket of money each year, simply by being a bit careless here and there.

With that in mind, here are some simple and surprising ways to save.

>> more

family

Tech creates a bubble for kids

" ...you've got a generation that doesn't have the same concept of privacy and personal boundaries as generations before," Verhaagen says.

"They're tuned out in some ways to the social graces around them and the people in their lives, in their physical realm, and tuned in to the people they're with virtually," says psychologist and sociologist Sherry Turkle of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge.

On top of that, young people don't care as much about making a good impression as their parents and grandparents did growing up, says Jean Twenge, an associate professor of psychology at San Diego State University."

>> more

social skills, kids

The downside of Google

There may be some information here you can use to remind family members about checking the accuracy of information they find on the internet ... Stephen Pritchard

Back in the days when dinosaurs roamed the earth, journalists seeking enlightenment and chasing a deadline relied on their dogeared contacts books to find experts, spokesmen and pundits. Today, we still reach for those phone numbers, but we also have an infinitely more powerful aid in our research - the internet.Search engines such as Google find acres of instant information and more 'experts' than you can shake a stick at, but every computer screen should carry the warning: 'Beware: all is not as it seems.' Read on …

families

Storytime online

This website uses online streaming video to feature Screen Actors Guild members reading childen's books aloud.

There are actiities to use and these can be downloaded.

visit Storyline online

children's books, read aloud

All New Square Foot Gardening (Paperback) by Mel Bartholomew ...anyone, anywhere can enjoy a Square Foot garden. Children, adults with limited mobility, even complete novices can achieve spectacular results. I've rarely seen a more reader-friendly book! It comes complete with layout pages, very consise planting guides, even planting time tables for your area and the amount of time you can store your seeds! If you have never gardened before or started a garden that eventually left you frustrated, then this is the book for you! I just think that you should check your area for agricultural grade vermiculite before you buy the book. But once that little snafu is over, you are going to be amazed at how brilliant and easy this book makes successful gardening. I highly recommend this method for busy people and parents like myself. It is wonderfully easy to maintain, makes loads of produce, and looks very attractive. Two green thumbs way, way up. More reviews from amazon where the book is selling for $13.59 gardening, families

'Safe' social networking sites emerge

Companies launch more secure, educational alternatives to MySpace and Friendster

Amid rising concerns over popular social networking sites, a new crop of "safe" sites is currently emerging. These "safe" sites hope to limit the dangers associate with other sties, such as talking to predators and revealing too much personal information. In addition, these safer sites aim to develop in users a proper online skill set--one that incorporates elements of online safety as well as proper behavior in virtual communities. Read on ...

internet safety, social networking, parenting

Business profs rethinking ethics classes

By CATHERINE TSAI

Last fall, Bentley College management professor Tony Buono taught a class on corporate scandals with colleagues pitching in from finance, accounting and even the philosophy department. The four picked through the cases of Enron, WorldCom, Tyco and Shell.

At the end of the semester, the number of students in a simulated trading room who were caught in misconduct or misusing information for insider trading was significantly higher than at the beginning. The students said, "You taught us how to do it," Buono recalled.

Read the whole article

ethics, families

Calorie Restriction May Prevent Alzheimer's Through Promotion Of Longevity Program In The Brain

A recent study directed by Mount Sinai School of Medicine suggests that experimental dietary regimens might calm or even reverse symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). The study, which appears in the July 2006 issue of the Journal of Biological Chemistry, is the first to show that restricting caloric intake, specifically carbohydrates, may prevent AD by triggering activity in the brain associated with longevity.

Read on ...

nutrition

More U.S. Teens Are Shunning Risky Behaviors (Risky health behaviors -- such as unsafe motor vehicle use, sexual activity, and tobacco and alcohol use -- are on the decline among American youth. Read on ... teenagers, families

What is your Parenting style?

Everyone has their own parenting style - what's your parenting style?

Take this fun quiz to discover your style, and learn some fun tips on parenting.

Visit the quiz

parenting, families

How to be a Better Parent

By: Joseph Then

Being a parent is one of the most important jobs anyone can have. It takes a lot of work and determination to be a loving and supportive parent to any child. There are a few things that you can do to become a better parent and produce happier and healthier children. Some of the following tips will help you through some very tough situations with any child. Read on ...

parenting

Strict Parenting Can Produce Overweight Kids

Your parenting style affects your child's weight and whether she will be overweight by first grade, a new study found.

"Children of authoritarian parents had five times the risk of being overweight compared to children of authoritative [a more diplomatic style] mothers," said Dr. Kyung Rhee, a clinical instructor and research fellow at Boston University School of Medicine and the study's lead author. Read on ...

parenting

Resources for Families website update

I have just updated the Resources for Families Web pages

Helping with homework

Parenting

Family nutrition

And you can read the latest Resources for Families Ezine online

family, homework, nutrition, parenting

Wizz Kids

I have just updated the following pages from the Whizz Kids website

Homework help

Fun and Games

And the latest Whizz Kids ezine is now online.

kids, homework

4UREADERS

http://www.4ureaders.net/welcomev2/

This site was developed with East Ayrshire and South LanarkshireLibrary Authorities for readers aged 11-16.The site divides into three separate sections to appeal to different audiences within the age group.The Girls with Attitude section was developed specifically for girls between 14-16.School and Children's librarians worked with youngreaders to help plan the content of the site. Further funding from SLIC/CILIPS enabled six other Scottish library authorities to participate.

Thanks to Mylee Joseph from the State Library of NSW mjoseph at sl dot nsw.gov.au

family, children's reading

Express Media is now accepting entries for the 2006 John Marsden Prize for Young Australian Writers.

In 2006 there are four categories:

1) Short Story / First Chapter of a Novel – under 18 – $500

2) Short Story / First Chapter of a Novel – 18 to 24 – $2000

3) Poetry – under 18 – $500

4) Poetry – 18 to 24 – $500

Entries close Thursday 31 August 2006. Download the submission form and read the guidelines carefully for full details on how to enter.

Winning entries will be judged and announced by John Marsden in December 2006 and published in the summer issue #67 of Voiceworks magazine. All entries will also receive prize money donanted by John Marsden himself.

John Marsden launched this year's competition at the Emerging Writers' Festival on 7 April. Here's what he has said it:'A long time ago the novel fought its way to the top of the publishing heap, to dominate western literature. Short stories, exquisite, funny and/or powerful as they may be, have been no match for the novel. Consequently there are far more aspiring novelists out there than there are short story writers. For this reason we have decided to expand the John Marsden Writing Competition to include first chapters of novels. In practical terms this may not make much difference to many of the people interested in entering. Many short stories could well be first chapters of novels; and for years now novelists have published chapters from unfinished novels as short stories in literary magazines and in newspapers. But by changing the conditions of the competition we are recognising the primacy of novels, and offering extra support to those who are labouring in garrets or penthouses, with 150,000 words under their belt and still only halfway through, looking enviously at the many competitions for short stories in Australia, and wondering why they are excluded.'

Get writing for your chance to be read by John Marsden himself and published in Voiceworks Magazine!

writing, writing competitions, families

Storm over gay kindergarten books

NSW Premier Morris Iemma has criticised a Sydney kindergarten for teaching very young children about gay and lesbian families.

Mr Iemma said toddlers were being confronted with adult issues at an age when they should just be having fun.

"Personally, I believe it's inappropriate for a childcare centre to be a battleground for gender politics,"

But Marrickville Mayor Sam Byrne said books used in the kindergarten were approved. Read on ...

children's books,failies, parenting

Express Media is now accepting entries for the 2006 John Marsden Prize for Young Australian Writers.

In 2006 there are four categories:

1) Short Story / First Chapter of a Novel – under 18 – $500

2) Short Story / First Chapter of a Novel – 18 to 24 – $2000

3) Poetry – under 18 – $500

4) Poetry – 18 to 24 – $500

Entries close Thursday 31 August 2006.

Download the submission form and read the guidelines carefully for full details on how to enter.

Winning entries will be judged and announced by John Marsden in December 2006 and published in the summer issue #67 of Voiceworks magazine. All entries will also receive prize money donanted by John Marsden himself.

John Marsden launched this year's competition at the Emerging Writers' Festival on 7 April. Here's what he has said it:'A long time ago the novel fought its way to the top of the publishing heap, to dominate western literature. Short stories, exquisite, funny and/or powerful as they may be, have been no match for the novel. Consequently there are far more aspiring novelists out there than there are short story writers. For this reason we have decided to expand the John Marsden Writing Competition to include first chapters of novels. In practical terms this may not make much difference to many of the people interested in entering. Many short stories could well be first chapters of novels; and for years now novelists have published chapters from unfinished novels as short stories in literary magazines and in newspapers. But by changing the conditions of the competition we are recognising the primacy of novels, and offering extra support to those who are labouring in garrets or penthouses, with 150,000 words under their belt and still only halfway through, looking enviously at the many competitions for short stories in Australia, and wondering why they are excluded.

'Get writing for your chance to be read by John Marsden himself and published in Voiceworks Magazine!

writing competitions, families, writing

The sport of Tiddlywinks

The North American Tiddlywinks Association (NATwA), founded in 1966, is an organization which sponsors tiddlywinks tournaments, distributes winks equipment, recruits new players, and promotes the game in general.

NATwA publishes an informal newsletter, Newswink, to keep winkers informed of recent events. NATwA maintains close ties with ETwA, the English Tiddlywinks Association, and ScotTwA, the Scottish Tiddlywinks Association.

One of the most fascinating aspect of this sport is the various terms used to describe situations! Scrabble players, take note: the game begins with each player performing a squidge. If a wink is covered by that of an opponent's, it is squopped.

Those are some serious Scrabble points!

I also learned that the game is not simply flipping winks into a pot. In fact, the strategy and tactics involved are more similar to chess than the children's game you may think of when you hear the word tiddlywinks.

The sport of tiddlywinks was first patented in 1888. However, the strategy-loaded modern-day version goes back to a group of Cambridge (the British one, not ours) undergrads meeting in January, 1958. Three years later Oxford challenged Cambridge's position as tiddlywinks champion, and the competition was on.

Learn all the details about this fascinating four-person game at today's FamilyFirst site. And remember to use squop in Scrabble!http://www.tiddlywinks.org

games, tiddlywinks, families

Website supports those dealing with breast cancer This website is aimed at all those who are dealing with breast cancer - either themselves or in their family or friendship circle. We hope that some of what you'll find here will ease your path or lessen your worries about breast cancer treatment. The views expressed here are our own. We are from medical and nursing backgrounds but are by no means specialists in breast cancer or in breast cancer treatment. We can only tell you what we've gone through and what we've learned along the way. This is cutting-edge stuff. I mean, it takes real courage to put these very personal experiences online so soon after having the bad news delivered to you. The authors give you details about what is involved in taking on this hated scourge. The goal (which I believe they will reach) is to show you what it takes to whip it. So read this brand-new (but already well-populated) blog and remember, there's someone in Scotland who could use a little prayer action. http://www.twinkletwinkles.com breast cancer, families

Parents urged to reject new report cards

Australian parents are being urged to reject a new report card system that grades their children from A to E.National bodies representing parents of government school students and teachers are encouraging parents to refuse to accept the new cards, The Australian newspaper reported on Saturday. Read on ...

education, assessment, reporting

parenting

Marriage, a History: From Obedience to Intimacy, or How Love Conquered Marriage by Stephanie Coontz Politics, economics, greed, sex, cars—without them, matrimony wouldn’t have caused the historical revolution ensuing today, concludes social historian Stephanie Coontz, in Marriage, a History. Modern marriage is in crisis; but don’t pine for a return to "the good old days," when men earned money and women kept house. Don’t even assume the crisis is all bad. Coontz details how society’s attempts to toughen this institution, have actually made it more fragile. Her rich talent for analyzing events, statistics, and theories from a myriad of sources—and enabling the reader to put them all in perspective—make this provocative history book an essential resource.--Liane Thomas Based on extensive research (hers and others'), Coontz's fascinating study places current concepts of marriage in broad historical context, revealing that there is much more to "I do" than meets the eye. In ancient Rome, no distinction was made between cohabitation and marriage; during the Middle Ages, marriage was regarded less as a bond of love than as a " 'career' decision"; in the Victorian era, the increasingly important idea of true love "undermined the gender hierarchy of the home" (in the past, men—rulers of the household—were encouraged to punish insufficiently obedient wives). Coontz explains marriage as a way of ensuring a domestic labor force, as a political tool and as a flexible reflection of changing social standards and desires. She presents her arguments clearly, offering an excellent balance between the scholarly and the readable in this timely, important book. Agent, Susan Rabiner. (May) She writes in a very readable style. You will find yourself quickly having read large passages of this book effortlessly. The book is informative, eye opening, and definately well worth the read. I recommend this book if you want to see what the institution of marriage has been through out time and different cultures Stephanie Manley More information marriage, books

YOUNG AND WIRED

Computers, cell phones, video games, blogs, text messages -- how will the sheer amount of time spent plugged in affect our kids? Read on ...

kids

families

kids and technology

Do moms make better managers?

Cynthia McKay, the childless CEO of Le Gourmet Gift Basket, says it's common sense for employers to hire childless women

Denise Morrison, president of Campbell Soup's U.S. soup, sauces and beverages division, worked while her daughters, 27 and 25, were growing up. She says the most important leadership lesson mothers learn is dealing with shades of gray that children present.

The topic of mothers vs. non-mothers "pits one group of women against another. Would we ask, 'Do fathers make better leaders?'

The answer is some do and some don't," Innis says.

"Great leaders come from all walks of life," says Robert Keane, CEO of the online supplier of graphic design company VistaPrint. "Being a parent is wonderful, but it's not a prerequisite."

Do mothers make better leaders than women without children?

Most employees think so. Most employers don't.

Read on ...

mothers as managers, mothers, parenting

From Math-drills.com

"Hi Parents! I'm glad you found this website. Hopefully, the math worksheets on this website can be of some help to your child in his or her acquisition of basic math facts. Just so you know, math worksheets are not magic; they will not teach math; this is the job of your child, you, and your child's teacher. The math worksheets are an excellent resource for you and your child. Here are some ideas that you might find useful in helping your child learn math."

Visit the parents' page

homework, parenting

Many parents are teaching their babies to speak first with their hands

Experts tout the long-lasting benefits of early language skills

By CECELIA GOODNOW

At 11 months, Madeleine Campbell is about to say her first word, but her mom will believe it when she sees it.Because that word, when it comes, will be in sign language -- a new parenting tool that is shaking its faddish connotation as parents and baby experts sing its praises.

Read on ...

parenting

The Importance of Play for Children Why is play important for children? Why do we care what toys are children are playing with? Play is crucial for the social, emotional, physical, cognitive and developmental growth of children. Play is how a child learns about the world in which they live. Read on ... parenting"

INTERNET USE INVOLVES BOTH PROS AND CONS FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS, ACCORDING TO SPECIAL ISSUE OF DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY Some youth benefit from Internet use while for others it can exacerbate self-destructive behaviors WASHINGTON, DC - Between 75 and 90 percent of teenagers in the United States use the Internet to email, instant message (IM), visit chat rooms and explore other sites on the World Wide Web. According to the latest research presented in a special issue of Developmental Psychology, published by the American Psychological Association (APA), spending a lot of time on the Web can have both negative and positive effects on young people, i.e., the sharing of self-injury practices by some and the improvement of academic performance and health awareness by others. Read on ... parenting, internet safety

State of the World’s Mothers

In commemoration of Mother’s Day, Save the Children is publishing its seventh annual State of the World’s Mothers report. By focusing on the 60 million mothers in the developing world who give birth every year with no professional help and the 4 million newborns who die in the first month of life, this report helps to bring attention to the urgent need to reduce infant mortality around the world.

The report also identifies countries that are succeeding in improving the health and saving the lives of mothers and babies, and shows that effective solutions to this challenge are affordable – even in the world’s poorest countries. Read on ...

mothering, families,

Character Is Destiny : Inspiring Stories Every Young Person Should Know and Every Adult Should Remember (Hardcover) "McCain's latest volume uses biography as an illustration of virtue, but this time the senator broadens his palette significantly, telling 34 stories of heroes whose lives embody qualities ranging from honesty and loyalty to curiosity and enthusiasm. At the root of them all, he says, is a willingness to stay true to one's conscience against all challenges." "Although he is reaching out to a younger readership, McCain's plain but sincere language does not condescend to his audience." More information children's books, parenting,

Child Learning Style What our children learn is important. However, a lot of people forget that HOW our children learn is as important as what they learn. When teaching kids, it is important to know their learning style. If we are able to identify this, the learning experience will be more positive. Kids will learn faster when taught the way they would understand the most.There are, basically, three ways children learn... Read on ... learning styles, education, parenting

Web pages for kids

Visit the Whizz kids pages for fun and games, homework help, books and reading

Tags:kids, parenting

Hasbro shelves plans for Pussycat Dolls

Hasbro Inc. shelved plans Wednesday to release a line of dolls based on the Pussycat Dolls, an all-female music group known for risque lyrics and skimpy outfits.

Hasbro, the nation's second biggest toy maker, said it decided the dolls were "inappropriate" for the company to market and that the pop group catered to a more mature audience.

The move comes amid criticism from a national advocacy group, Dads & Daughters, that had campaigned against the doll line.

Read on ...

toys

Child Learning Style

What our children learn is important. However, a lot of people forget that HOW our children learn is as important as what they learn.

When teaching kids, it is important to know their learning style. If we are able to identify this, the learning experience will be more positive. Kids will learn faster when taught the way they would understand the most.

There are, basically, three ways children learn...Read on ...

learning styles, parenting, >education

Stay at home Dads learn new job

They were carpenters, legislative aides, software engineers, real estate investors and teachers. Now, they are stay-at-home dads, part of the growing posse of men who left paying work to raise their kids.

Like moms, they spend their days at parks, story times and coffeehouses, too often isolated in a world dominated and defined by women.

In Seattle, though, these men are building their own world with blogs, e-mail and the occasional trip to Ballard.

Read on …

fathering,

parenting,families

Teaching to the test

Let's Teach to the Test

By Jay Mathews

All signs point to 2006 being a crucial year for testing in America, with the first national results from the new SAT due, as well as significant changes underway in how states use the tests that rate schools under the No Child Left Behind law.

If only, then, we could figure out a way to speak clearly to each other about what we think of the many tests our children are taking. Let's start by trying to clarify what I consider the most deceptive phrase in education today: "teaching to the test."

Read on …

Tags: education

Are you a librarian or interested in libraries?

Visit the library web pages for ideas to share, library marketing and library news.

Tagslibrary, family

State of the World’s Mothers In commemoration of Mother’s Day, Save the Children is publishing its seventh annual State of the World’s Mothers report. By focusing on the 60 million mothers in the developing world who give birth every year with no professional help and the 4 million newborns who die in the first month of life, this report helps to bring attention to the urgent need to reduce infant mortality around the world. The report also identifies countries that are succeeding in improving the health and saving the lives of mothers and babies, and shows that effectivesolutions to this challenge are affordable – even in the world’s poorest countries. Read on ... Tags: mothers education

Overeating creates obese kids: study

Excessive eating - not a lack of exercise - is behind childhood obesity, a groundbreaking study shows.It is the first conclusive evidence behind the spiraling trend, challenging the federal government's refusal to restrict food advertising aimed at children, Fairfax newspapers report. Read more …

tags: health, parenting, kids

S.O.S. for Information Literacy

is a dynamic web-based multimedia resource for educators, that promises to make a significant contribution to enhancing the teaching of information literacy skills to children. At no time in history has the ability to locate, organize, evaluate, manage and use information been more critical for today's learners. These skills, collectively referred to as information literacy, lay the groundwork for success in every phase of a student's life both in and out of school.

Tags:libraryinformation literacy

education

The Art Room

Like art rooms in schools everywhere, this virtual art room is meant to be a "special" place.

Within its "walls," kids are offered opportunities to create, to discover, to imagine, to invent, to learn, and to make their thoughts become things.

In short, the @rt room is a place for kids to explore their inner and outer worlds

. Visit the art room

Tags:art, homework, kids

families, education

The national Archives of Australia has built “an interactive website and online teaching resource that aims to encourage teachers and students to use archival materials within discovery-oriented teaching and learning”.

…. The general topics already found on Vrroom include immigration, conflicts, gender, and Indigenous rights.

Formulated for students and teachers throughout Australia and across all curricula, Vrroom is ideal for anyone engaged in Australian studies, politics, geography, environmental management, and technology.

Visit Vrroom

Tags:familyhomeworkeducation

When the bullied fight back

In Britain there’s currently a debate about whether a tough-talking celebrity should be leading the effort to stop bullying.

The case of Jodie Marsh brings into focus a number of questions that usually get sidestepped in public conversation about bullying.

First, is the person who fights back also a bully? My sense is that there is considerably social pressure not to fight back. Most of the conceptualizations are patently negative: “two wrongs don’t make a right”, “you can’t fight rankism with more rankism”, “revenge”, and even “terrorism”. It seems to me that this predictable social response supports bullying.

Read on ….

tag:bullying

Fiber may lower protein linked to heart disease

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A fiber-rich diet may help control levels of a blood protein linked to an increased risk of heart disease, new research suggests.

Read on ...

tags:

diet

family

Communication for you Are you interested in developing your communication skills? Do you love to write?A re you interested in reading? Visit my Pivotal Communication blog. Tag: communication

What is the Texas Fatherhood Campaign?

The Texas Fatherhood Campaign is a statewide, region-by-region effort to positively impact fathers and their children. Through public messages and local fatherhood conferences, fathers learn of the powerful impact they have on their children, including the devastating effects of father-absence. The TFC is led by Free Market Foundation, a non-profit educational foundation based in Plano, Texas dedicated to "Protecting Freedoms and Strengthening Families."

Tags:

fatherhood parenting

The Great plant escape - interactive learning about plants Detective Leplant and his partners Bud and Sprout unlock the amazing mysteries of plant life Interactive Tags: education parenting

Interested in education? Visit the education pages. education

Healthy lunch menu plan From the Coles Website Children need to eat a variety of foods everyday to be healthy. Choosing healthy lunch food is easy. Here are some ideas: Read on … Tags: nutrition parenting

L.A. Times Finalists Named

The finalists for the Los Angeles Times prize for young adult fiction have been named. The five nominees are:

Looking for Alaska by John Green (Dutton),

Black Juice by Margo Lanagan (HarperCollins/Eos),

You & You & You by Per Nilsson (Front Street),

The Center of the World by Andreas Steinhofel (Delacorte) and

I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak (Knopf).

The winner will be announced on April 28.

tags:

books

Bullying Among Young Children - A Guide for Parents - PDF Bullying Among Young Children - A Guide for Teachers and Carers - PDF The guides provide useful advice to parents, teachers and other carers on recognising changes in moods and behaviours that are associated with bullying. They also provide strategies to help children who bully and those who are bullied. tags: bullying parents

Potter magic reignites novel interest

News that 'Harry Potter' heart-throb Daniel Radcliffe is starring in the film adaptation of Michael Noonan's The December Boys has sent international publishers racing for their cheque books

. Read more

tags:

Harry Potter books

No more homeless pets

Pocket Pets Rats, guinea pigs, sugar gliders and other small creatures sometimes need rescue, too. But would you know how to help them? Do hamsters and gerbils use the same type of bedding? What temperatures are ideal for chinchillas? And what are the benefits of having our tiniest companions spayed or neutered? Small exotic animal specialist Dr. Mark Burgess of Southwest Animal Hospital helps us look out for the little guys. Tags pets animals

The State of the world's children - UNESCO

“The publication of this year’s State of the World’s Children coincides with the beginning of UNICEF’s 60th year. The report sheds light on lives in a world that is often hidden or neglected – a world of vulnerability and exclusion. And it calls on all of us to speak up for the rights of children and to act on behalf of those who need our protection.” Read the report Tags: kids UNESCO

Pulitzer Prize winner - are we missing something?

As is so often the case, there are the questions about why literary prizes are awarded. Are we missing something? Are we not literary enough to appreciate this book? What were they thinking? And it seems to happen all over the world and across all genres. Today it applies to the latest prize-winner – of the Pulitzer prize. Here is the announcement of the winner: From Yahoo news … NEW YORK - "March," Geraldine Brooks' novel that imagines the life of the fictional father in Louisa May Alcott's "Little Women," was awarded the 2006 Pulitzer Prize for fiction on Monday. For the first time since 1997, the Pulitzer board declined to award a prize for drama. Brooks depicted the life of John March, the father absent for most of Alcott's famed novel of four sisters growing up in Massachusetts during the Civil War. And here is the review also in the news this morning. “ …It is difficult to pinpoint where and when “March” loses its appeal. Although Brooks is a creative writer, she is missing an essential ingredient that makes readers want to continue reading and find out what happens next. Novels based on previously published materials, especially those like “Little Women,” which have found a special place in many readers’ hearts, have a lot to live up to…” Read the whole post Tags: communication books

Copyright for kids

Copyright for kids - This website is especially for kids. Go on an interactive adventure. Take part in all the activities. Discover what copyright really means. There is a test you can take at the end to see what you really do know! There are six questions with full answers provided on the next page. Tags copyright kids homework

Soy now comes in teddy bear form

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The teddy bear's fluffy, cream coloured fur looks like that of a typical stuffed animal. But this teddy's fur has something more in common with health foods than children's toys -- it comes from soy. "Tofu Bear" is part of Biltmore World Trade Inc.'s line of SoySilk Pals, stuffed animals whose fur is made out of soy fibre that is extruded from soybean cake, or tofu. The small Tempe, Arizona-based company said the dolls give toy companies a chance to offer an eco-friendly, natural alternative to the plush dolls of today, whose synthetic fur is petroleum-based."It's time for all of us to look at eco-luxury products," said Jonelle Raffino, president of Biltmore World Trade. The soy fibre for the SoySilk dolls is made by Biltmore's sister company, South West Trading Co., a yarn company that Raffino started with her mother about five years ago. Read the whole article Tags: family toys

A place for your kids online. Visit the whizz kids pages.

Brain Pop - educational for kids

BrainPOP is an educational program for kids of all ages with content spanning 6 main subjects including: Science, Math, English, Social Studies, Health and Technology. Within each subject, you will find hundreds of short, animated movies that speak to kids in a language and voice that they understand. At BrainPOP, we believe that a strong foundation of facts is the key to building knowledge. Therefore, our movies strive to provide kids with an honest and real view of whatever topic or issue we tackle. Visit Brain Pop tags: education kids

Parents support union's decision to reject reporting system

The ACT Parents and Citizens Council has supported the education union's decision to reject the controversial A-to-E reporting system. Article continues Tags: education

Coffee and Cake Comparison

Some coffee drinks, particularly the chilled, iced and frappé versions, provide a lot more kilojoules, fat and sugar than you might realise. CHOICE tested the kilojoules, fat and sugar in a range of hot and chilled coffee drinks from coffee chains. To give you an idea of just how much they, and other treats contribute to your diet, try our interactive nutrition tool.

Tags:

nutrition

families

Healthy lunchbox snacks

“Snacks help kids keep going through the day, and there are plenty of convenient prepacked snacks to choose from that kids will enjoy. But only a quarter of the snacks we reviewed met all our nutrition criteria. Try our interactive lunchbox, to see how different snacks can contribute to your diet.”

Tags:

parenting nutrition

New bill to scrap junk food ads All food and drink advertising would be banned during children's TV programs under a bill introduced by the Australian Democrats to tackle obesity. Under current laws, only alcohol advertising is banned during children's programs. Read on ... Tags parenting advertising nutrition

Bootsie Barker bites - for bullying From the Play Library blog “Bootsie Barker Bites by Barbara Bottner may be a good book to introduce to primary school children who are learning to deal with playground politics.” tags: books bullying parenting

Toy marks fifty years of window into ant life

This year marks a half-century since Levine began selling his Uncle Milton Ant Farm — the sand-filled, clear plastic boxes through which ant voyeurs can watch the insects tunnel and eat, and later die. Levine said more than 20 million of his Ant Farms have been sold, with more than a billion ants shipped to customers eager to bring their toys to life."Never in my wildest dreams had I thought it would last 50 years," said Levine, who retired 10 years ago and left his son, Steve, to run Uncle Milton Industries. Read the article

Be aware of the physical hazards of TV to little children

Heavy electronic equipment a mounting hazard for children WINNIPEG — Every year at least five Manitoba children are injured by tumbling TVs, speakers and stereos. A decade of hospital records obtained by the Winnipeg Free Press describe cuts, head injuries and amputations due to falling electronic equipment, especially TVs resting on unstable furniture like bedroom dressers. Read the whole article

Books for your dolls house

A dolls house cannot be complete without books. Here are instructions on how to create them for your own dolls.

Practical Money Skills

PracticalMoneySkills.com is a free Web site designed to help educators, parents and students practice better money management for life. ……In addition to providing online tools and resources via www.practicalmoneyskills.com, Visa has created free classroom material that educators can use to teach personal finance. Available online or in a binder format, the classroom curriculum is free. It offers a teacher's guide, student worksheets and quizzes and interactive brain-teasers that can be played by students via the Web or from a CD-ROM. Additionally, Visa donates computer labs, ensuring that schools in need have access to the equipment needed to take advantage of Practical Money Skills for Life. Learn more about Visa's outreach program.

Aspects of communication

Are you interested in developing your communication skills? Do you love to write? Are you interested in reading? Visit my Pivotal Communication blog.

Steve Biddulph - Raising babies

“…a laypersons guide to the avalanche of recent research showing damaged social development in children who enter nursery "too much, too early, too long". It gives an easy to read and illuminating look into new brain research that shows what happens between parent and infant in a loving relationship, that is itself worthwhile for any parent to read.” Read more

What's the hurry?

Are well-meaning parents over-scheduling their children's activities with the possible effect of robbing young people of the joys of childhood?Education consultant and early childhood expert, Ms Kathy Walker, author of the new book, What's The Hurry? argues that parents who enrol their children in up to three, four or more extra curricula activities a week are contributing to the US-dubbed phenomena, the over-scheduled child - a trend that is rapidly growing in Australia. Read the whole article

New image search

Ask.com introduces its image search

Bill targets bullying over the internet

A new bill seeks to help public school administrators curb the newest form of bullying -- menacing Internet postings Article continues

Acronyms and abbreviations

AbbreviationZ.com “Launched on 2001, AbbreviationZ.com is the largest human-edited acronyms and abbreviations directory on the internet with more than 350,000 entries classified by over 120 different categories and sub-categories. The new innovative meta-search feature allows users, who are searching for acronyms and abbreviations definitions on the local AbbreviationZ.com directory, to locate additional meanings on the internet by using a meta-search engine, which is based on proprietary natural-language-processing algorithms, that lookup and parse multiple search-engines simultaneously.”

Acronys and abbreviations

AbbreviationZ.com http://abbreviationz.com/ “Launched on 2001, AbbreviationZ.com is the largest human-edited acronyms and abbreviations directory on the internet with more than 350,000 entries classified by over 120 different categories and sub-categories. The new innovative meta-search feature allows users, who are searching for acronyms and abbreviations definitions on the local AbbreviationZ.com directory, to locate additional meanings on the internet by using a meta-search engine, which is based on proprietary natural-language-processing algorithms, that lookup and parse multiple search-engines simultaneously.”

Marriage and child wellbeing

Marriage and Child Wellbeing Introducing the Issue Sara McLanahan, Elisabeth Donahue, and Ron Haskins Introduction Marriage has become a hot topic on the American domestic policy scene. The Bush administration is proposing to spend $1.5 billion over the next five years to increase “healthy” marriages.1 Gays and lesbians are demanding the right to marry.2 A few states are reconsidering no-fault divorce laws and experimenting with new types of “covenant marriage.”3 And legislators are scrutinizing tax and transfer policies for “marriage penalties.”4 These initiatives have been spurred by changes in marriage and childbearing during the latter part of the twentieth century and by mounting social science evidence that these changes are not in the best interests of children.

The Great Family Cookbook Project

The Great Family cookbook Project "We have developed this site to help families and individuals create and print personalized cookbooks easily and affordably.Family cookbooks are an important way to preserve our mealtime traditions for future generations. With the passing of our loved ones comes the loss of treasured food traditions. A family cookbook ensures that the recipes from one generation can be passed on to the next as a treasured family heirloom. Once the recipes are preserved online, they can be shared with other family members by email, individual printed recipes or your own professionally printed cookbook."

New interactive healthy eating calculator

Finding customized information about what and how much to feed your child is just a click away, thanks to the CNRC's new Interactive Healthy Eating Plan Calculator. The calculator is available on the web at http://www.kidsnutrition.org/HealthyEating_calculator.htm "By entering a child's sex, age, weight, height, and physical activity level, parents can obtain a general eating plan that provides all the nutrition and energy their child needs to grow and be active without excessive weight gains," said Joan Carter, an instructor in the department of pediatrics and CNRC dietitian who developed the calculator.

Study finds television does not lower test scores

Does television rot children's brains? A new study by two economists from the University of Chicago taps into a trove of data from the 1960's to argue that when it comes to academic test scores, parents can let children watch TV without fear of future harm. Article continues

Inside the brain - an interactive tour - Alzheimers

What happens in the brain of a person with Alzheimer’s disease? This tour explains how the brain works and how Alzheimer's affects it.Taking the tour: There are 16 interactive slides.

Researchers say citerion for child abuse not aways accurate

When it comes to looking for damage to the eyes to prove child abuse, new research shows that things aren't always as they seem, according to Patrick Lantz, M.D., a forensic pathologist from Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. "Contrary to what many doctors have been taught, we found that number and location of hemorrhages of the eye's retina aren't always proof of child abuse," said Lantz, who reported the results today at the 58th annual meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences in Seattle. "Retinal hemorrhages occur more often than most doctors think are associated with a wide variety of conditions."   Article continues

National Child Passenger Safety Week

National Child Passenger Safety Week occurs each year during the week of Valentine’s Day, bringing public attention to the importance of safely transporting children. This year, the focus of National Child Passenger Safety Week is on booster seats.

Reading Is Fundamental - website

Reading Is Fundamental, UK is an initiative of the National Literacy Trust that helps children and young people (aged 0 to 19) to realise their potential by motivating them to read.
We promote the fun of reading, the importance of book choice and the benefits to families of having books at home. Our projects provide motivational activities, opportunities for family and community involvement, and free books for children to choose and keep.

Safer internet day

Safer Internet Day
Safer Internet Day provides an opportunity to celebrate the right of every child to enjoy safe and rewarding Internet experiences. It represents an effort by a global community of awareness-raising partners to promote a safer Internet for all of its users, especially young people.  NetAlert is coordinating Safer Internet Day events in Australia and is working closely with the organising body, InSafe.  The main activity for the day is an international blogathon.  With over 30 countries participating on the day, we hope you can join us for this truly international activity.

Mind rewind - brain works in reverse

When faced with a new learning task, our brains replay events in reverse, much like a video on rewind, a new study suggests.This type of reverse-replay is also used in artificial intelligence research to help computers make decisions. The finding could explain why we learn tasks more easily if we take frequent study breaks: the pauses between sessions give our brains time to review information.  

Read the whole article

How to give to your community

The new Giving Bikes page is just the latest in a series of improvements made to the Australian Giving Centre, which is supported by our alliance partner Westpac. The Giving Centre now has information on just about everything you need to know when it comes to giving to your community: from giving money and time, to giving organs and blood, to giving blankets, clothes and furniture, land, computers, and mobile phones. It’s online at www.ourcommunity.com.au/giving

Safer internet day Safer internet day provides an opportunity to celebrate the right of every child to enjoy safe and rewarding internet eperiences. It repreents an effort by a global community of awareness-raising partners to promote a safer internet for all of its users, especially young people. Netalert is coordinating events in Australia and is working closely with the organising body Insafe. the main actiity for the day is an international blogathon. With over 30 countries participating on the day, we hope yu can join us in this truly international activity.

Blogging safety

Blogs, Blogging and Bloggers - Online Diaries and Journals
Blogs have opened a new path to creative freedom and self-expression for many young people.  Technorati, a blog tracking site, estimates there are 24.8 million, with 70,000 new blogs created every day.  In this feature article, we’ll look at the blogging phenomenon, what blogs are and what are their benefits.  We’ll then explain what parents should know about the safety risks associated with blogging and what steps can be taken to ensure blogging is a fun and rewarding activity for the whole family.

National Youth Week: Just add you

National Youth Week  1-9 April 2006
NYW is a joint Australian Government, State, Territory and Local Government initiative.
The Australian Government Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaCSIA), in collaboration with the Departments responsible for youth affairs in each State and Territory, coordinate NYW.
NYW aims to encourage young people to:
share ideas
attend live events
have their voices heard on issues of concern to them showcase their talents

celebrate their contribution to the community
take part in competitions, and
have fun!
Find out more

Paying children to go to school?

And for Perfect Attendance, Johnny Gets... a Car - New York Times
"I was at first taken a little aback by the idea: we're going to pay kids to come to school?" said the principal, Morton Orlov II. "But then I thought perfect attendance is not such a bad behavior to reward. We are sort of putting our money where our mouth is."
Read the whole article

The Norman Lindsay Festival of Children's literature

Saturday and Sunday 25th and 26th March 2006Norman Lindsay Gallery 14 Norman Lindsay Crescent Springwood, Blue Mountains NSW Featuring:  Andrew Daddo, Kim Gamble, James Roy, Mark Macleod, EmilyRodda, John Hockney, Bruce Whatley and Suzanne Gervay. 
There are workshops for adults and children included in the cost of admission. For more information and to download a copy of the registration form visit the NSW Branch of the National Trust's website : http://nsw.nationaltrust.org.au/

Cooee!! Aussie books

Get lost in Aussie books
Cooee! website live all year
www.connectqld.org.au/cooeeThe Cooee! family summer reading club 2005/6 was developed by the State Library of Queensland in collaboration with Qld Public Libraries to engage children and young people in the discovery of great Australian books, reading, writing and art activities during the summer holidays.  The program was conducted in public libraries throughout Queensland and via the interactive website www.connectqld.org.au/cooeeThe website will remain online for use in schools as curriculum support.In levels 1, 2, & 3 you can access:
Choose your own adventure stories by Queensland authors Jill Morris, Rebecca Johnson, Anita Bell, Josie Montano and Pat Flynn
What happens next? Continuous stories by Narelle Oliver
Book Reviews
Activity sheets
In the ‘for the whole family’ section you will find: Reading Compass – young readers can match a book to their interests
Transcripts of online chats with Andy Griffiths and Meme McDonald
Pirate Plunge fun interactive game

Celebrity readers
…..and test your own knowledge of Aussie books, play the adult book quiz.

Cooee! Aussie books

Get lost in Aussie books
Cooee! website live all year
www.connectqld.org.au/cooeeThe Cooee! family summer reading club 2005/6 was developed by the State Library of Queensland in collaboration with Qld Public Libraries to engage children and young people in the discovery of great Australian books, reading, writing and art activities during the summer holidays.  The program was conducted in public libraries throughout Queensland and via the interactive website www.connectqld.org.au/cooeeThe website will remain online for use in schools as curriculum support.In levels 1, 2, & 3 you can access: Choose your own adventure stories by Queensland authors Jill Morris, Rebecca Johnson, Anita Bell, Josie Montano and Pat FlynnWhat happens next? Continuous stories by Narelle OliverBook Reviews Activity sheets In the ‘for the whole family’ section you will find: Reading Compass – young readers can match a book to their interestsTranscripts of online chats with Andy Griffiths and Meme McDonaldPirate Plunge fun interactive gameA-Z: know your libraryCelebrity readers …..and test your own knowledge of Aussie books, play the adult book quiz.