the brilliance of Dr Seuss in rap video and political satire

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the brilliance of Dr Seuss in rap video and political satire

How many Dr Seuss books can (or could) you recite by heart? There was a time when I could rattle off the whole of Green Eggs and Ham while driving—Thomas would sit in his car seat behind me, flipping the pages at the appropriate moment while his two younger siblings looked on. I could give Fox in Socks a good crack too, though I did sometimes have to agree with Mr Knox:

“I hate this game, Sir. This game makes my tongue quite lame, Sir.”

All the Dr Seuss rhymes are brilliant for little kids who are learning to read, as that great-fun video points out.

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an empowering story of friendship, fairness and a vote for hope

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an empowering story of friendship, fairness and a vote for hope

ages 6 to grownup
It seems almost dystopian that there was a time when Aboriginal people were not counted in the population statistics. And when the laws and powers that were held by each State government resulted in segregation and broad discrimination...

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the life-changing value of speaking up—for yourself or for someone else

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the life-changing value of speaking up—for yourself or for someone else

ages 2 to 8 years
When I read this book to four-year-old Ivy, she sat in silence, then, at the last page, said, “Let’s read that again.”

Twig is that sort of book—beautiful to look at, with a story that's relatable and full of interesting ideas to process. 

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6 books on my Mother's Day Wish List + an absorbing TED talk

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6 books on my Mother's Day Wish List + an absorbing TED talk

Just in case any of the six children I birthed are starting to panic, here’s my Mother’s Day Book Wish List—I make one very year. 

Quite often no one buys anything from it because they know full-well that if they don't I’ll just end up buying them anyway. Still, here’s this year’s list, more or less in order of preference:

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milk, grass and poo—another information-packed George the Farmer story

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milk, grass and poo—another information-packed George the Farmer story

ages 0 to 8 years
"I'd say that's udderly fantastic!" - Ruby, agronomist
We’re all fans of the George the Farmer series. Knowing where food comes from and how it’s produced is empowering. Kids and adults alike need to know the process, and ideally we’d all know how to produce a little food ourselves too .... George’s stories are information rich and this time we learn about Ruby .... She’s an agronomist and is called on to help Alex who runs a robotic dairy.

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5 books that comfort and prepare for a move away from much-loved people and places

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5 books that comfort and prepare for a move away from much-loved people and places

ages 3 to around 8 years
Change in any form can be hard (not just for children!) but moving to somewhere new and leaving people you love can be particularly difficult for little ones. Our move to Tasmania is happening next week...

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Anzac Day 2017

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Anzac Day 2017

The privilege of a life untouched by war is a rare and precious thing—and it has been our experience and that of our children. We have been surrounded by war in the way of all people in this modern age, but never have we felt its endemic depravations, nor has it taken anyone near and dear to us.

Every Anzac Day we reflect on that privilege—unearned but gratefully received. Today we’ll be attending services to remember the fallen and all who served. As always, we’ll hear a sprinkling of their stories and we’ll feel more connected, more grateful,...

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