Eight Ways to Use Comic Strips in the Classroom

A great post from the Oxford University Press on incorporating Comic Strips into the Classroom.

I’m working on a list of great Graphic Novels – can you suggest any to add to it?

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6 Inspirational Comic Quotes That Can Help You Achieve Your Goals

A great collection of  6 Inspirational Comic Quotes That Can Help You Achieve Your Goals.

I particularly love the Captain Marvel quote:

“You have no idea what a real leader is. A leader has to project confidence. Fight for what she believes in. But never stop questioning, wondering how to be better. You take in everything… and make your call. You thought isolating me would make me weaker? Buddy, you don’t know me too well. All my life I’ve had to rely on myself, trust my instincts and convictions when others doubted me, and be prepared to back them up. You didn’t hurt me with what you did. You gave me what I needed to win.”

Reading Book Challenge 2019 the update

So I posted here about developing a reading book challenge for myself. I’d like to post where I am up to with it, and see how far I’ve actually progressed…..

1. A Book Published in 2019 – Not yet accomplished
2. A Book You Own But Never Read – I’m in the process of reading a book I have owned for years on Urban Legends, but just never read…..Work in progress
3. A Classic – so I read My People by Oodgeroo Noonuccal –  an amazing collection of poetry. Completed. 
4. A Book Written by an Australian/New Zealand Author- Calypso Summer by Jared Thomas – awesome page turning YA romance featuring a rocking Nukunu lead character. Completed!
5. A Non-Fiction Book – Gluten Free and Vegan Pie by Jennifer Katzinger. Completed!
6. An LGBT+ Romance – oooh I will find one…..there are so many great ones to choose from.
7. A Book with the Protagonist that Shares Your Occupation – Anyone know a good book about a Librarian?
8. A Book That Has Been Made Into a Movie – do Graphic Novels count???
9. A Romance Novel With Diverse Lead Characters – I’ll be chasing up suggestions for this one too..
10. The Bestseller of Your Birth Year – hmm I’ll need to look this up.
11. A Translated Romance Novel – I’ll track something down…
12. A Historical Romance Set in Ancient Times – again I’ll need to look for this one….
13. A Book of Short Stories – oh gosh I think I might have something sitting on table that may be appropriate!
14. A Book Someone Gave You/Recommended – this one was easy Caliban’s War by James S.A. Corey – devoured it in a day. Completed! 
15. A Book You Chose Based on the Cover Alone – that would have to be Zenobia by Morten Durr. Completed!
16. A book of free verse or poetry – well I’m loving Oodgeroo so maybe some more of her work?
17. Banned Novel – ooh what to choose? Any suggestions?
18. A Book You Started and Never Finished – The Giant Book of New World SF edited by Issac Asimov – started a few years ago and haven’t finished it but it’s a WIP.
19. A Book You Can Read in One Sitting – a great book by Renee Fogorty called Fair Skin Black Fella – a great book with a great meaning. Should be in every school library. Completed!

So 6 completed, and I’m in February…..seriously if you have suggestions I would love to hear from you about them.

How a school is using graphic novels to teach language skills

I love graphic novels, they’re such an important tool in any librarian’s kit when it comes to engaging with patrons who might find the traditional book threatening. Here is a great story on how Holyrood School in Glasgow is using graphic novels to help overcome language barriers that children face.

My child loved to read, then stopped

I’ve been here, my child started to baulk at the idea of reading, I almost lost him, but I started on a campaign to woo him back. We started at graphic novels, we’d read them together, exploring both DC and Marvel, then we inched our way back into novels, short stories and non fiction. I read, modelled reading, and encouraged him to debate with me about the written words we were reading together.

I worked hard building reading stamina in myself, my partner and my child. Building up independent reading stamina. I take an actual book with me, I make it a priority to have one in the bag when I travel, so it’s there if I need it, or if my own child has forgotten theirs. If you sit down and read everyday for thirty days, you’ll have built up an example to your child that will make it easier for them to use these skills in the classroom, and then life. We’re building skills for a lifelong journey, to help them create communities of their own, in their own languages.

I think it’s easy to walk away from the challenge of electronic devices versus a book for our children’s attention. After all I see every day folks reading from their mobile devices when out and about with their children, setting the example that the electronic device is preferable to actual interaction with them. 

We need to build up reading skills away from the screen, the ability to seek out a book when they’re bored, or in need of exploring issues in a safe environment. It’s a hard, sometimes difficult journey helping your child develop into a lifelong reader, but it is worth it. Trust me, I know.

Book Reading Challenge 2019

I got this idea from the 2019 Book Resolutions Reading Challenge at Romance.com.au, then decided I needed to modify it for my own purposes and reading style. I’m going to report back on how well I have achieved this as the year progresses….so stay tuned!

1. A Book Published in 2019
2. A Book You Own But Never Read
3. A Classic
4. A Book Written by an Australian/New Zealand Author
5. A Non-Fiction Book
6. An LGBT+ Romance
7. A Book with the Protagonist that Shares Your Occupation
8. A Book That Has Been Made Into a Movie
9. A Romance Novel With Diverse Lead Characters
10. The Bestseller of Your Birth Year
11. A Translated Romance Novel
12. A Historical Romance Set in Ancient Times
13. A Book of Short Stories
14. A Book Someone Gave You/Recommended
15. A Book You Chose Based on the Cover Alone
16. A book of free verse or poetry
17. Banned Novel
18. A Book You Started and Never Finished
19. A Book You Can Read in One Sitting

Do you want to join me? If so please leave a comment below and we can bookclub our way through this list!

Riddle Me This by Candice Watkins

Do not dismiss comic books, and how important they are in tempting folks back into reading…. Riddle Me This by Candice Watkins