Bookstore News

Australian State Educational Departments run annual Reading Challenges that encourage school kids to read more books.  In some States, they even operate a Summer Challenge as well.  We all know the advantages of reading to young children daily and any program which gets more kids reading sounds like a good thing to me. What I find interesting is; What are the current books that the young generation are enjoying?  Which author?  

Yes, J.K Rowling’s Harry Potter series scored well on the popularity list which does not surprise me. I love those books and can really relate to their attraction.  Mem Fox’s books, especially Possum Magic, also rated highly with the younger readers (5-7 years) alongside The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle and Belinda by Pamela Allen. 8-9 years old love the Anna Fienberg Tashi series and the 10-12 age group voted for Jeannie Baker’s Window and also for Roald Dahl’s classic stories; The BFG and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. 

What is also important is that these stories can be enjoyed by any age group. My family are already devoted book readers (even though they cannot read yet!)  My five year old’s favourite book is ANY Road Dahl book.  She cannot get enough of Mr Fantastic Fox or The Twits. I think we have read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory aloud to her about five times. There is strife in the house if we are home too late and rushing them into bed, think we can postpone reading until the next day! I am sure that Dr Seuss taught my kids how to rhyme (and also about the magic of making up a word) and while any story about fairies goes down a treat with daughters, they are not averse to stories about pirates and dinosaurs. 

Reading Challenges and Programs have great benefits. No matter how old children are there are some great books out there.  I am sure parents and carers get just as much out of reading these books as the kids do.  Well done to all who participated.   

The Books Alive Great Read Guide will be available on Wednesday 25 July 2007 at all participating bookstores.   This is an annual industry initiative to promote reading and make it easy to find great title.  Dwyer’s Bookstore will be stocking all 50 books listed in the guide.  These books cover a range of interests and categories (Children, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Biography).  They are chosen by a panel of book industry experts from around Australia.

Have you got children needing a helping hand with their math problems.  Author Bill Handley is well known for making maths fun!  This is the parents ‘bible’ for helping their kids over the maths hurdle.   In his book Bill explains multiplication to young children, on problem solving and its correlation between the multiplication method and subtraction.  

This is a great opportunity to help boost your child’s self-esteem.  This book and others are available through www.dwyersbookstore.com.au  

 It is as easy as clicking on the link below and Dwyers Bookstore will be happy to post the book directly to you.   You won’t have to go searching through rows of books again. If you would like to obtain a copy click here http://www.dwyersbookstore.com.au/title/50/teach_your_children_tables_2nd_ed

If you have a special person who loves to receive a colourful book to entertain them on winter days let me recommend a couple of recently released picture books which I feel sure will please them.  Mr Pusskins is a story about a pussycat with lovely illustrations.  Also Tiny Rannosaurus and the Neversaurus will please with its colourful story and pictures.   These books are now in stock at Dwyers Book Shop and can be ordered by clicking on the following links:  

Mr Pusskins http://www.dwyersbookstore.com.au/title/50/mr_pusskins1,

Tiny Rannosaurus and the Neversaurus http://www.dwyersbookstore.com.au/title/50/tiny_rannosaurus_neversaurus

and for your teenagers:

Physik Septimus Heap Book 3 by Angie Sage http://www.dwyersbookstore.com.au/title/50/septimus_heap_bk_3_physik

Also recently published, we have a fresh new author in 14 year old Alexandra Adornetto, who has written her first novel, “The Shadow Thief” which is now available.

The role of fathers in encouraging their sons to read is often overlooked.    It was recently reported that the mere sight of seeing the head of the house sitting and enjoying a novel simply for pleasure was a rare event.   Just seeing their father relaxing after dinner with a good book (the TV turned down or off) may well establish better reading habits by their sons.  

Boys who do not have this role model will inevitably not form good reading habits.   Fathers who read will often create boys reading habits which will stand them in good stead in their future life.   Encouraging fathers and sons to have a time set aside will encourage excellent habits and lead to discovering the world of information and ideas waiting to be found within the covers and through local libraries.

Some suggested titles which will possibly get males reading and start this good reading habit are listed below… 

Bad Luck & Trouble http://www.dwyersbookstore.com.au/title/50/bad_luck_and_trouble

Rocking Wall Street by Marks http://www.dwyersbookstore.com.au/title/50/rocking_wall_street_four_powerful_strategies

The Forgotten Children http://www.dwyersbookstore.com.au/title/50/forgotten_children_the

Coaching for Emotional Intelligence written by B Wall  http://www.dwyersbookstore.com.au/title/50/coaching_for_emotional_intelligence

The Assault on Reason by Al Bone http://www.dwyersbookstore.com.au/title/50/assault_on_reason

Rex Hunts Fishing Australia http://www.dwyersbookstore.com.au/title/50/rex_hunts_fishing_australia

There are a myriad of titles which will catch and hold the attention of even the most reluctant male.  Obtaining these titles is as easy as clicking on the links or searching our website where you will find a wide choice.

 Happy reading!!

Announced recently the Children’s Book Council has released their short list for Youth readers.  Amongst books nominated are The Red Shoe, Ursula Dubosarsky, Red Spikes, Margo Lanagan  (Red Spikes is her third book of short stories) and One Whole and Perfect Day Judith Clarke.   These books will be excellent choices for teenage readers.   You might like to watch out for the Children’s Book Council announcement of its Awards on Friday, 17th August immediately prior to the start of Book Week.  However in the meantime if you are interested in getting an appreciation of the short list we have stocks available.  For more information our link to several titles are below for your convenience. 

http://www.dwyersbookstore.com.au/title/50/red_shoe

http://www.dwyersbookstore.com.au/title/50/red_spikes

http://www.dwyersbookstore.com.au/title/50/one_whole_and_perfect_day

Bestselling author, Kate Forsyth continues with her children’s stories with this new book in the series. 

Once there was a gypsy queen ….    Click here to order your copy for that special little person.

http://www.dwyersbookstore.com.au/title/chain_of_charms_the_4_cat-s_eye_shell_the

This is great children’s fiction.   With a hero, Will, set to fight the baddies, Sir Keren and his band of criminals, this is an action story.   Set in primeval times Will’s courage and ingenuity - and the arrival of an old friend - may be the only things that stand in their way.  You can order this book as a special surprise for a young person by clicking here http://www.dwyersbookstore.com.au/title/rangers_apprentice_6_the_siege_of_macindaw 

Dinosaurs are perennial favourite with kids and this story for the 4 - 7 age group is no different.   Tiny Rannosaurus and the Neversaurus will keep them asking for many re-reads of this bright and funny story.   Click here to order their copy http://www.dwyersbookstore.com.au/title/50/tiny_rannosaurus_neversaurus

This book will keep the 10+ age group entertained.   Angie Sage has followed up the gripping “Magyk” and “Flyte”, with this rollicking good boys and girls own fantasy adventure.  To order a copy of this great book for a young person click here http://www.dwyersbookstore.com.au/title/50/septimus_heap_bk_3_physik