ResourceLink BCEO's List: Teachers Notes for 2014 Shortlisted CBCA titles

"Big Red Kangaroo (nature Storybooks) By Claire Saxby and illustrated by Graham Byrne. An exciting new addition to the narrative non-fiction series Nature Storybooks, about big red kangaroos."

"'I'm a dirty Dinosaur' is a fun, rollicking rhyming story about a cheeky dinosaur who loves to play in the mud! With fantastic rhyme and repetition throughout, this book is sure to strike a chord with young and older readers, matched with gorgeous and unique illustrations created using a magic pencil, real mud from a dam and watercolour."

The First Third is a novel about how Billy struggles to bring his family together, challenged by his dying Grandmother.
"A comprehensive unit of work available here for Will Kostakis' contemporary novel, The First Third. With links to the Australian Curriculum, assessment tasks and a plethora of activities, Laura Gordon has provided all you need to teach this brilliant novel in your classroom or library."

"Michael is going through the hardest year of his life, as he walks the streets of Western Sydney, endures school and tentatively reaches out for his first girlfriend. By the end of this fine novel you’ll feel you really know him, his family and his world". Libby Gleeson"

This is a unit of work for senior students focusing on story.

From award-winning author Janeen Brian and award-winning illustrator Ann James, comes this gorgeous rhyming picture book about a naughty little dinosaur who loves to get dirty. Bright simple illustrations and rounded corners perfect for the very young.

Hear what the inspiration was behind this beautiful book.

A terrific tale of sustainability, creativity and family by Doug MacLeod and Craig Smith.

This book, about friendship groups, growing up and finding yourself is reviewed with a few suggestions about how it could be used in high school classes.

An interview with the author of CBCA Young Adult shortlisted title 'Life in Outer Space'.

Teachers notes, information and other resources to support the novel, Light Horse Boy, written by Dianne Wolfer.

"Highly acclaimed Albany-based children’s author Dianne Wolfer's Light Horse Boy, with illustrations by Brian Simmonds, was shortlisted in the Young Readers category.

To hear Dianne read an excerpt from the start of Light Horse Boy have a listen at the link below."

Teaching notes for the beautiful picture book Parachute, which traces the story of a young boy's developing confidence and independence.

"Caroline the crocodile has a new baby brother. Mama Crocodile thinks he is gorgeous, but Caroline doesn't think so. She thinks he is smelly and he drools too much. Plus Caroline is very jealous.

A terrific story for anyone welcoming a 'new addition' to the family or who is dealing with sibling rivalry or jealousy. Also just a cute story to read!

Colouring pages with characters from 'The Swap', as well as information about Andrew Joyner, the illustrator of this text.

The blog of the author of "The Sky So Heavy", a shortlisted book in the 2014 CBC Book of the Year Older Readers' category.

"For Fin, it’s just like any other day – racing for the school bus, bluffing his way through class and trying to remain cool in front of the most sophisticated girl in his universe. Only it’s not like any other day because, on the other side of the world, nuclear missiles are being detonated."

The blog of Fiona Wood who authored "Wildlife" - shortlisted as a CBCA Book of the Year 2014 for older readers.

"Fiona Wood won readers over with her debut novel, Six Impossible Things, which was also shortlisted for the 2011 CBCA Book of the Year Awards. Wildlife, a loose follow-up, tackles teenagehood, contraband, sex, survival and moving on in the theatre of the great outdoors. Here, she talks to Simmone Howell."

"Pan Macmillan Teachers Notes
Wildlife
By Fiona Wood
Notes by Robyn Sheahan-Bright"

"Captain Cook was the first European to discover the eastern coast of Australia. Along with his crew on the HMB Endeavour, Cook set out from England with royal orders to look for signs of the great southern land known as Terra Australis, which they chartered in 1788."

This is a terrific picture book sharing his story, from the wellknown 'meet' series that includes Mary Mackillop and Ned Kelly (all available from the ResourceLink library).

For $5 teachers can purchase the Early Discoverers of Australia package, including
Dirk Hartog, Abel Tasman, William Dampier and Captain Cook. With each discoverer there is a Full Colour copy of the Pupil Book; an MP3 audio file of a play where a pupil meets the discoverer in a "Time Machine" and a Teacher's Handbook. This could be a great complement to the picture book "Meet Captain Cook" .